Mabs named CEO at Homegrown Organic Farms
Scott Mabs has been named chief executive officer at Homegrown Organic Farms, an organic fresh produce marketing company, representing over 3,500 acres of organic produce based in Porterville, CA. He replaces Tom Avinelis, who has held the position since 2005, but who will now become more involved in the operations side of the business.
Organics Unlimited combines sustainability, social responsibility
“We are known mostly for organic Cavendish bananas, however we also handle organic coconuts organic plantains and organic red bananas year round,” said Mayra Velazquez de Leon, who, with her husband, Manuel, owns and operates Organics Unlimited, headquartered in San Diego. Ms. Velazquez de Leon is the company president, and Mr. Velazquez de Leon oversees buying.
Giorgio Fresh Co. offering a wide range of organic mushrooms
Giorgio Fresh Co. is a veteran of organic mushroom production. Bill Litvin, regional sales and national account manager for the Temple, PA-based company — a grower and shipper of fresh mushrooms — said Giorgio has produced and sold organic mushrooms for many years.
“Giorgio Fresh became a certified organic grower on March 11, 2004,” said Mr. Litvin. “We are certified organic by Pennsylvania Certified Organic. Giorgio is one of the larger domestic growers of organic mushrooms.”
Kevin Murphy, founder of Baldor Specialty Foods, dies at 58
Kevin S. Murphy, chief executive officer and owner of Baldor Specialty Foods headquartered in the Hunts Point section of New York City, died Jan. 31 at the New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan following a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 58.
PMA welcomes new PR manager
The Produce Marketing Association welcomed Ashley Boucher as the new public relations manager Jan. 1. Ms. Boucher brings experience in business-to-business communications and technical writing to the association’s public relations team.
Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers readies pears for China
On the heels of an announcement by Pear Bureau Northwest that U.S. pears have gained access to the Chinese market, Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers, located in Wenatchee, WA, is preparing to begin shipments.
Mastronardi expanding distribution, increasing greenhouse acreage
Mastronardi Produce Ltd., a leading grower-shipper of greenhouse vegetables, based in Kingsville, ON, is expanding its distribution center, which will nearly double the company's headquarters location.
The new space, which will be completely refrigerated with different temperature zones, is necessary due to the addition of more than 100 greenhouse acres in Ontario alone for 2013, according to the company.
Crowley opens new cold-storage facility in Miami
Crowley Maritime Corp. and Customized Brokers, its Miami-based Customs brokerage company, announced the opening of a new cold-storage warehouse facility located in Miami.
The facility, known as Crowley Fresh, features multiple humidity- and temperature-controlled coolers. It is open around the clock to store and handle perishables imported from or exported to Latin America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and the Far East.
New tomato suspension deal averts trade war, but Mexican growers say floor prices are too high
Mexican tomato growers and the U.S. Commerce Department were able to come to an eleventh-hour deal on a new tomato anti-dumping suspension agreement, thus avoiding termination of an agreement that has been in place for the past 16 years. But producers south of the border say the excessive floor prices will lock out a large percentage of Mexican production.
BelleHarvest hires new VP of sales and marketing
Belding, MI-based BelleHarvest Sales Inc. announced Jan. 23 the hiring of industry veteran CHRIS SANDWICK as vice president of sales and marketing. He brings an expertise in brand management and a passion for consumer engagement to the position.
Mr. Sandwick joins BelleHarvest with 20 years of produce industry experience under his belt.
For the past 10 years he worked at Pepin Heights Orchard Inc., where he ascended to the role of director of sales and marketing. Prior to that, he spent six years with Supervalu, where he was a merchandiser.