Michael Cavallero, retired president of North American Tropical Fresh Fruit for Dole Fresh Fruit Co., will be the 2015 honoree at the Produce Legends Dinner during the United Fresh Midwinter Leadership Forum, to be held Jan. 13-15 at the La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, CA.

"Mike is a tremendously deserving honoree," United Fresh Chairman Ron Carkoski, president and chief executive officer of Four Seasons Family of Cos., said in a press release.Michael Cavallero

Cavallero has served the fresh produce industry for more than 40 years, working his entire career with the Dole Food Co. and its predecessor, Castle & Cooke. Cavallero has also served on many industry boards and councils, including as a member of the board of directors of United Fresh and the Produce Marketing Association, as well as chairman of the board of the International Banana Association.

United's Midwinter Leadership Forum brings together all of the association's volunteer leaders for council and board meetings, its annual United Fresh Start Foundation golf tournament to support children's increased access to fresh produce, and the Produce Legends Dinner honoring an individual for his or her lifetime achievement in the produce industry. Past honorees have included Joe Procacci, Frieda Caplan, Reggie Griffin and Bob Grimm.

The 2015 Produce Legends Dinner will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 13, following the Foundation golf tournament.

Cavallero began his career as a technical service representative in the Fresh Fruit Division of Castle & Cooke. Four years later, he was promoted to director of marketing services.

In 1983, he was promoted to the Fresh Vegetable Division in Salinas, CA, with responsibility in central sales. After a stint in New York as Eastern Division sales manager, Cavallero returned to Salinas as vice president of sales for fresh vegetables.

In 1992 he returned to the Fresh Fruit Division as vice president of sales and marketing for tropical products, and was promoted to president of North American Tropical Fresh Fruit in 2001, serving as an officer of the Dole Fresh Fruit Co. He retired in 2014.

"Volunteer leaders and friends from throughout the fresh produce and supermarket industry are invited to participate with Mike in the Foundation Golf Tournament on Tuesday, January 13," United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel said in the press release. "Many friends throughout the industry have enjoyed being Mike's guests at Dole golf tournaments over the years, so it's great to be able to turn the tables and honor him at this year's event. And, it's for a great cause increasing kids' access to fresh produce, which Mike has supported for so long."

The 2015 United Fresh Start Foundation Golf Tournament will be played on the renowned TPC Stadium Course at PGA West. Rated one of the "Top 100 Courses in the World" by GOLF Magazine and fourth toughest course in America in Golf Digest's "Top 50 Toughest Courses in America" (2007), this Pete Dye course offers one of the most enjoyable challenges in the game of golf. For those guests who do not play golf, United will arrange a tour on Tuesday of local fresh produce operations in the Palm Springs area.

On Wednesday morning following the Produce Legends Dinner, United Fresh will host a Keynote Leadership Breakfast for all volunteer leaders and dinner guests. After that event, United's boards and councils will begin their meetings, and guests are welcome to observe a meeting of their choice or to depart.

Registration for all events is available on the United Fresh Midwinter Leadership Forum website.