Fair Trade-certified products have become a very positive “hot issue” for Wholesum Family Farms, according to Anthony Totta, a consultant for the firm.

“The retailers interested in product like this are accelerating,” he said. “This is very good for us, our farm workers and our customers who are offering this to consumers.”

Wholesum Family Farms, which is owned by the Crisantes family, has for many years carried an interest in the environment and its workers. This has manifested itself as the company focuses on organic production and with Fair Trade certification.

Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers, located in Wenatchee, WA, plans to build upon successes already realized with the limited introduction of the Koru apple variety in the United States.

Cristie Mather is leaving her post as communications director at Pear Bureau Northwest, based in Portland, OR, to take the role of managing director at The Fiction Tribe, a creative agency with offices in Portland and Santa Clara, CA.

The Colombian Pavilion at the 2014 Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit Exposition will feature new opportunities for popular products, including avocado, goldenberry (uchuva), pineapple, herbs and limes.

Visitors to the Colombia Pavilion will be able to meet with exporters as well as promotion representatives and learn more about the new developments allowing for successful export of these products.

“Today, as Village Farms celebrates 25 years in business, it makes us very proud to have built a foundation that will enable future generations to benefit from high-quality, sustainable, safe and fresh premium quality hydroponic vegetables,” Michael DeGiglio, president and chief executive officer of Village Farms LLC, , told The Produce News.

Val Verde Vegetable Co. Inc., a McAllen, TX-based grower-shipper operation founded more than 25 years ago on land farmed by the Schuster family for 80 years, has returned to an all-Schuster management team.

Frank Schuster Sr. came to the Rio Grande Valley from his native Austria in 1935 and quickly developed a prosperous farming and ranching operation as well as becoming a leader in the Texas produce industry. His son, Frank Schuster Jr., took over the company at the time of his father’s death in 1977 and formed Val Verde Vegetable Co. in 1987.