Applewood Fresh Growers, an apple shipper, packer, grower and marketer of Michigan apples, was acquired by FirstFruits Farms out of Washington this past December. This new partnership has allowed for continual expansion in logistic capabilities, varietal offerings and team development.

Applewood Fresh Growers announced the addition of its newest team member, Heather Childs as sales manager.

South Mill Champs, a leading North American grower and supplier of fresh mushrooms and functional mushroom foods based in Kennett Square, PA, has entered into a cross-border partnership with Grupo APAL to form a 50-50 Mexican joint venture, Royal Champs S. de R.L. de C.V.

Officials at Matthews Ridgeview Farms view the upcoming Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure show as another chance to teach attendees about the company, its philosophy and how it can help them build sales and revenue.

The Wynne, AR-based operation, well known for its full line of sweet potato product packages, is excited to showcase what it has to offer the industry and see how what they grow meets with the needs of its customers.

Family-owned Wada Farms, one of the nation’s largest suppliers of fresh potatoes, onions and sweet potatoes, is headed to Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure, where it will be showcasing its entire commodity and services portfolio.

“We will have our team down there showing the best of Wada Farms, and we look forward to networking with those in the industry and talking about what programs we have,” said Eric Beck, director of marketing for the Idaho Falls, ID-based company. “SEPC does a great job putting on a show for everyone and it’s a great opportunity to network.”

KUBO Greenhouse Projects completed a new 24-acre greenhouse facility for Windset Farms, located in Delta, BC. Windset Farms is one of North America's largest vertically integrated producers and marketers of greenhouse-grown produce, selling and marketing over 2,500 acres of greenhouse vegetable production.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — The National Watermelon Association’s 109th annual convention, held Feb. 21-24, here, at the We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center, featured many of the time-honored traditions of past conventions such as the National Watermelon Queen competition, the seed spitting contest and the annual watermelon auction.