Produce Watch

California Prunes Enjoy Continued Success in Asia

California-origin prunes are particularly prized by consumers across Asia for their premium taste, versatility and nutritional benefits — attributes that the California Prune Board (CPB) regularly highlights in through-the-line campaigns, targeting both new and existing audiences. The board’s marketing efforts... Read more

Tierra Suelta Ships Florida-Grown Fruit

Tropical fruit grower and importer Tierra Suelta, Miami, FL, announced strong volumes of high-quality, Florida-grown star fruit. Vertically integrated, Tierra Suelta’s cooling and packing facility is adjacent to its farms in Homestead, FL, so fruit goes from the tree to... Read more

Giumarra Launches Co-Branded Thx! Green Kiwifruit Supporting Farmworker Dreams

The Giumarra Companies, Los Angeles, CA, launched its California-grown kiwifruit co-branded with Thx!, an award-winning social impact program. Now available in Nature’s Partner-branded consumer pack clamshells, this collaboration offers shoppers the opportunity to enjoy fresh, green kiwifruit while directly supporting... Read more

California Giant Forecasts Strong Strawberry Volumes

California Giant Berry Farms, Watsonville, CA, forecasts strong volumes of organic and conventionally grown strawberries. Included in this influx is California Giant’s “Fresh From Florida” labeled product. California Giant’s Florida-based growers are on track to deliver peak volumes, spanning from... Read more

Mission Produce Expands Global Sourcing

Mission Produce Inc., Oxnard, CA, has expanded its diversified sourcing strategy to provide a year-round supply of ripe avocados and mangos to the U.K. and European markets. Over the last year, Mission Produce has added more than eight sources to... Read more

South African Stone Fruit Sector Ramps up Innovation

The South African stone fruit industry is accelerating the adoption of new technologies and innovative growing practices to take production to the next level. The industry, led by Hortgro, is driving a wide range of research projects designed to make... Read more

California Avocado Commission Forecasts Healthy Harvest

The 2025 California avocado harvest is now projected to be in the range of 375 million pounds, which is the largest crop estimate for the locally grown fruit since 2020. Recent extremely high winds in California slightly dampened early season... Read more

Procacci Brothers

Procacci Brothers, Philadelphia, PA, announces the retirement of Michael Maxwell, president of Procacci Brothers, after 43 years of dedicated service. Maxwell began his career at Procacci Brothers in 1981, working alongside founder Joseph G. Procacci and current Chief Executive Joseph... Read more

Prophet

Bryan Barsness has been appointed business development director at Prophet, Westlake Village, CA. In his new role, Barsness will drive continued growth and innovation for Prophet ERP’s solutions tailored to the produce and agricultural industries. Barsness graduated with a degree... Read more

Divine Flavor

Nogales, AZ-based produce distributor and grower, Divine Flavor, has added Jeremy Giovannetti to the company’s sales team, overseeing category management for the firm’s melon program. As the melon category manager, his role will be to strengthen the company’s programs out... Read more

Sun World

Sun World International, Bakersfield, CA, announced that its president, Bernardo Calvo, has been named chief executive officer, and David Marguleas has become Sun World’s executive chair. Calvo is now responsible for leading all corporate and operational functions. Before joining Sun... Read more

Ocean Mist Farms

Ocean Mist Farms, Castroville, CA, promoted Glen Alameda into a chief operating officer role. He is the fourth generation to carry the vision of this 100-year-old, industry-leading company. Alameda holds a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly State University, San Luis... Read more

The Cherry Industry Administrative Board and Cherry Marketing Institute

The Cherry Industry Administrative Board (CIAB) and Cherry Marketing Institute (CMI), Traverse City, MI, have named Amy Cohn as the new industry president. In her new role, Cohn will serve all tart cherry industry members by providing oversight and insight... Read more

Fresh Del Monte Launches First-Ever Newman’s Own Salad Kits

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc, Coral Gables, FL, through its vegetable division, Mann Packing, Gonzalez, CA, introduced Newman’s Own Salad Kits, the first-ever packaged salad kits from the food brand. This new product line combines Fresh Del Monte’s dedication to... Read more

