Tomatoes are gradually returning to grocery store shelves and restaurant menus but there is still a great deal of consumer confusion and misinformation as a result of the publicity surrounding the salmonella scare. Meanwhile, farmers markets are benefiting from increased sales. Report(1:00 mp3) In Alabama, Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks is reminding consumers they can find FDA approved “safe to eat†…
Bronson Confident in Florida Tomatoes
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson says he remains confident in the safety of Florida tomatoes as the Food and Drug Administration continues to look for the source of tomatoes tainted with salmonella that made hundreds sick in dozens of states, Report(1:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril …
Groups Draft COOL BMPs
The Produce Marketing Association and Western Growers Association have completed their recommended country of origin labeling best practices and made them available for industry review and adoption. The best practices can be found on-line here. Report (1:00 wma) Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
Farm to University Meeting
Fruit and vegetable producers are invited to a growers meeting next week about opporunities to participate in the “Farm to University Program” at the University of Florida. This meeting is open to all growers of vegetables and fruits, especially smaller growers, and it will be held at the Hillsborough County Extension Office in Seffner from 12:30 – 4:00 pm. Growers …
Fresh From Florida Program Opened To Tomato Industry
In an effort to assist with the sale of Florida tomatoes now that the areas in production have been declared safe, the Florida Department of Agriculture is offering “Fresh from Florida” labels and/or point of purchase materials upon request from the Division of Marketing in Tallahassee. Read more here. Report (1:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata …
Farmers Market Season Underway
The summer farmers market season is officially underway nationwide. Deputy agriculture secretary Chuck Conner kicked off the season last week at USDA and noted that the number of farmers markets nationwide has nearly doubled since 1996. Report (1:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
Latest on Salmonella Tomato Issue
Florida tomato growers are happy to be back in business again now that the Food and Drug administration has cleared the state of implication in the salmonella problem that has affected 17 states. Report(1:00 mp3) Meanwhile, the commissioners of agriculture from Alabama, Florida, and Georgia are concerned about the information provided to the public about the issue and the potential …
FLORIDA TOMATOES DEEMED SAFE BY FDA
TALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has announced that Florida-grown tomatoes have been deemed safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been added to the agency’s list of states with “safe to eat†tomatoes. FDA’s website is updated in the evening and will reflect the change. “I was confident Florida was …
Dealing with Tomato Crisis
Federal officials continue to hunt for the source of a 17-state salmonella outbreak linked to three types of raw tomatoes, while the list of supermarkets and restaurants pulling those varieties from shelves and menus is growing. Several states have been put on the safe list, including Florida, Georgia and Alabama, according to Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Association executive director Charles …
Rotten Tomatoes
The outbreak of salmonella in tomatoes is shaping up to be the industry’s worst nightmare. Although the Florida Tomato Exchange did not return calls from SE Agnet yesterday, Reggie Brown did talk to Reuters, which quotes him as saying the industry in Florida is in “complete collapse.” “We probably have $40 million worth of product we can’t sell. We’ve had …