Jason Turek, partner at Turek Farms in Kings Ferry, NY, said things are a bit damp in upstate New York. “It’s rainy and blah here,” he said. “We had a tropical storm that dumped a lot of rain. Some of the crops have wet feet right now.”

Turek Farms, a multi-generational grower and shipper of fresh vegetables, is located in New York’s Finger Lakes region. Grower operations are also situated in Delaware and Florida. “The vegetable business started with my father, grandfather and uncle in the late ‘60s,” said Turek, who is a member of the family’s fourth generation in the business.

Westmoreland Sales/TopLine, headquartered in Leamington, Ontario, recently announced that Jimmy Coppola has joined the firm as key account manager.

“I will be helping with our current portfolio of partners as well as seeking out that ‘next great partnership,’” Coppola said. “My tasks also include working on our marketing endeavors with input from our entire organization.”

TopLine is one of the largest greenhouse producers, packers and shippers in North America. It is completely grower owned and therefore, Coppola noted, dealing direct with the grower cannot get any easier.

On June 28, Pegi Adam, communication consulting director for the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council in Clayton, NJ, told The Produce News that as soon as New Jersey peaches hit the market in late June and early July, the demand shoots up immediately.

Adam added that this spring has seen large new plantings, especially in Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland Counties.

The Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference & Expo, which is held annually in Monterey, CA, is July 26-28 this year. Exhibitors and visitors alike are in store for another venue stuffed full of events to keep them busy throughout the entire weekend.

The show opens Friday, July 26 at 6:45 a.m. with the Joe Nucci Memorial Golf Tournament. The tournament features advice from golf pro Jason Owen and a chance to win $10,000 in the hole-in-one contest. Golfers also have a great opportunity to network with other industry members. Shotgun start is at 8 a.m.

Citing innovation, collaboration and creativity, BJ's Wholesale Club presented C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. with its Perishable Vendor of the Year Award.

Southern Specialties, a grower, importer, processor and shipper of a variety of specialty products grown in Central America, South America, Mexico, Canada and the United States, is gearing up for a bountiful blueberry season out of British Columbia.