Arizona

California Water Experts Call for Cooperation on Colorado River Impasse

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:32:08 GMT

There are just over two weeks left for the seven states that depend on the Colorado River to come to an agreement on how to manage its dwindling water resources. This water is critical to millions of people and agricultural acres across the river’s basin, as well as key sectors of California’s fresh produce industry.

If the states can’t agree on a management plan for the Colorado River by Feb. 14, the federal government may step in with its plans. Experts doubt those plans will solve the issues facing the Colorado River, however, and say it could likely result in decades of lawsuits and uncertainty.

While the states have been at an impasse for over two years now, California water and irrigation experts are hopeful for cooperation ahead of the deadline.

“It’s important that we remember as we move forward that we’re all in this together,” says Frank Venegas, water technician for the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe. “We have to develop partnerships. If we have some partnerships already, [we have] to make them stronger as we move forward into this next era of the negotiations.”

Venegas was one of several panelists who spoke during a Jan. 28 webinar hosted by the California Natural Resources Agency. Panelists spoke on the relevance of the Colorado River water to California, the challenges facing it, what has happened to address those challenges and what needs to happen in the future of its management.

Not Enough Water to Go Around

Seven states and Mexico depend on and share the water of the Colorado River. The states are divided into the Upper Basin (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico) and the Lower Basin (California, Arizona and Nevada).

However, much like the situation between the U.S. and Mexico on the Rio Grande , the Colorado River is overallocated.

Michael Anderson, California state climatologist, explained during the webinar that the average flow through the river from 1910 to 2000 was roughly 15 million acre-feet annually. The 1922 Colorado River Compact operated on this reality, stipulating that the Upper and Lower Basins would each receive 7.5 MAF annually. Of the Lower Basin’s total allocation, California receives the lion’s share at 4.4 MAF. This also makes it the largest single recipient of Colorado River water in the entire basin.

The 1922 compact granted any water over the states’ 15 MAF allocation to Mexico. The 1944 treaty between the U.S. and Mexico changed this, allocating an additional 1.5 MAF annually to Mexico. This brought the river’s total annual allocations to 16.5 MAF.

Since the early 2000s, however, average annual flow rates have been slightly over 12.5 MAF because of extended drought in the Colorado River Basin. Experts expect the stress on the river and its basin will continue due to climate change and continued warming in the West.

Anderson explains that a warmer West means more moisture will be pulled out of the landscape, including the Colorado River. At the same time, climate change means storms are bigger and more intense, as well as more spread out and less predictable. Warmer temperatures also mean that snowpacks, on which the Colorado River depends, are getting smaller and less dependable.

All these factors also compound on one another. For example, the drier things get, the more dust there is on the landscape.

“Dust from the deserts being blown up onto the snowpack makes it melt earlier, meaning you have that longer period of dryness in the basin to stress the landscape even further,” Anderson says. “So a lot of forces [are] working to make things more challenging in the basin, to be sure.”

California Produce Needs Colorado River Water

Challenges to the Colorado River Basin pose a threat to everyone and everything that depends on its water.

While roughly 40 million people across the entire basin depend on water from the Colorado River, the river’s water also makes specific sectors of fresh produce possible, particularly in California. Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources, points to the Imperial Irrigation District, which gets all of its water from the Colorado River Basin, as an example.

“Because they have such a long growing season with few days below freezing, the farmers in IID produce about two-thirds of the nation’s winter vegetables,” she says.

JB Hamby, vice chair of the IID board of directors and chair of the state’s Colorado River Board, quantifies the impact in another way, pointing to 600,000 acres “of highly productive farmland in production all-year round, some of the most high-value and productive in the basin.” He specifically names the Imperial Valley, Bard Valley, the land of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe and the Coachella Valley in his example.

Robert Cheng, assistant general manager of the Coachella Valley Water District, says the area — known for its unique produce items like dates, citrus, melons and specialty vegetables — could not survive without Colorado River water.

“We really depend pretty heavily on the Colorado River Basin,” he says, noting that Colorado River water makes up 75% or more of the area’s imported water annually. “And despite holding senior Colorado River water rights, we also very much understand the importance of working these issues out collaboratively.”

Feb. 14: Deadline to a Decision

Collaboration on the Colorado River Basin has been complicated, however.

The 2007 agreement governing how water is managed along the Colorado River during times of shortages expired at the end of 2025. The 2007 rules will remain in effect until the end of the 2026 water year on Sept. 30. In what is often called “the post-2026 negotiations,” the seven basin states have been attempting to come up with a replacement management plan that all parties agree on for the past two years.

Thus far, no agreement has been reached.

On Jan. 16, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released its own version of a water management plan for the Colorado River in the form of a draft environmental impact statement .

“The Department of the Interior is moving forward with this process to ensure environmental compliance is in place so operations can continue without interruption when the current guidelines expire,” Andrea Travnicek, USBR assistant secretary for water and science, said in the group’s announcement from Jan. 9. “The river and the 40 million people who depend on it cannot wait. In the face of an ongoing severe drought, inaction is not an option.”

The draft environmental impact statement examines five different strategies for managing Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the two key reservoirs along the Colorado River. While USBR has not identified a preferred alternative out of the five, it has given the seven states a Feb. 14 deadline to come up with an agreement or it may select one within its jurisdiction to pursue.

According to reporting from the Los Angeles Times , some of those alternatives are alarming for California and could “lead to lengthy litigation,” according to Shivaji Deshmukh, the general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Metropolitan is the country’s largest water district, serving almost 20 million people, and half of those who depend on the Colorado River for water.

Cooperation is Key

Deshmukh, who spoke at the Jan. 28 webinar, outlines the importance of the Colorado River water to his largely urban constituents. However, he also stresses the importance of partnership and collaborative efforts to reduce demand and cooperate with all water users.

“We have not pitted ourselves against flows of water in the environment or for agriculture, but rather figured out ways to partner, whether it is looking at ways to partner with the state on programs to better balance water supply throughout the state of California or very unique and agency-specific partnerships with our agricultural partners, including IID, Coachella Valley and the Quezon Tribe,” he says.

“We know that without a consensus approach to these negotiations, we could be left with some really severe cuts along the river,” he adds.

All other panelists and participants also call for cooperation and collaboration among the seven states.

“We’re really focused with working across states,” says Wade Crowfoot, secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency.

“We know that the future is going to be better when the seven states actually decide the path forward versus looking to the federal government or, at worst, getting mired in litigation, which really characterized so much water management over the last century in the basin,” he says.

Charlie’s Produce Completes Operational Integration in Phoenix

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:47:02 GMT

Independent produce distributor, Charlie’s Produce, announced Jan. 22 the full operational integration of its Phoenix operations following the acquisition of Stern Produce in 2024. Systems, branding and supply chain integration are now complete.

