Discussion board roundup Sept. 3

I'm off to Thailand in about 8 hours, via Minneapolis and Tokyo. Here are some hot topics on the Fresh Produce Industry Group Discussion Group.

Growers cash in on almost-organic crops Luis posts this story about the marketing of transitional organic crops:
A major fruit company has decided to convert 100 percent of its stone fruit trees to organic farming practices, part of the ongoing push to meet consumers' insatiable demand for healthier food.
But Stemilt Growers Inc., a bit player in the stone fruit industry but one of the nation's leading apple suppliers, isn't waiting two years to capitalize on the switch. The company has created a new label -- Artisan Naturals -- to sell its naturally-farmed fruit, an effort to get a higher price for the fruit even if it can't yet come with an "organic" sticker.







True from field to fork Kaktus writes and asks for input on whether there are any existing protocols for this appraoch:
I am working on an audit protocol (internal and third party) that will encompass true from field to fork - GAP, GMP, HACCP, Social Accountability and real time trace back from individual fruit to farm- field-harvest crew.

Union's aim: block trucks from Mexico Luis posts tihis coverage of The Arizona Republic:
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has sued to block Mexican trucks from operating freely throughout the United States, something the Bush administration may allow as soon as Saturday.
In federal court in San Francisco, the Teamsters said an emergency injunction is needed. They said government lawyers reported that the Transportation Department will issue the first of 100 permits to Mexican trucking firms Saturday.

At the end of the work week, what do you like to do to destress from the world of produce? I started this thread about what people do outside the world of produce, and have gotten a few interesting replies. Gist: We love our jobs, even when we're away from them.