Members of the 2025 Eastern Produce Council Leadership Class received training on FSMA 204 prior to the general EPC membership meeting at Topgolf in Edison, NJ, on April 22. The general EPC membership was also invited to join the Leadership Class at this invaluable seminar.

Michael Medline, president and CEO of Sobeys and parent company Empire Co. Ltd., will retire in May 2026, allowing the board of directors to conduct a thorough internal and external search for his replacement. As part of its succession planning process, the board has created a special committee to oversee the identification and selection of the company's next CEO.

Industry veteran Bruce Hinchman, former sales manager at M&R Co., has partnered with The Estes Ranch and will focus on expanding the reach and visibility of the company’s premium cherries and hard squash across key markets.

The Avocado Institute of Mexico launched its Path to Sustainability, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing environmental stewardship in the avocado landscape in Mexico.

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is pleased with what it’s seeing from its growers this year, especially its sweet corn.

“Florida has excellent quality this season with plenty of promotable volume for the rest of the spring season,” said Tori Rumenik, director of commodity services and supply chain for the FFVA.

According to various industry reports, the national average for shrink among supermarkets is in the area of 2.7 percent of sales — for all departments. Produce is 16 percent of that total shrink. The produce shrink waste is from 4 to 8 percent of the department sales.