Phil (Rock) Gumpert, chairman and chief executive officer of Tom Lange Family of Cos., after 57 years in the produce industry, is announcing his retirement as CEO, effective Dec. 31. The Tom Lange Board of Directors accepted Rock’s retirement as Chief Executive Officer and confirmed that Rock will remain on the Board of Directors as chairman.

Smart & Final, the smaller, faster grocery warehouse store for household and business customers, recently announced that Scott Drew has been named president. Dave Hirz, current president and CEO, has been with Smart & Final for almost 12 years and is retiring effective Feb. 1, 2022. 

As Christmas and the New Year draw near, we are in the season of giving and gathering. There’s no question that good food makes the holiday season merrier. California Strawberries is excited to share some of our favorite recipes featuring our favorite fruit that are perfect for the season, whether entertaining guests or attending a festive gathering.

International Fruit Genetics has selected Agricola Andrea S.A.C. in Peru as the winner for its inaugural D.W. Cain Award competition, with Exportadora Rio Blanco Spa in Chile selected as the runner-up. 

Produce prices are higher than they have been in decades — and shoppers are taking notice. According to the most recent IRI/210 Analytics report, 90 percent of primary shoppers are aware of the inflation and 91 percent are extremely (41 percent) or somewhat (51 percent) concerned.