Jon Kiley, with over 20 years of organic produce sales experience, joined Awe Sum Organics last year. After an extensive search, Kiley will now be promoted to oversee the sales department at Awe Sum as sales manager. He will report to Joe Feldman, director of sales and business development.

MyLand Co. LLC announced the appointment of Pradeep Monga, former deputy executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, to its board of directors.

As if dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t challenging enough, this past year many companies in the produce industry have been dealing with unprecedented labor shortages.

According to the 2021 Farm Labor Survey, conducted by USDA’s Economic Research Service, the data shows a serious problem with labor in the agricultural sector.

Albertsons Cos. announced that Jennifer Saenz will join the company as executive vice president, chief merchandising officer effective July 12. Saenz will be responsible for all areas of merchandising within the company, including Own Brands. Saenz will also be responsible for further strengthening the company’s relationships with its brand partners.

Jeff Walker, long time Houston, TX-based sales manager for Oppy will hang up his hat at the end of the month. Walker, who started selling produce from his family’s farm when he was 8 years old, joined Oppy in January 1994, opening the company’s fifth U.S. office on Houston’s Produce Row.