Paul Catania’s experience with California figs dates back decades to when he noticed that the fruit always caught people’s eyes at produce shows. Then he started distributing figs in Toronto.

“It was a great market for fresh figs,” Catania said. “So, I started that out in California 30 years ago.”

His efforts grew to the point that he also dealt in Mexican figs to fill the gap in the California season, which runs from June through early November.

SpartanNash has promoted Jean-Paul Calabio to the position of vice president, chief information security officer.

Natural Delights has launch Truffles, a wholesome take on chocolate covered fruit snacks. After a successful trial period with retail buyers and consumer media, the brand is excited to launch a full-scale marketing campaign around the new product, now available to order.

A mild spring has set the stage for a successful season at Satur Farms, a grower of gourmet lettuces, herbs and baby vegetables based in Cutchogue, NY, on the bucolic North Fork of Long Island.

Paulette Satur, founder and CEO of Satur Farms, told The Produce News on June 6 that the season is off to a great start, albeit about two weeks late, with terrific yields and quality.

Fresh Solutions Network announced its in-person exhibit for Side Delights organic potatoes and onions at the Organic Produce Summit trade show, July 13 and July 14, in Monterey, CA. It will be represented by Basin Gold Cooperative of Pasco, WA, and Sterman Masser Farms of Sacramento, PA. 

The Organic Produce Summit celebrates the organic produce industry, while sharing information about the success and insights of this rapidly growing, multi-billion-dollar food sector.

As strategic promotion is credited for being instrumental to growing demand for fresh Hass avocados, the Hass Avocado Board enters its 20th anniversary year by expanding the role and responsibilities of Gina Widjaja, director of marketing and communications. HAB has reorganized internally and formed a deeper bench of expertise under Widjaja to power its vision to make fresh avocado’s America’s most popular and desired fruit by 2025.