Lipman Family Farms Appoints Four to Board of Directors

Lipman Family Farms, Immokalee, FL, announces the addition of four new board members, John Corso, Beth Newlands Campbell, Jorge Fenyvesi and Jared Lipman.

Corso, former chief executive of The Coastal Companies, adds experience in distribution, manufacturing, transportation and logistics.

Newlands Campbell, a seasoned retail executive and former president of Giant Eagle, brings more than 30 years of expertise in food, drug and apparel retail in the U.S. and Canada.

Fenyvesi, with a background in ag biotech and 44 years of experience in managerial and directive jobs with The Dow Chemical Company, DNA Plant Technology, Savia and PLENUS Groups, joins the board to provide insights into agricultural technology trends.

Lipman, a fourth-generation family member and vice president of business development and strategy at District Farms, brings a unique blend of family legacy and modern business acumen.

Produce Alliance Names New President

Produce Alliance LLC, Chicago, IL, an entity of the Buyers Edge Platform Fresh Division, has selected Chris Rheault as president.
Rheault previously served as executive vice president of produce operations for Buyers Edge Platform Fresh Division.

Dugan Appointed to FiveStar Gourmet Foods Board of Directors

FiveStar Gourmet Foods, Ontario, CA, announces the appointment of Chris Dugan to its board of directors.

Dugan joins the board of directors following a career at Chiquita Brands International. Beginning in various sales and operations roles, Dugan rose to senior vice president of sales for both Chiquita and Fresh Express in the U.S. and Canada.

International Blueberry Organization announces leadership change

The International Blueberry Organization (IBO) appointed Mario Steta, operation’s director for Driscoll´s in EMEA, as the new IBO chairman.

Steta will succeed Peter McPherson, formerly the general manager of Australian company Costa Group’s berry business, who held the IBO president position for eight years.

Currently, the IBO comprises 14 member countries, representing over 90% of the world’s fresh blueberry production. It also includes 60 associated companies, encompassing exporters and industry suppliers.

Dobler & Sons Welcomes Jeff Oberman as New Chief Operating Officer

Dobler & Sons LLC, Watsonville, CA, selected Jeff Oberman as chief operating officer.

In this newly created position, Oberman will drive strategic initiatives while offering support to Dobler & Sons’ core farming operations as well as its affiliated companies.

Oberman has worked in various executive roles at the United Fresh Produce Association, PRO*ACT and the California Avocado Commission.

Driscoll’s Appoints Reiter to Chief Commercial Officer

Garland S. Reiter Jr. has been appointed chief commercial officer, Driscoll’s of the Americas, Watsonville, CA.

Reiter began as a grower in Baja, Mexico. In 2016, he took on an international leadership role, relocating to the Netherlands to lead product leadership and business planning for Driscoll’s of Europe, Middle East and Africa. Upon his return to the United States, he was promoted to vice president, global blueberry leadership, where he spearheaded the Southern Hemisphere business unit.

Collaboration Meeting of the Papaya Industry in Mexico

For more than four years, ProExport Papaya has been at the forefront of education, training, research, consultancy, and supervision actions related to the implementation of contamination risk reduction systems in the Mexican papaya industry.

In January 2024, ProExport organized an educational visit to papaya farms in Veracruz, Mexico. During this visit, the invited authorities and associations witnessed firsthand the actions promoted by the industry.

Subsequently, SENASICA, FDA, IFPA and TIPA attended the annual national meeting of the Mexican papaya industry in Guadalajara, Jalisco. The collaboration resulted in the continuous improvement of contamination risk reduction systems in the papaya industry, emphasizing a self-regulation promoted by ProExport Papaya and its members.

Jac. Vandenberg and VPZ Collaboration Results in Win at PAC Global Awards

Tarrytown, NY-based importer Jac. Vandenberg and Graz, Austria-based packaging manufacturer VPZ were recognized for their innovation in packaging design at this year’s PAC Global Awards.

Submissions were evaluated by a panel of 104 judges from 18 nations. The panel of judges awarded Vandenberg and VPZ with the “Best in Class” award in the Sustainable Package Design — Package Circularity category for its Packnatur cellulose netting.

Jac. Vandenberg uses the Packnatur cellulose netting as a circular, plastic-free alternative for bagged citrus products. The netting is made 100% from beechwood.

Max Lugavere Keynote Speaker at Viva Fresh Expo

Max Lugavere will be the keynote speaker for the upcoming 2024 Viva Fresh Produce Expo in Houston, TX. A health and science journalist, filmmaker and bestselling author, Lugavere will inspire attendees with his insights into the intersection of nutrition, brain health and overall well-being.

Registration is open for the 2024 Viva Fresh Produce Expo in Houston, April 11-13. The keynote luncheon will be April 12, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Houston Ballroom, Marriott Marquis.

California Table Grape Industry Focuses on Specialty Crop Competitiveness

The California Table Grape Commission, Fresno, CA, is providing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with input on ways to enhance competitiveness through formal comments, as well as testimony provided at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) state board hearing, which opened the World Ag Expo.

The testimony, offered by Commission Incoming President Ian LeMay, provided recommendations focused on enhancing competitiveness in the U.S. marketplace, expanding exports, extending USDA food purchases for those in need, supporting research initiatives and encouraging adoption of new technologies.

According to LeMay, the purpose of the testimony before the state board was to encourage inclusion of table grape grower priorities in the comments that CDFA will make to USDA on behalf of the state’s specialty crop growers.

Organic Vidalias Join Full Line of Onions From Morning Kiss Organic

Organic Eastern-grown red, yellow and white onions, along with hand-cultivated organic Vidalia onions are on the way this spring from Morning Kiss Organic, Chelsea, MA.

The onions will join a full lineup of organic summer vegetables — peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, eggplants, and red and green cabbages.

BDA/Dorot Farm Launches New Baby Carrot Line

BDA/Dorot Farm, New York, NY, launched a new line of products at Fruit Logistica in Berlin. The new line includes conventional carrots, new organic carrots, and rainbow carrots for foodservice and retailers.

Dorot is partnering with California growers to introduce baby carrots to its growing portfolio of fresh vegetables.

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