SunFed hires Jorge Ruiz as CFO
SunFed, a grower, packer, shipper and distributor based in Rio Rico, AZ, has hired Jorge Ruiz, previously with Farmer's Best International, in the newly created position of chief financial officer.
Danny Mandel, president of SunFed, made the announcement Oct. 3. Mr. Mandel told The Produce News that Mr. Ruiz "is going to be a great asset to our team."
Opportunity for California avocados in now-opened Mexican market
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service announced Sept. 30 that Mexican government officials had signed an agreement to allow the importation of Hass avocados from California under certain conditions.
Dan Gaspar joins Domex
Dan Gaspar has joined Domex in Yakima, WA, as its new head of quality assurance and safety.
He brings more than 27 years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to the Domex team as it continues to evolve.
In his new role, Mr. Gaspar will be charged with keeping Domex on the forefront of such food-safety programs as Eurogap, SQF, HACCP and global traceability.
Fyffes to acquire 50 percent of Turbana
CORAL GABLES, FL Uniban SA, a top banana and plantain export company in Colombia, and Fyffes PLC, a leading fruit and vegetable distributing company in Europe, have entered into a strategic alliance under which Fyffes will assume a 50 percent ownership in Turbana Corp., the Coral Gables, FL-based marketing subsidiary of Uniban SA.
Judge slams Harris Farms with ruling
Coalinga, CA-based Harris Farms Inc. was issued a permanent injunction Sept. 30 barring the company from retaliating against any person who reports or testifies about sexual harassment. The injunction also orders specific relief to prevent possible future discrimination.
In January, a Fresno, CA, jury unanimously found Harris Farms liable for sexual harassment, retaliation and the constructive termination of farm worker Olivia Tamayo, and returned a $994,000 verdict in favor of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Ms. Tamayo.
Ocean Mist uses StePac system for broccoli
Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms has begun shipping its iceless broccoli with the patented StePac system.
The main benefits of the system are its capabilities in cooling and reducing moisture loss, said Joe Pezzini, vice president of operations for Ocean Mist.
He said that the system would improve Ocean Mist's year-round iceless broccoli program "for the customers that are accustomed to our rigid quality standards that we strictly adhere to with our artichoke and full vegetable product line."
United president challenges industry to double consumption
LA MIRADA, CA If the produce industry changes its focus and alters the way it does business, it can double consumption of its products, according to Tom Stenzel, president and chief executive officer of the Washington, DC-based United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association.
Drowning claims life of Frontier Produce owner Michael Hickson
Michael D. Hickson, co-owner of Frontier Produce in Tulsa, OK, died Sept. 11.
Mr. Hickson, 49, was the victim of an accidental drowning in a swimming pool at his home in Tulsa, according to his partner and brother-in-law, Robert DeWitt.
Mr. Hickson was born and raised in Perry, OK, and was a graduate of the public school system there.
Charles Hanline Jr. , Stambaugh & Co. vice president, dies in plane crash
Charles F. Hanline Jr., executive vice president of John F. Stambaugh & Co. Inc. in Plymouth, OH, died Sept. 18 as the result of injuries sustained when the private plane he was piloting crashed shortly after take-off from Seneca County Airport in Tiffin, OH.
Mr. Hanline was 56 and a resident of Willard, OH. He was born in Shelby, OH, and was a graduate of Plymouth High School and Ohio State University.
New hydrocooler helps Southern Specialties keep pace at California facility
Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, recently announced that the company installed a hydrocooler in its Santa Fe Springs, CA, facility.