Dan Branson, senior director of business and product development at Mucci Farms, died suddenly on Saturday, March 11. He was 57.

Mr. Branson joined Mucci in August 2021 after a long career in the produce industry, most notably with Loblaw Cos. 

With most of Monterey County already dealing with significant impacts from a series of rainstorms, today (March 13) the area was bracing for another atmospheric river that is expected to dump even more rain on the deluged county tonight.

Lee E. Cole is returning to lead Calavo Growers Inc. as president and CEO, effective immediately. Cole agreed to lead the company for three years with the goal of returning it to a position of growth and shareholder value creation. He succeeds Brian W. Kocher, who has stepped down from his role.

Cole served as Calavo’s president and CEO from 1999 until his retirement Jan. 31, 2020. He served as a director of Calavo for 39 years — 28 as chairman of the board.

Partnership for a Healthier America celebrated an expanded nutrition program with Instacart and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett as part of their ongoing collaboration to increase affordable access to healthy and nutritious food in Indianapolis. The program will connect 640 Indianapolis families in need with free grocery delivery on orders over $35 and a monthly Fresh Funds stipend to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables using Instacart.

Shuman Farms, located in Reidsville, GA, the heart of the Vidalia growing region in Southeast Georgia, has been in the Vidalia onion industry for two generations. 

The Vidalia onion is the most famous onion in the world, and it created the sweet onion category.

BJ's Wholesale Club is adding five clubs to its growing portfolio across the United States. The expansion includes plans for a new club in Madison, AL, increasing BJ’s retail footprint to 20 states.

BJ’s will also open clubs in Mt. Juliet, TN, Johnson City, NY, Lewis Center, OH, and North Jacksonville, FL. These clubs add to BJ’s 2023 roster of openings, following the retailer’s newest locations in Davenport, FL, and McDonough, GA, as well as the recent announcement of BJ’s first-ever club in the state of Tennessee slated to open this summer in LaVergne.