Page 159 - Roduce Editorials News Today

Hudson River Fruit Distributors, a leading supplier of East Coast apples based in Milton, NY, announced that fourth-generation family member Marcus Albinder has joined the company.

Cherry shippers throughout the Pacific Northwest are ramping up for the start of the summer season. “The change of pace is exciting, cherries are a fun time of year,” said Dan Davis, director of business development at Starr Ranch Growers. The Wenatchee, WA-based shipper says this summer will require patience, tenacity and excellent communication — qualities the Starr team has in abundance. “We experienced cold temperatures and snowfall last month making it still a little too early to ma...

Gary Margolis, president of Gem Tomato Sales Inc., has long led the movement of direct marketing for Arkansas’ popular vine-ripened tomato varieties — be it rounds or Romas — and has a longstanding relationship with Triple M Farms in Hamburg, AR.

Fru-Veg Marketing is a top importer of fine produce from the best growers of Europe and Latin America. Since its founding in 1988 by Conchita Espinosa, and through the partnership of current co-presidents Steven Espinosa and Albert Grimaldi, the company’s philosophy has revolved around the principal of selecting the finest growers in each region.

Pace International, a leading provider of sustainable postharvest solutions and technologies for the fresh produce industry, hired Garrett Babst as its Pacific Northwest account manager. In his new role, Babst will work directly with customers to ensure satisfaction, meet and exceed budgeted sales revenue goals, and pull Pace products through distribution. He will be based in Wenatchee, WA, and serve the greater Yakima, WA, region, and Canada.

Walmart has sold six of its Walmart Neighborhood Markets in Louisiana for a total price of $84 million, with individual prices ranging from $11.8 million to just under $16.5 million Walmart Neighborhood Markets were designed in 1998 as a smaller-footprint option for communities in need of a pharmacy, affordable groceries and merchandise. Each location employs up to 95 associates. The stores account for approximately 43,000 square feet each and are located in the southern or coastal Louisiana tow...

Matthews Ridgeview Farms, a fifth-generation family-owned-and-operated company, continues to grow, increasing acreage and space for its sweet potatoes. The company is looking to grow with its current partnerships and build some new partnerships in the year ahead.

The National Watermelon Promotion Board’s Foodservice program has a goal of placing more watermelon on menus, year-round, to move more watermelon through the supply chain and to keep watermelon top-of-mind with consumers. To help achieve this, the NWPB uses operator success stories with watermelon to earn or pay for placements in foodservice publications to inspire other operators, according to Megan McKenna, senior director of marketing and foodservice.

Stater Bros. Charities, the philanthropic arm of Stater Bros. Markets, and Reyes Coca-Cola partnered for the give back program during National Military Appreciation Month. Funds raised throughout the campaign will benefit military and their families throughout Southern California. The give back program will provide a total contribution of up to $30,000.

With its headquarters in Raleigh, NC, and farms in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina, L&M’s roots run deep in the Southeast. North Carolina, however, holds a special place in the heart of L&M, as it was founded in 1964 by Joe McGee in the state, and has always valued its grower partnerships throughout the state.