WFFSA honors Bill LaFever with 2026 Leland T. Kintzele Distinguished Service award
Bill LaFever, president of the Bill Doran Co., has received the 2026 Leland T. Kintzele Distinguished Service Award from the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association.The award was presented during the group's Floral Distribution Conference in Miami. It recognizes individuals who have made substantial contributions to the floral industry and honors the integrity and leadership of Leland T. Kintzele, who served as WFFSA president from 1963 to 1965.
IFPA expands “School Foodservice Partner X-Change,” connecting produce suppliers with K-12 and university menu leaders
The International Fresh Produce Association recently hosted its annual School Foodservice Partner X-Change, a virtual "speed meeting" program designed to connect school menu planners with produce grower-shippers and solution providers.Over two days, IFPA coordinated one-on-one virtual meetings between suppliers and K-12 school nutrition leaders. New this year, the program also included college and university foodservice leaders. The meetings created an opportunity for dialogue across sectors that rarely connect directly.
Potatoes USA analysis shows how potatoes can drive cross-purchase, meal solutions and snacking
New analysis from Potatoes USA shows that consumers' online search behavior around potatoes is revealing opportunities for retailers in-store, from cross-merchandising to meal solutions and at-home snacking.Potatoes are America’s most popular vegetable, with shoppers purchasing more than 15.3 billion pounds annually. By examining online search trends, Potatoes USA identified how shoppers are planning meals, entertaining and preparing snacks, and how retailers can meet that demand.Starbucks-inspired dish
Mushroom Council debuts Mushroom Marketer’s Toolkit
The Mushroom Council has unveiled the Mushroom Marketer’s Toolkit, a collection of resources designed to help grocery retailers boost mushroom sales and shopper engagement.The toolkit, announced Feb. 24 from Lee’s Summit, MO, provides merchandising guidance, creative assets and in-store materials. The goal is to increase sales and repeat purchases, particularly among millennial and Gen Z shoppers.
BioWorks names Chris Rose interim general manager
BioWorks Inc., a biological products company for the horticulture industry, has named Chris Rose as interim general manager, effective immediately. The appointment marks a leadership transition aimed at accelerating sales and expansion.Rose, a biologist, has been with the company since 2013. He has held leadership roles in operations, research and development, and marketing. He succeeds Bill Foster, who led the company for decades.
IFPA welcomes Eric Stevens as vice president of food safety and regulatory affairs
The International Fresh Produce Association has named Dr. Eric Stevens vice president of food safety and regulatory affairs, a role in which he will lead the group’s global efforts to shape policy in those areas.Stevens, who starts March 18, will serve as a key liaison to U.S. regulatory and food safety agencies and strengthen engagement with global and regional standard-setting bodies. He will also support member needs through technical expertise and strategic collaboration with internal teams and external coalitions.
Watermelon Board elects leadership; all-female team is first
The National Watermelon Promotion Board has elected an all-female slate of executive officers for the first time in its history.The election took place Feb. 21 in St. Petersburg, FL, during the board's spring meeting, which was held alongside the National Watermelon Association's annual convention.Jill Barton, of District 1, was elected president. Renee Goodwin, of District 4, was re-elected as vice president. Camille Lombardo, of District 5, was re-elected as secretary-treasurer.
Bimi Broccoli expands program through partnership with Cal-Organic Farms
Bimi Baby Broccoli, the branded business branch of Sakata Seed America, has announced a strategic partnership with Cal-Organic Farms to expand organic production capacity and North American distribution for the Bimi brand.The agreement adds Cal-Organic Farms, a division of Grimmway Farms and one of the largest organic growers in the country, to Sakata's licensed network. The partnership is designed to meet demand for premium specialty vegetables across retail and foodservice channels.
Eastern Produce Council names 2026 Leadership Class
The Eastern Produce Council has selected 18 produce professionals for its 2026 Leadership Class.The program provides industry and professional development opportunities throughout the year, including seminars, farm tours and networking events, Susan McAleavey Sarlund, the council's executive director, said in a statement.
Market Minute: Lettuce showing lower market, softer demand
The current lettuce market is trending lower as demand has eased, making this an excellent time for consumers to enjoy salads. With lettuce now more promotable, shoppers can take advantage of favorable pricing and good supply.The history of salads made from lettuce dates back as far as 4500 BC in Egypt, where they were originally prepared using a bitter weed. The practice of cultivating lettuce for salads was later adopted by the Romans and Greeks, who enjoyed it with oil and vinegar. Lettuce made its way to the Americas in the 1400s, thanks to Christopher Columbus.