Fresh Connect LLC

Fresh Connect LLC, Chicago, IL, appointed Katie O’Connor as vice president of marketing. This announcement is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to expand the reach of its brand, The Essential Mixologist, known for its dehydrated produce and cocktail crystals designed for both foodservice and retail sectors.

O’Connor came from Produce Alliance, acquired by Buyers Edge Platform, where she concluded her role as director of marketing for the Fresh Division, which includes both produce management brands, Produce Alliance and Fresh Concepts. She played a pivotal role in combining creative vision with strategic insight to drive brand growth.

The Essential Mixologist offers a unique blend of dehydrated produce and artisanal cocktail rimmers, with items ethically sourced from Guatemala. The Essential Mixologist’s commitment to sustainability and zero-waste initiatives has made it a leader in the dehydrated garnish cocktail industry.

Rice Fruit Company

Rice Fruit Company, Gardners, PA, promoted Alexandra Roberts to vice president of culture and compliance. In this role, Roberts will ensure food safety and foster a responsible and sustainable company culture.

Roberts first joined Rice Fruit Company as food safety manager, spearheading food safety and compliance activities. Her role also involved collaboration with local farm families and orchardists to implement and maintain efficient, good agricultural practices.

Prior to her time at Rice Fruit Company, Roberts gained experience in the fresh slice and snack food sectors, with positions at Appeeling Fruit and Savor Street Foods. Before re-entering the agricultural and food industry, Roberts worked as a civil attorney, advocating for individuals facing social, economic and racial challenges. She holds a bachelor’s in food science from Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctorate from Villanova University School of Law.

Church Brothers Farms

Church Brothers Farms, Salinas, CA, has added Jennifer Lind as director of business intelligence and analytics. Lind brings over 20 years of produce industry experience to this newly created position, blending expertise in sales operations with data-driven decision-making.

She will lead the advancement of the company’s AI-driven processes in demand planning, customer segmentation and revenue optimization. She will also be essential to integrating diverse data sources and refining business intelligence tools to support long-term forecasting and strategic decision-making for the organization.
In previous roles at Misionero, Mann Packing and Earthbound Farm, Lind led significant business intelligence transformations, while spearheading sales planning processes.

Lind has a degree in managerial economics from the University of California, Davis.

Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers

Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) board of directors named Steve Peters as the successful candidate to fill the role of OGVG chair. Peters replaces George Gilvesy, who advised the board he would not be renewing his appointment at the conclusion of his term ending Oct. 31.

Peters comes to the OGVG, based in Leamington, Ontario, as a lifelong resident of St. Thomas, Ontario, and has been actively involved in his community for more than 35 years.

He is the former executive director of Food and Beverage Ontario, and manager of a farm market and bakery that provided learning opportunities for clients of the Canadian Mental Health Association. He also is a regular volunteer for the St. Thomas Elgin Food Bank that his partner Karen manages. Peters will take over as the new OGVG chair effective Nov. 1.

Sun World International

Sun World International, Bakersfield, CA, appointed Gerardo Lugo to the new role of chief commercial officer and promoted Global Licensing Directors Pablo Ramirez and Petri van der Merwe to vice presidents of global licensing. These moves reflect Sun World’s growth and the opportunities triggered by the company’s acquisition of Biogold.

Lugo brings three decades of agricultural experience to Sun World, primarily with Monsanto and Bayer’s row crop and vegetable seed businesses, where he held numerous senior commercial and strategic roles, both at the regional level leading operations in Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as at the global level.

Ramirez and van der Merwe join recently appointed vice president of global licensing Viresh Ramburan. These executives will manage the company’s licensing activities and staff.

Fischer Farms

Fischer Farms has strengthened its board and food credentials with the appointment of Chris Kirke as chief executive.

Kirke joins from Moy Park, where he was chief executive for over six years. He also spent over a decade with Greencore US, holding both managing director and chief executive roles.

Kirke will manage the day-to-day operations and focus on the strategic direction of the business. He will also play a key role in nurturing relationships with existing and new customers.

