The Kroger Co. announced the retirement of Robert Clark, senior vice president of supply chain, manufacturing and enterprise sourcing, after more than 35 years of service, effective Feb. 1, 2021. Clark will be succeeded by Gabriel Arreaga, who is joining The Kroger Co. as senior vice president of supply chain, starting Oct. 1, 2020.

Members of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas held their annual meeting on Sept. 29 in a virtual conference for members. This year the FPAA welcomed a new chairman, chairman-elect, and several board members.  Members also discussed several key initiatives from 2019-2020 and outlooks for the upcoming year.

Naturipe Foods is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Bellan as the division’s new vice president and general manger. In his role, Bellan will manage and direct the company’s sales of world-class processed fruit products. This position will initiate, lead, plan and execute against strategic sales and business development plans for the product category of processed berries, fruits, and vegetables to a broad spectrum of market channels.

Despite its devastating impact on the world, the coronavirus pandemic bore important lessons for society. But for the FDA, which specific lessons were learned?

This was among the questions answered by Frank Yiannas, Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response for the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, who was the featured guest of a Sept. 24 United Fresh Produce Washington Congress virtual session titled “Partnership with FDA and the Fresh Produce Industry.” He engaged in a dialogue with Jennifer McEntire, United’s vice president of food safety and technology.

Working together with private sector, higher education partners, the South Texas Assets Consortium and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is gaining up to 10 paid agriculture interns that learn valuable work skills while assisting CBP to process commercial produce shipments at Rio Grande Valley ports of entry.