Pete Pappas & Sons added Kevin Benson and James McKinnis, two industry veterans, to its sales team. The Jessup, MD-based company said Benson and McKinnis are a dream-team duo for its rapidly growing organic sales division. 

Ocean Mist Farms, a leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes, now has availability of its proprietary purple artichokes. This seasonal, limited edition of the Ocean Mist Farms artichoke family is a colorful variety selected for superior flavor and appearance. The heaviest production period is expected to be Feb. 20–April 23.

Over the last few months, Homegrown Organic Farms has been busy outlining the details to bring HBF International into its growing berry category. Combining decades of berry sales and marketing expertise, Homegrown is building a complete berry program by expanding into conventional blueberries and adding blackberries, currants, cranberries and the kiwi berry.

Wendy McManus of Connect 2 Potential can’t stop talking about the 16 enthusiastic college students who are part of the 2023 Southeast Top Agricultural Recruits Scholarship program.

Wholesale Produce Supply LLC has hired Jeremy Taylor as its vice president of sales and marketing.

With over 10 years of extensive hands-on experience in fresh produce sales and marketing, Taylor brings an exceptional ambition and knowledge to Wholesale Produce Supply.  In his new role, Taylor will be responsible for leading the sales and marketing teams and developing strategies to drive growth and customer success.

The conditions across the West settled into mild temperatures for a couple weeks. Now the forecast is predicting that a storm is brewing for many locations, including snow in Northern and Central California. Coastal Southern California is expecting one to four inches of rain this Thursday and Friday.