Tristan Fischer, founder of Fischer Farms, will move into the group chief executive role. Fischer will work closely with Kirke and John Stapleton, (chairman), to grow the existing Fischer Farms business, as well as expanding opportunities with Fischer Farms Foods and Fischer Farms Technology.

Avocados From Mexico Selects First Produce Ambassador

Avocados From Mexico has selected chef Pati Jinich, star of Pati’s Mexican Table, as the brand’s culinary spokesperson. She will share avocado tips and recipes.

Known for drawing inspiration from her Mexican heritage, Jinich brings her passion for family, education and community to life through food. Her dishes, found in her many top-selling cookbooks, reflect all the comforting tastes she grew up with, with avocados as an essential ingredient.

Jinich will be serving up creative twists classic Mexican recipes, including: Ginger and Pistachio Guacamole (a twist on guac made with ginger, honey, dried piquín chiles and chopped pistachios); Enchiladas de Suelo with Avocado (open-faced enchiladas with avocados and chorizo); and Avocado and Coconut Ice Cream (a unique sweet treat made with avocado and coconut).

With Jinich as the first-ever avocado culinary ambassador, the brand will encourage innovation with fresh avocados for shoppers and culinary professionals. This new title follows a years-long partnership between Jinich and Avocados From Mexico. In addition to developing educational content and recipes for the brand, Jinich led a culinary showcase at Guac Heaven, the brand’s first experience at the National Restaurant Association Show designed to inspire operators on the versatility of guacamole.

Peck’s Markets Join Allegiance Retail Services

Allegiance Retail Services says four Peck’s Markets have joined the co-op through their parent company, PSK Supermarkets. The sale of Peck’s Markets to PSK occurred in September 2024, expanding PSK’s reach in New York State.

PSK Supermarkets, a member of the Allegiance co-op, currently operates 14 supermarkets in the New York City area, and Dutchess and Columbia counties in New York State under the banners of Foodtown, Freshtown and Pathmark. The addition of Peck’s Markets in Sullivan County, NY, brings PSK’s total markets to 18 under ownership and management.

The four Peck’s Market locations are:

Peck’s Market of Eldred
9 Proctor Road
Eldred, NY 12732

Peck’s Market of Callicoon
9 Lower Main St.
Callicoon, NY 12723
• Peck’s Market of Livingston Manor
29 Main St.
Livingston Manor, NY 12758

Peck’s Market of Jeffersonville
4897 state Route 52
Jeffersonville, NY 12748

Bobalu Berries Achieves Sustainability Milestone

As the fall berry season approaches peak season in Oxnard, CA, a milestone has just been achieved by the Food Safety team at Bobalu, LLC. The company received their latest Audit and Certificate with a clean 100% score on the Module 9: IPM Identifier.

IPM is a term used quite often in explaining on-farm cultural practices. However, a complete summary of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a science-based approach to managing key pests through a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods to reduce pest damage, while minimizing risks to human health, beneficial and non-target organisms (pollinators), and the environment.

Understanding that definition, the food safety team at Bobalu assessed the complete program at the company and visualized each component to develop a systematic guide to achieving 100% on farm sustainability.

Sprouts Farmers Market to Feature AutumnCrisp Grapes

Sun World International, Bakersfield, CA, launched a retail partnership to bring AutumnCrisp grapes to select Sprouts Farmers Markets this fall in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Washington, Colorado and New Mexico.

As part of its ongoing commitment and investment to their licensee community and retail partners, Sun World International is collaborating with Sprouts to drive shopper excitement around AutumnCrisp grapes through a robust omnichannel marketing campaign.

The Sprouts partnership will feature AutumnCrisp branded store displays, influencer collaboration and other integrated marketing efforts to drive shoppers into Sprouts stores to experience this grape variety while they’re at the peak of the season.

Florida Department of Citrus Selects Padilla as Marketing Agency

The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), Bartow, FL, an executive agency of Florida government charged with the marketing, research and regulation of the Florida citrus industry, has selected Padilla as its marketing and communications partner.

