For the first time, DNE World Fruit Sales, based in Ft. Pierce, FL, this summer is receiving some shipments of Chilean fruit into Florida and repacking in its Florida packinghouses. The endeavor supplements similar, pre-existing work in DNE facilities close to New Jersey and California seaports.

In 1991, Kevin Bartolotta, president and owner of Bartolotta Inc., in Torrington, CT, moved to Salinas, CA, to take a job with Stewart Packing Co., which was owned by LID Co. in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Tom Yandow, retail sales representative for Fresh Point Connecticut in Hartford, CT, told The Produce News July 19 that fresh products from within the state and other areas of New England were starting to arrive.

“Corn is coming on first, followed by green and yellow squashes and, in limited supplies, cabbage,” said Mr. Yandow.

Bland Farms, a leading grower-shipper-marketer of sweet onions based in Glennville, GA, announced July 11 that Bruce Peterson has been named chief executive officer, effective July 3. Mr. Peterson joined the Bland Farms board of advisors last January.

 Rainier Fruit Co. has distinguished itself in the blueberry market through its organic offerings. “Seventy-five percent of our blueberry production is either currently certified-organic or in transition,” Director of Marketing Suzanne Wolter told The Produce News June 10. “We are finding our niche in organic production and competing with local berries in other parts of the country since our climate is very conducive to organic production. We don’t have the pest issues generally found in other more moist production areas.”

Blueberry volume numbers are increasing in 2011 for Stemilt Growers Inc., headquartered in Wenatchee, WA. “We will be up 10 to 15 percent this year largely due to new plantings coming into production,” said Communications Manager Brianna Shales. And she said Kyle Mathison, the company’s sole blueberry grower, is the reason the numbers are looking so good.

“He’s the blueberry king,” Ms. Shales told The Produce News June 10.