Austin, TX-based Whole Foods Market Inc. is recording rising sales and booming profits as it continues to expand its global reach. The company opened five new stores last quarter, grew its footprint in the United Kingdom by opening its first store in Scotland Nov. 16, and has plans for future expansion in the United States and abroad.

The Texas Rangers might not have repeated as World Series champs this year, losing the defense of their 2010 title to the St. Louis Cardinals, but the team again proved itself to be one of the best in baseball — and that is where Curtis Gilmore, owner of Gilmore Produce Ltd. in Dallas, draws inspiration.

J&D Produce, an Edinburg, TX-based grower-packer-shipper, kicked off its Texas deal and is looking forward to a promising 2012 with its “Little Bear” branded items.

From Texas, J&D is currently shipping wet vegetables, such as cabbage and leaf items, as well as specialty peppers, such as Cubanelles, Hungarian hots, Long hots, Habañeros, Jalapeños and Serranos. Texas pepper production will last until mid- to late December before shifting south of the border into Mexico. Texas veg will run through mid-April.

Even though Raleigh, NC-based L&M Cos. Inc. has grown into an international grower-shipper of fruits and vegetables from around the world, make no mistake: This is still a family company.

G.O. Fresh continues to meet and exceed customer expectations through a vigilant attention to detail and a commitment to operational excellence. The company, a premier processor of fresh pre-cut fruit and vegetables, is centrally located in Minneapolis.

Chief Executive Officer Patricia Greene and Chief Operating Officer Marylou Owen own the privately held business. These veteran businesswomen have assembled leadership and sales teams that work in partnership with their customer base for the benefit of everyone involved.