The Allen Lund Co., headquartered in La Cañada-Flintridge, CA, announced the promotion of Keith Koehler to assistant manager at its Detroit office.

It’s been nearly 50 years since Eclipse Berry Farms’ salesmen Rick Hearst and Stuart Gilfenbain became friends at Patrick Henry Junior High School in Los Angeles. Not only has that friendship endured more than a half-century, but these buddies have also worked together for a major part of that time.

Hearst said, “I met Stuart in Spanish class in the 8th grade, and we’ve been friends ever since.” That friendship and Gilfenbain’s family business ties also led the two toward their ultimate work destination.

There is no doubt that California Giant Berry Farms in Watsonville, CA, has focused its marketing efforts in recent years to appeal to consumers through social media.

Produce industry veteran Doug Ranno has been named president of Harvest Sensations, a specialty produce, retail and foodservice distributor with strategically located, state-of-the-art facilities in Los Angeles and Miami.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Agriculture personnel flew to the Dominican Republic after the United States released a March 18 federal order restricting imports of certain fruits and vegetables to prevent the introduction of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly.

Importers are likely to feel the effects of the federal order until the issue is resolved.

Consalo Family Farms, a Vineland, NJ-based grower, packer and shipper of blueberries and mixed vegetables, has added a new $10 million blueberry farming and packing operation located in Egg Harbor City, NJ.