http://stationerytrendsmagazine.com/index.php/news en kgibbons@greatamericanpublish.com Copyright 2012 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:44:22 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/chiquita-releases-2011-earnings-announces-plans-for-fresh-express-growth/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/chiquita-releases-2011-earnings-announces-plans-for-fresh-express-growth/#id:16158#date:19:44 Chiquita Brands plans to expand its salad offerings in 2012, including going into value-added whole head lettuce.During a Tuesday conference call reporting its fourth quarter and full-year 2011 results, Chairman and CEO Fernando Aguirre said that while Chiquita's salad business didn't perform as well as expected, "we've taken a number of corrective actions and adapted our structure and strategy to be more successful and profitable."The company reported income of $38 million on net sales of $3.1 billion. While it lost money - $6 million - in fourth quarter 2011, 2010 was worse at $18 million.On… Vegetable Growers News Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:44 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/contaminated-sprouts-jimmy-johns-founder-says-inconsistent-supply-prompted-/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/contaminated-sprouts-jimmy-johns-founder-says-inconsistent-supply-prompted-/#id:16151#date:22:14 While customers clamor for sprouts on the Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches Facebook page, the company says the reason it dropped the little shoots was because it can't get a consistent supply. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 12 people were infected with E. coli after eating raw clover sprouts on sandwiches from Jimmy John's restaurants in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Wisconsin. Two were hospitalized. One has just filed suit against the company. The CDC and FDA are still investigating, but through tracing, have identified a common lot of… Vegetable Growers News Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:14 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/food-for-diabetics/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/food-for-diabetics/#id:16091#date:23:34 The produce industry fares well in the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) list of Top 10 Diabetes Superfoods.As reported recently by USA Today and on the ADA website, the list features foods that have a low glycemic index (GI) and provide key nutrients that are lacking in the typical western diet, including calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, vitamins A (as carotenoids), C and E.Included in the ADA's list are:Beans"They are considered starchy vegetables, but a ½ cup provides as much protein as an ounce of meat without the saturated fat," says the ADA.Dark Green Leafy VegetablesThe ADA… Vegetable Growers News Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:34 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/food-safety-in-leafy-greans-arizona-offers-food-safety-poster-for-use-in-th/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/food-safety-in-leafy-greans-arizona-offers-food-safety-poster-for-use-in-th/#id:16088#date:19:26 The Arizona Leafy Greens Food Safety Committee has created a new, laminated food safety poster to be used for training in the field - literally. In both English and Spanish, the poster addresses 15 rules to follow in the field. "There are often times when impromptu, and even scheduled trainings are done in the field, and these tools are ideal to use for what we call in the industry ‘tailgate meetings' on the back of a truck," said Vicki-Lynne Scott, technical subcommittee chairperson and board member of the Arizona Leafy Greens Food Safety Committee. Available… Vegetable Growers News Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:26 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/obamas-budget-cuts-bacteria-testing-in-produce/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/obamas-budget-cuts-bacteria-testing-in-produce/#id:16084#date:15:43 President Barack Obama's proposed budget would eliminate the nation's only program that regularly tests fruits and vegetables for deadly pathogens, leaving public health officials without a crucial tool used to investigate deadly foodborne illness outbreaks. Associated Press To read more, click here.   Fresh Cut, Fruit Growers News, Spudman, Vegetable Growers News Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:43 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/texas-spinach-contamination/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/texas-spinach-contamination/#id:16068#date:17:44 The owner of the farm in Texas whose spinach was the subject of a recent voluntary recall says the sample that tested positive for E. coli came from an expired bag and that subsequent investigation turned up no evidence of contamination at the farm or processor. A recently released FDA enforcement report revealed that more than 228,000 pounds of cut-leaf curly spinach distributed in Colorado, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Ontario was voluntarily recalled back in December after a sample tested positive for E. coli. Blogosphere watchdogs have been critical of the fact that the FDA didn't… Vegetable Growers News Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:44 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/recall-of-contaminated-spinach-from-texas-never-made-it-to-prime-time/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/recall-of-contaminated-spinach-from-texas-never-made-it-to-prime-time/#id:16061#date:22:09 A recently released FDA enforcement report reveals that more than 228,000 pounds of cut-leaf curly spinach was recalled in December after a sample tested positive for E. coli. However, the public was never informed by way of an official recall. Tiro Tres Farms of Eagle Pass, Texas, distributed the spinach in 30-lb. totes bearing small labels identifying the "pup" container, which in turn shows the harvest date and field it came from in Uvalde, Texas. Tiro Tres notified its customers in Colorado, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Ontario and Quebec, Canada, by letter on Dec. 31. The… Vegetable Growers News Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:09 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/u.s.