Innovation, Growth & Productivity To Highlight 20th PMA Foundation For Industry Talent Leadership Symposium

This is a leadership retreat for top execs in the produce industry. Check the press release here: 
http://www.perishablenews.com/index.php?article=0018834

or go straight to the PMA conference website here:
http://www.pma.com/leadership/2012/

--

Rick VanVranken

Last Call for FEMA & SBA Hurricane Irene Disaster Assistance

Application deadline: Wednesday, November 30

NJ residents whose homes and properties sustained damages as a result of Hurricane Irene have through tomorrow, November 30, to register for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

To register with FEMA, click here   or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY: 800-462-7585, 7 AM to 10 PM daily.

Individuals must register by the deadline or face losing the opportunity to be considered for federal assistance. Though FEMA will not duplicate insurance benefits, expenses not covered by insurance may be eligible for federal grants after an insurance claim has been paid.

The deadline to submit loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is also November 30. Completing and returning the SBA application is an essential step in the process. If you are a homeowner or renter and SBA determines you cannot afford a loan, you may be referred for other possible assistance. Additional information is available at www.sba.gov or by calling 1-800-659-2955.

--Rick VanVranken

Changes in Third Party Audits in the Future

More audits will be moving to harmonized food safety standards. This hopefully will reduce the need for multiple audits and reduce grower costs. Not all audit firms or retails will necessarily accept the harmonized audit. It is suggested that a grower work with their retailer to implement these standards, but remember who you sell to dictates the audit used.

Wesley Kline

2012 New Mexico Chile Conference

The Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University will be hosting the 2012 New Mexico Chile Conference on February 6 & 7, 2012 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The conference will take an intensive look into technological advances, disease and pest management and organics for chile pepper production. For more information call 575-646-3028 or see http://www.chilepepperinstitute.org/

Michelle Infante-Casella