Wakefern Food Corp., a retailer-owned cooperative with member companies that own and operate ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market banners, will host hiring fairs for candidates looking for career opportunities and valuable experience in retail on Saturday, Jan. 20.

Caruso USA has launched Caruso Foods, a subsidiary specializing in the production of fresh, prepared foods for grocery retailers, convenience stores and industrial food co-packing solutions. Caruso Foods is assuming some business operations previously executed by York Street Fresh Foods, a discontinued partnership involving Caruso USA and New Jersey-based Lorenzo Food Group.

For the eighth year in a row, Duda Farm Fresh Foods will hold its annual Dip It 2 Win It promotion. Running through Feb. 9, the sweepstakes will elevate healthier snacking and drive in-store as well as online sales during peak football season while offering Dandy celery enthusiasts a chance to win $1,000 grand prize along with weekly prize winnings.

In a stunning admission in bankruptcy court in December, an attorney for Prima Wawona announced that the company was not able to receive a sufficient bid for its business through an auction process and would be liquidating its assets. In a companion move, several sources have reported that the company gave its nearly 6,000 employees 60-day termination notices, which is required by California law to continue with the closure of the operation.

Steve Clement, the CEO of Sage Fruit Co., will assume the position of PNW Tree Fruit’s new CEO. PNW Tree Fruit owns approximately 6,000 acres of tree fruit as well as Legacy Fruit Packers (a Sage packer since 1999), Chelan Fruit (a Sage packer since 2022) and Manson Fruit. In addition to his new role at PNW Tree Fruit, Clement will become the chairman of the board of Sage Fruit. In this capacity, he will collaborate with Nicole Gordy, the new CEO of Sage Fruit, and continue to guide the company’s strategic direction.

Southern Specialties Inc. is excited that Carlos Solf, vice president of procurement, has assumed the role of PAIA co-chairman East Coast for 2024-25. The West Coast co-chairman is Craig Rolandelli of JMB.

Solf, a native of Peru, joined Southern Specialties 22 years ago after earning his masters degree from the University of Notre Dame. Under his stewardship Southern Specialties’ asparagus program has grown to become among the largest in the nation.