SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Re-invention was the key to growing Trader Joe’s from a glorified regional convenience store to a nationwide specialty retailer, and that might just be the most important thing in the supermarket business.

Los-Angeles based Giumarra Wenatchee announced the addition of GENE LOUDON to its sales team on Nov. 19.

Mr. Loudon has been in the produce industry for over 25 years, with experience in all aspects of the Northwest tree fruit industry, including conventional, organic and sliced products.

Wish Farms of Plant City, FL, is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. But the company is not sitting on its laurels. One of the state’s larger grower-shippers of strawberries, blueberries and vegetables, Wish Farms continues to blaze new trails in produce.

The company began in New York City 90 years ago as Wishnatzki & Nathel, a partnership that lasted decades. After an amicable split, what is now Wish Farms continued as Wishnatzki Farms until a rebranding effort launched the new image.

Oregon’s 2012 potato harvest has gone well and is approaching completion. Bill Brewer, executive director of the Oregon Potato Commission, said he is pleased with results. “Quality is high,” he told The Produce News Oct. 29. “Size is a little larger than normal, product is available and Thanksgiving is almost here. People need to get their Thanksgiving dinner potatoes.”

In mid-November as The Nunes Co., which is headquartered in Salinas, CA, was beginning to switch production from the Salinas Valley to the desert regions of California, as well as into Mexico, the company was also getting ready to introduce some new items to its organic product line.

With a name like Rio Queen Citrus it is not hard to figure out that Mike Martin’s Mission, TX-based company offers up the finest in Texas oranges and grapefruit. But many people are unaware that onions are a major — and growing — part of Rio Queen’s program.