Page 34 - Roduce Editorials News Today

Joe Mollner has been named vice president of operations for Nunes Vegetables Inc. Since starting in the industry with Harvest Management LLC in 2005, Mollner has worked in all aspects of harvesting, becoming its vice president of operations in 2014.

Wakefern Food Corp. announced an Own Brands Supplier Diversity Summit. The latest summit is an open call to diverse private label manufacturers to source food and beverage products for potential addition to Wakefern’s award-winning Bowl & Basket and Wholesome Pantry store brands portfolio.

Local Bounti has launched a chef-inspired Asian Style Chicken Lettuce Wrap Kit, a restaurant-quality meal solution that is prepared at home in about five minutes, at 194 Sprouts Farmers Markets locations in California and Arizona.

Despite higher prices, consumers in the Northeast and Midwest can’t seem to get their fill of Idaho potatoes, reported Mike Krage, retail promotion director-Northeast/Midwest for the Idaho Potato Commission. “We are in our third year of double-digit sales increases within the potato category in our region,” Krage said. “We’re running almost 20 percent up in dollars, even with Idaho having out-of-stock situations this year for the first time in a very long time.”

Awe Sum Organics has hired Gabriel Avalos to lead its team as general manager. 

The most important point I was taught as a junior produce buyer was to study the weather. My superiors stressed that the weather forecasts in growing areas would determine two things: supply and price. California has had more than its share of severe storms from fall up to now. At least the Yuma, AZ, winter crop deal shows promises of favorable weather enabling lettuce quality and supply to finally improve. Markets are starting to ease up.

The world of specialty potatoes is shrinking — and that’s a good thing. The smallest specimens of these colorful varieties possess a cuteness factor that restaurants love and home cooks seek out in the produce department, said Robert Schueller, director of public relations at Melissa’s/World Variety Produce.

Jose Rossignoli has been named the new president of Robinson Fresh. He succeeds Michael Castagnetto who has been promoted within C.H. Robinson to vice president of customer success supporting the North American Surface Transportation division.

The U.S. online grocery market finished December with $9.1 billion in total sales, up 2.4 percent compared to the previous year, and only 2 percent lower than the record high of $9.3 billion last seen in Q1 of 2021, according to the monthly Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopping Survey.

Ocean Mist Farms expanded its fresh-cut vegetable convenience line as the calendar turned to a new year and health-focused resolutions are top of mind. The line includes nine unique packs of farm fresh vegetables that are sure to complement healthy meals.