The customer is king at Pacific AgPak. “Pacific AgPak separates itself from our competitors in a lot of ways, service being the number one way,” said Kyle Baum, sales and marketing manager. “We are always available to our current/potential customers. One of the main things we try to do is keep in constant communication with our customers and try to develop packaging programs that benefit them in ways they might not have previously thought of before.”

In an effort to help raise funds for local children’s organizations, To-Jo Mushrooms is partnering with Produce for Kids to support its relationship with ACME Markets and Feeding America, Produce for Kids’ newest philanthropy partner.

The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement welcomed several newly elected members and appointed new officers during a meeting of the advisory board held May 1 in Salinas. The board appointed its new chairman, Ron Ratto of Ratto Bros. Inc., who had served as the vice chairman for the past three years. Victor Tognazzini, Santa Maria leafy greens farmer and general manager of Tri-Valley Vegetable Harvesting Inc., advanced to vice chairman from his position as treasurer.

TUBAC, AZ — To benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz County, the produce industry again showed dominant leadership in presenting the annual Fiesta de Mayo Weekend. Nogales-area produce distributors are key to contributing to and organizing the event, but produce industry members from around the country also support it.

It looks like summer is coming early for Prime Time International, based in the desert community of Coachella, CA. According to director of marketing Mike Aiton, “Last year we had a pretty early start to the desert vegetable season, and this year it will be even earlier.”

The reason for these earlier starts is the warm, desert weather. The warm weather has pushed everything up in the Coachella Valley and has provided great growing conditions,” Aiton said. “With more product available, it will provide some very good marketing opportunities.”

MVP Logistics LLC, located at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, opened its doors in 2013.

The company is headed by Managing Partner Tom Aupperle, a highly experienced logistics’ expert.

“Our second full year was spectacular,” said Aupperle. “We were up 30 percent over 2013. In the first three and a half months in 2015, we’re up 40 percent compared to the same period of time last year. We’re growing by leaps and bounds, and with new customers in addition to those we have serviced in the past.”