Lipman Family Farms welcomed José Manuel Madero Garza to its board of directors. With decades of leadership experience across the United States, Asia, Latin America and Europe, Madero will help strengthen Lipman’s operations as a fourth-generation, family-owned produce company. He will also support its focus on long-term growth and strategic investments.

Healthy Family Project welcomed more than 200 produce industry professionals on Feb. 27 for its annual Thank You Reception during the Southeast Produce Council’s 2026 Southern Exposure event. The event celebrated the collective impact made in 2025 through retail and digital cause marketing campaigns supporting families across the country.

Brookshire Grocery Co. Chairman and CEO Brad Brookshire has retired, concluding 49 years with the company, including 20 as chairman of the board and 10 as CEO.

Jerry LeClair will assume the role of interim CEO. LeClair joined the company as executive vice president – chief merchant officer in 2019 and has more than 40 years in the grocery business. LeClair was promoted to chief operating officer last year and has led retail operations, marketing, category management, merchandising, fuel, logistics and facility services.

The produce industry has lost one of its great characters and most trusted hands with the death of Gerry Gaston on Feb. 18 at the age of 83.

Born Feb. 11, 1943, in Kirkland Lake, a northern Ontario mining town that he famously referred to as “the center of the universe,” Mr. Gaston lived a life defined by integrity, loyalty and an unwavering belief that business is, above all else, about people.

Sinclair, a global leader in automated produce labeling technology, and Washington Fruit Growers, a leading grower, packer and shipper of premium apples and other fresh produce, are proud to highlight their long-standing partnership. 

The 2026 Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference from the International Fresh Produce Association has officially sold out ahead of its April 6–8 event at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, CA. The conference is the premier leadership event for women across the global fresh produce and floral supply chain.