The acquisition brought together two family-founded companies with deep roots in the produce industry: Stern Produce, founded in Phoenix in 1917, and Charlie’s Produce, which has served western markets for almost 50 years. Over the past two years, the combined team has focused on aligning operations, integrating technology systems, expanding resources and strengthening service capabilities to ensure customers receive consistent quality and service, the company says.

“We were intentional about taking the time to do this right,” says Tygann Billow, CEO of Charlie’s Produce. “Now that integration is complete, we’re proud to officially share that Charlie’s Produce in Phoenix is in an optimal position to support customers across Arizona with the scale, service and product knowledge they expect.”

Today, more than 60 team members support the Phoenix operation, serving schools, restaurants, independent retailers, resorts, healthcare facilities, senior care providers and foodservice operators throughout Arizona.

“This union brings together generations of local market knowledge with the strength of a regional leader,” says Bill Stern, general manager. “Our customers now benefit from broader product access, expanded specialty and organic offerings combined with a service-first approach that puts their needs at the center of everything we do.”

$3M Grant to Launch Arizona Hub for Agriculture Innovation

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 22:41:11 GMT

The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved a $3-million grant to launch the Arizona Hub for Agriculture Innovation, a statewide collaboration designed to strengthen the state’s $30-billion agriculture industry and advance resilient and sustainable farming practices that can thrive in water-limited environments.

The tri-university initiative brings together the Arizona Department of Agriculture and the state’s public universities — Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona — to translate cutting-edge research into scalable, practical solutions for farmers and producers across the state. Centered in Yuma, Arizona’s year-round agriculture region, the hub will align research capacity, industry partnerships and state priorities to ensure long-term agriculture resilience and address challenges such as groundwater depletion and resource scarcity.

“Arizona’s universities are pioneering technologies that advance both our agricultural sector and the well-being of our communities,” says Doug Goodyear, chair of the Arizona Board of Regents. “By bridging research with real-world application, this grant strengthens Arizona’s role as a driver of innovation and helps to power one of our state’s most critical industries.”

The initiative will focus on developing solutions critical to industry and state needs, including precision agriculture, soil health, crop innovation and workforce development. The hub will also establish the Ag Innovation Lab. This statewide program connects agriculture researchers, engineers, data scientists and industry partners to accelerate the development and deployment of precision agriculture technologies. The lab will leverage research and development from the universities to test new discoveries and scale innovations for real-world use in farms across Yuma and other agricultural areas.

The Arizona Department of Agriculture says it will collaborate with the Board of Regents and the universities to turn state challenges into opportunities for innovation. The goal is to position Arizona as a national model for water-smart, economically viable agriculture in arid regions worldwide. The department will also align efforts with priorities from other state agencies, including State Land, Water Resources, Environmental Quality and the Commerce Authority.

“The Arizona Department of Agriculture is thrilled to be working with the Board of Regents and our three universities to advance the future of Arizona agriculture in a drying climate,” says Paul Brierley, director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture. “By collaborating across institutions and with our producers, we’re ensuring that Arizona remains a leader in sustainable, resilient farming and that land fallowing need not be the default response to water shortages.”

The Regents’ grant was approved during a special board meeting in Yuma, where Arizona State Sen. Tim Dunn, a lifelong Yuma resident and local farmer, highlighted the region’s role in national food security. He also emphasized Yuma’s year-round crop production, high-value agriculture, robust broadband infrastructure and a culture of innovation among farmers and agribusiness leaders.

“Yuma’s agriculture community knows how to tackle tough challenges, but we can’t do it alone,” Dunn says. “By working with our universities, we can bring new technology, research and ideas to the people who need it most. Grant funding like this can help create long-term solutions and prepare the next generation of leaders. I applaud the Arizona Board of Regents for supporting this effort and helping build a stronger, more sustainable future for agriculture in Yuma.”

Vallarta Supermarkets Expands Beyond California With First-Ever Arizona Store

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 21:05:15 GMT

Vallarta Supermarkets, a family-owned Latino grocer, says it is making history with its first-ever store outside of California, opening in Glendale, Ariz. in January 2026.

Known for its authentic Mexican flavors, freshly made foods and community-focused culture, Vallarta Supermarkets has been a household name across California for over four decades. The grocer says the Glendale opening represents a major milestone for it and a significant addition to the city’s retail landscape, meeting a demand for authentic Latino food and immersive shopping experiences.

“This is more than just a store opening; it’s the next chapter in Vallarta’s story,” says Lizette Gomez, director of marketing for Vallarta. “We’ve built our reputation on authenticity, quality and community, and we’re proud to bring that to Arizona for the very first time.”

In support of its new community and appreciation for the residents, Vallarta Supermarkets says it will be hosting a grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration, donating $7,500 to local charities and schools in the Glendale area and giving away reusable grocery bags filled with groceries to the first 300 customers.

“I’m excited to welcome Vallarta Supermarkets to Glendale,” says Glendale Mayor Jerry P. Weiers. “With their rich history on the west coast, they chose our city as the home for their very first Arizona location, and that’s a big win for us. This new store will not only bring quality products and unique flavors to our community, but it will also create jobs and help boost our local economy. It’s a perfect example of growth that benefits everyone.”

Located at 5836 W. Camelback Road and spanning more than 49,000 square feet, and bringing up to 200 jobs to the city, the Glendale store is designed to be an immersive experience, alive with the colors, aromas and sounds of Latin American culinary tradition, the company says. From the moment shoppers step inside, they will be greeted by the scent of warm tortillas from the in-house Tortillería, the rich aroma of the chain’s iconic carne asada and the sight of hand-decorated cakes and pan dulce in the panadería. The store will feature all of Vallarta’s signature departments, highlighting:

Made-fresh daily foods — From warm corn and flour tortillas crafted in-house, to hand-decorated cakes and pan dulce in the panadería and fresh ceviches prepared in small batches throughout the day, Vallarta’s signature freshness is front and center.
Authentic flavors at the heart of the store — The carnicería, home of Vallarta’s famous Original Carne Asada, offers premium cuts of meat marinated in signature spices. Nearby, the cremería showcases traditional cheeses like queso fresco and cotija, while the pescadería and in-house cevichería deliver ocean-fresh seafood, aquachiles and more.
Grab-and-go with a cultural twist — Shoppers can stop at La Cocina for hot, ready-to-eat meals inspired by Mexico and Central America, sip agua frescas straight from traditional vitroleros at the juice bar or personalize their guacamole at the made-to-order station. For a sweet finish, the dulcería offers candies, piñatas and celebration essentials.
Global meets local — Alongside staples of Latin American cuisine, Vallarta brings variety with hand-rolled sushi, fresh-pressed juices, fruit bowls topped with Tajín and chamoy and a wide selection of organic produce sourced both locally and worldwide.
More than groceries — The florería brightens every occasion with vibrant flower arrangements and potted plants, rounding out the store as a true community destination.

