Grimmway names new CEO as Jeff Huckaby transitions to chief ag officer
Grimmway Produce Group announced that current President and CEO Jeff Huckaby will transition to a new role effective March 23. Huckaby, who has been the company’s chief executive since 2016, will focus all of his time on GPG’s farming operation as chief agricultural officer.
Texas firm posts $50K bond for PACA license
Mission Driven Distributors LLC, operating out of Houston, TX, has posted a $50,000 surety bond with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Pursuant to the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act regulations, the company was required to post the bond following its principals’ involvement in bankruptcy. The company posted the bond as a prerequisite to obtain a new license to operate in the produce industry.
Mushroom Council announces newly elected board members, officers
At its recent meeting in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico, the Mushroom Council welcomed one new board member and elected its officers for 2026. The nine-member council is composed of eight domestic growers and one importer representing four regions. The program’s purpose is to maintain and expand existing mushroom markets and uses. The newly elected board member is Ed Wuensch (Region 2); Michael Stephan of Monterey Mushrooms (Region 1) was reappointed for a second term.Newly elected officers are:
Trinity Fruit campaign supports breast cancer research
Trinity Fruit Co. has launched Peaches for Pink, a 2026 summer peach campaign developed in partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The initiative will debut during the 2026 California stone fruit season and feature pink ribbon-inspired promotional packaging on Trinity’s Farm2You two-pound peach pouch bags, combining peak-season flavor with meaningful impact.
PRO*ACT Crop Update: Running early, running hot
If you’ve spent any time watching the desert deal this year, one thing is clear: the crop is running early and now the heat is showing up to match it.With roughly four weeks remaining before the seasonal transition from Yuma to Salinas, fields across the Arizona-California desert region continue to track roughly three weeks ahead of schedule after a winter marked by early rainfall followed by sustained above-average temperatures.
USDA files action against Texas company for $326K PACA violations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against L&L Produce LLC (not to be confused with L&L Farms in Batesville, TX). L&L Produce, operating from Texas, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to two produce sellers in the amount of $326,281 from December 2022 through August 2023, in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
Coliman Avocados projects strong Mexican avocado season to compliment California
Coliman Avocados is a proud Mexican company with more than 50 years of experience in the harvesting, packaging, commercialization and distribution of fresh Hass avocados and is very excited about what spring will bring.
Registration opens for Elevate, the 2026 AIFD National Symposium
Registration is now open for the American Institute of Floral Designers’ 59th annual national symposium.Far more than an ordinary flower show, the Elevate symposium will showcase a lineup of world-renowned industry educators. Attendees can look forward to inspiring main stage programs, dynamic hands-on workshops, insightful lecture sessions and more.The official symposium brochure is available online.Registration is available through the symposium website.
Grapefruit reigns supreme in wellness trends
Goody’s selling season begins strong as nationwide wellness trends spotlight grapefruit for consumers. Current consumption of grapefruit remains robust, with 2026 estimated U.S. sales expected to meet the 2024 high of more than $400 million. While data for 2025 is still being finalized, consumption in the U.S. for 2024 exceeded 330,000 tons, an approximate increase of 9.5 percent from recent years, according to Index Box.
USDA files action against California company for $333K PACA violations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against G&S Produce Inc. The company, operating from California, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to 19 produce sellers in the amount of $333,072 from August 2023 through August 2024, in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.