The Fresh Produce & Floral Council hosted the first luncheon of the new year Jan. 24 at the Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton, CA, with over 220 members in attendance. This luncheon featured Master of Ceremonies Myisha Nathaniel of Raley’s and 2024 FPFC Chair Kristen Reid of MIXTEC Group.

Baldor Specialty Foods made two strategic executive additions to the  leadership team: Benjamin Walker has been promoted to chief revenue officer and Regina Picciano has joined Baldor as chief people officer. The new positions represent a continued investment in the company’s growth trajectory.

When it comes to selling apples, it is not your grandmother’s or even your mom’s winter selling season anymore.

With technology improving — and keeping more varieties of apples fresh during the winter months — and more international and domestic apple growers in more temperate areas of the U.S. shipping product, consumers can rest easy in their search for many types of apples during the cold winter months.

Rocky Produce, working out of the Detroit Terminal Market, carries a full line of quality fruits and vegetables—both organic and conventionally grown.

“We source locally, domestically and internationally to offer a year-round supply of the freshest produce,” said Dominic Russo, general manager of the Detroit-based company.

Garland S. Reiter Jr. has been appointed to chief commercial officer of Driscoll’s of the Americas. In this pivotal executive position, Reiter will spearhead revenue growth by orchestrating the functions of sales strategy and execution, market expansion, customer development, marketing and business solutions. His rich and diverse career in agriculture, combined with a forward-thinking approach, positions him as the ideal leader to drive success in this strategic role.
 

In a strategic alliance that fueled excitement throughout the industry, CMI Orchards joined forces with Starr Ranch/Oneonta Trading Co., incorporating entities like Custom Apple, Diamond Fruit and Apple King. Joel Hewitt, vice president of sales for CMI Orchards, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing the combined skills and experience of two exceptional teams that have ushered in a new era of innovation.