-europe-reach-organic-agreement/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/u.s.-europe-reach-organic-agreement/#id:16056#date:20:15 The European Union and the United States recently announced that beginning June 1, organic products certified in Europe or in the United States may be sold as organic in either region. The organics sector in the United States and European Union is valued at more than $50 billion combined, and rising every year, according USDA. Formal letters creating this partnership were signed Feb. 15 in Nuremberg, Germany. The signing took place at the BioFach World Organic Fair, the largest trade show for organic products in the world. "This partnership connects organic farmers and companies on… Fresh Cut, Fruit Growers News, Spudman, Vegetable Growers News Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:15 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/new-insecticide-by-dow/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/new-insecticide-by-dow/#id:16055#date:20:14 Dow AgroSciences announced that Blackhawk insecticide is now available. Blackhawk provides broad-spectrum control of many damaging insects. Blackhawk's active ingredient is spinosad, a Group 5 insecticide. Blackhawk is registered under the EPA's Reduced Risk Pesticide Initiative. For more information visit www.blackhawkinsecticide.com. Vegetable Growers News Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:14 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/certis-usa-and-kumiai-chemical-launch-advanced-biofungicides/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/certis-usa-and-kumiai-chemical-launch-advanced-biofungicides/#id:16045#date:20:55 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Certis U.S.A., Columbia, Md., and Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Tokyo, Japan, announce the global launch of a new generation of bacterial biofungicides based on Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain D747 (Ba D747). Kumiai scientists discovered and patented the Ba D747 strain, the active ingredient used in Kumiai’s Ecoshot product in Japan. In 2010, Kumiai licensed the Ba D747 strain to Certis USA for global development. EPA approved registrations of several Ba D747-based products in December 2011. The first product will be launched in the U.S. in… Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:55 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/mastercop-fungicidebactericide-gains-epa-approval/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/mastercop-fungicidebactericide-gains-epa-approval/#id:16042#date:19:39 MasterCop fungicide/bactericide, from MANA Crop Protection, has received EPS approval for its new copper complex formulation of copper sulfate pentahydrate, delivering bioactivity for the control of bacterial and fungal diseases on citrus, vegetables, tree nuts, small fruits, vines and field crops. MasterCop allows for targeted rates of copper to be delivered for broad-spectrum disease management. With BioRetain as a key component of its formulation, MasterCop's penetration into the plant cuticle improves performance per pound of active ingredient. MasterCop provides locally systemic and preventive methods for disease control, which is one of the critical benefits of… Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:39 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/biosafe-introducing-axxe-broad-spectrum-herbicide/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/biosafe-introducing-axxe-broad-spectrum-herbicide/#id:16041#date:19:04 BioSafe Systems introduces AXXE Broad Spectrum Herbicide. AXXE is formulated as an herbicidal soap utilizing ammonium nonanoate. This active ingredient is NOP compliant and OMRI listed for use in organic production. AXXE is formulated as a liquid concentrate that is mixed with water and is powerful, effective and economical for control of annual and perennial broadleaf weeds, as well as mosses, liverworts and lichens.  Made of natural fatty acids, AXXE works by removing, or ‘burning,’ the waxy cuticle of green vegetation, and will not move through soil to injure nearby plants. AXXE works within hours… Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:04 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/jobs-for-veterans-agwarriors-offers-path-to-employment-in-agriculture/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/jobs-for-veterans-agwarriors-offers-path-to-employment-in-agriculture/#id:16034#date:15:39 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Putting returning veterans to work by providing them training to prepare for careers in agriculture is the mission of a new effort that gets its official launch during the World Ag Expo, which runs Feb. 14-16 in Tulare, Calif. President George W. Bush is the keynote speaker at the Ag Warriors Gala Feb. 15, marking the program’s official