Mexico is “really the driving force in the U.S. avocado market these days, representing over two-thirds of the volume sold,” said Giovanni Cavaletto, vice president of operations at Index Fresh in Bloomington, CA, Oct. 9.

Index Fresh, which marked its 100th anniversary this year, sources avocados from Mexico as well as Chile, Peru and California. Index Fresh President and CEO Dana Thomas told The Produce News earlier this year that as demand for avocados in the United States continues to rise, Index continues growing its programs in all countries.

Columbia Marketing International, based in Wenatchee, WA, announced the appointment of Don Patella to its marketing team. Patella, who will telecommute from his home in Arizona, will manage key retail accounts, developing timely promotions and provide tools to assist his customer's in strengthening their produce categories.

With over 20 years of retail experience at Kroger, Patella has expertise in the area of growing profitable produce returns and will help CMI advance customer initiatives.

The Golub Corp., the parent company of the grocery chain Price Chopper, unveiled a new name and banner for its stores on Nov.11.

Now known as "Market 32" to reflect the chain's founding in 1932, the new stores will begin rolling out across the chain's six-state region this spring, promising change for its customers through modernized stores, as well as new services and products.

Church Bros., a fresh produce shipper based in Salinas, CA, announced that Kori Tuggle will join the company as vice president of marketing.

Tuggle was most recently the director of marketing and business development for Ocean Mist Farms, where she managed the marketing program for the trade and consumer markets for 10 years. At Church Bros., Tuggle will report to Chief Executive Officer Steve Church and work closely with the sales and new business development team as well as have responsibilities for marketing and other corporate priorities.

When Southern Roots, the Southeast Produce Council's new leadership program for women in produce, held its first organizational meeting in late September during the council's fall conference in Young Harris, GA, its leaders brainstormed to come up with a memorable and exciting inaugural event.

The Chilean Cherry Committee, an entity associated with the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association, expects total exports of fresh cherries from Chile to reach 100,000 tons this year. As the second-largest export market for Chile, North America anticipates a 45 percent increase in volume over the 2013/14 season.

To support this dramatic growth, the Chilean Cherry Committee is pursuing a targeted promotion campaign across the United States and Canada, with increased funding earmarked for retail promotions.