Nichole Towell, director of marketing for Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., headquartered in Oviedo, FL, told The Produce News that the company is looking forward to the Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention & Trade Show in Toronto April 17-19.

Wish Farms, located in the heart of strawberry country in Plant City, FL, is moving forward with an array of quality produce and exciting marketing programs in 2013. The company, which has been growing quality produce since 1922, is now third-generation owned.

“In Florida, we grow and/or market strawberries, blueberries, bell peppers, pickles/Kirby cucumbers, grape tomatoes, eggplant, squash and other seasonal vegetables,” President and Chief Executive Officer Gary Wishnatzki told The Produce News March 19.

Bernard Egan & Co./DNE World Fruit Sales is one of the larger marketers of Florida fresh citrus and is one of the larger independently owned citrus marketers in the world. “2013 marks the 99th year of business for Bernard Egan & Co., parent company of DNE World Fruit,” said DNE Marketing Promotions Manager Kathy Hearl. “Next year we will celebrate our 100 years of business.”

W.P. Produce Corp., headquartered in Miami, has been providing its customers with quality tropical produce since it opened its doors for business in 1984. Today Founder and Chief Executive Officer Willy Pardo and his daughter, Vice President Desirée Morales, are focused on produce safety, product line diversity and innovative packaging.

Incoming CPMA Chair Walt Breeden is the director of sales and citrus category manager, Canada, for The Oppenheimer Group. His new responsibilities will include supporting key priorities and focus areas within CPMA’s 2013-14 strategy.

Chuck Weisinger, president of Weis-Buy Farms Inc., had nothing but positive comments about the outlook for fresh produce in 2013. “I’m more optimistic about 2013 than in many years,” he told The Produce News March 13. “Nationwide people are eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and that means business will continue to improve.”

The company is headquartered in Fort Myers, FL, and Mr. Weisinger has been in the produce business for more than 50 years. Weis-Buy specializes in tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers and watermelons.