This year’s crop of sweet Georgia peaches is expected to be abundant, with this a peak expected June through mid-August.

“It's going to be a great year for Georgia Peaches,” said Will McGehee of the Georgia Peach Council. “We expect this year’s crop to surpass last year’s, and the quality of the peaches will be outstanding.”

Avondale, PA-based Country Fresh Mushroom Co. recently announced the appointment of KIRK WILSON as regional sales manager.

Wilson brings a great deal of expertise and experience to Country Fresh. Prior to joining the company, he worked for six years at Highline Mushroom LTD in Ontario.

Chelan Fresh Marketing expects to generate marketplace buzz in 2013 with the Orondo Ruby cherry variety. “It is exclusive to us,” said Director of Marketing Mac Riggan.

Orondo Ruby cherries are a supersweet variety with a vibrant red appearance and golden yellow flesh.

“Some serious growth will occur with this cherry,” Riggan stated about future prospects.

Chelan Fresh has been moving fresh tree fruit since 2004.

Serving as a link between growers and retailers, Chelan Fresh represents more than 419 growers from its headquarters in Chelan, WA.

SWEDESBORO, NJ — Sun Valley Orchards, a grower-shipper that for many years has been well known for peaches, peppers, cucumbers, green squash, eggplant and pickles, is now becoming well known for one of New Jersey’s signature spring items: asparagus.

The Mushroom Council, headquartered in San Jose, CA, said that mushroom demand increase is widely evident in shipments reaching record highs in 2012, and 2013 has shown an impressive start.

According to Bart Minor, president of the council, shipments have increased approximately 6 percent this year to date.

By all measures, the "Indiana Grown" branding program has established invaluable connections between farmers and consumers in the Hoosier State. "It's very much a pride item here," Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann told The Produce News. "Indiana Grown is a nice way for Hoosiers to know they have local products. Hoosiers want to know where their food is coming from."

The program was officially launched in 2012 and showcases the fresh, high-quality foods the marketplace has to offer. A total of 16 organizations are currently registered under the Indiana Grown program.