Jose Rossignoli has been named the new president of Robinson Fresh. He succeeds Michael Castagnetto who has been promoted within C.H. Robinson to vice president of customer success supporting the North American Surface Transportation division.

The most important point I was taught as a junior produce buyer was to study the weather. My superiors stressed that the weather forecasts in growing areas would determine two things: supply and price.

California has had more than its share of severe storms from fall up to now. At least the Yuma, AZ, winter crop deal shows promises of favorable weather enabling lettuce quality and supply to finally improve. Markets are starting to ease up.

Awe Sum Organics has hired Gabriel Avalos to lead its team as general manager. 

Despite higher prices, consumers in the Northeast and Midwest can’t seem to get their fill of Idaho potatoes, reported Mike Krage, retail promotion director-Northeast/Midwest for the Idaho Potato Commission.

“We are in our third year of double-digit sales increases within the potato category in our region,” Krage said. “We’re running almost 20 percent up in dollars, even with Idaho having out-of-stock situations this year for the first time in a very long time.”

Wholesale Produce Supply LLC acquired Bandwagon Brokerage LLC a specialty produce company.  The acquisition is complementary, as it allows both companies to grow by broadening the portfolio of products and services they offer to customers as well as by broadening their customer bases. Dennis Berman, Bandwagon's founder, owner and president, will continue to run the business and has become an investor in WPS as part of the transaction.

Andre Michael Radandt, former president and chairman of Bolthouse Farms, died Dec. 29. He was 60.

Mr. Radandt had a visionary business career that was rewarded with remarkable success, including the introduction of Bolthouse juices and salad dressings.

Mr. Radandt was born June 2, 1962, in Lake Forest, IL, to immigrant parents from Germany. The Wheaton College graduate's accomplishments, in number and breadth, rival those of a much longer life span.