CORAL GABLES, FL -- Turbana Corp. is celebrating 40 years of existence since opening its doors in 1970.

Since its inception, Turbana has been one of the premier importers of premium bananas, exotic bananas and plantains in North America.

"It is amazing how far the company has gone and how much it has grown since it started, not just as an importer of quality fruit, but as a leader of socially responsible farming and an advocate of fair trade," Juan Alarcon, chief executive officer at Turbana, said in a Sept. 24 press release.

Tiffany Cruickshank, transportation manager and sales assistant for Snake River Produce Co., might just be the onion industry's all-American girl. She’s equally at home fishing for king salmon in Alaska with her husband, Chad; moving cattle with her horse, Lenny; tromping through Oregon’s Duck Valley with her dog, Roscoe; or arranging to move onions from her desk in Nyssa, OR.

SAVANNAH, GA -- The Southeast Produce Council elected new leaders at its annual fall conference, held here Sept. 23-25, led by John Shuman of Shuman Produce as president. He is joined by Andrew Scott of General Produce Inc. as first vice president, David Sherrod of Apio Inc. as second vice president, Mark Daniels of Military Produce Group as secretary and Steve Williams of Sweetbay Supermarkets as treasurer.

LINDSAY, CA -- LoBue Citrus announced in late September that it has hired Rick Osterhues as vice president of sales and marketing, a newly created position. Effective Oct. 4, Mr. Osterhues will provide leadership on key sales and marketing initiatives as identified in LoBue's recently completed strategic plan.

Red Blossom Sales, based in Salinas, CA, will be offering Florida strawberries as part of its winter and early-spring product sales.

The McDonald family in Plant City, FL, which has been growing strawberries in Florida for 30 years, will grow and sell 200 acres of Florida strawberries exclusively for Red Blossom. Additionally, Mark McDonald, along with his son, Shane, and nephew Andy McDonald, will all be joining Red Blossom.

Chick Goodman has joined the Coosemans Worldwide team as vice president of sales and marketing, bringing with him more than 20 years of national sales and marketing experience in the produce industry.

"We are delighted that we have been able to acquire the person that many consider to be the most talented and knowledgeable fresh-herb expert in the U.S. retail industry," Daniel Coosemans, chief executive officer of Coosemans Worldwide, said in a press release. “We feel having Chick as part of our team will help us grow our retail presence exponentially.”