Padilla is now the agency of record for the department’s consumer marketing and issues management programs. Padilla is supporting FDOC’s mission of maximizing consumer demand for Florida citrus products and ensuring the sustainability and economic well-being of the growers, the industry and the State of Florida.

The agency will raise awareness for FDOC as an industry leader and drive consumer engagement through paid media, influencer partnerships, digital advertising, social media, retail activations and more.

Padilla began working with FDOC in July 2024, and both the consumer marketing and issues management assignments are two-year terms with an option for renewal.

One United Floral Mixer Unites Industry Leaders

That Flower Feeling Foundation held a One United Floral Mixer, in Carlsbad, CA, within the CalFlowers Fun ‘N Sun Convention recently.
The event raised over $30,000, with 145 attendees from across the floral industry supporting the That Flower Feeling Foundation. These funds will play a role in future marketing efforts to increase floral consumption in the United States.

That Flower Feeling is a mission-driven organization dedicated to making fresh flowers a regular part of people’s lives.

Baldor Specialty Foods Opens New Facility

Baldor Specialty Foods, a distributor of specialty produce, meat, fish, dairy, and grocery items in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, expanded its restaurant and foodservice capabilities with the opening of a new facility in the Washington, D.C. area Sept. 17. Located in the Hargrove Industrial Campus, Lanham, MD, the new 100,000-square-foot warehouse is 12 miles away from metropolitan Washington, D.C. and in close proximity to major highways.

The new facility, which includes 35 dock doors and state-of-the-art refrigeration and frozen storage capabilities, will enable Baldor to scale its operations, increase delivery efficiencies and continue its tradition of sourcing fresh, local products. The facility will also support local employment, with 140 employees, and the company plans to hire more, including drivers and warehouse staff.

The Lanham facility will serve as the fourth hub for Baldor’s operations, joining the company’s headquarters in the Bronx, NY, and regional hubs in Boston, MA, and Philadelphia, PA. Baldor first launched in the area in 2012, with a small cross-dock facility in Jessup, MD; demand grew quickly, with the facility ultimately serving 1,000 of the company’s 14,000-plus total customers.

Side Delights Offering Retailers Solutions

Due to the cumulative impact of ongoing economic challenges and rising food prices, dining out is estimated to be four times more expensive than eating at home. Side Delights, Newport Beach, CA, is encouraging retailers and foodservice operators to promote Amazables! as the answer.

Amazables! are oven-crisp-style microwavable potatoes that are ready in 6 minutes and come with custom gluten-free sauces by Litehouse: The Loaded Potato sauce and Buffalo Ranch sauce. Both were created to complement the taste of a russet potato and leverage top foodservice flavors.

Other quick-to-cook Side Delights potato products, such as Bakeables or Steamables, can be enjoyed right out of the package or in creative recipes, such as Roasted Russet Dipping Wedges. Even the leftovers can be upcycled for Quick Steak and Potato Tacos with Poblano Chilies.

Bako Sweet Poised for a Standout 2024 Harvest

Bako Sweet, Bakersfield, CA, is announcing a promising 2024 sweet potato crop, which has benefited from favorable growing conditions, despite challenges posed by extreme summer heat.

The harvest, now underway, has produced excellent quality sweet potatoes in a variety of planted colors, including orange, red, white, and purple, ensuring consistent supply to meet growing consumer demand.

The combination of a cool spring and successive days of 105-degree heat slowed the timing of harvest slightly, but Bako Sweet’s approach to harvest management has allowed the company to mitigate potential negative impacts. The team has leveraged additional harvesting capacity and closely monitored water, shredding, and harvest schedules to ensure product quality and sizing consistency.

Agroberries and BerryWorld Group Combine to Create the Second Largest Berry Company

Agroberries, Vitacura, Santiago, a global grower, marketer and distributor of fresh berries, has acquired BerryWorld Group Holdings Limited, Europe’s largest berry marketer.

The combined company will commercialize approximately 150,000 metric tons of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries per year, sourced from both its agricultural-production footprint that spans over 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) and from associated growers across 30 countries. The vertically integrated company boasts unique proprietary breeding programs and long-term partnerships with leading breeders around the world to sustainably produce berries.

Continental Grain Company (Conti), a global food and agribusiness investor, first invested in Agroberries in 2022 and increased its investment and commitment to the company in connection with the transaction.

Jorge Varela, co-founder and chief executive officer of Agroberries, will serve as global chief executive officer of the combined entity. Adam Olins, co-founder and chief executive officer of BerryWorld Group, will continue to lead BerryWorld Group.

ZAG Technical Services to Offer Free Cyber Insights Reports at Global Show

ZAG Technical Services, San Jose, CA, will be at the Global Produce and Floral Show in Atlanta, GA, from Oct. 17-19, providing cybersecurity support to the ag sector.

At the show, ZAG will be offering free Cyber Insights Reports, each valued at $600. A total of 50 reports will be given away.

The Cyber Insights Report helps ag businesses understand their current cybersecurity posture, identify vulnerabilities, and offers actionable steps for protection against rising threats.

In addition, ZAG will be hosting in-booth “Ask ZAG Anything” (AZA) sessions, where attendees can learn more about Syncrova, ZAG’s solution for the leading Ag ERP, and get direct IT, data, analytics, and cybersecurity advice from ZAG’s experts.

The AZA sessions will be held in ZAG’s booth C1115: Oct. 18, 1-2 p.m., and Oct. 19, 1-2 p.m.

Sunkist Launches New Merchandising Options for Citrus Season

California citrus season is just around the corner, and Sunkist Growers Inc., Valencia, CA, is unveiling a fresh set of merchandising options for retailers. These new offerings provide versatile, real estate-efficient solutions that align with the retailer’s in-store display needs, and showcase the full range of Sunkist fresh citrus options.

In response to the growing demand for sustainable and uncluttered in-store environments, Sunkist’s new merchandising options are designed to be sleek, functional, and easily adaptable to various retail footprints. The buildable display solutions maximize shelf space while maintaining structured and eye-catching citrus destinations for Sunkist Navels, Caras, Bloods, lemons, California mandarins, grapefruit and multi-variety pack options.

Sunkist marketing worked closely with its sales team, surveying team members and measuring customer feedback relevant to its merchandising toolkit and shopper-marketing programs. With limited floor space often being a primary challenge, the new space-efficient displays are engineered to fit seamlessly into any store layout.

More Than 80% of Consumers Fail to Store Pineapples Correctly

More than eight in 10 consumers (81%) have admitted that they don’t know the correct way to store pineapples, inadvertently eating them later than ideal. The research from global tropical fresh fruit producer, Fyffes, London, England, coincides with the launch of Fyffes’ new “crownless pineapples” to Europe.

Fyffes assessed the consumption habits, awareness and knowledge surrounding pineapples among over 1,000 United Kingdom and Ireland consumers, to reveal that only 19% know that the best way to store a pineapple is to chop it up and put it in the fridge, with almost a third (31%) leaving a pineapple to “ripen” in a fruit bowl — a common misconception as Fyffes pineapples are always ready to eat.

For retailers, crownless pineapples present the opportunity for reducing carbon emissions significantly as more than 30% more crownless pineapples can be transported as they take up significantly less space. The removed crowns are replanted in the pineapple fields or shredded and given to local farmers to be used for animal feed. For consumers, crownless pineapples minimize organic waste and reduce time and effort involved in preparation.
Further findings from the research include:

• Over half (54%) of respondents have increased their fruit consumption in the last six months.

• Freshness (32%), price (17%), and ripeness (17%) are the most important factors for consumers when purchasing pineapples.

• 79% of consumers are satisfied with the quality of pineapples available in their local shops.

Mission Produce Hosts 12th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Mission Produce Inc., Oxnard, CA, held its 12th annual golf tournament to raise funds for The Mission Foundation. This year’s event took place at the Moorpark Country Club in Moorpark, CA, and gathered 160 participants from around the globe to raise more than $100,000.

This year’s winners of the three-course, 27-hole tournament were the RWB Trucking team: Jon Weston, James Rehak, Ryan Walsh and Landon Stone.

