The fourth Eastern Produce Council Leadership Class benefited from a festive and informative tour of Hionis Greenhouses in Whitehouse Station, NJ. After the tour, participants furthered their leadership education with a seminar from Rutgers University Office of Continuing Professional Education. 

Harvest Sensations named Joseph P. D’Ottavio as its president. He will focus on profit optimization, efficiencies and growth to include leadership across internal and external stakeholders.

D’Ottavio brings over 25 years of industry experience to the organization, including completing the joint venture of a family-owned produce business (Heeren Bros. Inc.) and a distribution company (Walsma & Lyons) and led rebranding at Vine Line Produce Distribution.

Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is passionate about making a difference in fresh produce food safety. She believes strongly in tapping the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to advance the food safety of her state’s specialty crop industry.

Center for Produce Safety relies on diverse funding sources to finance its research program. Generous industry contributors are frequently noted in the news; less well-known, but equally important, are grants that fresh produce-centric state governments direct to CPS.

The Los Angeles Rams and Avocados from Peru announced the lucky winners of their multi-prize sweepstakes during the Nov. 13 pre-game show prior to the game between the Rams and the Cardinals.

The first prize winner is Amanda Sorensen of Los Angeles, who took home the keys to the Avo Rams custom Hyundai IONIQ EV.

The second prize winner is Rich Bernal of San Diego, who will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Machu Picchu in Peru courtesy of American Airlines and Hilton Hotels.

Mother Earth is primed for success in the new year.

“We launched some new items, which is a good thing,” said Mark Kreiner, outside sales coordinator for the Landenberg, PA-based company. “We continue to reinvent ourselves and we look to create items where consumers have needs and wants.”

A leader in the organic category, the company is especially excited about its various powdered Lion’s Mane SKUs, as well as its Mother’s Harvest brand, which offers a mix of exotic organic mushrooms.

This holiday season Frieda’s has teamed up with the innovative recipe nut brand, Diamond of California to create a cross-promotion that brings inspiration to tables around the country. Diamond’s nut products provide a fresh, great-tasting compliment for every meal occasion. When paired with Frieda’s shallots and organic Stokes Purple sweet potatoes, Diamond of California's Nut Coatings and ready-to-use Nut Pie Crusts deliver delicious cross-promotion opportunities.