Cruz Carrera has joined Progressive Produce, a Los Angeles-based grower-packer-shipper, as sales manager in the asparagus sales department.

Carrera was previously working for Mission Produce Inc. in its asparagus sales company, Mission Asparagus LLC. Carrera joins Progressive Produce as a result of the recent acquisition of Mission’s asparagus business, which was completed last month.

The Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee-USA Onions announced on Nov. 11 that Weber Grill Master Kevin Kolman will make a special appearance at the Nov. 16 USA Onions pre-game Boise State/Wyoming grilling competition at Boise State University.

BSU Broncos host the University of Wyoming Cowyboys, and USA Onions Marketing Director Sherise Jones said the match-up between two Western state teams promises to be exciting.

RIO RICO, AZ — Robert Hathaway, a former head of the West Mexico Vegetable Distributors organization, was named FPAA Pillar of the Industry Nov. 8 during the 45th annual Fresh Produce Association of the Americas convention, here.

In recognizing Hathaway as a Pillar of the Industry, Alejandro Canelos, chairman of the FPAA, cited Hathaway's ability to open doors for the association with his experience and connections.

Bruce Taylor, president of Taylor Farms California Inc. in Salinas, CA, was elected chairman of the board of Western Growers for the next 12 months at the group's 88th annual meeting, held in Honolulu Nov. 10-13.

Food Lion has made significant investments in 169 stores in North Carolina and South Carolina and created 500 new jobs. Key markets include Greenville and Wilmington, NC, as well as Columbia, Charleston and Myrtle Beach, SC.

Though parts of the state are drier than normal, Florida is in good shape as its fall and winter vegetable and citrus programs ramp up this month.