VERO BEACH — The Florida citrus industry hopes a diet book endorsed by Oprah can sweeten the season.

A new book that touts the benefits of grapefruit, called the "Best Life Diet," will be released nationwide Dec. 26, as people start to consider New Year's resolutions to lose the pounds put on during the holidays.

"The Oprah Winfrey Show" is scheduled to air a program on the book and its author, Winfrey's trainer Bob Greene, Jan. 16.

Additionally, "O, The Oprah Magazine" will feature the book in its January issue.

"Anything Oprah touches turns into gold," said Leigh Killeen, director of domestic marketing for the state Department of Citrus. "We think this will be a huge success."

Killeen announced the news Friday at a Florida Citrus Mutual meeting at the Indian River Citrus League in Vero Beach.

Lisa Halliday, communications director for Winfrey's Harpo Inc., and Greene's agent, Bill Stankey, could not be reached for comment.

The Department of Citrus is spending $400,000 to help market the book, said Andrew Meadows, agency spokesman. The program was funded by a 10-cent increase in the fresh grapefruit box tariff for the 2006-2007 season.

Members of the Indian River Citrus League originally opposed raising the box tax to support the program, but have since warmed up to the idea.

"As a board, we had some reservations, but it was tweaked, and the budget was tightened a little it," said Doug Bournique, the league's executive director. "Now we're big supporters of it."

Citrus won't be the only industry to benefit from mentions in the book.

Several brands from big name companies such as General Mills Inc. and Unilever US Inc. will be used to promote a healthy lifestyle. Both companies confirmed their participation in the book and said they plan full campaigns in the coming weeks.

"We're very excited and looking forward to participating," said Kristen Goldberg, a spokeswoman for General Mills.

Donna Barker confirmed that several Unilever brands, including Slim-Fast, would be featured in the book.

All the brands will bear the "Best Life Diet" seal. The only two produce items allowed to carry the "Best Life Diet" sticker are the grapefruit and mushroom.

"Mushrooms are a simple, healthy food full of nutrients, so they make great sense as part of the 'Best Life Diet' program or any diet," said Bart Minor, president of the Mushroom Council in California. "We're excited to showcase how mushrooms add great taste and flavor, but relatively no fat and very little sodium. With the previous successes of Bob Greene's books, we know that Americans will be eager to try these recipes."

CITRUS ISSUES
Mike Sparks, chief executive of Florida Citrus Mutual, met with local members of the Indian River Citrus League in Vero Beach on Friday to discuss challenges facing growers statewide. As a lobbying organization for 10,000 growers, his priorities this year include:

• Work on immigration reform.
  
  
• A request for more assistance to fund greening research and canker suppression from Congress and the Legislature.
  
  
• Lobbying the federal government to classify fruits and vegetables, including citrus, as a major specialty crop.
  
  
• Retaining a state rule that enables the Department of Citrus to collect Florida Citrus Mutual membership dues from certain growers and processors.
  
  
• Maintaining and increasing citrus market share through marketing programs and education in conjunction with the Florida Department of Citrus.