Over the past few weeks, Florida retailers and others doing business in the state have seen an unprecedented shuffling of the deck, which involves five Southeast chains operating in several states with more changes to come. The chains involved are Publix, Aldi, Winn-Dixie, Bi-Lo and Food Lion. For some, the changes are good, but that is not the case for all parties involved.

The Avocado Producers & Exporting Packers Association of Michoacán, better known by the acronym APEAM, appointed Eduardo Serena as the interim marketing director for Avocados from Mexico.

Two major California fruit growers-packers-shippers announced that they have formed a new entity to manage international import and export sales and market for the collective organization.

Wawona Packing Co. LLC in Cutler, CA, and Moonlight Packing Corp. in Reedley, CA, have formed Wawona Moonlight Global LLC and will import and export stone fruit, grapes, blueberries and citrus commodities.

The selection committee for The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame announced that three distinguished leaders will be inducted into the Hall during the 50th Anniversary Citrus Celebration Luncheon March 2 at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. In honor of the 50th anniversary, a Golden Jubilee Gala will also be held the following evening, highlighting the Florida citrus industry and recognizing all members of the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. Several other events are scheduled over the weekend to help celebrate the occasion.

“Blueberries and raspberries from Chile complement our blackberry program out of Guatemala and Mexico,” Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties in Pompano Beach, FL, told The Produce News. “Chile plays an especially important role in our year-round blueberry program. Southern Specialties offers its berries in our ‘Southern Selects’ labels as well as other labels.”