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Mother Nature seemed to smile on growers throughout the U.S. as the 2019-20 citrus season got underway.

Food safety issues, particularly E. coli outbreaks, continued to disrupt the industry in 2019, even as the Food and Drug Administration announced a New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative.

California growers were somewhat happier with the way this year’s citrus season was shaping up compared to last year.

Mandarins continue to gain popularity among consumers, often at the expense of navel oranges. But it’s way too soon to count navels out.

Citrus has become one of the produce department’s leading organic items.

California’s Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement has released a list of steps the group and others in the produce industry, as well as regulators, have taken to address E. coli outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce.

Israel-based Evigence Sensors is seeking inroads for its time-temperature sensor in the fresh produce business.

Yuma, Ariz.-based Natural Delights is celebrating National Medjool Date Day on Feb. 4, promotions continuing through the month.

The run-ups to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are peak sales periods for mushrooms, but there’s a post-holiday run on the product, as well.

The Blend plays a big part in the marketing of fresh mushrooms, but packaging, nutrition and utility contribute.