What sparks your holiday spirit more than a fresh slice of apple pie or a warm cup of apple cider?

With how apple sales increase during the holiday season, these apple products appear to be among what work the best.

This year consumers are in for a treat from New York apple growers because the crop is in great shape. Quality is high and sizes are perfect for every imaginable use.

Spartan Stores Inc. and Nash Finch Co. completed their merger. Spartan Stores Inc. will use the corporate name of SpartanNash Co., with the official name change to SpartanNash expected to become effective at the annual shareholders meeting in May 2014. The combined company will continue to conduct business as Spartan Stores, Nash Finch and MDV in their respective markets.

The Southeast Produce Council announced Nov. 18 that it has donated $10,000 to support relief efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. It is estimated that nearly 4,000 Filipinos have been killed by this storm and that millions have been left homeless with no food or drinking water.

Terence Kelley has joined Green Earth Produce, a year-round avocado shipper affiliated with Courchesne Larose, as a produce account executive.

“Terence is an experienced produce supply chain professional who has held sales and operations roles during his career in the produce business," Gahl Crane, director of Green Earth Produce, said in a press release. "We are thrilled to have him join our team.”

As consumers gear up for the coming holiday season, Borton & Sons Inc. is ready to move quality apples and pears with special promotions.

“We typically have some promotions go on right around the holidays,” said Lindsay Ehlis, part of Borton’s sales and marketing team in Yakima, WA. “Of course we figure those out when we see what the manifest generates and what our customer needs are.”

Prospects for the 2013 holiday season are planted firmly in a quality crop of apples and pears.

“We have exhibited at the New York Produce Show since its inception,” said Peter Wilder, marketing director for To-Jo Mushrooms in Avondale, PA. “Our experience at the previous shows was really great. The show has grown tremendously over the past few years, and is turning into a ‘must attend’ event. It gives us at To-Jo an opportunity to engage with many of our existing customers, while being afforded a chance to network with new potential retail and foodservice partners.”