Patrick Burke, sales and purchasing representative for Garden Fresh Salad Co. Inc., located on the New England Produce Center in Chelsea, MA, told The Produce News that the company handles a full line of vegetables and that fruits represent about 10 percent of the company’s business.

Skip and Ken Cavallaro of John Cerasuolo Co.

“We are moving our basic lineup of vegetables currently,” Ken Cavallaro, treasurer

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.