Lodi Winegrape Commission receives 2014 GEELA award for sustainable winegrowing

A San Joaquin Valley wine grape commission received a prestigious environmental award last night during a ceremony at the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) headquarters in Sacramento. The Lodi Winegrape Commission, located in San Joaquin County, was recognized with the 2014 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) for Enhanced Environmental & Economic Leadership. The commission was one of a dozen California organizations to be so recognized with the state's highest environmental honor.

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http://www.examiner.com/article/lodi-winegrape-commission-receives-2014-geela-award-for-sustainable-winegrowing

Deaths, illness linked to listeria from Bakersfield apple supplier

A recent outbreak of listeria related illnesses has been traced to a Bakersfield apple supplier, according to an announcement on Friday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Following additional laboratory tests, FDA officials said that two strains of Listeria monocytogenes were found at the Bidart Bros. apple packing facility in Bakersfield, CA. The same strains of listeria were also found in apples collected at a retail store whose apples were supplied by Bidart The apples involved were of the Granny Smith and Gala varieties, and most of the illnesses appeared to be related to pre-packaged caramel apples.

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http://www.examiner.com/article/deaths-illness-linked-to-listeria-from-bakersfield-apple-supplier