The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on Benny F. Hall & Sons LLC in Oak Hall, VA, for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions include barring the business and the principal operator of the business from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

The Kroger Co.  launched the first generation of Chefbot, its AI-powered Twitter recipe tool that helps users pair the groceries in their fridge and reduce food waste by providing mealtime inspiration and personalized recommendations.

Hazel Technologies, a USDA-funded company providing new technologies to extend the quality shelf life of produce and fight food waste, announces the launch of a new organic compatible product line, Hazel O, with Miami, FL-based WP Produce, the largest grower of tropical avocados in the world. As part of the partnership WP Produce has incorporated Hazel O into its supply chain and much anticipated two-count bag launch.

Andy Hamilton will serve as Markon Cooperative's next CEO effective immediately. Hamilton comes from a strong background steeped in foodservice, sales, partnership relations, and operations management, and will focus on continuing to drive growth for the cooperative through brand leadership, culinary innovation, and 5-Star Food Safety.

Paul J. Kennedy, a longtime retail executive who worked for nearly three decades at Star Market and its parent, American Stores, during a 45-year career, died Oct. 13 from complications of liver and kidney failure. He was 71.

Doc Hendley claims to be the most underachieving member of his own family. Yet he has created Wine to Water, which has brought safe drinking water to people around the globe.

Keller Rinaudo is ensuring that blood packets reach their destinations in Africa in a timely manner. Rinaudo’s firm, Zipline International LLC, created a system using drones in Rwanda to deliver blood to remote hospitals and health centers to save the lives of people in an emergency situation. He noted that initial drone testing led to many crashes before achieving success.