In the produce business, everything starts with the weather. Farmers prefer warm temperatures, good sunlight and significant rainfall in order to grow the fresh produce we need in the stores for consumers. Sometimes the weather fails to cooperate and upsets the farming industry, especially during necessary stages of growth.

TOMRA Food appointed Paul Slupecki as senior vice president, head of TOMRA Fresh Food. This follows the reorganization of TOMRA Food into two business areas, TOMRA Fresh Food and TOMRA Processed Food. TOMRA Fresh Food is a global leader for in integrated packhouse solutions for fresh fruit and vegetables. These solutions include sorting, grading, peeling, analytical and packing technologies.

It was way back in 1900 when Peter J. Condakes came over from Greece and settled down in Boston. Selling fruits and vegetables from a cart, he quickly established a regular location on the city’s old Commercial Street.

Fast forward 50 years, he and his self-named company were a major player on Boston’s produce scene as Condakes’ descendants continued his proud tradition. Peter John Condakes, president and co-owner of Peter Condakes Co. today, feels the business has done “pretty well” in 2022, continuing a similar vein throughout the pandemic. 

The Texas International Produce Association announced Charlie Jabaley as the 2023 Viva Fresh Expo keynote speaker.

With more than 8 million followers on social media Jabaley, also known as Charlie Rocket, will be raising the roof as headliner of Viva Fresh being held at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, T, March 30–April 1, 2023.

Matt Miles, a long-time organic salesman in the Washington apple industry, died Dec. 7. He was 49.

A 27-year veteran of the apple industry Mr. Miles made a name for himself in organic apple sales dating back to 1997 with a variety of companies like FirstFruits Marketing and L&M Northwest.

As part of its ongoing growth, Latitude 36 Foods continued its expansion with the completion of a new 250,000-square-foot manufacturing and warehouse facility in Corona, CA.