Kiaran Locy, director of brand and industry communications at the California Prune Board, was elected the new chair at Buy California Marketing Agreement (California Grown), a partnership between the California Department of Food and Agriculture and commodity organizations representing California’s agriculture industry. Locy follows former Chair Todd Sanders, executive director of the California Apple Commission, who led California Grown for two years.

Wakefern Food Corp. has entered into an agreement to purchase Morton Williams stores in the New York metro area. The acquisition combines the grocery expertise of the family-owned cooperative and the Morton Williams family, which has owned and operated their stores for three generations.  

Western Growers was awarded $486,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of the 2025 Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program, which will allow WG to spearhead a partnership between fresh produce industry stakeholders to develop and implement sustainable fresh produce packaging alignment across North America.

The Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program funds U.S. entities to conduct projects to resolve barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops. 

Using a “be everywhere” approach, officials at Yes! Apples are doing all they can to build consumer awareness of apples and New York state apples, in particular.

Samantha Duda has joined Duda Farm Fresh Foods as east regional manager. Alongside recent leadership changes, this addition reflects Duda’s continued momentum and enduring commitment to growth, partnership and excellence as the company approaches its centennial in 2026.

As of Oct. 1, Van Zanten Breeding will implement a new management structure. Joost Kos will assume the role of managing director, while Maarten Goos and Martijn Swinkels will step down from their positions in daily management.