The Fresh Market exiting California
The Fresh Market Inc., a growing specialty grocery retailer, will be exiting the California market. The stores will be closed to customers by March 31. The company also announced it will focus on growth opportunities in the eastern half of the United States, expecting to add nearly 20 stores this fiscal year.
Women’s Day flowers at Miami Airport
If you’re a woman and you’re traveling through Miami International Airport on Friday, March 6, you’re likely to receive a free flower, according to a news release. The Miami-Dade Aviation Department is partnering with the flower importers who are a part of Globally Grown to hand out more than 20,000 fresh flowers to women throughout the airport in celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.
China’s largest horticultural trade fair slated for April 22-24
Hortiflorexpo IPM Shanghai is China’s largest horticultural fair and the China Flowers Association in cooperation with Messe Essen are the show’s organizers.
Over 20,000 trade visitors are expected at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre April 22-24, the second largest fair center in the People’s Republic of China, according to a news release.
More than 450 exhibitors will show their wares and official country pavilions from France, Germany, the Netherlands and Taiwan are already confirmed.
March brings FloraHolland’s major two-day spring fair
FloraHolland Seasonal Trade Fair 2015 is slated for March 18-19 in Naaldwijk, Netherlands, and is expected to attract thousands of trade visitors.
More than 400 growers of cut flowers, green and flowering house plants and garden plants will showcase their wares, according to a news release.
Veg-Fresh Farms hires Innocenti and Galindo
Corona, CA-based Veg-Fresh Farms announced the addition of Anthony Innocenti and Ryan Galindo to its team in order to help advance its Good Life Organic Produce brand.
Bailey Nurseries acquires Plant Introductions Inc.
Plant Introductions Inc., located in Watkinsville, GA, and developers of numerous innovative varieties of ornamental plants, has been purchased by Bailey Nurseries, based in St. Paul, MN, according to a news release.
“This new venture is a natural progression in our relationship with [PII partners] Dr. Michael Dirr, Jeff Beasley and Mark Griffith,” said Bailey Nurseries president Terri McEnaney in the release.
Higgins named as MasterTag’s new president
Andy Higgins was appointed in January as president of MasterTag, a leader in horticultural tagging and merchandising, according to a news release.
Higgins brings more than 25 years of relevant industry experience to his new role, having previously served as chief executive officer and president of Ecke Ranch in Encinitas, CA.
AmericanHort announces new board members
AmericanHort recently announced the election of new officers and members to the board of directors, according to a news release:
• Dale Deppe, owner at Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, MI, was elected chairman of the board.
• Terri Cantwell, owner at Bates Sons & Daughters in Lake Placid, FL, was elected vice chairman.
• Mark Foertmeyer, owner at Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouses in Delaware, OH, will become the immediate past chairman.
SAF announces addition of new lobbyist
The Society of American Florists announced in a news release that Shawn McBurney joined its staff as the new senior director of government relations.
“Shawn has an impressive breadth and depth of experience in government relations having worked on the Hill, for the federal government, for a nonprofit and a trade association,” said SAF chief operating officer Drew Gruenburg in the release.
Key insights from recent funeral directors study
The Floral Marketing Research Fund, in collaboration with the American Floral Endowment, released findings from a recent study of funeral directors. The downloadable free report includes thoughts and preferences on sympathy flowers, charity donations vs. flowers, consumers’ reactions toward sympathy flowers, the relationship between floral retailers and funeral directors and more, according to a news release.