HERMOSILLO, MEXICO — It’s a rare day when a state agricultural inspector receives a hero’s welcome, but that is exactly what happened in early April to José Puig, an Arizona field operations/training program manager, when he visited Hermosillo and Caborca, Mexico.

Tad Thompson, business development manager for the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, told The Produce News that the new terminal market has been jumping with activity since it opened its doors on June 5, 2011.

A few months ago, Bland Farms LLC in Glennville, GA, a 12-month supplier of sweet onions and a leader in the Vidalia onion deal, brought in a new chief executive officer and did some other internal restructuring. The results, according to owner Delbert Bland, have been even better than he had hoped for.

Jacobs, Malcom & Burtt recently announced that it will focus exclusively on growing the brokerage and shipping arm of the company and discontinue its street business. Established in San Francisco in 1888, JMB has specialized in buying and selling asparagus for more than 100 years.

New to Maglio & Co., a produce processor, re-packer, distributor, and logistics provider, is DAN VEGA. Mr. Vega was hired as director, multi-unit, back in January as well.

DALLAS — Thousands of people packed the Dallas Convention Center for the United Fresh 2012 convention and expo, here, May 1-3 and the mood on the bustling floor was decidedly upbeat.

“The recession is over,” said one trade association executive. “There are a lot of people here and there is a lot of money here. You can tell things are getting better.”