Page 35 - Roduce Editorials News Today

Green Life Farms products can now be purchased at more than 550 Publix locations in Florida. The controlled environment agriculture company recently added 280 Publix stores in the Tampa and Fort Myers vicinity to its list of retail locations; Green Life Farms already serves 270 Publix locations in south Florida. With a total of 13 farms planned in the Southeast, Green Life Farms will continue to expand its sales territory with a variety of retailers as the company grows.  

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.

Following a breakout year of accelerated growth and commercial milestones, ProducePay, the marketplace transforming the global produce industry into a more connected and sustainable supply chain, appointed Patrick McCullough as its new CEO, succeeding Pablo Borquez Schwarzbeck, who has served as CEO since founding the company in 2014.

An Oregon company has satisfied the terms stemming from its $3.6 million of Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act violations, closing the 2019 case with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In a complaint filed on Nov. 20, 2019, the USDA alleged that Hood River Juice Co. Inc. in Hood River, OR, failed to make full payment promptly in the total amount of $3.6 million to 12 sellers for multiple lots of produce in violation of PACA.

Southeast shoppers are flexing their muscles in the produce department as they increasingly opt for eight- and 10-pound bags of Idaho potatoes rather than the traditional five-pound pack.

Lidl launched a private label produce line, Peak Harvest, which will raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. For each purchase of Peak Harvest products throughout January, Lidl will donate 1 percent of retail sales to CMN Hospitals, up to $250,000. The funds will benefit 18 designated member children’s hospitals located in Lidl’s markets along the East Coast.  

Andre Michael Radandt, former president and chairman of Bolthouse Farms, died Dec. 29. He was 60. Mr. Radandt had a visionary business career that was rewarded with remarkable success, including the introduction of Bolthouse juices and salad dressings. Mr. Radandt was born June 2, 1962, in Lake Forest, IL, to immigrant parents from Germany. The Wheaton College graduate's accomplishments, in number and breadth, rival those of a much longer life span.

Eric Biddiscombe has joined Algoma Orchards Corp. as director of sales and business development.

The Controlled Environment Agriculture Alliance welcomed eight new members to the association at its annual membership meeting.  Joining the Alliance for 2023 include producer members Local Bounti, Mastronardi Produce and Upward Farms; business service provider members Jiffy Group, Qfresh Labs and Unfold; and retail/foodservice members Brookshire Grocery and UNFI.

Wholesale Produce Supply LLC acquired Bandwagon Brokerage LLC a specialty produce company.  The acquisition is complementary, as it allows both companies to grow by broadening the portfolio of products and services they offer to customers as well as by broadening their customer bases. Dennis Berman, Bandwagon's founder, owner and president, will continue to run the business and has become an investor in WPS as part of the transaction.