“Due to overwhelming demand across North America, we are pleased to announce significant production increases of our entire Artisan Series line-up of specialty and snacking produce,” Jim DiMenna, president of JemD Farms in Leamington, Ontario, told The Produce News. “Our Artisan series tomato acreage is being increased between four- and 10-fold, depending on the variety, for the 2013-14 season.”

As early as he can remember, Patrick Kelly wanted to build a business in produce. His dad grew avocados and traded orange juice out of San Diego when Kelly was a toddler.

“Since I was in diapers, I always wanted to be actively involved in my dad’s business conversations,” Kelly said. “Through the years, I would go with my dad to work throughout the country.”

With $328 billion in U.S. retail sales, Walmart holds a dominant position as the largest retailer in the United States.

In 2012 Walmart had higher sales numbers than the second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-largest retailers combined, according to STORES magazine's annual report on the top 100 retailers in the United States. The U.S. accounts for approximately 70 percent of Walmart's $467 billion in worldwide sales.

Jim Cathey, who was sales manager at Del Campo Supreme Inc. in Nogales, AZ, since 2001 and in recent years also held the title of general manager, has retired from the company effective June 30, and has joined JemD Farms in Leamington, ON, as sourcing manager for Arizona and Texas.

LoBue Citrus announced that citrus industry veteran Norm Gatineau will join the company July 8 as vice president of sales and marketing. Based in Lindsay, CA, Gatineau will oversee the management of the sales department, develop and manage the marketing strategy and new business, and work with retail and wholesale buyers on category development.

As the Fourth of July approaches and consumers are shopping for their parties and cookouts, Tanimura & Antle's field-packed heart-healthy Artisan lettuce is sure to catch their eyes.

The packaging process for T&A's Artisan lettuce offers superior freshness and protection as a direct response to consumer preferences and retailer requests.