TAMPA, FL — The Southeast Produce Council held its annual VIP dinner Wednesday evening, March 6, at Ulele, just prior to the opening of the 2024 Southern Exposure conference and trade show, here.

Sunshine Sweet Corn, a collective of fresh sweet corn growers and shippers in Florida who voluntarily participate in Sunshine Sweet Corn Farmers of Florida, has launched a merchandising display contest to excite consumers during the 2024 fresh season from mid-April through the end of May, increasing sales by volume of Florida-grown sweet corn.

Naturipe Farms kicked off California strawberry season with increasing volumes of its delicious varieties of strawberries.

Bobby Chacko has been appointed CEO of Groupe Bonduelle Fresh Americas. He will also become a member of Groupe Bonduelle’s global leadership team. Chacko succeeds Andrea Montagna, who has stepped down after serving as the company’s CEO since 2021.

The Chilean grape industry has shipped 20 million boxes globally through Week 8, and the Chilean Grape Committee estimates they will end the season very close to 62 million boxes. The U.S. will receive roughly 57 percent of the total volume — around 35 million boxes.

Chile has exported 15 million boxes to the U.S. through Week 8. Another 20 million will be shipped between Weeks 9 and 17, with the East Coast receiving approximately 15 million, and the West Coast 5 million. Weeks 11 and 12 have been highlighted as the peak weeks for shipments.

Harris Teeter and Consalo Family Farms teamed up to provide fresh produce to those in need through their Mandarins Making a Difference campaign. For every pound of Little Smoochies mandarins purchased at North Carolina Harris Teeter locations March 6-12, Consalo Family Farms will donate a pound of mandarin oranges to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.