With the Glendale store as its first outside of California, Vallarta Supermarkets says it plans to continue expanding its footprint while staying true to its roots — serving communities with authentic, high-quality food and creating a gathering place for families to connect over culture and tradition.

Used Farm Equipment Swindle Alert: BBB Warns Virtual Vendor Vehicle Scams on the Rise

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 16:50:12 GMT

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning used equipment buyers nationwide about another sophisticated scam involving used farm equipment.

This particular grift, according to a press release from BBB, involved a fake online heavy equipment retailer impersonating a legitimate Missouri dealership, Cook Equipment & Trucking (Marble Hill, Mo.).

Buyers from across the U.S., some even from as far away as California and Arizona, reported losing a total of $223,000 after attempting to purchase heavy equipment and farm machinery through fraudulent websites and Facebook Marketplace ads.

Related: Essential Advice for Safely Buying Used Farm Machinery

Victims say they were “ghosted” after wiring money for equipment that never arrived. The BBB does not say whether the victims were able to dispute the fraudulent charges and claw back the proceeds from the scammers.

The reported fraudulent transactions include:

$45,000 for a skid steer loader from a buyer in Oak Hills, Calif.
$32,000 for an excavator from a buyer in Hancock, Mich.
$29,500 for a trailer from a buyer in Amanda, Ohio
$29,000 for a trailer from a buyer in Greenville, N.C.
$28,000 for a skid steer loader from a buyer in Eastman, Wis.
$31,000 for an excavator from a buyer in Des Moines, Iowa.
$29,000 for a skid steer from a buyer in Blue, Ariz.

BBB says the real Cook Equipment & Trucking, a small business operating since 2010, confirmed it has no website and is not affiliated with any online sales. The impersonators registered three fake websites, the most recent on July 14, and continue to run deceptive ads on social media.

“Those shopping for heavy equipment and farm machinery online should do their due diligence so they don’t fall victim to a virtual vehicle vendor scam,” says Michelle L. Corey, president and CEO, BBB St. Louis. “If an item is priced well below market value, that’s a red flag.”

To avoid getting swept up in an online virtual vehicle vendor scam the Better Business Bureau offers these tips:

Research the business at bbb.org or call 888-996-3887
Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true
Verify the website and contact the business directly
Read all terms and understand refund policies
Use a credit card for added protection
Report scams to BBB Scam Tracker, your state attorney general, the FTC, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center , and notify the social media platform where the fraud was discovered

To learn more about how to avoid online fraud in the used equipment auction world, check out BBB’s 2024 study on virtual vehicle vendor scams.

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Historical slideshow: Bashas' for the last 90 years, plus celebrations today

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:26:27 GMT

Chandler, Ariz.-based Bashas’ is starting a 90-day celebration in July to commemorate the supermarket chain’s 90th anniversary.

The retailer will try to break a Guinness World Records title, hold a Community Choice Charity Challenge, host weekly grocery gift card giveaways, donate to employee-suggested local nonprofit groups and perform random acts of kindness, according to a news release.

“We are honored to celebrate our 90th anniversary with our team members, customers, vendors and charity partners,” Bashas’ President Edward “Trey” Basha said in the release. He’s a grandson of one of the company’s founders. “I’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone for their continued support. Our goal is to express our gratitude and use this milestone as an opportunity to be of additional service to our communities.”

Bashas’ Family of Stores operates Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods, Eddie’s Country Store and both Bashas’ and Bashas’ Diné supermarkets.

Related news: Retailer acquisition: Raley’s gets Bashas’

Bashas’ supermarkets began in 1932, when brothers Ike and Eddie Basha Sr. opened the first Bashas’-branded grocery store five miles south of Chandler. Since then, the grocer has been a part of the fabric of Arizona, growing the company from one location to more than 100 statewide under multiple banners. The Basha family name is also on local streets and schools, demonstrating how engrained into Arizona the family and their company are.

These are some of the activities planned for the next 90 days:

July 11-12: Attempting to break a Guinness World Records title for the largest doughnut mosaic logo.
July 18-Sept. 23: Holding a “Community Choice Charity Challenge, in which community members will vote for one of the 32 nonprofit organizations in Bashas’ 2022 Charity of the Month fundraising program to receive an additional $50,000 from Bashas’.
July 27- Oct. 4: Weekly Grocery Gift Card Giveaways: Once a week, for 10 weeks, Bashas’ will randomly give away $500 in grocery gift cards. Each grocery week will coincide with Bashas’ weekly grocery ads. Shoppers who activate a Personal Thank You (loyalty) offer in their account each week will be automatically entered for a chance to win.
August-September: Bashas’ will award an additional $2,500 to two nonprofits — one in August and the other in September — based on nominations from team members about a local nonprofit that has impacted their life or the life of someone they love.
Sept. 17-18: Companywide, Bashas’ Family of Stores plans to give $100 to each of its 113 grocery stores in Arizona and New Mexico to perform a random act of kindness for their local community. Whether the store team decides to donate the money to a local food bank or shelter or give the funds to an individual struggling to pay for groceries, each store team will decide where the money will go.

“Bashas’ has provided significant contributions to Arizona on so many levels,” Mark Miller, president of Arizona Food Marketing Alliance, said in the release. “Every state should be lucky enough to have a supermarket chain like Bashas’... They truly care about our community.”

Baking influencer helps Natural Delights reinvigorate Canadian marketing

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 12:01:42 GMT

Medjool date brand Natural Delights is returning to CPMA in Toronto this April with award-winning products and an ambitious Canadian marketing program in tow, according to a news release.

For the last several years, Natural Delights has focused efforts on expanding distribution globally to meet the growing demand for Medjool dates. The brand has partnered with Canadian trade and consumer media as well as influencers to bolster brand recognition in one of its largest export markets, the release said.

This year Natural Delights is partnering with Anna Olson — also known as “Canada’s Baking Sweetheart” — to elevate the brand through her platform and influence. Olson experienced Natural Delight’s medjool date harvest firsthand in September 2022, cataloging the experience on her Oh Yum channel on YouTube, which has since received the second-highest views on her channel.

Related news: Industry ready to come together at 2023 CPMA Convention and Trade Show

Olson also hosted baking demonstrations on some of Canada’s most popular morning shows. In total, Olson’s support has earned Natural Delights more than 25 million impressions this year, according to the release.

“Our marketing efforts have focused on educating consumers about the health benefits and versatility of Medjool dates, while highlighting our commitment to sustainability and ethical farming practices,” Natural Delights Director of Marketing David Baxter said in the release.

Natural Delights 2-pound whole dates are the top-selling SKU in Canada, according to the release, and the brand offers a wide range of merchandising options including display racks, shippers and pallet displays. Retailers are encouraged to take advantage of merchandising options that prominently display Natural Delights products and make them easy to find, the release said.

“Canadian retailers have come to expect consistency and the highest standard of excellence with Natural Delights products,” Natural Delights Canadian Sales Director Mauro Santelli said in the release. “Our French and English packaging, product variety and commitment to providing resources to shoppers has made the brand a top choice for Canadians.”

