Produce Alliance LLC, a produce management services group specializing in the procurement and distribution of fresh produce to the foodservice industry, announced the hiring of Melany S. Jolly as executive vice president, as well as the opening of a new flagship office in Salinas, CA.

Effective June 11, 2012, Ms. Jolly returned to the industry after a severe skiing injury forced her to take a year hiatus in 2011. She brings over 30 years of produce, grocery and broadline distribution experience to Produce Alliance.

WASHINGTON — While you were sleeping, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee marked up its version of the 2012 farm bill during the more than 15-hour marathon session.

By a vote of 35-11, the committee approved H.R. 6083, the Federal Agriculture Reform & Risk Management Act, three weeks after the Senate approved its bill.

Rebecca Sturvist, Mary Pezzini and Tiffany DiTullio. (Photos courtesy of the GSA)

COMMERCE, CA — Paul Villa, chairman of Great West Produce Inc., here, recently participated in a benefit concert “where he played the guitar and sang a few solos” to benefit a charity “that supports homeless veterans,” according to his son, Sean Villa, the company’s president.

COMMERCE, CA — Great West Produce Inc., here, recently hired a new salesman, Tim Warren, “who has been around the industry for a little over 30 years,” according to Sean Villa, president of the company. Mr. Warren was previously with Pacific Sons Produce in Los Angeles (not to be confused with Pacific Sun Distributing in Los Angeles).

LOS ANGELES — Pacific Sun Distributing Inc., here, is primarily a mixed load consolidator that ships products by truck, ocean or air to customers throughout the United States and globally from its refrigerated warehouse in this Los Angeles suburb.