TAX ON JUICE ORANGES RAISED TO 22 CENTS

The Florida Citrus Commission voted Wednesday (July 19) to raise the tax on oranges for processing from 18.5 cents to 22 cents per box. The 19 percent increase represents a compromise from a 35 percent increase proposed in May.

The Commission also approved raising the tax on processed grapefruit from 24 cents to 35 cents per box, and on fresh grapefruit from 25 cents to 35 cents per box.

Florida Citrus Packers, a trade group representing most of the state's citrus packinghouses, had requested a 10-cent reduction on specialty and fresh oranges, but received a 4-cent reduction in a compromise move, making the new rate 16 cents per box for those products. As a part of that agreement, commissioners granted the group a larger share of marketing input. A portion of the monies collected will fund research into new varieties and in-store targeted marketing programs for fresh oranges and specialty items during the winter flu season.

CANCER SURVIVAL AND DIET - THERE IS A CONNECTION, SAY NUTRITION EXPERTS

If you want to reduce your risk for getting cancer, heart disease, diabetes and a host of other diseases, the message is clear - eat a nutrient-rich, low-fat, high fiber diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables. So why is this wisdom forgotten when a person is diagnosed with cancer, and the standard advice becomes: “Eat whatever you want, whatever you can tolerate,” even when this may include a diet high in fat and refined sugars.

Leading nutrition experts David Katz, MD and Keith Block, MD, say the typical American high-fat, empty calorie diet can set the stage for an inflammatory response that actually fuels a cancer patient's disease, undermines treatment, and promotes malnutrition. They recommend a diet that includes cancer and inflammation-fighting phytonutrients, found in abundance in many fruits and vegetables - berries, grapes, cherries, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, collards, kale, carrots, spinach, garlic and onions. The doctors also advise eating healthy sources of proteins such as fish legumes, soy, and whey protein, and energy dense/nutrient dense foods including avocado; nut butters; and soy.

-Source: Medical News Today

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS WANTED

If you know of a young person pursuing a college degree with the goal of working in Florida’s fruit and vegetable industry, please let that student know about the Syngenta Crop Protection Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded at FFVA’s 63rd Annual Convention. To learn how to apply, contact Martha Tucker at (321) 214-5200 or via email at martha.tucker@ffva.com.

AG IN THE CLASSROOM SEEKS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Florida Ag in the Classroom is seeking an educational program coordinator. The successful candidate will coordinate FAITC program activities that include newsletter development, grants and awards programs, database management and materials distribution.

For additional information, contact Lisa Gaskalla at (352) 846-1391 or via email at LBGaskalla@ifas.ufl.edu.