The Michigan Apple Committee board has elected Kim Kropf as chair, Eric Roossinck as vice chair and Chris Alpers as third member of the executive committee. The election comes as Chair Mike Dietrich wraps up his final term on the board, as of March 31.

In addition, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has appointed James Engelsma, Gregory Kugel and Eric Roossinck to serve on the Michigan Apple Committee board of directors. The appointed and reappointed members’ terms begin April 1.

Engelsma will begin his first term as committee board member, succeeding Dietrich, whose term has expired.

For more than 75 years, Vidalia season has marked a special moment at Bland Farms,  a moment when months of care, patience, and field‑by‑field attention finally meet the excitement of the market. As the first boxes begin to move and the unmistakable sweetness returns to shelves, the Bland family and their team are once again preparing for a season that celebrates both tradition and forward momentum.

Situated in California’s fertile San Joaquin County, Morada Produce has built a strong reputation as a reliable packer and shipper of cherries.

“Cherries are a major part of our overall business,” said Mike Jameson, director of marketing, who has been involved in the cherry industry since the late 1980s. “In a good year, we’ll pack just over 2 million boxes, and that puts us right in the mix with the top handlers in California.”

Last week, the Southeast Produce Council successfully hosted its STEP-UPP Foodservice class for an immersive spring tour, offering participants a deep dive into the produce supply chain and fostering vital grower-retailer partnerships.

I recently attended a hunting, fishing and outdoor show at a convention center with my colleague, Bob. The venue was filled with hundreds of attendees exploring booths featuring camping gear, hunting attire, fishing equipment, offroad vehicles and other outdoor necessities.

Bob sought a belt to complement his fishing outfit. We visited several booths and conversed with sales representatives. While he identified multiple belts that met his needs he hesitated to make a purchase. Each time, he informed the salesperson, “I’ll think about it.”

When people hear about the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference they often assume it is a career development event for women. Yes, it is that, but reducing it to an individual leadership conference misses the bigger truth: this gathering is about strengthening the entire produce and floral industry.