After nearly three-and-a-half decades shaping Oppy’s voice and reputation across the produce industry, Vice President of Marketing Karin Gardner is retiring June 30, passing the torch to newly appointed Director of Marketing Kelsey Van Lissum. Van Lissum officially stepped into the role March 1, succeeding Gardner after a decade of progressive leadership within Oppy’s marketing team.

The New Jersey Blueberry Industry Advisory Council is happy to report, given the significant weather impacts to the entire northeast, that there will still be blues available for the 2026 crop year.

New Jersey grower Denny Doyle, who is the current chair of the council, is optimistic on how the berries were able to persevere through the recent freeze event in late April. Even though there is evident damage, the state should still produce 50-60 percent of what it typically yields. 

The New York Apple Association has hired Susan Chekow Lusignan as its new CEO.

Lusignan brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, with a career defined by strategic organizational management, operational excellence and a consistent commitment to measurable outcomes. She is recognized for her ability to lead with structure and discipline, fostering effective teams and building partnerships that strengthen the organizations she serves. 

The Paul Thomas Floriculture Production Intern of the Year Award annually spotlights an emerging talent in horticulture and plant sciences. It recognizes exceptional internship performance through the Vic and Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program, administered by the American Floral Endowment.

The 2026 recipient is Alana Wood, a student at Kansas State University majoring in horticulture production.

GrubMarket has launched Sales AI Agent, the newest specialized AI solution within the GrubMarket AI platform. Designed specifically for wholesale food distribution sales teams, Sales AI Agent helps users identify prospective customers, analyze menus and order guides, generate professional price sheets, and deliver proposals through a single AI-powered workflow.

Guan’s Mushroom has achieved Organic Certification, marking a significant milestone in the company’s continued growth and commitment to serving the evolving needs of the produce industry. Guan’s Mushroom’s Ventura, CA, farm has been organically certified by SCS Global Services to meet USDA National Organic Program for growing and packing organic mushrooms.