The Mission Foundation is Mission Produce’s charitable organization dedicated to supporting the communities of Ventura County and the farming industry. In 2024, The Mission Foundation supported Casa Pacifica, the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley and the Ventura County Farm Bureau, among others.

California Table Grape Growers Offer Scholarship Opportunities

For 40 years, California table grape growers have been providing scholarships to graduating high school seniors from the table grape growing regions of California.

Three categories of scholarships are available again in 2025. Two scholarships are available to fieldworkers and their families. The first, the Field Worker Bridge Scholarship, is a $14,500 scholarship for students who will attend two years at a community college and transfer to a four-year university.

The second Field Worker Scholarship is a $25,000 scholarship for students who will attend a four-year university. The third scholarship is a $25,000 Agriculture Scholarship available for students interested in building a career in the California table grape industry and investing their undergraduate years of study in academic areas related to the industry.

Three scholarships from each category are available. Applicants for all scholarships must plan to attend a California college or university. The deadline to apply for all scholarships is Feb. 7, 2025.

Bard Valley Natural Delights Celebrates Successful Harvest Tour

Bard Valley Natural Delights recently hosted 15 customers from across North America and Australia for its annual Harvest Tour, Sept. 9-11 in Yuma, AZ. The immersive event gave attendees a hands-on experience of the Medjool date harvest, as well as an inside look at the brand’s farm-to-shelf process.

The tour kicked off with a private dinner prepared by celebrated local chef Alex Trujillo, who curated a menu featuring Medjool dates in every course. Participants ventured into the date groves to experience harvesting first-hand.

After the grove experience, attendees visited Natural Delights’ state-of-the-art sorting, grading, and packaging facilities. The day concluded with a “Celebrando la Cosecha” dinner alongside the growers.

Lakeside Organic Gardens Salutes Essential Workers

Demonstrating their gratitude, Charlie Hong Kong, a renowned Santa Cruz, CA, eatery, visited Lakeside Organic Gardens, Watsonville, CA, to bring a special meal directly to the fields. For over 24 years, Lakeside Organic Gardens has supplied Charlie Hong Kong with organic kale, chard, and other products that the restaurant blends into its inspired organic rice and noodle bowls. This event marks a farm-to-table journey that comes full circle as restaurant cooks and staff served those who make it all possible.

Worldwide Leaders Meet with Compost Organizations

Price Look Up (PLU) stickers were center stage in a first-ever, worldwide meeting between the fresh produce industry and compost organizations in Niagara Falls, Canada, Oct. 1, with the objective of establishing a global compostable standard for PLUs.

PLUs, integral in helping accurately and effectively identify fresh produce for traceability, inventory control and pricing at retail, are predominantly non-compostable. These stickers end up being difficult to remove, physically contaminating the organics recycling process and adversely impacting the finished compost quality and value.

In an effort to accelerate the development and transition toward compostable PLUs worldwide, both the fresh produce and organics recycling industries met to develop the framework to create this global standard.

Equitable Food Initiative Extends Course to Full Industry

Equitable Food Initiative, Washington, a workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumer groups, is extending its Facilitation 101 and 102 courses to the entire fresh produce industry. The courses give attendees the tools to foster a more productive and inclusive work environment.

The Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices outlines 13 guiding principles, ensuring workers throughout the produce industry are treated with dignity and respect. One of its key principles emphasizes the importance of direct communication between management and employees as the most effective way to resolve workplace issues.

Registration for Facilitation 101 closes Oct. 29.

Ocean Mist Farms Participates in Relay for Life

Ocean Mist Farms, Castroville, CA, took part in the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay For Life event Sept. 21 in Salinas, CA. In less than 50 days since joining the cause, Ocean Mist Farms climbed to fifth place in charitable rankings out of 77 participating teams.

With nearly 20 employees walking at the event — and a weeklong company-wide fundraising campaign — the team quickly mobilized a series of engaging fundraising events to support this cause. These included contests, raffles, scavenger hunt, bake sale, pizza lunch, freshly made tacos and a homemade salsa sale.

