Consumers worldwide are demanding quality foods that are produced safely and sustainably. Retailers around the world are rising to meet the challenge by demanding certification from their producers, but they face a tricky situation when working with emerging producers that may not be able to achieve GlobalGAP certification — and  producers without certification for their products have difficulties accessing local and regional markets.

Christopher Ranch, headquartered in Gilroy, CA, is a leading producer of garlic, shallots and numerous other specialty items. Patsy Ross, vice president of marketing for the company, said the grower and packer has produced organic garlic since 1997.

Kevin Donovan, national sales manager for Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square, PA, told The Produce News that the company is experiencing a dramatic increase in the demand for organic mushrooms. It has produced an organic line for about 12 years.

The month of August has seen record shipments for grapes from California, posting week-ending totals of over 4 million boxes three weeks in a row.

“The crop is moving at what could be a record-setting pace,” Kathleen Nave, president of the commission, said in a press release. According to USDA data, more than 28 million boxes of California table grapes have been shipped through Aug. 23. The 2013 year-to-date total is 3 percent ahead of last year, which saw a record-high season total volume that surpassed the 100 million 19-pound box equivalent mark for the first time in history.

Ready Pac Foods, Inc. has hired Barbara Moreno as its new marketing director of salad, snacking and vegetables. Reporting directly to Barb Dan, Ready Pac’s senior vice president of marketing, Moreno brings over 20 years of food marketing and sales experience in consumer packaged goods, both domestic and international.

Ahold USA announced the departure of Anthony Hucker as its Giant Landover division president, effective Sept. 13. Hucker decided to resign from the company for an unnamed opportunity.