Latest News From People

The 2023 Packer 25 — Price Mabry
The 2023 Packer 25 — Price Mabry

Meet Price Mabry of Corner Market, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Laura Himes
The 2023 Packer 25 — Laura Himes

Meet Laura Himes of Walmart, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

7 appointed to National Mango Board
7 appointed to National Mango Board

The National Mango Board has 18 members, including eight importers, one first handler, two domestic producers, and seven foreign producers.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Bob Harrington
The 2023 Packer 25 — Bob Harrington

Meet Bob Harrington of Specialty Produce, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Oscar Guzman
The 2023 Packer 25 — Oscar Guzman

Meet Oscar Guzman of Progressive Produce, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

Equifruit president receives Canadian women entrepreneur award
Equifruit president receives Canadian women entrepreneur award

Equifruit President Jennie Coleman was recently honored with the RBC Momentum Award, during a ceremony celebrating Canada's most accomplished women entrepreneurs.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Lupe Gonzalo
The 2023 Packer 25 — Lupe Gonzalo

Meet Lupe Gonzalo of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Ron Ferri
The 2023 Packer 25 — Ron Ferri

Meet Ron Ferri of Tops Friendly Markets, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Dwight Ferguson
The 2023 Packer 25 — Dwight Ferguson

Meet Dwight Ferguson of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Cheryl Enlow
The 2023 Packer 25 — Cheryl Enlow

Meet Cheryl Enlow of Renaissance Food Group, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Madelyn Edlin
The 2023 Packer 25 — Madelyn Edlin

Meet Madelyn Edlin of the Equitable Food Initiative, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — John Dyke
The 2023 Packer 25 — John Dyke

Meet John Dyke of Turnip Truck Natural Food, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Gabriela D’Arrigo
The 2023 Packer 25 — Gabriela D’Arrigo

Meet Gabriela D’Arrigo of D'Arrigo New York, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Sabrina Castillo Lora
The 2023 Packer 25 — Sabrina Castillo Lora

Meet Sabrina Castillo Lora of LUV by Fresh Directions International, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Travis Breihan
The 2023 Packer 25 — Travis Breihan

Meet Travis Breihan of Smallhold, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Dan Atkinson
The 2023 Packer 25 — Dan Atkinson

Meet Dan Atkinson of Hy-Vee Inc., one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

Introducing the 2023 Packer 25
Introducing the 2023 Packer 25

The Packer's annual tribute is spotlighting 25 people leading the charge in the fresh produce industry.

The Giant Co. appoints new VPs
The Giant Co. appoints new VPs

The Giant Co. has named Brian Lorenz as vice president of omnichannel fresh merchandising and Kathy Sweigert as vice president of the mid-Atlantic division, both effective Nov. 27.

California Avocado Commission names co-executive leaders
California Avocado Commission names co-executive leaders

The California Avocado Commission has named current CAC Vice President of Industry Affairs and Operations Ken Melban and Vice President of Marketing Terry Splane as co-executive leaders of the organization.

Produce House founder named FPAA Member of the Year
Produce House founder named FPAA Member of the Year

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas said Raquel Espinoza has been recognized for her enthusiasm, solid industry experience and comprehensive understanding of sales and marketing.

Western Growers elects new board chair
Western Growers elects new board chair

Stuart Woolf, president and CEO of Woolf Farming & Processing, was first elected to the Western Growers board in 2015.

Vic Savanello joins FreshPro Foods
Vic Savanello joins FreshPro Foods

Industry veteran Vic Savanello has joined FreshPro Foods as vice president of merchandising, sales and business development.

FPAA announces elected board members for 2023 
FPAA announces elected board members for 2023 

Fresh Produce Association of the Americas members elected new directors to the board and celebrated the Member of the Year and the Pillar of the Industry at its annual meeting on Nov. 2.

Sage Fruit Co. sales and marketing exec to step back in January
Sage Fruit Co. sales and marketing exec to step back in January

Chuck Sinks will continue to work for Sage Fruit Co. for the next two years in a reduced capacity, assisting the transition of his role to the new leader of the business development and marketing team.

California Fresh Fruit Association names new president
California Fresh Fruit Association names new president

Daniel Hartwig will succeed Ian LeMay, who has held the position since 2019 and will depart CFFA to become president and CEO of the California Table Grape Commission.

Stater Bros. Markets promotes Mike Reed to senior vice president, CFO
Stater Bros. Markets promotes Mike Reed to senior vice president, CFO

Reed will report to CEO and Chairman Pete Van Helden and will be responsible for the financial accountability of the company.

Okanagan Specialty Fruits names sales and business development VP
Okanagan Specialty Fruits names sales and business development VP

John Freitas' experience includes serving as vice president of sales and marketing for Fresh Origins and, most recently, head of foodservice for AeroFarms.

IFPA introduces next leadership program cohort
IFPA introduces next leadership program cohort

The competitive leadership program will enrich, connect and educate 12 mid-level produce and floral professionals through a series of in-person events over the next year.

