Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont, has completed the acquisition of four Big M supermarkets. The company has also converted nine former Grand Union supermarkets into Tops stores.

Even as it deals with the effects of a recent cold snap in the Pacific Northwest, Domex Superfresh Growers anticipates it will market larger-sized cherries this season.

“The weather has impacted our volume of cherries for the 2013 season,” Vice President of Marketing Howard Nager, told The Produce News. “Cool, windy weather during pollination as well as some frost damage has reduced the size of this year’s crop by about 22 percent. This smaller crop, however, will lend itself to larger fruit size, with almost 88 percent of the crop being 11 row and larger.”

Bill Nardelli, president of Nardelli Bros. Inc., in Cedarville, NJ, told The Produce News that the company has had a good season so far in the state, although crops started a little slower than usual this year.

“The weather has been cooler and wetter than usual from the deep south to the north,” said Nardelli. “We were delayed a little in the early part, but then we got one extremely warm week. It cooled off again after that, and now we’re seeing normal temperatures. Crops are coming on fairly well, but some things could be about a week or so late.”

Citing the need for continuity and expertise in environmental issues, the California Strawberry Commission board of directors  announced its unanimous decision to name Rick Olivares Tomlinson as its next president, effective immediately.

Tomlinson fills the position after previous president Mark Murai transitioned out of the role to pursue a new opportunity in the private sector. Tomlinson has served as the commission’s vice president of public policy for the past eight years.

Kelly Bros. Inc. out of Exeter, CA, is an up-and-coming fruit company devoted to working hands-on with its suppliers and customers. The company is just three years old and has built a devoted customer base of fruit processors and distributors across the United States.

MORELIA, MEXICO — A group of U.S. chefs and food writers spent several days in Mexico over the Memorial Day weekend being immersed in Mexican cuisine, with a special focus on using avocados in a variety of dishes.

The culinary tour was sponsored by Avocados From Mexico and was held in conjunction with Morelia en Boca, one of the more important food and wine events in Mexico.