Fresh produce nonprofit expands to serve more Arizona schools

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 18:23:27 GMT

Brighter Bites, a nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly to families, has opened a new location in Phoenix, which is also its 11th Arizona.

Brighter Bites will serve six schools within Cartwright School District and Alhambra Unified School District, which will directly affect almost 900 families and provide approximately 288,000 pounds of fresh produce to its participants, according to a news release.

“We sincerely appreciate Brighter Bites for their efforts in delivering age-appropriate nutrition lessons to our students which is helping them grasp the significance of maintaining healthy eating habits,” Diane Corley, Tomahawk Elementary School principal, said in the release. “We are grateful for this partnership that supports healthier choices for our youth.”

Key partners who have made the Phoenix location possible include founding partners, MJI Family Investments LLC, JV Smith, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, Burton Family Foundation and the locally based St. Mary’s Food Bank, the release said.

Related news: Brighter Bites, Zespri Kiwifruit extend partnership

“St. Mary’s is excited to partner with Brighter Bites towards achieving the common goal of increasing access of nutritional food for school-age children to create healthy habits that turn into healthy lifestyles,” Laura Brill, St. Mary’s Food Bank director of culinary and nutrition programs, said in the release.

The first distribution in Phoenix began Oct. 16 and will continue each week through the end of May, according to the release. Brighter Bites says it plans to further expand its reach into more schools within the Cartwright and Alhambra school districts in the 2024-25 school year.

EarthBlend marks sixth season in West Mexico produce

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 13:29:58 GMT

Nogales, Ariz.-based EarthBlend is starting its sixth season distributing West Mexico produce, says Steve Spence, director of sales.

“Year after year we continue to see growth and expansion,” Spence said, noting that EarthBlend receives steady supplies of dry veg daily, with promotion opportunities on cucumbers, squash, eggplant and green beans.

New developments at the company include year-round supplies of cucumbers and squash, Spence said, with contract opportunities available. Customer service is a top priority for the company, he said.

Spence said EarthBlend also can adapt to diverse customer packaging needs.

“We’re always looking for value-added programs. RPCs, tray packs, bags, IQF and more,” he said. “I’m proud of what our team has accomplished and grateful for all of our trading partners,” Spence said.

LGMAs adopt numerous changes on water, sanitation

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:44:34 GMT

The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement has made more than 50 changes to rules as the group continues a review of its practices following E. coli outbreaks in recent years.

The Arizona LGMA has made similar changes, according to a news release.

The LGMA established subcommittees this year to address specific parts of the food safety process, and the ones for farm water use and field/equipment sanitation have met numerous times in recent months, according to CEO Scott Horsfall. They focused on new research, examine outbreak findings and gather input from food safety experts, he said in the release.

Many of the changes approved by the LGMA board recently strengthen existing rules, several substantive changes have been made, according to the release.

Those changes include:

Requirements to ensure the safety of water used during overhead application of pesticides and crop protection materials, similar to rules added last year that require open water sources — such as a canal or reservoir — applied via overhead application must be treated to eliminate pathogens during the previous 21 days before harvest;
Added regular water quality tests and sample collecting requirements throughout irrigation systems;
Addressed the risk of water applied via furrow irrigation from coming into contact with any edible portion of leafy greens;
Updated practices for cleaning harvest equipment, containers, tools and bathroom facilities in and near leafy greens fields; and
Preventing the cut end of leafy greens from coming into contact with the ground during harvest.

“The LGMA is committed to strengthening required food safety practices throughout our processes,” Dan Sutton, California LGMA chairman and general manager of Pismo-Oceano Vegetable Exchange in San Luis Obispo County. “We are doing everything possible on our farms to prevent future foodborne illness outbreaks.”

The LGMA will be educating members on how to comply with the new standards.

Subcommittees on soils amendments/inputs and adjacent lands are working on more changes to LGMA standards. The group is interested in adjacent lands that have livestock, and how to ensure E. coli isn’t transferred to crops via water or other means.

Related stories:

LGMA subcommittee looks at land near leafy greens fields

California leafy greens growers work to prevent outbreaks

LGMA considers water standard updates, soil amendments next

Arizona LGMA updates water metrics prior to Yuma season

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:46:30 GMT

As the fall/winter growing season in Yuma, Ariz., approaches, the Arizona Leafy Green Marketing Agreement has approved new water and field metrics.

The LGMA’s Technical Subcommittee work with its sister organization, the California LGMA, in updating the changes to food safety guidelines for lettuce and other leafy greens, according to a news release from the Arizona organization.

“The Arizona (LGMA) remains committed to ensuring that practices and metrics reflect our current scientific knowledge and contribute to continuous improvement in our food safety systems,” Vicki-Lynne Scott, technical assistant for the Arizona LGMA, said in the release.

As with recent changes to the California LGMA standards, Arizona growers have enhanced standards for water sampling and sanitation of field equipment.

Changes to the metrics for water affect everything from furrow irrigation to drip tape and management of irrigation water systems, according to the release.

The changes became effective Aug. 18. The seven members of the Arizona LGMA’s technical subcommittee met 11 times to redefine the best practices for water and field sanitation standards, according to the release.

The two groups have reviewed and updated standards several times in recent years as leafy greens, primarily romaine lettuce, have been linked to E. coli outbreaks.

Related stories:

Leafy greens growers prepare for Yuma, beef up safety measures

LGMAs adopt numerous changes on water, sanitation

LGMA charts course to achieve food safety goals

Arizona LGMA adopts new water metrics

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:13:40 GMT

The Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement has adopted more stringent water quality metrics in preparation for the coming season.

The metrics, adopted in late August, are similar to those approved by the California LGMA in April, but with changes to “better address the practicality of using surface water, setting the highest produce industry standards for water,” according to a news release from the Arizona group.

“These new water metrics are expected to be particularly helpful in facilitating data collection for growers to better identify potential risks,” according to the release. “Having these answers will allow for faster response and execution of mitigation efforts.”

California’s water quality testing changes requires growers to:

Review water system, sources, storage and irrigation methods;
Conduct water testing and routinely monitor sources and systems; and
Treat water if necessary (surface water for overhead irrigation 21 days before harvest must be sanitized).

“We have spent countless hours going over and reviewing every aspect of our industry,” Vicki-Lynne Scott, technical assistant, said in the release. “It’s an ongoing effort, but we are continuing a proud heritage of growing and distributing quality leafy greens to customers throughout the U.S.”

Related stories:

California LGMA approves stricter water treatment rules

CPS OKS $1 million for ag water research following outbreaks

Arizona LGMA revises metrics in wake of E. coli outbreak

Western Growers selects Dave Puglia as president and CEO

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:28:38 GMT

Dave Puglia is succeeding Tom Nassif, who is retiring after 18 years as the president and CEO of Western Growers .