Meet Sun World's new president and COO
Meet Sun World's new president and COO

Sun World International has hired Bernardo Calvo, who spent the bulk of his career at the Monsanto Co., now part of Bayer AG, in significant leadership roles across multiple countries.

Happy Dirt names chief financial officer
Happy Dirt names chief financial officer

The Durham, N.C.-based Certified B Corporation, organic grower-packer-shipper, has named Natasha Goldstein chief financial officer.

Seen and heard at IFPA show, part 4
Seen and heard at IFPA show, part 4

Fresh produce purveyors chased big goals at this year’s IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show in Anaheim, Calif., seeking to deliver the freshest products and the most provocative ideas and innovations on the show floor.

IFPA’s Cathy Burns joins specialty crop coalition as co-chair
IFPA’s Cathy Burns joins specialty crop coalition as co-chair

Burns joins sitting co-Chairs Mike Joyner, Dave Puglia and Kam Quarles in providing direction for the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance as it works to advance its priorities in the reauthorization of the farm bill.

Sun World International expands global marketing and quality teams
Sun World International expands global marketing and quality teams

Joining the company are Elena Hernandez, as director of global marketing insights, and Pablo Gómez, as director of quality insights.

Prophet hires chief operating officer
Prophet hires chief operating officer

Tony Zuccato has over 30 years of experience in information technology, software development and project management, the company says.

Nogales produce pioneer Emilia Gotsis to be honored as Pillar of the FPAA
Nogales produce pioneer Emilia Gotsis to be honored as Pillar of the FPAA

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas will honor the Omega Produce founder for her contributions to the association and industry during her lifetime.

National Mango Board to host IFPA reception at vintage-styled bowling alley
National Mango Board to host IFPA reception at vintage-styled bowling alley

Network and knock down pins with fellow produce industry members Oct. 20 at the 2023 Mango Industry Reception during the Global Produce & Floral Show at Splitsville Downtown Disney.

The Giant Co. announces leadership changes
The Giant Co. announces leadership changes

The Carlisle, Pa.-based company has named Rebecca Lupfer chief financial officer and Dave Lessard senior vice president of operations, customer experience and perishable distribution.

Greenyard USA and Seald Sweet hire SVP of sales and sourcing
Greenyard USA and Seald Sweet hire SVP of sales and sourcing

"Mark [Gagnon] will play a pivotal role in our company's strategic growth and expansion plan," Seald Sweet CEO Mayda Sotomayor said.

Rod Braga named Grower of the Year
Rod Braga named Grower of the Year

The Braga Fresh CEO has been selected as the Organic Produce Summit’s annual Grower of the Year award recipient for his dedication to organic farming and California agriculture.

 Mountain View Fruit Sales welcomes new director of marketing
Mountain View Fruit Sales welcomes new director of marketing

During her more than 10 years in the produce industry, Krista Beckstead has worked in the apple grower, packer and shipping sector.

Meet Driscoll’s new CEO
Meet Driscoll’s new CEO

Soren Bjorn has been appointed as the next CEO of Driscoll’s, bringing with him 17 years leading programs and initiatives at the California-based global berry marketer.

Fox Packaging names director of sales
Fox Packaging names director of sales

Jen Doxey, who has over 20 years of experience in the produce industry, will oversee the sales operations of Fox Packaging and Fox Solutions and help develop sales and service strategies.

Pacific Trellis Fruit adds to its sales team
Pacific Trellis Fruit adds to its sales team

Mike Walsh has joined the company as East Coast sales manager, and Seymur Ashumov has joined as a sales executive.

Fresh Produce & Floral Council president steps down
Fresh Produce & Floral Council president steps down

After years of leadership, Don Gann is leaving the California-based fresh produce and floral advocacy organization positioned for its next chapter with a new president at the helm.

Stemilt’s Project SEARCH program welcomes new class of interns
Stemilt’s Project SEARCH program welcomes new class of interns

Project SEARCH provides education and training to young people with disabilities, helping them gain real-life work experience, while receiving training for employability and independent living, according to the company.

Share-ify adds VP to executive team
Share-ify adds VP to executive team

Christina Bongo-Box, a global quality assurance and procurement executive, will support product development, customer satisfaction and revenue growth for the cloud-based platform.

California Avocado Commission president and CEO departs
California Avocado Commission president and CEO departs

The California Avocado Commission says that Jeff Oberman, who served as president and CEO of the organization since October 2022, has left the organization to pursue other interests.

Berry Fresh appoints marketing director
Berry Fresh appoints marketing director

The Compton, Calif.-based company has named Laudan Chaffin as marketing director. She is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening and elevating the Berry Fresh brand, the company says.

Kapi Kapi Growers appoints senior director of sales
Kapi Kapi Growers appoints senior director of sales

The company has appointed Greg Samels to senior director of sales for the western U.S., where he will manage and drive new business in all channels to help grow sales of the brand's Costa Rican bananas and pineapples.

Indianapolis Fruit Co. expands executive team
Indianapolis Fruit Co. expands executive team

Indianapolis Fruit Co., a FreshEdge company, has expanded its executive team with the addition of Tony Mitchell and Marc Jones.