Families throughout the Great Lakes region have ample access to fresh, local produce at their favorite grocers like Heinen’s, Buehler’s and Wal-Mart, thanks, in large part, to Ohio Apples. Ohio Apples has rebranded as Fresh Forward in a move that reflects the strategic expansion of its farmer member base. In recent years, this membership has grown beyond Ohio to include orchards and farms across Pennsylvania, Michigan and Virginia that offer a seasonal selection of fruits and vegetables.

BrightFarms, a leading supplier of locally grown packaged salads, recently announced that Jackie Hawkins has been promoted to director of food safety & quality. She will report directly to Josh Norbury, BrightFarms’ senior vice president of operations.

The 2021 Lunar New Year celebration will begin Feb. 12 to mark the start of the Year of the Ox, and Classic Harvest is joining in this message of hope and health. New this year, Classic Harvest is introducing cartons for Navels, Cara Caras and Mandarins, which depict not only the Ox, but all 12 of the traditional Zodiac animals. The Lunar New Year, originally celebrated in many east Asian countries, has gained popularity the world over due to its positive messages and cheerful traditions.

Tim Corkill, marketing manager for FirstFruits Marketing and longtime produce industry member, died Jan. 9. He previously worked with the Pear Bureau Northwest as western regional marketing manager, California Grape Commission as western manager and with Fresh Western, River Ranch Inc. as director of marketing services.

Blueberries from Chile are now certified by the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check Food Certification Program. The iconic Heart-Check mark helps take the guesswork out when reading Nutrition Facts and label information, giving consumers peace of mind that what they are consuming meets the nutritional requirements of the American Heart Association.

Mann Packing Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc., announced the opening of its new facility in Gonzales, CA. Joining a lineup of facilities in Salinas, CA, Chualar, CA, Delhi, CA, and Yuma, AZ, the new facility will allow Mann Packing to grow its business, elevate its existing operations to unprecedented new heights and provide an innovative new space to help the brand continue to meet consumer needs.