A once-quaint family farm started on Stemilt Hill in Wenatchee, WA, with a dream and just 10 acres of apples, pears and cherries. Today, Stemilt Growers is a global producer of fruit with its sights set on cultivating people and delighting consumers through excellence.

Gary Millerchip is leaving his position at Kroger as senior vice president and chief financial officer and taking on the role of Costco's executive vice president and CFO, effective March 15.

Costco's current CFO, Richard Galanti, will step down in mid-March.

Gary brings extensive retail and finance experience to Costco, serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at The Kroger Co. since April 2019.

Melissa Anderson has joined the sales staff for Parma, ID-based Owyhee Produce, working out of her Georgia office.

Anderson, who was raised on a farm in southeast Georgia, brings several years of experience in onion sales, marketing and operations to the team.

Zespri ended the 2023 season on a high note, with its SunGold generating double-digit growth in both dollars and volume. Zespri has helped propel the kiwifruit category, outpacing the total fruit department growth rate by seven points.

Nash Produce originated in 1977 as a large farming and produce packing/shipping operation focused on cucumbers but in 2006, a collection of local growers saw the need for a packing facility, which led to the purchase of Nash Produce. Over the past 44 years, the company has transitioned away from cucumbers to a more singular focus on sweet potatoes.

HilverdaFlorist is looking back on a successful week at the IPM Essen 2024. At this event, HilverdaFlorist presented a diverse and vibrant range of both the Pot, Patio & Garden and Cut Flower assortment. Also, the recently presented tagline “Create. Share. Flourish.” blasted on the walls, as a basis for inspiring conversations.