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Jim Allen, vice president of marketing for New York Apple Sales and former president of the state’s apple association, has been honored by the New York State Agricultural Society.

The USDA’s 2018-19 mushroom production report had some surprises for the industry, showing an 8% drop in both sales and volume, which at 846.5 million pounds is the lowest production since 2009-10.

CHICAGO — The U.S. Apple Association estimate for the 2019 crop is forecast at 247.76 million (42-pound) cartons, 2.2% lower than the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s estimate of 253.09 million cartons.

A Food and Drug Administration program that tested numerous romaine samples from Yuma, Ariz., found just one E. coli sample, which was non-pathogenic.

CHICAGO — Canada’s apple output is down slightly, but Mexican apple production is way up this year, according to industry reports at the U.S. Apple Association’s Marketing Conference.

SVG Ventures, Los Gatos, Calif., is partnering with PMA, through a three-year agreement that brings tech panel discussions to Fresh Summit and a technology challenge giving companies the chance to pitch to investors.

The Packer’s Tom Karst visits with Joel Nelsen, strategic advisor for California Citrus Mutual, about citrus issues in an Aug. 21 interview.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved surety bonds from two businesses to satisfy Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act sanctions.

Salinas, Calif.-based Markon Cooperative Inc. gathered 26 chefs from its foodservice members and operators to focus on plant-based recipes at its fifth annual Chef Summit.

The Produce Marketing Association hopes to join the education lineup at South by Southwest event for the second year and is seeking industry support to make it happen.