Last week via the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) website, two best practices documents were posted regarding case label formatting and assigning Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs). The best practices for designing PTI-compliant case labels...

On Thursday, December 15, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service will present a free interactive webinar on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program at 2:00 pm Eastern Time. A few weeks ago here on Field to Fork we shared the news of the 2012...

In comments filed last week with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding the agency’s request for industry feedback on Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) re-inspection fees for both domestic and foreign foods, PMA noted that the FDA, in...

As part of the MyPlate dietary advice, USDA launched a video challenge. There are more than 140 videos – some funny, some not so funny – that you can...

According to the most recent e-mail update from the Produce Traceability Initiative, a number of PTI efforts are well underway – ranging from updating of best practices, to industry Webcasts, to early pilot project findings from the PTI...

Possibly driven by the popularity of cooking shows on television, it appears that while only 6 percent of Millennials say they have advanced skill in the kitchen (compared to 15 percent of those aged 55 and older), a quarter of Millennials claim...

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it has awarded 10 grants to support 155 People’s Gardens in neighborhoods from Maryland to Hawaii. In a press statement, USDA said these sustainable community gardens will give...

According to a recently released study from Mintel, just more than half (57 percent) of respondents said they are willing to pay more for local and sustainable fare in restaurants; however, that has its limits, as the majority of those said they...

As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to work on implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act, one of the ways it updates industry is through the agency’s website. Last week I received an update on some frequently asked FSMA...

It’s that time of year when industry groups and research firms begin to make predictions for what trends will emerge in the coming 12 months. Recently Technomic issued its forecast on restaurant trends, a few of which included:

The MyPlate campaign from USDA seems to resonate with our industry more than the pyramids of old. I noticed the logo on PMA Chairman Rich Dachman’s (Sysco) e-mail signature. I’ve seen it popping up in trade advertising. And I saw it on the show...

Just more than three quarters (78 percent) of U.S. families say they are choosing organic foods, according to a new study by the Organic Trade Association (OTA). It found that four in ten families indicate they are buying more organic products...

Last Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a letter to firms that grow, harvest,...

From time to time here on Field to Fork, we discuss food deserts and how our industry is taking steps to provide fresh produce to those in underserved communities. Last week I read about a study conducted by MIT Collaborative Initiatives and the...

Last week on his blog, PMA Chief Science and Technology Officer Dr. Bob Whitaker addressed the challenges faced by small growers when it comes to food safety resources. He noted that, despite these challenges, it is important for operations of...

During a session at Fresh Summit 2011, we shared with industry our latest produce packaging survey results. In looking over the report, the following findings piqued my interest (because they line up with my expectations as a consumer):

It’s been about 10 months since President Barack Obama signed the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that will revamp how the U.S. FDA and industry address produce safety. At a meeting of the North American Trade Committee (led by the Canadian...

PMA repeatedly emphasizes its commitment to bringing real-world solutions to our industry’s food safety needs. This applies to all industry members, large and small. We know local, smaller growers in particular can find it challenging to access...

On November 2, PMA members in Arizona will have an opportunity to learn about a myriad of food safety issues, including the Food Safety Modernization Act and the Produce Traceability Initiative, during Fresh Connections: Nogales at the Tubac Golf...

Yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released an environmental assessment report which provides an overview of factors that potentially...

In the United States, the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) sets out the rules for fair play in the produce industry, and the PACA Trust protects sellers from financial insolvency on the part of buyers. For many years, the industry...

The focus on local sourcing is shining a spotlight on smaller and local growers. Yet the limelight brings with it an increasing need and ability to comply with food safety measures, presenting both opportunity and challenges for these same...