Marianne Santo, three-time president of the Eastern Produce Council and category manager of Wakefern Food Corp., died Sept. 24. She was 61.

"A devoted board member and leader of the Eastern Produce Council, Marianne was so passionate about the produce industry and its people, was a mentor to so many and lifted everyone up whenever she had the opportunity," said EPC's Susan McAleavey Sarlund and Theresa Lowden.  

Pacific Trellis Fruit, a year-round grower, shipper and marketer of premium fresh fruit, will be adding donut peaches and extra sweet nectarines this coming year to its successful inaugural offering of imported specialty plum varieties to create a full line of premium stone fruit during the Southern Hemisphere season.

As a trusted importer of mangos, Continental Fresh has its eye on the pulse of the industry and understands the challenges in the category that are headed this way.

Julie Krivanek, president and CEO of Krivanek Consulting, a top executive advisory in the produce industry, will introduce new services to further develop and support the evolving needs of produce industry executive leaders at each stage of their careers.

Having worked with hundreds of CEOs and senior executives, creating pathways to greater personal, professional and corporate success, Krivanek will further support high-potential and experienced executives in three different stages of their careers.

In California’s thriving date industry, Double Date Packing, based in Coachella, CA, stands out as a shining example of environmental consciousness and commitment to quality. Since its inception, the company has made significant strides in reducing its environmental footprint. Hope Barbee, vice president of sales at Double Date, offered insight into recent developments for new crop dates.

Dümmen Orange senior plant breeder and manager Dr. Ruth Kobayashi was recently named the 2023 Paul Ecke Jr. Award of Excellence winner by San Diego Botanic Garden. The Encinitas-based nonprofit which includes a 37-acre garden located near the famed former Paul Ecke Ranch, presented her with this prestigious honor, named after the late legendary San Diego County horticulturist, Paul Ecke Jr.