For more than 60 years, the flower industry in Bogotá, Colombia, has empowered women to be independent, self-sufficient leaders in their communities and their homes. Before the 1960s, it was nearly unheard of that women could work anywhere other than at home, taking care of children and family, until agriculturalists realized the prime growing opportunities of the savannah's temperate climate.

Christian P. D’Amour has been named senior director of supermarket operations for Big Y Foods Inc. In this role, D’Amour will be responsible for the oversight of the five supermarket districts ensuring operational excellence across all locations.

D’Amour is a third generation D’Amour family member. He is a grandson of Big Y co-founder Gerald E. D’Amour and son of Executive Chairman Charles L. D’Amour. He reports to Nicole D’Amour Schneider, senior vice president of retail operations and customer experience.

Bill Nardelli Sr. has been in the farming business for too long to not realize it takes a village to create a successful operation.

Ark Foods is exhibiting at the upcoming SEPC Southern Innovations Conference in booth No. 504.

“We set out to change how people think about fresh food,” said Noah Robbins, CEO and visionary behind Ark Foods. “What started with a single vegetable — the Shishito pepper — has grown into a diverse portfolio we are proud to grow and share. Finding the joy in vegetables should be easy, and that guides our belief that vegetables are the ultimate food every day.”

On the heels of last month’s Brazil Conference, which brought a record number of fresh fruit and vegetable industry leaders together, the International Fresh Produce Association continued its ongoing efforts to help its member community shape the future of food and climate as part of São Paulo Climate Week.  

There is a folklore belief that when the temperatures start to drop and create a chill in the autumn air, you should try to catch a falling leaf. Then keep the leaf in a safe spot until spring. When doing so, it is said to avoid catching a cold. And to further experience a lucky year, try to catch a dozen leaves, which superstitiously will bring good fortune a month for each leaf captured.