Healthy Family Project will close out 2021 with $250,000 raised through retail and digital cause marketing programs adding to the total $7 million raised for charities that benefit families and children. Charities receiving funding in 2021 include Feeding America, Our Military Kids and Fresh Produce Foundation (formerly United Fresh Start Foundation).

The Kroger Co. announced that Laura Gump, formerly vice president of merchandising for the Houston division, has been promoted to president of the division. She succeeds Joe Kelley, who was recently named president of King Soopers.

Crop One Holdings, which has been attempting to perfect and advance its data and technology-driven vertical farming practices, expects to open a large-scale operation in the Middle East in 2022 and grow at a rate of one large facility per year over the next five years.

DoorDash has partnered with with Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores, and and Lowes Foods, one of the nation’s top regional grocers based in the Carolinas.

As another year comes to a close, it feels like we could all use some extra holiday cheer. Enjoy these festive photos of the industry friends you might not have seen for quite a while. Many thanks to all who participated, and we hope to see your smiling faces in person at events in 2022. From all of us at The Produce News, we wish you a happy and certainly a healthy holiday season.

Rio Rico, AZ — Three years ago, Delta Fresh held a grand opening of its new warehouse in Rio Rico, which adjoins the Coast Produce facility. The new space featured state-of-the-art equipment and plenty of space for growth — or so it seemed.