The International Fresh Produce Association hosted a special networking and engagement session with retailers and Controlled Environmental Agriculture producers at this year’s Retail Conference held in Oak Brook, IL.

Sun World International acquired the Kankun mango variety from Diazteca, a strategic addition to its nascent mango breeding and licensing program and the first commercial Sun World mango variety available for license.

Fruit Royale Inc. is an experienced grower shipper of table grapes, working directly with its contracted growers on all aspects of fruit production—growing, packing, cooling, storing, logistics and sales.

“We are responsible for over 1,200 acres in California and the San Joaquin supplies us and our customer from July through December,” said Louie Galvan, managing partner of the Dealno, CA-based company. “Year-round figures are in the 3-5 million box range, and we supply premium quality grapes from around the world.”

Sunny Valley International is a supplier of imported and domestic blueberries, with strong supplies in the category 12-months a year.

“Our import program includes programs out of Peru, Chile and Mexico,” said Tom Beaver, director of sales and marketing for the Glassboro, NJ-based company. “Domestically, we supply berries out of the Southeast, the West Coast and British Columbia, but our most noteworthy domestic program is our New Jersey deal.”

Produce and citrus industry veterans have teamed up to form World Groves, a new company specializing in global lime and citrus sourcing with a strong North American distribution team.

World Groves is lead by Alex Teague, who throughout his 40 year career in citrus has held roles all the way from field to operations at the C-Suite level. Others on the team include Bill Locker, who has worked with Teague for decades and brings a diverse background of business management experience to this new venture.

The Northwest cherry season may just be a season long, but farming is a year-round process. Winter is a time for pruning for light and size, explained Catherine Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing at Superfresh Growers.

“Many of our orchard blocks are showing nice size potential for this summer crop due to pruning from earlier this year,” said Gipe-Stewart. The Yakima based grower said they will have plenty of promotional opportunities for their jumbo cherry brand, Super Cherry."