Alvin Nathel, age 83, of Boynton Beach, FL, formerly of Jericho, NY, died on May 31, 2015.

Until his retirement in 1992, Nathel was a principal at Nathel & Nathel, a leading produce distributor located on the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market in the Bronx, NY.

Mushroom demand has skyrocketed since the Mushroom Council launched the Blendability campaign a couple of years ago.

TUBAC, AZ — “Now we are seeing record-breaking imports, with combined volume from Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Mexican and, in mid-May, Haiti,” said mango marketer Chris Ciruli.

Ciruli, who is chief operating office of Ciruli Bros. LLC in nearby Rio Rico, AZ, sat with The Produce News May 3 in a short break during a Boys & Girls Club fundraising event that he organized at the Tubac Golf Resort.

VINELAND, NJ — Like other growers in the area, R&R Flaim Next Generation Produce/Flaim Farms is looking at a late start for its spring vegetable season, but the family-owned business is used to the occasional curve in the road.

“We had a very cold February and March, with a lot of rain, so that set us back about 14 days on the start of our leaf items,” Ryan Flaim, a fourth-generation member of the company, said May 6. “But we’re getting back to a normal schedule and everything should start picking up next week. We expect to have a great season.”

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Sbrocco International Inc. was the event sponsor of the 10th annual Sussman 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, held here May 30-31.

The Produce for Kids campaign with Meijer launched May 31 and will raise funds to bring the nutrition education program, Jump with Jill, to local schools in the Meijer area. The Produce for Kids campaign offers Meijer shoppers in-store and online meal solutions, recipes and tips for families looking to embrace healthier eating habits.