NJ Department of Agriculture Honors School for Fruit and Vegetable Program

Representatives from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture presented Lord Stirling Community School in New Brunswick, NJ, with the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program VIP Award. The award highlights schools in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fresh Fruit and... Read more

Multiple EPC Leadership Classes Recognized at New York Produce Show

The sixth Eastern Produce Council (EPC) Leadership Class topped its 2024 educational program with events at the New York Produce Show (NYPS) and Conference in New York City from Dec. 10 to 12.A highlight of this year’s show included the... Read more

California Walnuts Celebrated Holiday Season with Sacramento Ballet and Nugget Market

California Walnuts, Folsom, CA, spread holiday cheer to the Sacramento community with seasonally inspired retail promotions aligned with its annual sponsorship of the 2024 Sacramento Ballet’s Nutcracker. This year, California Walnuts elevated the seasonal effort in partnership with Nugget Market.... Read more

Fresh Express Acquires McEntire Produce

Fresh Express Inc., Salinas, CA, has acquired McEntire Produce Inc., Columbia, SC, a fresh-cut processor, repacker, and wholesaler supplying the foodservice industry since 1938. This transaction will allow the newly formed Foodservice Division of Fresh Express under the McEntire Produce... Read more

Bushwick Commission Donates 18,000+ Pounds of Potatoes to Food Bank

Bushwick Commission, Farmingdale, NY, provided more than 18,000 pounds of potatoes to the Island Harvest Food Bank of Long Island, NY. This year’s contribution brings total potato donations over the years to more than 50,000 pounds. Island Harvest Food Bank... Read more

Sunkist Celebrates Lunar New Year 2025 with Year of the Snake Packaging

Sunkist Growers Inc., Valencia, CA, unveils its newest packaging design to commemorate the Lunar New Year holiday, which begins Jan. 29, marking the Year of the Snake. The specially designed 10-pound cartons hold navel or Cara Cara oranges, while the... Read more

Stemilt Donates to Greater Wenatchee Valley in 2024

Stemilt’s 2024 donations supported over 50 organizations within the Wenatchee Valley in Washington State, totaling $240,000. Earlier in the year, the company reached a milestone donation with the Washington Apple Education Foundation of $1.3 million. Stemilt’s contributions supported organizations, such... Read more

California Table Grape Commission

Susan Day, vice president of international marketing for the California Table Grape Commission and 25-year veteran in table grape export promotion, retired at the end of December. As the vice president of international marketing, Day led both the international promotion... Read more

Index Fresh

Index Fresh, Corona, CA, has added Carlos Duarte to its sales and business development team. Duarte is a Ventura County resident who has been immersed in the world of avocados for over a decade. Most recently, he served as an... Read more

Chestnut Hill Farms

Peter Leifermann joined Chestnut Hill Farms, Coral Gables, FL, and will be leading the company as president and chief operating officer. Leifermann will be working closely with the Chestnut Hill Farms’ leadership team and advisory board, as well as Trond... Read more

Red Sun Farms Expands Distribution Center in Calgary

Red Sun Farms has expanded its distribution center in Calgary, Alberta, strengthening its commitment to better serving customers throughout Western Canada and the West Coast. The new facility features 40,000 square feet of multi-temp rooms, storage and packaging capabilities. It... Read more

Morning Kiss Organic Introduces Five Varieties of Organic Squash and Organic Brussels Sprouts

Morning Kiss Organic, Chelsea, MA, is announcing the availability of five varieties of organic squash and organic Brussels sprouts. The squash offerings include butternut, acorn, spaghetti, buttercup and delicata. Working closely with East Coast suppliers, including local New England farms,... Read more

West Pak Avocado Unveils New Bag Program

West Pak Avocado, Murrieta, CA, is introducing a new series of bagged avocados that showcase three key growing regions: California, Mexico and Colombia. “To guarantee a supply of premium avocados for our customers throughout the year, we remain committed to... Read more

Award-Winning Heirloom Tomato Now Available in the US

NatureSweet, San Antonio, TX, is introducing its award-winning Adora Heirloom Tomato to select stores. This unique tomato redefines the taste, appearance, and texture of tomatoes. Adora is a tomato like no other and has earned the ultimate recognition, the Crystal... Read more

