Naturipe Farms has hired Matthew Lyons as director of business development, value-added fresh. In his role, Lyons will manage Naturipe Farms’ value-added fresh division as it expands its footprint in the foodservice, quick serve and retail channels. Lyons will also contribute to new product development.

Mushrooms are so healthy, so delicious and so versatile, it’s no wonder that they have their very own month. September is National Mushroom Month, and it’s a time when people in the mushroom industry celebrate and promote all varieties of mushrooms. It’s also an opportunity for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to educate people on the versatility and health benefits of this amazing food.

MONTEREY, CA — The foodservice segment of the produce industry is alive and well, as evidenced by the strong turnout at the IFPA Foodservice Conference, held here July 27-28.

Always a favorite with industry members, this year’s conference drew approximately 2,200 attendees and more than 930 buyers, who navigated the packed expo floor that included nearly 30 first-time exhibitors. Additionally, more than 30 exhibitors featured kid-friendly products.

With the first of its 165,000 potato acres being dug in mid-July, the Washington state potato crop is producing great quality potatoes, though the yields might be down a bit for the season.

Edwin Jerome Vick, who founded Vick Family Farms with his wife, Diane, died July 26. He was 73.

Mr. Vick was a leader of leaders. His voice for the agriculture industry was strong. He and his wife founded Vick Family Farms in 1975 and grew a successful operation from 25 acres to over 9,000 in nearly 50 years.

The National Mango Board has appointed Ramon Ojeda as its new executive director, replacing Manuel Michel, who earlier this month left his post of nine years to join the Colombia Avocado Board as its executive director.

Ojeda has served the NMB, based in Orlando, FL, for nearly three years as the operations director, with oversight of all financial, operational and administrative functions. He has been a crucial component to organizing the annual board meetings and key internal training opportunities to help strengthen the organization.