Seven of the country's most exciting chefs and foodservice professionals representing an array of culinary styles and backgrounds will be honored this June as part of the United Fresh Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program. Sponsored by PRO*ACT LLC, and now in its seventh year, the program honors chefs and their companies for their innovative and influential use of fresh produce in the culinary arts. The United Fresh Produce Association will formally recognize the seven winners at United Fresh 2014, the association's annual convention and expo in Chicago, June 10-13, 2014.

The Kroger Co. announced that Timothy Massa will be promoted to group vice president, human resources and labor relations. He currently serves as vice president of corporate human resources, talent development.

In this expanded role, Massa will take responsibility for labor relations when Paul Heldman, executive vice president, secretary and general counsel, retires in May.

Steve Adams filled the newly created position of director of growing operations and grower relations at Boskovich Farms, based in Oxnard, CA.

“As a company, we have significantly grown our cherry program this year, probably threefold over our acreage last year,” said Don Goforth, marketing manager for Family Tree Farms Marketing LLC in Reedley, CA, in an interview with The Produce News April 1. “With the success of our cherry program in past years, we have really needed” to grow the program to meet customer demands.

RIO RICO, AZ — A lack of cold hours in Mexican grape producing areas will reduce the volume this spring, in the view of Paul Bachelier, who handles marketing sales and service at Daily Fresh Distributing, Inc., based here.

After reaching commercial production volume, Del Campo Supreme announced it is now offering its “t’mates” brand cocktail tomatoes.

Del Campo, based in Nogales, AZ, debuted t’mates at the PMA Fresh Summit in October, giving buyers a sneak peek at this new item.