On Jan. 12, the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture updated its national forecast for orange production. “The United States all orange forecast for the 2014-15 season is 6.72 million tons, down 3 percent from the previous forecast and down 1 percent from the 2013-14 final utilization,” NASS reported.

G.O. Fresh, a processor of fresh fruits and vegetables to the food service industry based in Minneapolis, MN, announced Scott Johnson as its vice president of sales and marketing.

Johnson brings over 35 years of industry experience to G.O. Fresh, most recently serving as regional sales manager at Fresh Connect.

“His customer relations, industry knowledge and unique experience in fresh cuts to the foodservice industry, makes him the perfect choice to head the G.O. Fresh sales team,” a company press release stated.

TRENTON, NJ — The 100th New Jersey State Agricultural Convention & Trade Show will be held Feb. 3-5 at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is hosting the convention in cooperation with the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey and Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

FreshXperts, a leading consulting group for the fresh industry, has added three new team members and appointed a new chairman. Jonathan Raduns has joined the organization as an owner, and Michael Gretz and David Pennington have joined as associates. Anthony Totta, a founding member of FreshXperts and former vice chairman, was named chairman of the board of directors, replacing Ron Pelger.

The National Mango Board is gearing up to launch its 2015 marketing campaign, which will reinforce mango nutritional and educational messages to U.S. consumers as well as the fruit’s year-round availability. The overall theme in 2015 is Always Summer, and the NMB will bring the spirit of summer to consumers through programs and events that incorporate soccer, snacks and salsa.

Bi-Lo Holdings, parent company of BI-LO, Harveys and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, announced that Ian McLeod has been appointed president and chief executive officer, effective March 2. McLeod succeeds Randall Onstead, who will remain in place through March 2 to ensure a smooth transition.