MASHANTUCKET, CT — Bozzuto's Inc. held its 2015 Independent Retailer Conference March 10-11 at Foxwoods, here, with the annual Excellence Awards gala just one of the highlights. Another highlight was the trade show, representing all areas of the grocery store, with fresh produce front and center, drawing good traffic, as usual.

The Peruvian Asparagus Importer’s Association announced its new West Coast co-chairman, Gary Meadows, who is director of sales at Progressive Produce. 

“The PAIA co-chairmen help guide the association in our efforts to facilitate asparagus trade and evolve the asparagus category as a whole,” Priscilla Lleras, coordinator for the Peruvian Asparagus Importer's Association, said in a press release.

The newest member of The Produce News was born Wednesday night, March 11. Colleen Brozyniak-Redfern, designer in the art and production department, met an early deadline, giving birth to her daughter and first child, Peyton Redfern.

Brian Redfern, the new father, said that all are doing well.

S. Katzman Produce Inc., a leading full-line produce house located on Hunts Point Terminal Market in the Bronx, NY, is under contract with Morris Okun Inc., also located on Hunts Point, to purchase Okun’s 16 units on the market.

Stefanie Katzman, fourth-generation family member at S. Katzman, told The Produce News that Katzman currently has 21 units in rows on A, B and D at the market.

“Okun’s row B stores would add another 16 units to S. Katzman,” she said.

For the 2015 season, the California avocado industry has hit the trifecta in terms of positive attributes. The crop is about a month earlier, there will be about 10 percent more volume in terms of pounds and the fruit itself is larger.

NatureSweet Tomatoes, headquartered in San Antonio, TX, is the nation’s leader in the small tomato category.

NatureSweet relaunched its flagship “Glorys” brand in February with a unique new package and a great new taste.