This past April, Richard Pazderski, the former director of sales for Bland Farms LLC, joined Utah Onions Inc. as the company’s director of business development. “I think it’s going to be a great opportunity,” he told The Produce News July 17. “There’s a very good team in place. The [company] is in a unique stage in its growth.”

Bret Erickson has been named senior vice president of the Texas Produce Association, effective Aug. 6.

"We are excited to have Bret join the Texas Produce Association," Ed Bertaud, director of business development for IFCO's Pallet Management Services division and chairman of the TPA, said in a press release. "We are confident that Bret possesses the professional qualities and experience to help position the association for continued future success as our industry continues to evolve."

Avocados from Mexico remain “the remaining market share leader and the number one selling avocado” in the United States for the 2011-12 season, according to a written statement to The Produce News from Eduardo Serena, marketing director of the Avocado Producers & Exporting Packers Association of Michoacàn, commonly known by its acronym APEAM.

Karen Christopher, Jason Christopher, Ken Christopher and Bill Christopher of Christopher Ranch.

Robert Stark (center) of the East Hampton, NY, IGA, flanked by Dan McAllister and Greg Veneziano of Bozzuto’s Inc. The wholesale grocer’s fall show, known as Merchandising Marketplace 2012, was held Aug.

The grape harvest in the San Joaquin Valley of California this year started earlier for Columbine Vineyards in Delano, CA, than it did the previous two years — which were late. But “things have moved up earlier and earlier since the start of the season,” said Keith Andrew, sales manager.

“It seems like we are plowing through the varieties quickly, and what are normally mid-fall to late fall varieties are inching up towards August,” he said Aug. 8.

“The colored grapes are coming off very quickly on harvest,” he said. “They are coloring up all at once.”