Five Crowns Marketing announced two updates to its sales leadership team: the promotion of Daren Van Dyke to vice president of sales and marketing and the addition of David Dudley as director of merchandising and marketing.

Florida’s spring produce season is once again proving its importance as a cornerstone of the U.S. supply chain, delivering a wide array of fruits and vegetables while navigating the challenges of a dynamic growing environment.

As crops change and trucking rates rise, retailers are facing product shortages and soaring produce prices, making ad planning more challenging than ever. Finding appropriate items for promotion can be overwhelming for produce directors, who must still achieve the sales and profit targets set by management. Unfortunately, most upper management lacks a true understanding of the complexities involved in growing, transporting and delivering fresh produce from the field to the store shelves and ultimately to consumers.

Oppy is set to make a strong impression at this year’s CPMA, inviting attendees to visit booth No. 601 to explore its expanding lineup of premium Canadian produce, alongside future-forward innovations sure to shape the berry category.

“We’re bringing a strong lineup and even stronger energy to the show. Our team is excited to connect and move the business forward with our customers and industry friends in Toronto,” said Director of Sales Steve Young.

FMS Fresh Produce, one of Canada’s leading carrot and root vegetable grower-packer-shippers, has inaugurated a new state-of-the-art packaging line following a $25 million investment designed to triple its production capacity and meet growing demand across North America. Equipped with advanced technology, the line enables faster, more precise and more efficient processing, supporting consistent supply to distributors and retailers across the continent.

B&W Quality Growers, one of the largest and longest-running growers of leafy greens in the world, is enjoying the start of its spring season.

“Demand is steady, with a clear shift toward nutrient-dense greens,” said Anna Klawitter, marketing manager for the Fellsmere, FL-based company. “Watercress continues to stand out as customers look for products that offer both flavor and real nutritional value.”

Florida has been a strong and steady part of the company’s production this season.