Puglia, who joined the association in 2005, is its executive vice president. He will take the role of president and CEO on Feb. 1, according to a news release.
Before joining Western Growers, Puglia was vice president of public affairs consulting firm APCO Worldwide, and served seven years in the California Attorney General’s Office as press secretary and then director of public affairs and communications.

“Since joining our organization, Dave has demonstrated an unyielding passion for our members, a deep understanding of the issues facing Western agriculture — water policy, in particular — and an unrivaled capacity for leading our association and industry into the next decade and beyond,” Ron Ratto, president of Ratto Bros. and chairman of the Western Growers board, said in the release.

Puglia said he is honored to chosen for the opportunity and responsibility to lead the organization, which represents growers in California and Arizona.

“The people of this industry welcomed me into their hearts from the first day on the job, rain or shine,” Puglia said in the release. “As their advocate, I am as energized and optimistic as ever about the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

Puglia’s appointment comes after a nationwide search. In the release, he thanked Nassif and other Western Grower representatives for mentoring him on the job.

Ratto credited Nassif for the association’s influence and national prominence. Western Growers has been active on many issues facing growers, including food safety, labor and immigration, water, technology and international trade, according to the release.

“Every day since 2002, my inspiration has been derived from the hard-working, innovative and ethical family farmers who comprise our membership,” Nassif said in the release. “I am proud of the major strides we have taken as an industry during my tenure, and it brings me great satisfaction knowing that the future of our association is secure in the hands of Dave Puglia.”

Related stories:

Tom Nassif to receive Western Growers’ Award of Honor

Determination, Innovation and Unity

75th Anniversary Edition: Western Growers Association

Industry remembers DatePac co-founder Steve Shadle

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:16:22 GMT

Steve Shadle, who instrumental in the formation of DatePac LLC , which consolidates and packs for the Bard Valley Date Growers Association members, has died.

Shadle, a respected philanthropist in Yuma, Ariz., died Aug. 11 after battling cancer. He was 84.

A lawyer, Shadle was active in agribusiness, becoming involved in lemon and medjool date growing in the late 1960s, according to his obituary . He combined his love of farming, practicing law and being involved in business, advising many business owners and helping form companies.

He represented citrus growers on Arizona’s Lemon Administrative Committee and Orange Administrative Committee and lobbied in Washington, D.C. He helped form the date growers association and in 2002 co-founded DatePac in Yuma, according to the obituary.

“Steve was a valued member of our community who touched and improved so many lives in the work that he did. He will be sorely missed,” Tim Rooney, CEO of Bard Valley Date Growers, said in a statement. “We have lost a true giant and a remarkable visionary in our industry.”

Through DatePac, Yuma growers were able to grade, pack and ship medjool dates under one roof, according to the statement.

He was a former president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers.

His many affiliations included Yuma Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross and the Caballeros de Yuma. He and his wife Bobbie founded the Shadle Family Foundation, which provides scholarships and grants to Yuma-area students and nonprofits.

He married Bobbie in 1957; she died shortly before him.

Memorial donations can be made to the Shadle Family Foundation in care of: Amy Gill, 1451 S. Hettema Street, Yuma, AZ, 85354.

Leafy greens growers prepare for Yuma, beef up safety measures

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:45:44 GMT

As leafy greens growers prepare to move from California’s Central Coast regaion to the desert regions of California and Yuma, Ariz., to start fall/winter production, they’re taking extra precautions, according to the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement .

In recent years, E. coli outbreaks traced to leafy greens harvested during the transition period have forced the LGMAs for the states to enact stricter measures.

“As we approach the fall transition when patterns have emerged in recent years, everyone is taking additional precautions to prevent potential problems,” Scott Horsfall, CEO of the California LGMA, said in a news release.

That includes ramping up inspections. The California Department of Food and Agriculture, which is designated by the Food and Drug Administration to conduct the inspections, is adding more personnel to increase on-farm visits over the next several months.

Dan Sutton, a grower and LGMA chairman, said 2020 has been challenging enough for consumers, growers and farm workers.

“As farmers, we’re doing everything possible to make sure our crops are farmed safely and we’re working together with government, food safety experts and the produce industry to keep people safe,” Sutton said in the release.

The LGMA released a list of 10 actions growers are taking to keep leafy greens safe.

“These activities are designed to improve leafy greens safety now and into the future,” Horsfall said in the release.

The LGMA’s ‘10 things being done to make leafy greens safer:’

LGMA food safety audits are ongoing during COVID-19;
The California LGMA is intensifying audits during the season transition, with every member being audited at least once between now and November;
LGMA members must be in compliance with all 300-plus food safety checkpoints during on-farm audits;
Irrigation standards passed in 2019 are being implemented and enforced (there are 92 checkpoints dealing exclusively with water safety);
Training and education is taking place for standards on water use and field/equipment that were approved in August;
State agencies are monitoring compost used on leafy greens farms;
Arizona and California state inspectors are visiting farms to ensure they comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule;
Research continues to learn more about potential risks in growing leafy greens;
The LGMA mandates and verifies through audits that members have a traceability system in place; and
The LGMA supports a Leafy Greens Traceability Pilot to improve traceback through the supply chain.

More changes to LGMA standards will be coming in the near future, Horsfall said.

“Most importantly, we are looking closely at the LGMA’s required food safety practices for the proximity of animals to leafy greens farms in light of findings from FDA investigations into past outbreaks,” he said in the release. “We have already increased buffer zones required between animal operations and our farms. Additional changes are being considered now.”

The California LGMA conducted a web seminar Sept. 1 to provide information on LGMA practices. Participants included representatives of the two LGMAs, Sonia Salas, Western Growers assistant vice president of food safety, science and technology; Natalie Krout-Greenberg of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Inspection Services Director; and Jennifer McEntire, senior vice president of food safety and technology for the United Fresh Produce Association.

The seminar is available for viewing online.

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Canada to require LGMA certification for Arizona leafy greens

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:38:07 GMT

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will be requiring that leafy greens from Arizona must be from a grower involved in the state’s Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement to be imported into Canada.

The new rule will be effective in mid-August, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The agency notified the industry through its listserv, according to a CFIA spokeswoman. The agency plans to post it in its website over the summer.

According to the new rule, the “CFIA will limit entry into Canada of leafy green products from Arizona to those handled by shippers that are certified members of the Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement.”

Teressa Lopez, Arizona Leafy Greens Food Safety Committee administrator, confirmed the CFIA notified the LGMA that the new rule will be finalized and announced in August.

The items covered by the CFIA rule are: iceberg lettuce , romaine , green leaf, red leaf, butter lettuce, baby leaf lettuce (for example, immature lettuce or leafy greens), escarole, endive, spinach , cabbage , kale , arugula, chard and radicchio.

“Products not identified above are excluded from the requirement to be sourced from certified members of the Arizona LGMA (for example, bok choy and other Asian greens),” according to the CFIA.

