Tomatoes/Peppers

Tomato genome research may make bringing flavor back easier

Almost everyone agrees that store-bought tomatoes don't have much flavor. Now, scientists from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) may have spotlighted the solution in a paper just published in Nature Genetics. Molecular... more »

‘A new Tomato Suspension Agreement needs strong enforcement provisions’

Michael Schadler, executive vice president, Florida Tomato Exchange, issued the following statement regarding the Tomato Suspension Agreement: "On May 10, the Commerce Department presented the U.S. tomato industry and the Mexican tomato industry with a “take it... more »

PMA, FPAA, Tomato Exchange respond to termination of Tomato Suspension Agreement

A variety of produce industry groups responded to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s May 7 termination of the agreement suspending the antidumping investigation on fresh tomatoes from Mexico. The Produce Marketing Association issued the following statement: "Trade... more »

Report: US to impose 17.5 percent tariff on Mexican tomato imports

There has been much discussion surrounding the withdrawal of the Tomato Suspension Agreement in recent months and on May 7, 90 days after the initial termination announcement, Reuters reported the United States will impose a... more »

Purdue horticulture professor one of eight faculty Fulbright Scholars

“A lot of people don’t know this, but tomatoes originated in the Andes Mountains,” said Lori Hoagland, associate professor of horticulture at Purdue University. “For that reason, understanding soil biodiversity there has major implications for... more »

Astronauts might soon grow space tomatoes

Tiny tomato plants developed at the University of California, Riverside, could one day feed astronauts on the International Space Station. The plants have minimal leaves and stems but still produce a normal amount of fruit,... more »

Viva Fresh Expo to host workshop on Tomato Suspension Agreement

From the left are Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association; J.O. Alvarez, president of J.O. Alvarez; Jason Klinowski, an agricultural and food law attorney at Wallace,... more »

USDA proposes changes in the handling requirements for Florida tomatoes

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed April 16 changes to the handling requirements under the federal marketing order for tomatoes grown in Florida. The Florida Tomato Committee recommended a proposal to eliminate the standard weight... more »