At some point this fall, Calavo Growers Inc. is expecting to open a new distribution center in Portland, OR, to better service its customers in the Pacific Northwest, including Canada.

The Organic Grower Summit, presented by Western Growers and the Organic Produce Network, will honor long-time organic grower Vic Smith as the recipient of the fourth annual Organic Grower Summit’s Grower of the Year. Smith, CEO of JV Smith Cos., was selected based on his ongoing commitment and dedication to excellence in organic production, organic industry leadership, and innovation.

Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine have ranked Wegmans No. 1 on the list of the 2021 Best Workplaces in Retail. The award is based on analysis of survey responses from more than 1.3 million current employees working in the retail industry. This is the sixth consecutive year that Wegmans has ranked first on this list. Target came in second, Nugget Market is third and Publix ranked fifth.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

Gold Coast Packing Inc. hired Robb Bertels as its new vice president of sales and marketing. Bertels has been in the produce industry for more than 35 years and brings a background in business development, strategic sales and marketing to Gold Coast.

The New York Apple Association will once again be sponsoring the New York Road Runner’s premier event and the largest marathon in the world, the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the 26.2-mile race runs through the five boroughs of New York City.