Canada has required that California leafy greens be certified by the California LGMA for years.

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Governor proclaims Arizona Leafy Greens Month

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:51:40 GMT

November marks the start of the harvest season for leafy greens in Arizona.

Now through April, the 15 varieties of leafy greens grown here will be gathered and shipped to locations across the United States and Canada. The production results in the employment of nearly 27,000 and an estimated $2 billion to the state’s economy each year. Moreover, 82 percent of lettuce consumed in the next six months will come from Arizona. In recognition of the significant impact the leafy greens industry has on the state, Gov. Doug Ducey has proclaimed November as “Arizona Leafy Greens Month.”

“We approach each harvest season with a sense of pride and take our role as the top producer of leafy greens very seriously,” said C.R. Waters, chairman of Arizona Leafy Greens Food Safety Committee.

“Yet, there is also much joy and gratitude as the fruits of our labor come to fruition and another safe harvest begins being shipped to consumers across the country. Arizona Leafy Greens Month is an opportunity to generate awareness about our industry, while also celebrating the hard work that goes into it.”

Arizona Leafy Greens Month was established by Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (Arizona LGMA), an organization led by industry professionals who participate on a voluntary basis in the implementation of a rigorous, science-based food safety protocol amongst state growers and shippers. As part of the month-long observance, Arizona LGMA has partnered with the Yuma Safe Produce Council and will host a series of online giveaways related to the leafy greens industry and to food safety.

Giveaways will be held weekly on Arizona LGMA’s Facebook page with followers asked to like, share and comment on posts. Winners will be announced every Friday throughout the month of November.

In addition to its social media giveaways, Arizona LGMA will launch a new newsletter, Harvest Times during Arizona Leafy Greens Month. The quarterly newsletter will highlight the successes of the season including new programs and initiatives as well as the people that ensure that every year their leafy greens are grown, harvested and shipped in the safest possible manner. Further, it will serve as a resource on the Arizona Leafy Greens program and its history.

“Arizona Leafy Greens Month is a vehicle to educate the public on the importance of the efforts done by the Arizona LGMA Technical subcommittee to keep the leafy greens we consume safe. The measures instituted by them are widely considered to be the most comprehensive in the industry. However, recognize that it is the cooperation and hard work of the farming community that truly ensure our success,” said Arizona Leafy Greens Food Safety Committee Administrator, Teressa Lopez.

For more information on Arizona LGMA and to sign up for the Harvest Times newsletter, visit arizonaleafygreens.org. Follow us on Facebook @Arizona Leafy Greens, Twitter @AZLeafyGreens, and our new Instagram @azleafygreens.

Joyce Brown, of Brownie Brokerage in Nogales, dies

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:05:50 GMT

Joyce Brown, who established Brownie Brokerage Inc. with her husband, Lavern “Brownie” Brown in 1967 In Nogales, Ariz., died recently.

Brown, who died June 9 in Rio Rico, Ariz., was 90.

Joyce and Brownie visited Santa Cruz on a business trip in 1962, and she fell in love with the area, according to an obituary.

She was an active partner in the business, a constant presence in the office filling the role of bookkeeper and managing the hiring and dispatch of transportation for the firm,” according to the obituary. “Fifty-two years later, Brownie Brokerage continues its reputation for excellent service and customer care which Joyce helped establish.”

Her son, Todd Brown, leads the brokerage.

She volunteered at numerous organizations, including Carondolet Hospice in Tucson, Rio Rico Youth Hoops, Rio Rico Rotary Club and the Glen Lake (Minn.) Sanitarium.

“Known for her sharp wit, light humor, and optimism, Joyce was a source of delight to her friends and family,” according to her obituary. “She was generous with the wisdom accumulated over a lifetime of hard work, adventure, and travel, often serving as confidant and mentor to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.”

A memorial service is scheduled for July 20 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Nogales. Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Rio Rico Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 4925, Rio Rico, AR, 85648, for college scholarships for Rio Rico High School students.

FDA releases Arizona romaine sampling results

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:10:40 GMT

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

The FDA implemented the sampling program after a spring 2018 E. coli outbreak traced to romaine in Yuma and California growing regions. The agency tested 118 samples for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and salmonella, to help determine whether romaine from the area continued to pose health risks.

The FDA released the results in mid-August.

“The FDA is continuing to work with leafy greens stakeholders in the Yuma region to consider a longer-term environmental study to identify and control risks that will prevent future outbreaks, with the ultimate goal of protecting consumers,” according to an FDA news release.

The program began in mid-December, with the FDA taking samples from 26 commercial coolers and cold storage facilities used to remove field heat from the lettuce. The process allowed the agency to collect samples from multiple producers from centralized locations, according to the release.

FDA field staff were assisted by the Arizona Department of Agriculture and Arizona Department of Health Services.

The spring 2018 outbreak made 210 people in 36 states ill and resulted in five deaths. An investigation into the cause implicated one farm, but the FDA said the widespread nature of the illnesses indicated other farms may have contributed as well.

There have been five suspected or confirmed foodborne illness outbreaks linked to vegetables from the Yuma region since 2012, according to the FDA report on the sampling program.

The FDA is working with leafy greens growers and stakeholders in the Yuma area to consider a longer-term environmental study to “identify and control risks that will prevent future outbreaks, with the ultimate goals of protecting consumers.”

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Inspection provision in Mexico tomato deal draws critics

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 02:13:59 GMT

The relief of reaching a new tomato suspension agreement between Mexican tomato growers and the Department of Commerce has come with misgivings from importers over the effect of a provision calling for mandatory inspections at the border.

While pleased the draft agreement will end duties on Mexican tomato shipments to the U.S., the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas said it was “profoundly concerned” the plan appears to require inspections of up to 92% of all tomatoes from Mexico at the U.S. border. The FPAA is basing its estimate on U.S. Department of Agriculture shipment numbers.

The Commerce Department, however, disputes that number, estimating that 66% of the imported tomatoes are subject to inspection.

Mexican tomato growers and the Commerce Department struck the deal for a new tomato suspension agreement late Aug. 20, halting an anti-dumping investigation initiated when the Commerce Department pulled out of a suspension agreement on May 7.

The five-year agreement is in a public comment period and goes into effect Sept. 19.

A series of five-year suspension agreements between Mexican growers and the Commerce Department since 1996 had set minimum prices for Mexican tomato imports and suspended U.S. dumping investigations and duties. The agreement includes new reference (floor) prices for Mexican tomato imports, including organic tomatoes, which weren’t included in previous suspension agreements.

Living with the deal

The Florida Tomato Exchange called the new agreement “strong,” replacing 23 years of suspension agreements that “never worked to protect American tomato growers from injurious dumping of Mexican tomatoes,” according to a statement.

The group commended the Commerce Department and the Mexican tomato industry for an agreement that recognizes the need for stronger enforcement.

