While no specific type, brand or supplier of leafy greens was identified as the source of infection, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has identified the E. coli strain in a manure sample about a mile from the production site. 

A dehydration plant owned by the Washington Potato Company was destroyed in a major fire on January 21. It’s located 90 miles southwest of Spokane.

The crossing between Reynosa, Mexico and Pharr, Texas is expanding to accommodate $35 billion in trade and more in the years to come. It’s the number one crossing in the U.S for produce. More than 10 per cent of the crossings are in high-value berries.

In a new twist, some of America’s largest blueberry growers are insisting that there is no injury to the industry when most imports arrive outside the domestic growing season of late April to early September. The coalition went public a week before the U.S. International Trade Commission looks at the case on January 12.

The American Blueberry Growers Alliance has been established to seek relief from rising imports. While Peru and Mexico are said to be the main irritants, Canada is also caught up in the International Trade Commission investigation.  

The U.S. president-elect has nominated former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack to become agriculture secretary. His approach to climate change will be watched closely in rural America. 

Conceived pre-pandemic, the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables is more relevant than ever. The UN’s focus will be on health benefits as well as preventing food waste. 

As the pandemic continues and travel restrictions remain, the organizers at Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute have postponed this event until July 17-21, 2022.

American farm leaders have listed three priorities for the incoming Biden government:  COVID-testing and vaccinations for essential food chain workers, predictable language in the next farm bill and ratification of trade agreements.