Mary Ostlund, director of marketing for Brooks Tropicals, headquartered in Homestead, FL, a leading grower, packer and marketer of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables, told The Produce News that tropicals are moving into the mainstream in consumer diets.

After 40 years of dedicated service, Publix Super Markets Vice President of Distribution Richard Schuler announced his decision to retire, effective May 2. Casey Suarez will take over the position effective May 3.

Judy Lundberg-Wafer, co-founder and owner of Babé Farms Inc., is stepping down as president and will assume the role of chairman of the board. Her son, Jeff Lundberg, will now serve as the company’s president and chief executive officer.

Ed Crenshaw, chief executive officer of Publix, will be the keynote speaker at the opening breakfast general session at the United Fresh 2014 convention in Chicago this June. Crenshaw will share his views on current and future trends in the supermarket retail industry, building upon his 40 years of experience at Publix, and his role as a member of the board and past chairman of the Food Marketing Institute, representing all of the retail supermarket industry.

West Palm Beach, FL-based foodservice distributor Jack Scalisi Wholesale Fruit & Produce has relocated to a new, 19,000-square-foot, eco-friendly facility about 10 minutes west of its current location, said Jack Scalisi, president of the company.

Following a successful export pilot project in 2013, BC Tree Fruits has extended its partnership with Sutherland S.A. Produce for an additional three years to manage the export of the BC Tree Fruits cherry crop through to the 2016 season.