“The new tomato antidumping suspension agreement includes major provisions requested by U.S. growers to improve enforcement and monitoring of the agreement,” according to the statement. The Mexican industry conceded on core provisions such as border inspections of all Mexican round, roma and bulk grape tomatoes, according to the statement, along with improved compliance and monitoring tools.

Importers will be entitled to reimbursement of cash deposits made from May 7 to Sept. 19, according to the statement. Mexican tomato growers have been subject to a 17.56% antidumping duty since May 7. The Department of Commerce in late July announced a preliminary dumping margin of 25.28% on Mexican tomato imports, which is set aside with the new reference prices.

The FPAA, Nogales, Ariz., issued a statement Aug. 21 that expressed mixed feelings about the deal, particularly the mandatory border inspection provisions.

According to the Commerce Department, the 92% figure cited by FPAA is inaccurate because it includes tomatoes-on-the-vine (TOVs), which are excluded from the near-the-border inspection requirement under the draft agreement.

Instead, Commerce estimates that 66% of Mexican tomatoes will be subject to inspections.

The Commerce Department bases its estimates on 2018 USDA Tomato Fax Reports and a Florida Tomato Exchange estimate that on-the-vine production accounts for 70% of protected round tomato shipments.

Lance Jungmeyer, president of the FPAA, said in an e-mail that he believes the Commerce Department’s estimate falls short of reality.
Jungmeyer said there is “no way” that tomatoes TOVs make up 70% of all adapted/controlled environment — non-field grown — round tomatoes (which he said are the two categories that could be considered “protected” agriculture).

Most round tomatoes come in 25-pound boxes, not in clamshells of TOVs, he said.

Jungmeyer said the department has mistakenly relied on “every statement from the (Florida Tomato Exchange) as gospel,” suggesting that actual inspection numbers would be higher than estimates from the Florida gruoup and Commerce Department.

The FPAA believes the inspections have the potential to destabilize the U.S. tomato market.

“U.S. importers and marketers of Mexican tomatoes will bear what amounts to punitive costs associated with such levels of inspection,” according to Jungmeyer. “Because of the sheer volume of tomatoes shipped north from Mexico to the U.S., we can expect the inspections to create substantial delays that compromise the quality, affordability and availability of tomatoes to American consumers and will create bottlenecks for other goods crossing the border.”

Jungmeyer also said that while FPAA commends the Commerce Department and tomato producers in Mexico for months of work to revise the tomato suspension agreement, the association urges consumers, importers and other American companies to consider concerns during the comment period.

The heightened inspections are slated to start about six months after the new tomato suspension agreement goes into effect, if the deal is finalized on September 19.

“The inspection provision is essentially a non-tariff trade barrier whose ripple effects will not only damage the U.S. tomato market but many other industries that trade with Mexico,” Jungmeyer said in the statement.

Tomatoes, he said, make up almost 20% of produce imports that flow from Mexico through the Nogales port of entry. Increasing the volume of tomatoes to be inspected there will create bottlenecks for all goods at the border, according to the FPAA.

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Inspections of leafy greens uninterrupted by virus

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:38:51 GMT

Inspections of California and Arizona leafy greens, as outlined in the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreements for those crops, continue despite the spread of COVID-19.

The California group is informing retailers, foodservice buyers and consumers that food safety efforts outlined in the LGMAs’ rules are being covered as the harvest season in Arizona and the California desert region wrap up and the transition to California’s Central Coast and Central Valley begins.

Those services are considered “essential” by the California and Arizona departments of agriculture, which oversee the LGMAs’ inspections.

“We are asking auditors and members to take all precautions necessary,” Scott Horsfall, California LGMA CEO, said in a news release. “This is a rapidly changing situation, but when it comes to LGMA audits, they are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. If anything changes the LGMA will keep people updated.”
California LGMA members are audited an average of five times a year.

Health officials and members of the fresh produce industry continue to stress there’s no evidence that produce or other foods spread COVID-19. Horsfall said it’s also important to educate consumers what the LGMAs do to protect the food supply.

Among other food safety measures, the LGMAs:

Ensure field workers have access to sanitizer, bathroom facilities and handwashing stations;
Enforce handwashing requirements for workers throughout the day;
Train workers on proper handwashing and other hygiene; and
Enforce sick policies that bar ill workers from coming into contact with leafy greens; and
Ensure harvest equipment and tools are sanitized.

April Ward, communications director for the California LGMA, wrote “A Dozen Things to Know About Leafy Greens” in relation to the virus.

The California LGMA is also working with the Produce for Better Health Foundation and its dieticians to encourage consumption of fresh produce, according to the release.

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Wholesum report shows 34% increase in renewable energy

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:20:03 GMT

Wholesum, an Amado, Ariz.-based fair trade, organic grower-shipper, published its Conscientious Company report for the 2018 fiscal year, highlighting social and environmental responsibility efforts and participation in the United Nations Global Compact to achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“Through measurement and reporting, we can hold ourselves accountable for continual improvement and innovation,” Ricardo Crisantes, Wholesum chief commercial officer, said in a news release.

Now in its third year, the report includes year-by-year comparisons of the sustainability efforts and results. The data analyzes the value chain of Wholesum’s operations, showing areas where significant impacts have been made, identifying areas of improvements and highlighting goals for the future. A few notable highlights from this year’s report are:

32,000 tons of organic produce taken to market, a 16% increase from 2017;
34% increase in the use of renewable energy from solar and biomass;
30% increase in recyclables diverted from landfills, including electronics and cardboard;
22% of irrigation water captured and reused to water crops in the Arizona farm;
$35,400 in donations made to organizations in the U.S. and Mexico; and
Expansion of the fair trade program with two new certified farms and 54% of produce sold under fair trade terms.

The report also announces Wholesum’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In December 2018, Wholesum officially joined the United Nations Global Compact. This is the world’s largest corporate responsibility effort, aligning companies to universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption, according to the release.

Of the eight goals outlined, Wholesum is first tackling gender equality and responsible consumption and production as the most immediate goals.

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Bolthouse adds Arizona carrots with Rousseau Farming deal

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:38:47 GMT

Bolthouse Farms , Bakersfield, Calif., has entered into an agreement to purchase the carrot operations of Rousseau Farming Co. , Tolleson, Ariz.

When the purchase is final, Bolthouse will have carrot production in California, Washington, Georgia, Eastern Canada and Arizona, allowing it to expand a regional strategy in supplying locally grown carrots, according to a news release.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The sale will not affect Rousseau Farming’s other vegetable crops, which include mixed vegetables, including cabbage, celery, broccoli, leafy greens, sweet corn and watermelons.

“We’ve had a longstanding relationship with the Rousseau family and are committed to partnering with companies that share our core values of sustainability, product quality and customer service,” Jeff Dunn, Bolthouse CEO, said in the release. “We look forward to continuing to grow our businesses and support the industry together.”

