The Oceanside Pole tomato season arrived right on schedule, just in time for consumers to enjoy the tomatoes during the Fourth of July weekend.

First shipments of the vine-ripes rolled away from Oceanside, CA, on June 27, following an excellent growing season for Southern California tomato producer Harry Singh Jr.

Nixa, MO-based Market Fresh announced Michael Lacey as its national director of business development.

A fifth generation of the Buurma family is stepping up to eventually take over Buurma Farms, Inc., located in Gregory, MI, and Willard, OH.

Loren Buurma, company treasurer, told The Produce News that company president, Rick Buurma, plans to retire in five years. Bruce Buurma is first vice president of the operation.

This natural progression in time and family business has put the spotlight onto the next generation, which happens to be twin brothers, Dustin and Derek Buurma.

BYRON CENTER, MI — The Michigan vegetable deal for Van Solkema Produce Inc. is progressing well, according to Todd Van Solkema, chief executive officer of the family business, located here.

The crops “are all about two weeks late,” Van Solkema told The Produce News the first week of June. He said Michigan cabbage shipments would begin about June 20. Squash harvest was expected to begin in mid-June. Radish shipments for Van Solkema started on May 28.

When Hollandia Produce LP in Carpinteria, CA, works with customers in the foodservice community, “we are mostly talking about white tablecloth establishments,” said Vince Choate, director of marketing, in an interview with The Produce News, June 24. “Most of the foodservice business we do generally serves that particular niche within the foodservice sector.”

The company’s “two entry points” with those establishments are “our flagship product, which is the living butter lettuce, and our Upland Cress product,” he said.

“Southern Specialties is growing and shipping fabulous specialty tomatoes that are perfect for all summer tomato recipes,” said Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for the Pompano Beach, FL-based grower, importer and shipper of high-quality specialty produce. “Chefs can create unsurpassed dishes with a selection of our heirloom, baby heirloom, teardrops and yellow beef tomatoes.”