Stuart Woolf, president and CEO of Woolf Farming & Processing, will serve as chair of the Western Growers board of directors for a two-year term. Woolf was first elected to the Western Growers board in 2015.

"Western Growers is set up to meet the needs of the fresh produce industry in the Western U.S. by focusing on issues like immigration, labor and water rights," Woolf said. "We need a good, strong, trusted voice. As chair, I know that Western Growers will continue to be that voice for issues that impact all of agriculture."

With the 2023-24 Chilean table grape season starting in November, Chilean grape importers from across the U.S. are urgently requesting the U.S. authorities to accelerate the authorization of a Systems Approach, which would allow the entry of Chilean grapes into the U.S. without fumigation. After 20 years of work between Chile’s Agricultural and Livestock Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Systems Approach has been authorized by the technical organizations of both the U.S. and Chile.

Amazon is now offering grocery delivery and free pickup to all customers in all U.S. cities and towns where Amazon Fresh is available for Prime members. This service expansion was previously available only to Prime members.

In addition, all Amazon customers can now order delivery from a variety of local grocery and specialty retailers available on Amazon.com — and Amazon will soon expand its grocery delivery and free pickup where available from Whole Foods Market to customers without a Prime membership.

Floriculture stakeholders from academic institutions, governmental agencies and the floriculture/greenhouse industry are invited for the 2024 National Floriculture Forum taking place from Thursday to Saturday, Feb. 22-24.

dVida Co. announced year-round availability for its mango and dragon fruit programs.

“Our clients depend on year-round availability of our tropicals. Ecuador, Peru, Mexico and Brazil are reliable partners for dVida to supply year-round tropicals to the U.S. market,” said Annabel Vidal, CEO of dVida.

Daniel Hartwig has been selected to serve as the California Fresh Fruit Association’s new president. Hartwig will succeed Ian LeMay, who has held the position since 2019 and will depart CFFA to assume the role of president and CEO of the California Table Grape Commission.