The 72nd Annual Arkansas Florists Association Convention was nothing short of a floral fairytale. Held at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in Little Rock, AK, Aug. 25-27, the enchanting weekend celebrated creativity, community and the boundless beauty of flowers. With the theme "Happily Ever After," attendees were in for a treat, and the event did not disappoint. It was a fantastic opportunity to catch up with floral friends and forge new connections. Details Flower Software provided a glimpse into their unforgettable experience in Arkansas.

Big Y Foods Inc. has named John P. Fraro vice president of fresh foods and Steve Nordstrom vice president of center store. Both report to Michael R. Cormier, senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Fraro will be responsible for all aspects of Big Y’s fresh departments, including produce, floral, meat, seafood, bakery, deli and kitchen. He started his career at Big Y in 2005 as an assistant food service/kitchen manager after having held positions in meat, bakery and deli for two other retailers previously.

Marolda Farms is owned and operated by Richard Marolda Sr. and his wife, Sherry, with their son, Richard Marolda Jr., serving as the production manager on its 350 acres.

The younger Marolda is also charged with the company’s organic program, shipped under the Rock & Roll Organics label by the entity known as Sweetvine. He has also been making some other changes at the company in recent years.

For instance, Marolda Jr. started propagating fig trees last spring and he’s planning on moving forward in the segment soon.

The California Fresh Fig Growers Association announced that fig season is under way thanks to an earlier-than-usual start brought on by warmer temperatures. On top of that, the trees are the healthiest they’ve been in years without drought and fire damage, and they are producing plump and delicious fruit as a result.

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. named Danny Dumas as its senior vice president of sales, marketing and product management for North America. Dumas brings over 35 years of industry expertise and leadership to help drive Fresh Del Monte’s continued growth and innovation in North America, one of the company’s largest and most competitive markets.

At the Southeast Produce Council’s 2023 Southern Exposure show actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley was one of the keynote speakers. During her address she discussed an endeavor that is near and dear to her heart: The Store.

The Store was founded in 2020 by Williams-Paisley and her husband, singer Brad Paisley, and offers free groceries to Nashville families in need. Four years later, The Store will be opening a second location on the campus of TriStar Medical Center.