Ocean Mist Farms went all out to show its support, decorating its corporate office inside and out. At the Relay For Life Walk, the company mascot “Arti” made a special appearance.

Highline Mushrooms Unveils New Oven-Ready Stuffed Mushrooms

Highline Mushrooms, Leamington, Ontario, launched its new value-added product lineup, Sizzlin’ Hot New Stuffed Mushrooms.
Featuring three new flavors, each stuffed mushroom promises to elevate any meal or gathering:

Mmm Mmm Spinach & Artichoke — A rich and creamy mix of spinach and artichoke.

Sizzlin’ Hot New Stuffed Mushrooms come in an oven-ready PETE tray and can be enjoyed in 15 minutes. The stuffed mushrooms are now available at select retailers across the U.S. in the fresh mushroom section.

Roasted Goodness Red Pepper & Feta — A blend of roasted red peppers and creamy feta cheese.

Sup-HerB Basil Pesto Mozza — A combination of basil pesto and mozzarella.

Bobo’s Expands Oat Bars with New Fig Bar Option

Bobo’s, the Loveland, CO-based maker of wholesome oat bars, is launching its newest product line, the “Fig-Tastic” Fig Bars. The addition to its oat bar collection launches in October, bringing two new flavors to fans. The new fig bar line features two flavors: Original Fig and Blueberry Fig.

Bobo’s products are: certified gluten-free, non-GMO and kosher; vegan and free from dairy and soy; made with 100% whole grain oats.

Bobo’s Fig Bars will be available at retailers nationwide starting in November, with five-packs for $5.99.

Fresh Del Monte Offers New Dessert Pudding Cups

Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc., Coral Gables, FL, is launching Del Monte Dessert Pudding Cups, a new line of single-serving desserts that shipped recently to supermarkets, convenience stores and other retailers across North America.

Del Monte Dessert Pudding Cups combine real, fresh-cut fruit with chocolate or vanilla pudding and whipped topping-garnished with sweet ingredients, such as granola, graham crackers, chocolate chips and cinnamon streusel — all in a single-serving, 5.5-ounce package.

Available in four bakery-inspired flavor varieties — Pineapple Streusel, Chocolate Berry Truffle, Mango Mix and Apple Crisp — Del Monte Dessert Pudding Cups combine an indulgent taste with 2 ounces of real fruit, all in one convenient package.

NatureSweet Debuts Vibrant Trio of Tomatoes on the Vine

NatureSweet, San Antonio, TX, unveils its latest varietal, D’Vines Medley. This vibrant collection of red, orange, and yellow greenhouse-grown cherry on-the-vine tomatoes is the latest offering in the D’Vines portfolio, proudly harvested and packaged in the USA.

The D’Vines Medley tomatoes are the perfect addition to any charcuterie board, meal, or snack, elevating culinary creations with their colorful appeal and fresh taste.

D’Vines will debut at the International Fresh Produce Association’s The Global Produce & Floral Show on Oct. 17, in Atlanta. It will be available at retailers such as Aldi, Wakefern, Harris Teeter, Albertsons and Meijer, in early December.

Little Leaf Farms Introduces New Sesame Ginger Salad Kits

Little Leaf Farms, Devens, MA, has added a Sesame Ginger variety to its fast-growing Salad Kits line, first launched in 2023 with Crispy Caesar and Southwest varieties.

Featuring Little Leaf Farms’ fan-favorite Baby Crispy Green Leaf lettuce, the new Sesame Ginger Salad Kit includes Thai seasoned wonton strips, sliced almonds, toasted quinoa and sesame ginger dressing.

Little Leaf Farms Sesame Ginger Salad Kits are available at select grocery stores in the Northeast in 6.5-ounce packages with an MSRP of $4.99.

Produce & Floral Watch are regular features of Produce Business. Please send information on new products, personnel changes, industry, corporate and personal milestones and available literature, along with a high resolution image to: Managing Editor, Produce Business, 551 NW 77^th Street, Suite 101, Boca Raton, FL 33487 or email us at info@producebusiness.com.