Now in its 116th year in business, Ben B. Schwartz & Sons, Inc. has a reputation in the Detroit produce scene that is second to none.

Located on the Detroit, Michigan Produce Terminal, the company serves local and national chain stores, as well as foodservice providers. Its distribution network reaches most of the United States and into Canada, and in 2022, the company plans to do even more there.

Born in Brooklyn but educated in the fine art and science of organics in California, veteran organic grower and salesman Robert Lichtenberg retired from San Francisco’s Earl’s Organic Produce in mid-December. He had spent 24 years with that well-known wholesaler, located on The SF Market, retiring as director of purchasing.

During his lengthy career, he split his time evenly between organic farming and wholesaling, following the rebirth of organic farming in the 1970s to its significant growth in the 21st Century.

Fragrance might not be the first thing on your mind when you’re comparing pictures of roses. But when you encounter fragrant roses as part of a real-life experience, the fragrance factor is intoxicating and unforgettable.

What is it about fragrance that stirs emotions so powerfully? Part of the answer lies in the nature of our sense of smell. 

The end of December marked the halfway point in my term as your FNGLA President. As I reflect on the memories gained and the opportunities yet to come, I found myself struck by the significance of “half.” Whether used as a measure of distance or time, to divide equal parts, or to assign positive and negative personalities, I find myself amused by the power and emotion we assign to half.

A new scholarship fund has been established through the American Floral Endowment (AFE) to support future generations of students interested in pursuing a career in floriculture. This scholarship joins 26 other scholarships available through the Endowment.

In the fifth annual dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index, a comprehensive, nationwide study that examines the approximately $1 trillion U.S. grocery market, Amazon cemented its leadership position. H-E-B followed in second place and Market Basket leapfrogged three retailers to take the third spot away from Trader Joe’s. Wegmans held onto the fourth spot for a second year in a row.