Discussion Group roundup 8/10

Props again to the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group . This morning's topic list from Big Apple includes:

Changes to South Texas Onion Committee Links to new FR rule

Going to the past to build a strategy for pandemics Link to Time magazine article

Florida losses to drought could hit $1 billion From the Reuters story:
"That figure could rise, depending on the water levels of Lake Okeechobee, up to one billion dollars," department spokesperson Terry McElroy said. Lake Okeechobee in south central Florida stores irrigation water for some 700,000 acres of agricultural land. Summer rains have eased water−use restrictions in many urban areas but farmers around the lake are still under restrictions and face "a dire situation" that could continue into next year and beyond, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson said in a statement.

USDA APHIS Advisory committee plans public meeting Aug. 21 Emergency management systems and foreign livestock and poultry diseases to be discussed

Product Packages Shout to get your attention Link to NYT article on increasingly frenetic changes in packaging to get consumers' attention.