The downside of fresh produce

That's the title of a blog I just came across,and it offers a candid assessment of consumer fears about fresh produce. Most assuredly, consumers don't want to have to worry about "poop" on produce, much less think about it. Read if you dare.

Guava cure

Citrus greening is a devastating disease for Florida citrus growers because it sours the fruit and eventually kills the tree, but recent research suggests guava trees could stave the spread of both the insect vector and the disease itself. Use of guava trees among commercial citrus appears to have contributed to effective control of the disease in Viet Nam.

More food fear and a reminder

"Consumers want to feel safe in consuming fresh fruits and vegetables and I think that confidence is slipping." That was one telling quote from a spokesperson from the Center for Science in the Public Interest quoted in this story about consumer perceptions about food safety. I think the point is valid, though I wonder if continued media coverage of the the E. coli story and fresh produce will reach a saturation point in the consumer's mind. When that point comes, nothing more may be done to injure consumer perceptions about produce safety. Let's hope that point doesn't come - having nowhere to go but up is not a place the industry wants to be. Another story compares the food safety of beef and produce, and produce is found wanting.
Thankfully, another story reminds us that the fruits and vegetables play a key role in preserving and bettering our health, citing research that shows foods high in Vitamin C reduce the risk of stomach cancer.

Christmas spirit

Kudos to industry leaders in Florida who are part of helping the less fortunate among them. The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association reports the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) annual Christmas card fundraiser totaled $28,650 for 2006, up from $16,994 in 2005. Funds will be matched by the government $16 for every $1 raised. For more information on this worthy charity for migrant worker families, follow this link.