On May 1, Idaho potatoes became the first U.S. spuds across the southern border under a new trade agreement that opened up all of Mexico for fresh American tubers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture filed an administrative complaint against Valvilla Produce LLC for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The company, operating from Texas, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to three produce sellers in the amount of $1.49 million from February 2020 through May 2020.

Longtime produce industry great Ron Carkoski died at the age of 69 surrounded by his family on Jan. 5.  Mr. Carkoski was known as a strong leader with a big heart, for his sense of humor and musical talent, and as someone who made an impact on lives and careers of so many.

SpartanNash has acquired Great Lakes Foods, an independent grocery wholesaler, including its 300,000-square-foot distribution center in Menominee, MI. The warehouse serves approximately 100 independent grocery customers across the Midwest and employs 125 associates. SpartanNash will continue to employ the Great Lakes Foods team while investing in capital and IT updates to the facility and expanding service offerings to customers.

Homegrown Organic Farms is set to launch a new YouTube series, GROWN by, on Friday, Jan. 6 at 9 p.m. EST. The GROWN by series follows four of the company’s farmers through their growing and harvest seasons, providing both education and entertainment along the way. The series features the Peterson family, Agustin Cardenas, France Ranch and Pipco Fruit Co.

Monterey Mushrooms has promoted long-time teammate Mike Stephan to vice president of sales and business development. Stephan has supported the national sales team for nearly two decades. He will continue to be intimately involved in day-to-day business, but now he will have a concentrated focus on overall business strategy and opportunities that will drive the company’s long-term success.