As a third-generation family-owned produce wholesale distributor, Rocky Produce has been an important player in the Michigan produce scene for more than five decades, delivering a full line of quality fruits and vegetables.

That’s important at the end of spring and into the summer months, as locally grown produce begins to make its way into retail stores and restaurants, and Rocky Produce is counted on for bringing in Michigan-grown crops, such as asparagus, radishes, kale and greens.

Northeast Grocery Inc., the parent company of Tops Friendly Markets and Price Chopper/Market 32, has named John Persons as chief operating officer. Persons will oversee both the Tops Markets and Price Chopper/Market 32 and operating companies, as well as the Northeast Shared Services (a subsidiary of NGI providing services to both operating companies) merchandising and marketing functions. Persons will report directly to Frank Curci, CEO of Northeast Grocery Inc.

California Giant Berry Farms announced the winner of the 2023 Chef Invitational, Steven Halliday from Gordon Food Service. Halliday won the title of California Giant Berry Farms’ Top Chef with his dish, red thai berry chicken curry with blueberry lemon rice.

Manfredi Cold Storage is a family-owned and operated third-party logistics company that provides temperature-controlled storage, repacking, refrigerated freight and other services to the produce industry. 

Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, announces the close of its 2022/2023 programming. Over the past school year, Brighter Bites distributed over 7.5 million pounds of produce to 198 schools across 10 cities. Their impact reached more than 42,000 families and provided over 24,000 nutrition education lessons and 380 culinary demonstrations to students across the country.
 

Hy-Vee Inc. is hosting a unique opportunity to advance local minority- and women-owned companies through a networking and showcase opportunity in the Quad Cities in September.