Grant Stanton Produce Co. Inc., located on the New England Produce Center in Chelsea, MA, was founded in 1996 by Dennis Stanton, John Grant and his son, Shawn. John Grant now is retired, and Mr. Stanton has passed away; today, the company is owned and operated by Shawn Grant. He told The Produce News that the company handles a full line of mushrooms, all of which are sourced from Pennsylvania producers.

Philip Forster, general manager of Mutual Produce Corporation, located on the New England Produce Center in Chelsea, MA, told The Produce News that as of the middle of October 2011, the company is owned entirely by Tom Ciovacco, who is also its president.

Ernie Tavilla

“The wholesale side of produce is learning its place in the industry,” Ernie Tavilla, president of P. Tavilla Co.

Each year, the Pack Family Foundation gives top college students the opportunity to learn from industry leaders through one-on-one student-mentor relationships.

The Pack Family Foundation, created by Jay and Ruthie Pack, funds the Career Pathways program and has sent some of the best and brightest college students from agriculture and food programs to the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition for the past eight years.

Bonipak, a leading produce grower based in Santa Maria, CA, provided lettuce to several high-profile restaurants in Atlanta during the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit convention. The promotion included table tents and buttons for the “Bonipak Wedge” salad.

“We are always looking for ways to optimize our marketing efforts,” Mitch Ardantz, managing partner of Bonipak, said in a press release. “Trade shows are a cornerstone of Bonipak’s marketing, and it’s important to figure out what we can do to leverage our attendance.”

The Eagle, ID-based Idaho Potato Commission’s retail superhero campaign came to life — literally — when industry professionals hobnobbed with bobblehead-like Fearless Field Force members at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit event in Atlanta in October.