Rainier Fruit Co. promoted David Armenta to sales manager, a position where Armenta will be overseeing both domestic and export sales teams. 

“It was an obvious choice to promote David. His desire, dedication to the company, and his ability to come alongside his coworkers is unmatched,” said Blake Belknap, vice president of sales at Rainier.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

The first Roche Bros. store opened in 1952 in Roslindale, MA, by brothers Bud and Pat Roche. Even before the first customer walked into the market, Bud and Pat set the policy created by their parents:  treat your customers like members of your own family.

Vine-ripe tomatoes: The recent freeze in Florida had some impact on round tomatoes, which will reduce portions of acreage. I'm told the crop is not a total loss, but some of the upper parts of the plants were damaged with freeze burns. There should be some lighter production for the next few weeks.

Brighter Bites, a nonprofit organization that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, recently announced Melissa Ackerman as the newest member of its board of directors. Ackerman will develop Brighter Bites’ partnerships with produce companies and organizations throughout the country, further strengthening its ability to distribute fresh produce and nutrition education to students and families.

All are invited to attend the National Watermelon Promotion Board's upcoming presentation: Affecting Watermelon Demand through Promotion: NWPB Research and Results. The one-hour session will take place Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. at the Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown as a part of the National Watermelon Association Annual Meeting & Convention.

For a produce department to succeed, freshness is obviously a priority. For Roche Bros., local products help provide that freshness required to keep shoppers coming back. The local angle comes naturally as local is part of Roche Bros.’ DNA.