1.   At the same time, the dwindling number of grower cooperatives and food processors, and mergers among food wholesalers and retailers have led to more centralized buying.

2.   Dole agreed in March to sell its U.S. dried fruit business to Sun Diamond, a growers cooperative.

3.   Sun Growers, a growers cooperative, will license the Dole name.

4.   But the Senate legislation omits a provision sought by southern lawmakers that would allow grower cooperatives to sell the policies in competition with insurance companies.

5.   Some seats are filled by election, others by nomination from Ocean Spray, a growers cooperative.