Brian Bessetti

Krichmar Produce Co. Inc.

Giumarra Reedley plans to increase its stone fruit volume 32 percent for the 2012 season.

Giumarra Reed

Sysco, one of the leading foodservice providers in North America, is dedicated to providing consumers with solutions for meals consumed away from home. Sysco operates more than 160 locations in the United States and Canada, providing work for over 45,000 employees. It looks to make a difference in the lives of its more than 400,000 customers and to the success of its customers’ businesses.

Jim DiMenna, president of Jem-D International, headquartered in Leamington, ON, will be officially inducted as chairman of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association at the CPMA/ACDFL Annual Convention & Trade Show April 11-13 in Calgary.

Mr. DiMenna got his start in the produce industry in 1966 at age 10, and has come a long way since then.

“What you have done I admire greatly, but what have you done for me lately?”

That old gibe applies to the floral industry as it shifts gears from the tension and strain of Valentine’s Day and Easter and braces for another major floral day — Mother’s Day.

And just for good measure, you can throw in high school prom season, a growing market for supermarkets.