October 15, 2007
Issue 1188

FRUITS, VEGGIES MAINTAIN ANTIOXIDANTS EVEN PAST THEIR PRIME

A team of Belgian scientists has found that fruits and vegetables do not lose any antioxidant content in the days after purchase, even as tell-tale signs of spoilage appear. In some cases, antioxidant levels actually rise. In general, the study said, fruits and vegetables visually spoil before any significant antioxidant capacity loss occurs except in bananas and broccoli. The conclusions were similar when ascorbic acid and flavonoids were measured as well. Their content was generally stable during storage.

The study  "Evolution of Antioxidant Capacity during Storage of Selected Fruits and Vegetables" will appear in the Oct. 17 issue the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
-Source: American Chemical Society
 

FDACS, IFAS FORM FOOD SAFETY PARTNERSHIP

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, will work together to develop and deliver statewide food safety educational materials and training for agricultural producers and workers.

The goal of the Food Safety Partnership Program is to enhance the safety and competitiveness of Florida specialty crops. The multiyear program received a $253,000 Specialty Crop Block Grant from the USDA.

The training and materials, to be printed in English and Spanish, will be provided statewide by Florida extension professionals to producers, field workers, packers and repackers of fresh fruits and vegetables.

 

USDA PREDICTS CITRUS CROP WILL REBOUND TO 168 MILLION BOXES

USDA is predicting a rebound in state orange production this year. Its forecast for the state, issued Oct. 12, is 168 million boxes, a 30 percent increase from last year’s 129 million boxes. Last season was the state’s worst since the freezes in the 1980s. Early, mid-season and navel oranges were predicted at 81 million boxes, up 23 percent from last year, and Florida Valencias should be up 37 percent at 87 million boxes. The grapefruit crop, however, is projected at 25 million boxes, down 2.2 million boxes from last year.

 

UF CITRUS RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER CELEBRATES 90 YEARS

The University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center will mark its 90th anniversary on Nov. 7 by dedicating its new Citrus Pathology Building and rededicating the Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Citrus Hall. Festivities begin at 11 a.m.

Everyone is invited to attend the celebration at no charge, though a reservation is required for lunch. For more information or to make your reservation, contact Anita Whitaker at (863) 956-1151 or e-mail rsvp@crec.ifas.ufl.edu.

 

PAC SHOOT SCHEDULED

The FFVA Political Action Committee will hold its 3rd PAC fundraising Sporting Clay Shoot on Feb. 5, 2008, at the Quail Creek Plantation near Okeechobee.

The first two events featured lots of fun with friendly competition, great food, and quality prizes. The 2006 event also proved to be the most successful FFVA PAC fundraiser ever. Proceeds from these events allow FFVA to participate in more political campaigns.

“We plan to make this next event even better, and we hope that everyone will mark their calendars and plan to participate,” said FFVA Political Action Committee Chairman David Neill.

 

WEDGWORTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM SELECTS CLASS VII

Lisa Lochridge, FFVA’s public affairs director, has been selected for the 30-member Class VII of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources. The two-year program is designed to broaden perspectives and build a network within the industry and beyond. As a result, program graduates are able to address challenges of local, state, national, and global dimensions.

“The candidates selected for this program are already leaders in their respective industries,” said Dr. Hannah Carter, director of the institute. “Our goal is not to teach leadership, but rather to give existing leaders an introduction to public policy and to create a networking system for participants to develop professionally and use their skills to address issues affecting Florida’s agriculture industry and natural resources.”

Class members were selected through a rigorous nomination and application process. The group represents agriculture’s diversity through their employment in 15 different sub-sectors of the industry, from forestry to cattle to nursery management. Class members also bring geographic diversity, representing 18 different counties across the state, from Miami-Dade to Lake to Leon.

More information on the program is available at http://wlianr.ifas.ufl.edu.
 

©2007 Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association