The Michigan Apple Committee hosted its second annual Handpicked Social Media Summit on July 30 in Sparta, MI. The summit brought together seven leaders in the Michigan apple industry to learn the latest trends and best practices across social media channels and platforms, enabling them to create compelling grower-generated content showcasing their unique stories. Ultimately these individuals will use this knowledge and expertise to promote their own businesses — as well as the Michigan apple industry — as online ambassadors.

Potatoes USA elected Shelley R. Olsen as chair of the board at its annual meeting. Potatoes USA also announced its Executive Committee members to lead the organization through 2024-25.

This marks the seventh year that Olsen, of Othello, WA, has served on Potatoes USA’s board and her fourth year on the executive committee. She previously co-chaired the board’s industry outreach and international marketing committees.

The fresh fruit import and export market is a dynamic and highly competitive sector influenced by various factors, including climatic conditions, international trade policies, consumer preferences, and technological advances in storage and transportation.

Wada Farms, a family-run business, ranks among the largest suppliers of fresh potatoes, onions and sweet potatoes in the nation, boasting enduring partnerships across the United States and globally.

Edward (Ed) Duda, former CEO of DUDA, a 98-year-old family-owned-and-operated diversified company headquartered in Oviedo, FL, died Sunday, Aug. 11. He was 91.

Avocados from Peru held two recent events in San Diego and Chicago that raised awareness of avocados while also benefiting the less fortunate. The events featured guacamole challenges and were in celebration of National Avocado Day.

According to Xavier Equihua, president and CEO of the Peruvian Avocado Commission, these events were a continuation of a tradition started in 2017 by AFP of providing healthy avocados for similar challenges in many of the top U.S. cities.