Sunkist Captures Joy of Citrus With New Holiday Promotion

Sunkist Growers Inc., Valencia, CA, is kicking off the 2024 holiday season with a new collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing together two classics — Sunkist navel oranges and the Christmas movie, The Polar Express. This year, Sunkist introduces a... Read more

Bolthouse Fresh Foods Earns Best Sustainable Packaging Honors

Bolthouse Fresh Foods, Bakersfield, CA, earned the Best Sustainable Packaging Award at the 2024 IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show. The compostable packaging will debut at Meijer with 1- and 2-pound Bolthouse Fresh baby carrots and broaden to organic products... Read more

Bako Sweet Founder Don Valpredo Mourned

Donald (Don) John Valpredo, a lifelong champion of agriculture, businessman, founder and impetus behind Bako Sweet’s entry into the sweet potato business, died Oct. 31, 2024, while on vacation overseas. Valpredo was 85. Valpredo was one of the original farmers... Read more

Westfalia Fruit’s Digital Storytelling Recognized With Two Lovie Awards

Westfalia Fruit has been awarded two Lovie Awards for its innovative Our Story webpage. The company received the Gold Lovie Award in the Websites & Mobile Sites for the Food & Beverage category, as well as the People’s Lovie Award,... Read more

State Garden

State Garden, Chelsea, MA, announced three new strategic hires who will bring new capabilities and expertise to the organization’s rapidly evolving portfolio of brands and offerings, including Olivia’s Organics, Northeast Fresh and more. Tom Thompson joins as chief revenue officer;... Read more

Offshoot Brands

Angie Rowland has been named chief commercial officer at Offshoot Brands, Philadelphia, PA. Rowland joins the leadership team with a distinguished career in the fresh food industry, spanning dairy, produce, and functional beverages, most recently serving as vice president of... Read more

Mission Produce

Mission Produce Inc., Oxnard, CA, appointed Brooke Becker senior vice president of sales. In her new position, Becker will lead Mission Produce’s North America Sales team in meeting demand for avocados and mangos. Becker has been a significant contributor to... Read more

Misionero

Misionero, Gonzales, CA, has named Brandi Smith as corporate controller. With over two decades of experience in accounting, finance and business management, Smith brings a wealth of expertise in supporting complex agricultural organizations and driving financial insights that fuel business... Read more

Fresh Farms

Fresh Farms, Rio Rico, AZ, welcomed Josh Acuña to its sales team. Acuña is eager to build strong relationships with both existing and new retailers, with plans to refresh their knowledge of table grapes. Acuña also envisions enhancing the grape... Read more

Giumarra Companies, Capital City Fruit Team Up to Bring Lemonade Apples Via Online Delivery

Just in time for the 2024-25 domestic apple season, the Giumarra Companies, Los Angeles, CA, announces a joint initiative with Capital City Fruit, Norwalk, IA, to offer nationwide online delivery of its exclusive Lemonade apples. Consumers are able to purchase... Read more

Gem-Pack Berries Unveils New Website

Gem-Pack Berries, Watsonville, CA, launched a new website. The redesigned site, developed in collaboration with Dystrick, features a new design with improved navigation and enhanced functionality, making it easier for users to access information about Gem-Pack Berries’ products, services and... Read more

Minnesota Grocers Association Recognizes Winners

The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA), St. Paul, MN, named Kris Kowalski Christiansen of Kowalski’s Companies, Inc., its 2024 Outstanding Grocer.Michael Koehler, director of retail strategic regional accounts of Blue Bunny/Wells Enterprises, received the MGA’s 2024 Outstanding Vendor Award.Jamie Pfuhl, president... Read more

Avocados From Mexico Celebrates National Avocado Day

In partnership with The GIANT Company and Philabundance, Avocados From Mexico, Dallas, TX, donated 60,000 avocados for the fourth annual Top Guac Challenge, benefiting those experiencing food insecurity in the Philadelphia, PA, area.Out of eight contestants, the team consisting of... Read more

Ratto Bros.

