Immokalee, FL-based Lipman has acquired Dallas-based Combs Produce, a three-generation tomato repacker and fresh produce distributor, in a move that expands the Florida company's access to the Southwest.

Lipman Chief Operating Officer Darren Micelle told The Produce News June 1 that the move was part of an overarching service strategy; Combs was not a specific takeover focus, but as existing long-time strategic partners, discussions over the past few months evolved into an opportunity to make the move.

All of the operations employees at Dandrea Produce Inc. in Vineland, NJ, took a few minutes to gather for this photo in early May. (Photos by Gordon M.

HAMMONTON, NJ — The unusually warm winter and early-spring weather has made for not just an extremely early start to the 2012 New Jersey spring produce season, but also for what one industry veteran is calling the earliest he’s ever seen.

On May 17, Tom Sheppard, president of Eastern Fresh Growers Inc., in Cedarville, NJ, told The Produce News that the company’s crops would be running on schedule for the remainder of the spring season.

“Squashes, cucumbers and peppers are all on their normal harvesting schedules,” said Mr. Sheppard. “We had a warm March which indicated an early movement, but the cold snap in April put us back to where we are normally. We have a big crop of cucumbers this year, but otherwise our volumes are normal.”

FresCo’s first year in business has been a positive one, Charlie DiMaggio, president of the firm located at the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Market, told The Produce News. He added that the company has opened up many new programs during the year. FresCo occupies Units 258 and 259 in Row B at the market.

“We have added bananas to our lineup this year,” said Mr. DiMaggio. “We have an agreement with a company for the ripening process, so this is working out nicely.

Favorable spring weather has ushered in a strong season so far for R&R Flaim-Next Generation Produce in Vineland, NJ, according to Ryan Flaim, who said the firm is preparing for the start of its summer crops.