Two Southern California-based Hispanic retailers — Cardenas Markets and Northgate Gonzalez Markets — have come together and reached a successful agreement with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to purchase Phoenix-based Pro’s Ranch Markets, which includes seven stores in Arizona, two in New Mexico and two in Texas.

A new product rolled out in October has been shown to beat back spoilage organisms and extend shelf-life for fresh produce as well as offer a sustainable pathogen-fighting wash that outperforms chlorine or acid-based alternatives, according to developer CMS Technology.

Avocados From Mexico is partnering with the American Egg Board and Cholula Hot Sauce to create a winning breakfast for consumers.

This national all-star partnership is designed to encourage the usage of avocados for breakfast, promote nutritional benefits and increase consumption of avocados.

Jerry Wagner, who retired Aug. 9 as director of sales and marketing at Farmer's Best International LLC in Nogales, AZ, after 27 seasons with the company, has joined Los Angeles-based Coast Produce Inc. as vice president of business development.

Wagner told The Produce News Feb. 6 that he had a meeting last fall with John Dunn, owner of Coast Produce and Dunn asked "if I would lend a hand" in helping the company achieve some of its goals.

Salinas, CA-based Drew-Massa Transportation recently announced the hire of Colby Varley as transportation dispatcher.

On Jan. 23, Jim DiMenna, president of JemD Farms, headquartered in Kingsville, ON, told The Produce News that things were going according to plan and every detail was in good order in the development and construction of the company’s new Dublin, VA, [Pulaski County], greenhouse facility.

The company celebrated its groundbreaking on July 1, 2013.