The spring is shaping up very well at D’Ottavio Farms, thanks to a combination of cooler weather earlier in the season and warmer weather later on.

After an extensive international search, Zespri has appointed Jason Te Brake as CEO of Zespri. Te Brake is currently Zespri’s chief operating officer and will succeed outgoing CEO Daniel Mathieson who is leaving Zespri to join Driscoll’s, effective July 1.

“Jason is an outstanding executive with the strong commercial and stakeholder management experience we were looking for," said Zespri Chairman Nathan Flowerday. "He has a clear strategic vision to help Zespri and the industry achieve its immense potential and the operational expertise to ensure we do so."

Superfresh Growers historically accounts for more than 15 percent of the Northwest Cherry volume.

Vegpro International Inc., producer of Fresh Attitude brand lettuce available in more than 2,500 retail locations across the country, will build one of Canada's largest greenhouses in Quebec’s Sherrington area. This state-of-the-art facility will be able to produce 7.8 million pounds of fresh lettuce and vegetables annually, regardless of the season. This represents an average of 150,000 pounds per week, or 62 million portions of salad  each year.

Executives at Russo Farms are covering all their bases as their operation moves into its third generation of family ownership. The business is currently being run by Tom Russo Sr. and his nephew, Tom Russo Jr.

The Vineland, NJ-based business with about 350 acres of farmland and 50 categories of vegetables is moving forward by modernizing its equipment, utilizing new technology and making sure that it offers its customers the best quality and freshest product in the industry.

The makers of the Wholly Guacamole brand, a leading refrigerated guacamole, announced the release of Wholly Guacamole Extra Chunky Restaurant Style guacamole.

With more than half of consumers considering restaurant guacamole to be the “gold standard,” the latest brand innovation delivers on consumer taste preferences by bridging the gap between tableside guacamole and wanting to enjoy the same craveable guacamole at home.