Mike Rodgers

LOS ANGELES -- Giumarra Vineyards announced Dec.

Surrounded by grapes, tomatoes, asparagus, strawberries, roses and a wide array of other goods traveling to and from Los Angeles, U.S. Congresswoman Janice Hahn and Apollo Freight officials opened a massive new perishable center the size of six homes Nov. 28 adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport.

Brooks Tropicals in Homestead, FL, has hired Peter Leifermann as its new sales and fruit procurement director and has also added passion fruit to its product lineup.

Bob Borda

Grimmway Farms, a leading grower-shipper of carrots, based in Bakersfield, CA, announced the hiring of Bob Borda as vice president

Last year, Alex Tiede approached his father, Jim, with the idea of purchasing two semi-trucks to haul seed and compost for Jim Tiede Farms.

The American Falls, ID-based company had been using outside contractors to do that work, and the younger Mr. Tiede thought he could save money and do it more efficiently by bringing it in house.

WENATCHEE, WA -- Just a few months after launching Lil Snappers, a premium line of three-pound bags made specifically for kid-sized apples and pears, Stemilt Growers is expanding the product line with new varieties, organic availability and a durable display-shipper.