Ratto Bros., Modesto, CA, named Geoffrey Ratto as the company’s new chief executive officer. A fourth-generation member of the Ratto family, Ratto brings 15 years of industry experience to his new role. He succeeds Robert Engel, who stepped down earlier... Read more

Natural Delights

Natural Delights, Yuma, AZ, promoted David Baxter to vice president of sales and marketing. Baxter has been an integral part of the Natural Delights team for the past six years.Baxter’s journey with Natural Delights began as a product manager. His... Read more

Ippolito International

Ippolito International, Salinas, CA, announced two additions to its organization, Joseph Mallobox and Bob Polovneff.Mallobox has joined Ippolito International after working in the human resources arena for over 20 years. Most recently, his experience includes employment regulations, recruitment, and staff... Read more

Edible Brands Launches Fresh Fruit Subscription Delivery Service

Edible Brands, Atlanta, GA, the parent company of Edible (formerly Edible Arrangements), announced the launch of its latest endeavor: freshfruit.com. The new e-commerce brand boasts a subscription business model, giving consumers premium whole fruits hand-delivered directly to their doorstep.Launching with... Read more

Duda Farm Fresh Foods Announces Foodservice Celery Dippers

Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Oviedo, FL, announces its newest product, Dandy Celery Dippers, now available for foodservice.Last fall, Duda launched celery dippers to retail audiences and saw the opportunity to bring the 2-inch fresh-cut celery sticks to foodservice operators seeking... Read more

Inline Plastics Launches Safe-T-Fresh 7-inch Rounds

Inline Plastic, Shelton, CT, has new 20-ounce, three-compartment packaging, the TS7020C3. The lids prevent food items from mingling with the anti-migration design.The second addition is the 46-ounce option, TS7046. Designed with signature Safe-T-Fresh technology, each package features tamper evident and... Read more

Michigan Asparagus Wraps Up Successful Season

The Michigan Asparagus season concluded one week earlier than usual, with ample volume available for summer festivities. To drive sales, the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board (MAAB), Dewitt, MI, enacted marketing strategies, including retail promotions, influencer marketing and digital campaigns that... Read more

C.H. Robinson Launches Digital Dispatch

Global logistics company C.H. Robinson announced a major efficiency for carriers through the launch of Digital Dispatch, its enhanced load matching platform. Utilizing a new algorithm powered by data science and artificial intelligence (AI), Digital Dispatch analyzes a broad range... Read more

Dole Marks the 40th Year of Whip

First, there was Dole’s sponsorship of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland in 1976, which led to a similar arrangement at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World several years later. After serving just Dole Pineapple juice and fresh-cut... Read more

Del Monte Precious Honeyglow Pineapple Wins Innovation of the Year

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Coral Gables, FL, recently won “Overall Food Innovation of the Year” in the 2024 Mindful Awards, for the company’s new Del Monte Precious Honeyglow, an innovative personal-size fresh pineapple that weighs less than 2 pounds... Read more

Texas Onion Industry Highlights Season Wins

The Texas International Produce Association, Mission, TX, announces the TX1015 Sweet Onion season was successful. Innovative marketing activities, such as an online social influencer program, sweepstakes, restaurant week promotion, and KSAT TV partnership, drew a larger audience, empowering people to... Read more

National Mango Board Scores Sweet Partnership with University of Mississippi Athletics

The National Mango Board, Orlando, FL, is partnering with the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Athletics. Building on their initial collaboration, the National Mango Board will now sponsor all Ole Miss football and basketball home games for the 2024-2025 season.... Read more

Sun World Acquires Biogold

Sun World International LLC, Bakersfield, CA, has acquired Biogold Group, a South Africa-based global fruit variety rights manager, trading as Citrogold in South Africa. Biogold is recognized as the preeminent global supplier of citrus genetics.In addition to its mango breeding... Read more

Bako Sweet Emphasizes Summer Offerings at Retail

This summer, Bako Sweet, Bakersfield, CA, introduced its grilling merchandising bins, perfect for highlighting the versatility of sweet potatoes in grilling recipes. These bins are available through Labor Day, providing retailers with an eye-catching, seasonal display that encourages consumers to... Read more

American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute

Johnny Barnes, president of the American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute (ASPMI), Benson, NC, announced Jeff Smutny has joined ASPMI as executive director.Prior to joining the sweet potato industry, Smutny served as the global director of marketing and regulatory affairs for... Read more