Preliminarily, Monterey County officials and agricultural experts have indicated that crop losses from the torrential rains that have hit the Salinas Valley this year could easily top $500 million.

Those numbers are just guesstimates with no expectation that a final figure will be available for several months. What seems to be certain, however, is that crop losses are significant and the vegetable market will soon be feeling the effects with much higher prices.

On March 20, Stemilt celebrated its second annual Stemilter’s Day to recognize the hard work that nearly 4,000 team members put into growing and producing high-quality fresh fruit every day. This year’s Stemilter’s Day focused on what it means to be a Stemilter, and recognized people for their years of work at Stemilt.  

The Washington State Apple Blossom Festival announced on March 17 that Bob Mast, president of CMI Orchards, is being recognized as the 2023 Apple Citizen of the Year. The award was bestowed in a surprise presentation by Festival Administrator Darci Christoferson, along with Apple Blossom Queen Scarlette Cron and Princesses Natalie Pearson and Dylan Schmitten.

Marketing Plus, a leading marketing and advertising agency, promoted Johnna Johnson to vice president of marketing and client services. With this new role, Johnson will be responsible for leading the agency's marketing and client services departments as well as driving the growth and success of the business.

Last year, food inflation at retail and foodservice exceeded levels reached during the Great Recession. Even with inflation currently moderating, higher food prices will continue influencing consumers’ spending and eating behaviors this year, according to Circana, formerly IRI and The NPD Group.

Industry veteran Robert (Bob) Meek joined Masser Family of Cos. as executive vice president of sales as of March 20. Meek will lead the company’s sales strategy for its retail and foodservice businesses and report to Dave Masser, president and CEO.

Meek joins Masser with more than 30 years of experience in the fresh produce industry, where he achieved success through expertise in strategic planning, sales, marketing, organizational performance, process improvement and supply chain management.