Women currently represent only 15 percent of senior management roles in all industries despite studies that consistently show significant benefits to companies with women in leadership roles.

To help produce businesses leverage this competitive advantage, the Produce Marketing Association’s Foundation for Industry Talent will debut the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference April 21-23 at the FireSky Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, AZ.

A large solar power project, combined with programs designed to increase energy efficiency, has yielded impressive results for CF Fresh, a leading organic produce marketer based in Sedro-Woolley, WA. A newly completed analysis of both programs shows measurable results in both conservation and energy production over the past five years.

United Fresh will host a series of stakeholder meetings held in conjunction with the Food & Drug Administration’s public hearings on the proposed Produce Safety Rule and the Preventive Controls for Human Foods Rule. The first will be held Feb. 27 in Washington, DC, immediately prior to FDA’s public meeting Feb. 28 to March 1.

The United Fresh meetings will provide opportunities for fresh produce industry stakeholders to learn about and respond to the proposed rules.

Awe Sum Organics, based in Santa Cruz, CA, announced the hire of DEBORAH YASHAR as marketing coordinator on Jan. 14.

In her new position, Ms. Yashar will help to drive the company’s branding initiatives, manage its online presence, and enhance the company’s visibility and reach through strategic marketing, the company press release stated.

A friend working in the dry freight business introduced Lance Dichter to the transportation industry and the dynamic pace convinced him that the hauling of fresh produce was the area to specialize in.

“I love the fact that at 8 a.m. the rate [on a cross-country load] can be $6,000 and by 6 p.m. it can be 10 percent more, simply because of supply and demand,” he said. “That’s what led me to this phase of the business.”

“We handle an ever-increasing catalog of organic items, with our largest selling commodities being red, yellow, russet and fingerlings potatoes, lemons and oranges and seasonal specialties,” said Lara Grossman, sales and marketing manager for Tomorrow’s Organics, headquartered in Monterey, CA. A division of FoodSource, it is a C.H. Robinson company.