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WORLD SERIES OF PRODUCE

The epic World Series matchup between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves isn't the only weekend event in Atlanta. Much of the produce side of the food industry headed for Atlanta at the weekend for the big Produce Marketing Association convention and trade show there. The PMA event began last Friday with the International Trade Conference, then segued into Saturday's FreshTech and the main

The epic World Series matchup between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves isn't the only weekend event in Atlanta. Much of the produce side of the food industry headed for Atlanta at the weekend for the big Produce Marketing Association convention and trade show there. The PMA event began last Friday with the International Trade Conference, then segued into Saturday's FreshTech and the main convention on Sunday. PMA runs through Tuesday.

This week's SN won't provide much information about what's happening with baseball in Atlanta, but SN has prepared a world series of news articles and features leading into PMA. The next two issues of SN will have reports about the PMA event.

But, for the moment, here's a look at the numerous articles in this week's SN having to do with the PMA and produce.

Genetically Modified: This issue is growing in importance. In keeping with that, you'll see three news articles referenced on the front page, two from Washington and one from London. These news articles highlight the public debate about GM that has hobbled technological advances in Europe, and which could deal a blow to producers in this nation as well.

In Europe, retailers such as Delhaize, Belgium, together with Sainsbury and Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom, are advertising that they don't use GM in private-label lines.

In this country, the school district in Berkeley, Calif., has renounced the use of GM, and that won't be the end of it: Numerous consumer pressure groups are working against it. Take a look at the chart on Page 19, which outlines the numerous produce and dairy products that are already genetically modified in this country to see what the stakes in the debate might prove to be, and read the news article on Page 51 to see how domestic retailers are tracking the issue.

Trade Relations: The news article on Page 33 shows that the relationship between retailers and grower-shippers is changing, with change being driven by the recent spate of retailer consolidation. A report is due soon from the Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, which will describe the changing nature of trade relations, such as the migration of slotting fees to grower-shippers. There's a news brief about slotting on this page too.

PMA: As for the PMA itself, there's quite a bit going on, as was outlined in an SN interview with Bryan Silbermann, PMA president. The interview forms the basis on the news article on Page 29. The PMA turned 50 years old this year, but continues, as always, to address challenges germane to both sellers and buyers of produce.

Some of the issues Bryan sees facing the produce industry include those connected with technology, training, consumption levels and food safety, all of which find expression at this week's convention.

"This has been a difficult year for grower-shippers," Bryan told SN. "Retailers have to be sensitive to the natural supply cycles in this business. Layer on top of that [retailer] consolidation, and the impact has significant implications."