Market Fresh Produce, based in Nixa, MO, announced the addition of Cassie Anthony to its corporate staff.

As the new director of human resources, Anthony will be responsible for recruiting, assessing, staffing and building a successful and high-performing Market Fresh workforce.

With a cadre of “bird dogs” looking at the California fields, vineyards and orchards on a daily basis, RJO Produce Marketing Inc. in Fresno, CA, has focused its efforts on being the ears and eyes on the ground for its customers — especially those on the East Coast.

“We are not your typical broker model,” said Clint Lucas, an account manager for the firm. “We do whatever our customer needs us to do, including buying, category management and inspections. Inspections have become a big part of what we do.”

Brian Nichols, overseas distribution manager for T.M. Kovacevich-Philadelphia Inc., commonly referred to as TMK, handles the company’s distribution in Puerto Rico and has now expanded the company’s distribution into Bermuda.

“We are very excited about our opportunities in Bermuda,” said Tommy Kovacevich, general manager of TMK, located at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market. “Although Bermuda has a rather small population, its demand for quality marries well with our strengths as a quality focused distributor.”

Sage Fruit Co. of Yakima, WA, announced the release of a new product line featuring Star Wars characters. The new apple and pear packaging and point-of-purchase materials showcasing Darth Vader, Yoda and many other fan-favorite characters, are currently available at retail stores nationwide.

The Mushroom Council’s successful introduction of The Blend into foodservice and school lunch programs is prompting it to expand into the retail segment with pilot programs, before a national rollout.

The Blend is a concept of mixing finely diced mushrooms into proteins such as beef, turkey, lamb or pork to make hamburgers, meatloaf and meatballs.

The new D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of New York website — darrigony.com — has plenty of information about this wholesaler located on the Hunt’s Point Produce Market in the Bronx, NY.