Founded in 2004 by Sandi Kronick and a handful of farmers, Happy Dirt is an organic grower, packer and shipper based in Durham, NC. It’s also the best-kept secret in the organic produce industry.

Sonny Boy Produce is a fourth-generation grower/shipper of fresh produce with roots in the gardens of New Jersey, yet with a global reach.

“Our best foot forward is with blueberries, which accounts for about half of our business,” said Tom Consalo, president of the Vineland, NJ-based company. “We work with berries year-round and will move significant volume. We have growers and sourcing throughout the year, and the Jersey berry deal will account for nearly half of that.”

For their commitment to fresh produce, innovative merchandising, community service and customer satisfaction, 15 produce managers have been recognized by the 2023 Retail Produce Managers Award Program from the International Fresh Produce Association.

“The produce industry’s front line — produce managers — make a difference every day for their companies and their communities. I’m thrilled to name 15 produce managers who stand out from the crowd,” said Joe Watson, IFPA vice president of retail, foodservice and wholesale membership.

It’s never too early to start setting up your stone fruit display for the summer months ahead. The early fruit is already starting to arrive in the stores and will increase in volume as we move into June.

Delta Fresh Sales, based in Nogales AZ, added Nate Bachelier to its sales department.  

Bachelier started in the produce industry in 2013 at Daily Fresh, working part time while attending high school. He continued to work there seasonally while going to school, gaining first-hand knowledge about the supply chain process within the produce distribution warehouse. After going to college at the University of Arizona, Bachelier returned to Nogales and worked in quality control at Robinson Fresh.

Douglas (Doug) Edward Hazelton, founder of Kings River Packing, died surrounded by family May 20. He was 86.

Mr. Hazelton was born April 27, 1937 in Sanger, CA. A fifth-generation citrus farmer, he grew up working on his family's farm while attending Sanger High School.