LANSING, MI — Diane Smith has worked for the Michigan Apple Committee, based in a comfortable office here, since the mid-1990s. It was in July 2012 that she became the organization's executive director.

Royal Rose radicchio was officially certified a Superfood based on a laboratory analysis of its nutritional breakdown, including antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.

In September 2012, shortly after the close of the 84th annual convention of the Idaho Grower Shipper Association, Travis Blacker, president of the organization, left to take a position as industry relations director for the Idaho Potato Commission. The following month, Mark Klompien was hired as the new top executive of the organization.

Klompien, who was previously vice president of supply chain management at Idahoan Foods, will be at the helm of Idaho Falls-based IGSA as it opens its 85th annual convention Aug. 28 in Sun Valley, ID.

The Tampa Port Authority announced the signing of a letter of intent with Green Express for the development of an on-dock transload and rail-served facility connecting the Port of Tampa to the Midwest market region.

The Green Express platform provides a sustainable logistics solution for perishable products combining speed, reliability and available capacity to control and optimize long-haul transportation. This results in optimized food quality, improving product freshness that converts into more sales, less waste and higher margins for growers, processors and retailers.

Cleveland, OH-based Green City Growers announced the hire of two new staff members on Aug. 5.

JOY PELLEK joined the company on July 15 as director of sales and marketing.

Because of a variety of reasons, there has been some decline in asparagus acreage in Peru, which leaves Alpine Fresh Inc. believing there is a great opportunity for growth.

“We are looking at some new regions to develop,” said Walter Yager, chief executive officer of the Miami-based grower, shipper, distributor and importer. “The overall acreage is down so we believe Peru offers a great opportunity to add some production.”