Joel Nelsen, who spent almost the entirety of his produce career as an association executive, including 37 years with California Citrus Mutual, died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 78.

Mr. Nelsen was born in San Diego on Sept. 27, 1946, and died on July 1, 2025, while traveling to pick up his 12-year-old grandson for an extended California stay.

Wonderful Pistachios has partnered with Buffalo Bills star quarterback and pistachios farmer Josh Allen, uniting the NFL’s reigning Most Valuable Player with America’s No. 1 nut brand. A native of California’s Central Valley, where Wonderful Pistachios are grown and processed, Allen is part of a fourth-generation farming family whose crops include pistachios. 

The California Fresh Fruit Association has hired Clayton Smith to serve as its new director of government relations. He comes to the association after serving as a legislative assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“On behalf of CFFA’s leadership, we are thrilled to welcome Clayton to the Association," said CFFA Board Chairwoman Melissa Frank of the Wonderful Company. "His experience working in Washington, DC, along with his background and education will be of great value to our membership.”

MONTEREY, CA — The Organic Produce Network kicked off the Organic Produce Summit July 9, here, with an opening reception at the Custom House Plaza in downtown Monterey. The reception followed a full day of activities that included field tours, a beach yoga session and a Seed to Service volunteer event in partnership with Brighter Bites.

That Flower Feeling, the leading marketing association and foundation dedicated to promoting everyday floral consumption, is excited to announce an exclusive virtual Stakeholder Roundtable scheduled for Thursday, July 17 at 12 PM EST. This event is a unique opportunity for contributors to engage directly with the That Flower Feeling board of directors and managing director in an interactive and impactful discussion.

Seven new members have been elected to Equitable Food Initiative's board of directors. These individuals bring a broad range of expertise in agriculture, sustainability, ethical sourcing, labor rights and consumer engagement.

Newly appointed board members are: