Page 213 - Roduce Editorials News Today

Dene Iliff, a longtime produce veteran based in south Texas, died Tuesday, March 1. “Few people make a lasting impact in your life the way that Dene did,” said Chris Ciruli, a close friend of almost 25 years. “He was one of my mentors and one of the best managers I’ve known. He had a knack for identifying good talent and developing them in their careers. I’ll always remember him as a gentleman with a kind voice and an impeccable work ethic.”

Vidalia onion lovers can rejoice because the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Vidalia Onion Committee announced the iconic sweet onion is set to ship with an official pack date of April 12 for the 2022 Vidalia onion season.

Ark Foods’ newly introduced line of Fresh Veggie Kits will be featured at SEPC’s Innovation Stations this weekend. The modern farming company brings unique vegetables and vegetable-based creations to the produce aisle, and the new kits are no exception. 

As one of the largest garlic and specialty produce distributors in the Northeast, the third-generation family-owned Maurice Auerbach Inc., offers a product line of produce items sourced from around the world. Packing its products under the AuerPak brand name, the company specializes in garlic, shallots and other specialty items, including tropical and Asian produce. It also handles organic garlic, shallots and tofu.

Misfits Market, the online grocery platform focused on accessibility, affordability and sustainability, is now available in all of the lower 48 states with its expansion into Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota. The brand’s rollout to these four states will be comprehensive, serving nearly all zip codes in urban centers, suburbs and rural areas alike, meeting its commitment to offer accessibility in every market.

ORLANDO, FL — The Southeast Produce Council held its annual VIP dinner Wednesday evening, March 2, at the Swan Reserve Vue Ballroom, just prior to the opening of the 2022 Southern Exposure conference and trade show, taking place here March 3-5.

Litehouse Inc. announced the appointment of Paul Hemingway as vice president of marketing and the promotion of Brad Horn to senior vice president of sales and marketing. The duo will collaborate with executives across the company to build on the leadership position of the Litehouse brand and drive retail growth for the company’s growing portfolio of emerging brands.

Kurt Zuhlke has been a leader in the produce packaging industry for generations, but even with all his experience, he never saw a month as busy as December of 2021. He said it was the best month his firm, Kurt Zuhlke & Associates, has ever had in its history. “It’s usually a good month, but not outstanding,” said Zuhlke, whose firm is headquartered in Easton, PA. “It beat all records — it just blew my mind.” He attributed that record-breaking month to an increased demand for pack...

FirstFruits Farms, a recognized leader in the apple industry, launched its “A Taste of Luck” campaign to coincide with the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday on March 17. With promotable volumes of high-quality apples available in March, the company is supporting retailers in pairing its well-known Opal and Granny Smith varieties together to create engaging green and gold displays and digital content that will attract shoppers during this festive time of year.

Basil Mills, founder of Mills Distributing, which was one of the leading vegetable grower-shippers in the Salinas through most of the second half of the 20th century, died Jan. 14 at the age of 91. Mr. Mills was born Jan. 18, 1930, in Montevideo, Minnesota, the third of five children.  After graduating from high school in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, he attended the University of Colorado-Boulder for three years before serving in the U.S. Army in Germany from March 1951 to March 1953 during the Ko...