Leaders, innovators and industry stalwarts were among those who died in 2023, with their peers remembering their professional contributions and impact on the produce industry.
In a recent call with The Packer, Jeffrey Nagelberg's son, Eric, recounted his father’s wisdom in the produce business and in life, specifically admiring his ability to find the middle ground in produce relationships.
Ocean Mist Farms, a Castroville, Calif.-based grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in North America, is mourning the passing of beloved former president and CEO Ed Boutonnet.
Marianne Santo, three-time president of Eastern Produce Council and senior category manager of produce and floral at Wakefern Food Corp., died Sept. 24.
Mike Bowe, president of B&B Imports Inc., has announced the recent passing of colleague Fred Van Zandt, who died June 7 after a brief battle with brain cancer.
Yvonne Morales died June 20 after a brief illness. "She was a wonderful person and had a unique way of making people feel very special," said Jimmy Bassetti, co-owner and president Little Bear Produce.
More than 4,645 people in the community — from former employees, longtime shoppers, family, colleagues and friends — posted tributes within two days after the death of the Northeastern grocer founder.
Mucci Farms has announced the passing of Dan Branson, senior director of business and product development for the Kingsville, Ontario-based greenhouse grower.
Matiasevich, 76, was co-founder and president of Fullerton, Calif.-based Veg-Land Sales Inc. and its subsidiaries, including JBJ Distributing and Flowerland.
The International Fresh Produce Association has issued a release mourning the death of Ron Carkoski, retired CEO of Four Seasons Produce and a past chair of United Fresh Produce Association.
Fresh Produce and Floral Council have received the sad news that Wayne Snodgrass, of Loomis Distributing, Inc. and formerly Apio, Inc., has passed away.
In 1978, Jorge Aguilar Heredia formally founded AGGALL Coliman Group, with the inauguration of the first sales center in Hermosillo, Sonora in northern Mexico.
Ed Harwood, cofounder and emeritus chief science officer at AeroFarms, has died, leaving a legacy of patented innovative agriculture technology and expansion beyond his expectations.
NEW YORK STATE — Some people work tirelessly for their region’s produce industry and are well-respected for it, but it isn’t until they’re gone that others realize their impact.
Fruit importing company William H. Kopke Jr., Great Neck, N.Y., is mourning the loss of Paul Wigand, the director of operations who was with the company for more than 40 years.