Ravenna, OH-based Sirna & Sons Produce recently welcomed ANTHONY SIRNA to its sales team.

As a fourth-generation family member, he is the grandson of current Sirna & Sons CEO Joe Sirna and the son of company President Tom Sirna.

Piazza Produce Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, broke ground on its new freezer there June 10. “This will add about three times the freezer space we currently have,” President Pete Piazza told The Produce News.

Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers will supply its customers with highly promotable volumes of conventional stone fruit from the Pacific Northwest this season. Based in Wenatchee, WA, the company is one of Washington’s premier tree fruit growers.

“The conditions have been good overall,” Marketing Director Scott Marboe told The Produce News.

Gourmet greenhouse grower Mastronardi Produce has once again taken top honors at the annual Hottest Tomato Competition. The company's "Sunset" Mini Kumato tomato was chosen as the People's Choice Award for Tomatoes for 2013.

The California Avocado Commission will look to build on the success of last year's integrated marketing program designed to put California avocados on picnic tables, at barbecues and everywhere consumers are gathered for Fourth of July celebrations.

The program includes television advertising in California, general market radio, print and online advertising, public relations outreach, in-store retail support, new recipes, online and social media activities.

MIAMI — Kara Adanalian of Fresno, CA, took top honors in the Del Monte Fresh "Find Your Inner Chef" competition, besting runner-up Karen Gulkin of Greeley, CO, in a cook off held June 15 at the Miami Culinary Institute, here.

Adanalian earned the title and the grand prize of a retreat for two to the Napa Valley Culinary Institute for her winning recipe, red pepper and avocado-stuffed chicken breast with pastry gremolata and white wine reduction.