Rousseau Farming began growing produce in 1892, according to the release, and “partnerships like this are what will help us continue to evolve and certainly see us through another 100 years,” owner Will Rousseau said in the release.

Bolthouse has made automation, processing and packing advancements, and the company plans to focus on new varieties, according to the release.

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Fresh Farms’ Jerry Havel, Nogales veteran, dies

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:08:20 GMT

Jerry Havel, active in the produce industry right out of college and a veteran of the Nogales, Ariz., import business, has died.

Havel, whose dedication to the industry spanned almost four decades, died after fighting cancer, on July 17. He was 62.

“The produce industry lost a pillar, as his nearly four decades long career touched so many people, in so many ways,” according to an e-mail from the Molina family, whose produce he sold through Fresh Farms . “ … From his humble beginnings at Dole, to his last days as sales and marketing director of Fresh Farms, Jerry’s passion for life carried over to his work, making him an incredible success.”

Havel started selling bananas and other tropicals for Dole Fruit Co. in the late 1970s. After seven years, he joined Exeter Packers, the pre-curser to Sun Pacific, Pasadena, Calif., selling citrus.

In 1995, he started his own company, US Fresh in Visalia, Calif., which was “a big turning point in my advancement in the business, and something I had wanted to do for a long time,” he told The Packer in its 2016 edition of 25 leaders in the produce industry.

According to that profile, Havel realized the potential Mexico held as a supplier of produce to the U.S., and merged US Fresh with Nogales importer SunFed, moving to the area in the early 2000s.

In 2006, when the Molina family in Hermosillo, Mexico, began marketing its own produce, Havel led its new sales company, Fresh Farms, in Nogales.

Survivors include his wife, Margie, sons Joseph and Daniel, and a daughter, Ellie.

“Our condolences go out to the team at Fresh Farms, Jerry’s many friends, and his family. He will be greatly missed by many people,” the Molina family wrote in the e-mail.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life service at 3 p.m. July 26, at the Arizona Inn, 2200 E. Elm St., Tucson, Ariz. In lieu of flowers or donations, “please spend time with your loved ones and share a laugh, as Jerry would have wanted,” according to his obituary .

As romaine problems continue, FDA takes closer look

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:19:53 GMT

The Food and Drug Administration will be collecting romaine samples in California and Arizona for a year to test for salmonella and E. coli following several foodborne outbreaks linked to the lettuce.

The new program begins this month, according to the FDA, citing two E. coli outbreaks in 2018 linked to romaine, and another one in October that was suspected to be from the leafy green. In its notice on the surveillance program, the FDA also cited a 2012 Salmonella Newport outbreak from romaine.

“Consistent with the FDA’s mission to protect consumers, if one of the target pathogens is detected as a result of this assignment, the agency will perform whole genome sequencing of the microorganism’s DNA to determine its virulence and whether it is genetically related to isolates causing human illness,” according to the notice.

All samples will be tested before processing to allow the FDA to quickly find the point of origin, which has been problematic in recent outbreaks as public and federal health agencies traced lettuce through the supply chain. In part, traceability hurdles have led to the FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety program, which tasks the industry with enhancing traceability methods and technology.

Trimmed and washed lettuce will be tested, but not fresh-cut lettuce, and no lettuce at the farm-level will be involved in the surveillance program.

Samples will be targeted at facilities and farms identified in the outbreaks starting in 2017, including wholesalers, foodservice distribution centers, and commercial cooling and cold storage facilities, according to the FDA notice.

Sampling will increase in March/April and October/November, when the crop transitions from Yuma, Ariz./California’s Imperial Valley to Salinas, Calif., and the state’s Central Coast and Central Valley areas, and then back again for winter production. That’s the timeframe when many foodborne illness events linked to the crop happen.

The program’s sample size, 270, is relatively small. Each sample will consist of 10 sub-samples, increases the odds of finding pathogens if they’re present. If just one sub-sample is positive for a pathogen, the FDA reports it will consider all samples as positive for the organism.

If E. coli or salmonella are detected and confirmed, the FDA “will work with the firm to take appropriate action to protect the public health,” according to the notice, but seeks an approach of “educate before and while we regulate.” The FDA will follow up with the grower and “may consider multiple compliance and enforcement actions based on the available evidence and the adequacy of the firm’s response to prevent future contamination.”

The industry’s Romaine Task Force, formed after an E. coli outbreak last year that resulted in the FDA calling for the withdrawal of all romaine products days before Thanksgiving, recently released its final report. A web seminar on the task force’s findings and plan to address issues, is now on the Produce Marketing Association’s website .

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New CPS study focuses on ag water in Arizona, Texas

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:19:53 GMT

The Center for Produce Safety is funding its first research project to study the effectiveness of water treatments used for irrigation and other uses in agriculture.

The $200,000 from CPS will be matched by regional produce safety stakeholders from the Southwest U.S., according to a news release from the center. Those include industry, academia, government and technology providers.

“This project is groundbreaking for CPS and for the fresh produce industry, as we take the first step toward finding solutions to help our industry address the critical issue of safe ag water treatments,” Dave Corsi, CPS board chairman and vice president of produce and floral for Wegmans Food Markets, said in the release. “This is also just the beginning — this project sets a precedent for future CPS awards to fund research in this area.”

The one-year project, led by associate professor of environmental science Channah Rock of the University of Arizona, will study antimicrobial ag water treatments in Yuma and Maricopa, Ariz., and Edinburg and Uvalde, Texas.

Recent produce safety efforts have focused on agricultural water use particularly in the Yuma, Ariz., growing area after E. coli outbreaks in leafy greens were traced to the area.

Researchers will focus on three treatments: peracetic acid, calcium hypochlorite and ultraviolet light, according to the release. The project “will be mindful” of the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule requirements for treating water, according to the release, to ensure recommendations that result from the research will comply with the federal food safety law.

The CPS is establishing an industry advisory committee to “inform and support the research team,” according to the release.

For a summary of the project, see Agricultural Water Treatment — Southwest region .

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Produce from the sky drops to celebrate the new year

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:22:40 GMT

Boise has the Idaho Potato Drop, Vincennes, Ind., has a watermelon drop, Kennett Square, Pa., drops a giant mushroom and now Yuma, Ariz., has a unique way to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

The second annual Iceberg Drop in Yuma features a giant illuminated head of iceberg lettuce , a fitting way to celebrate the area’s status as the U.S. winter production capital of leafy greens and vegetables.

The Iceberg Drop, with the tagline “Lettuce Celebrate,” received some media attention, appearing on a USA Today list of five “most surprising drops” this New Year’s Eve.

In Boise, revelers will be celebrating the seventh annual Idaho Potato Drop , with a giant spud lowered by a crane. Vincennes will have its 12th annual celebration by dropping 20 watermelons onto a “splatform” to welcome the new year. This will be the seventh year for Kennett Square, Pa., to drop its giant mushroom .

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