Kingston & Associates Marketing LLC, based in Idaho Falls, ID, announced the hiring of Yvonne Marpert as its product manager for pineapples. Having recently announced the expansion of its direct import program, the addition of Mrs. Marpert to the Kingston team is perfect timing for the growth following recent promotions, according to Ken Nabal, president of Kingston.

Over its long history, Dupo, IL- based Kuna Foodservice has worked to distinguish itself from the competition.

Springing from the humble roots of a family-owned butcher shop in south St. Louis, MO, 90 years ago, the company is now the largest independent privately owned foodservice company and steak processor in the area thanks largely in part to its forward-thinking approach to business, which fully embraces cutting-edge technology to get the job done.

Capital improvements made by Sev-Rend Corporation are already translating to increased customer service and manufacturing flexibility.

On Feb. 28, Pipfruit NZ Inc. announced that it had selected Alan Pollard to succeed its retiring chief executive officer, Peter Beaven. Following a transition period, Mr. Pollard, a businessman from Christchurch, assumed his official responsibilities in mid-March. The organization is based in Hastings, New Zealand, and works on behalf of apple and pear growers, packers and exporters.

Nathel & Nathel has expanded its Hunts Point operation considerably in the past year, having bought four units previously owned by Krisp-Pak. “This gives us 22-and-a-half units,” Ira Nathel, owner and president of Nathel & Nathel Inc., located in the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Market, said. “We will dedicate the space to a potato and onion division, which will round out our offerings nicely. We have fruit, vegetable, tomato and strawberry divisions, and now we’ll have potatoes and onions, which will give us a full line of the most desirable produce items.”

Bulk produce always had a certain farm-fresh feel over the years in retail produce departments. A good example of this has been demonstrated at local farmers markets, where an array of produce is displayed in bulk, with the sense that it was just picked from the field and rushed to the stand.

This old traditional method of merchandising fruits and vegetables has been in existence for hundreds of years. Many retailers still prefer displaying bulk produce primarily to showcase the freshness and natural colors.