Situated in California’s fertile San Joaquin County, Morada Produce has built a strong reputation as a reliable packer and shipper of cherries.

“Cherries are a major part of our overall business,” said Mike Jameson, director of marketing, who has been involved in the cherry industry since the late 1980s. “In a good year, we’ll pack just over 2 million boxes, and that puts us right in the mix with the top handlers in California.”

Last week, the Southeast Produce Council successfully hosted its STEP-UPP Foodservice class for an immersive spring tour, offering participants a deep dive into the produce supply chain and fostering vital grower-retailer partnerships.

I recently attended a hunting, fishing and outdoor show at a convention center with my colleague, Bob. The venue was filled with hundreds of attendees exploring booths featuring camping gear, hunting attire, fishing equipment, offroad vehicles and other outdoor necessities.

Bob sought a belt to complement his fishing outfit. We visited several booths and conversed with sales representatives. While he identified multiple belts that met his needs he hesitated to make a purchase. Each time, he informed the salesperson, “I’ll think about it.”

When people hear about the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference they often assume it is a career development event for women. Yes, it is that, but reducing it to an individual leadership conference misses the bigger truth: this gathering is about strengthening the entire produce and floral industry.

Larry Lipman, former CEO and longtime board chairman of Lipman Family Farms, died Sunday, March 22. 

Mr. Lipman, affectionately known by employees as Uncle Larry, was a revolutionary in the tomato industry. Over more than five decades at Lipman Family Farms, he helped to grow the company from a regional tomato grower to a North American leader in tomato and vegetable production and packing. 

The 2026 California cherry season is shaping up to offer an early and potentially strong start. Stemilt Growers expressed optimism about the timing, volume and quality of this season’s fruit. While harvest potential is still developing, the indication points to a crop that slightly surpasses last year, due to favorable weather and strong bloom conditions.