Joe Atchison, assistant secretary of agriculture and director of marketing for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and Christine Fries, coordinator of agricultural marketing for the NJDA, are headed to the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure show in March to walk the floor and talk with industry experts.

Ron Carkoski, who died in early January at the age of 69, made his mark professionally by guiding the Four Seasons Family of Produce Companies through an aggressive period of growth during his close to a quarter of century with the organization, including as its CEO. But perhaps his biggest contribution was as a mentor, collaborator and advisor to many colleagues as he served the industry in numerous volunteer roles during his 45-year career.

Ocean Mist Farms will be exhibiting and in attendance at this year’s Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure show, working at booth No. 1001 and participating in all of the SEPC events.  

Topline Farms has once again joined forces with Apeel Sciences to introduce an innovative new greenhouse-grown produce item. The latest addition to their successful partnership is the Apeel-Protected Mini Cucumber, a fresh and flavorful offering that will last up to three days longer than traditional mini cucumbers.

For 40 years Jim Malanca has been at the helm of melon sales as an owner and integral leader of Westside Produce Co. This month he will step down from daily sales activities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry: