Scott Mabs has been named chief executive officer at Homegrown Organic Farms, an organic fresh produce marketing company, representing over 3,500 acres of organic produce based in Porterville, CA. He replaces Tom Avinelis, who has held the position since 2005, but who will now become more involved in the operations side of the business.

“We are known mostly for organic Cavendish bananas, however we also handle organic coconuts organic plantains and organic red bananas year round,” said Mayra Velazquez de Leon, who, with her husband, Manuel, owns and operates Organics Unlimited, headquartered in San Diego. Ms. Velazquez de Leon is the company president, and Mr. Velazquez de Leon oversees buying.

Giorgio Fresh Co. is a veteran of organic mushroom production. Bill Litvin, regional sales and national account manager for the Temple, PA-based company — a grower and shipper of fresh mushrooms — said Giorgio has produced and sold organic mushrooms for many years.

“Giorgio Fresh became a certified organic grower on March 11, 2004,” said Mr. Litvin. “We are certified organic by Pennsylvania Certified Organic. Giorgio is one of the larger domestic growers of organic mushrooms.”

Kevin S. Murphy, chief executive officer and owner of Baldor Specialty Foods headquartered in the Hunts Point section of New York City, died Jan. 31 at the New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan following a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 58.

The Produce Marketing Association welcomed Ashley Boucher as the new public relations manager Jan. 1. Ms. Boucher brings experience in business-to-business communications and technical writing to the association’s public relations team.

On the heels of an announcement by Pear Bureau Northwest that U.S. pears have gained access to the Chinese market, Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers, located in Wenatchee, WA, is preparing to begin shipments.