start. Through Ag Warriors, a cooperative venture between the International Agri-Center, California State University, Fresno, and College of the Sequoias, returning vets will receive training to… Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:39 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/angello-sweet-and-seedless-pepper-wins-flia-award-2012/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/angello-sweet-and-seedless-pepper-wins-flia-award-2012/#id:16033#date:14:51 The sweet-tasting Angello seedless pepper, presented by Syngenta Seeds B.V. from the Netherlands, was honored with the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award 2012. With its conical shape, this sweet pepper is about 10 centimeters long, can weigh up to 30 grams and is offers a crunchy bite. The Angello sweet pepper, which is a good source of vitamin C, is cultivated in Spain, Israel and the Netherlands, and is sold in snack-size bags. "I'm very proud to have received this award," said Angello breeder Benny Nir during the award ceremony. "I want to thank my colleagues… Fresh Cut, Vegetable Growers News Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:51 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/dirty-jobs-comes-to-gills-onions/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/dirty-jobs-comes-to-gills-onions/#id:16016#date:15:05   You gotta love onions – especially on Valentine’s Day when Gills Onions is being featured in an episode of the Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs.” Host Mike Rowe visited  the Oxnard, Calif.-based onion processor nearly two years ago to film the show. He slices, dices and tastes onions before cleaning out the juicing machine and parts of the reactor. Airtime is at 9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific Feb. 14.   Vegetable Growers News Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:05 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/msu-to-host-ipm-academy-feb.-20-211/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/msu-to-host-ipm-academy-feb.-20-211/#id:15971#date:15:36 Michigan State University Extension's Integrated Pest Management Academy will focus on introducing IPM concepts and preparing participants to implement IPM in the field or garden. The academy is designed to assist newcomers to pest management but can be a valuable review for growers, nurserymen, gardeners or landscapers looking to brush up their IPM skills or bring new farm workers up to speed. This event could also help job seekers develop valuable skills to support Michigan's ever-growing agricultural sector. To kick things off, Barry Jacobsen from Montana State University will deliver the keynote speech on the… Fruit Growers News, Spudman, Vegetable Growers News Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:36 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/honeybee-die-off-shouldnt-sting/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/honeybee-die-off-shouldnt-sting/#id:15969#date:15:28 There's good news and bad news on the honeybee beat. First the bad news. Bees are still mysteriously dying. Over the last five years roughly 30% of captive honeybees, which pollinate much of the food we eat, wind up dead at the end of each winter. CNNMoney To read more, click here. Fresh Cut, Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:28 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/storms-may-have-killed-off-many-stink-bugs/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/storms-may-have-killed-off-many-stink-bugs/#id:15956#date:15:20 The combined fury of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee may have drowned much of the region's stink bug population, but scientists are still hesitant to say that homeowners will see fewer of them when the weather warms. Scientists say something caused a substantial decline in the number of the bugs last fall before they hunkered down in the region's attics and closets. Perhaps it was due to natural predators or an unknown parasite. Just as likely, they say, it was the deluge that began just before Labor Day and lasted through September. The Baltimore… Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:20 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/usdol-revises-child-labor-proposal/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/usdol-revises-child-labor-proposal/#id:15914#date:19:11 The U.S. Department of Labor's (USDOL) Wage and Hour Division announced Feb. 1 it would re-propose the portion of its regulation on child labor in agriculture interpreting the "parental exemption." The decision to re-propose was, in part, a response to requests from the public and members of Congress that the agency allow an opportunity for more input on that aspect of the rule, according to USDOL. The parental exemption allows children of any age who are employed by their parent, or a person standing in the place of a parent, to perform any job on… Fresh Cut, Fruit Growers News, Spudman, Vegetable Growers News Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:11 GMT http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/ccd-a-possible-explanation-of-why-beehives-sometimes-vanish/ http://vegetablegrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/ccd-a-possible-explanation-of-why-beehives-sometimes-vanish/#id:15911#date:16:53 Honeybees are sensitive creatures. From time to time a hive simply gives up the ghost and vanishes. Colony collapse disorder, as this phenomenon is known, has been getting worse since 2006. The Economist To read more, click here.   Fresh Cut, Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:53 GMT