Paul Kazan, president and owner of Target Interstate Systems Inc., which is located on the Hunts Point Terminal Market in the Bronx, NY, makes no bones about it: the recession definitely hurt the trucking business.

Target hauls both produce and dry freight so the downturn in the economy meant fewer loads and less revenue. But the situation is looking better. “For Target, 2014 was significantly better than 2013,” he said.

Gourmet Trading Co., a year-round distributor of fresh asparagus and blueberries, has hired Jesus Recendez Garcia as its new transportation manager.

Wisconsin’s storage potato season is progressing smoothly.

“Things are moving pretty well," said Dave Cofer, owner of Farmers Potato Exchange Inc., located in Antigo, WI. "It’s a decent crop. We have high quality and movement has been pretty good.” He expects his firm to have supplies until the first of April.

Michael Gatz, new business director of Bushmans' Inc., which is headquartered in Mukwonago, WI, was also positive about this winter’s Wisconsin potato deal.

Westmoreland Sales Group, a leading Canadian greenhouse vegetable grower, has signed a two-year contract with IFCO Systems, a global provider of reusable packaging solutions for fresh products. Westmoreland is now shipping "Topline" brand tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers from its distribution centers in Ontario and Michigan to retailers across North America in IFCO RPCs.

NOGALES, AZ — Alberto (Beto) Maldonado Guerra, general manager of Apache Imports LLC, here, and a longtime veteran of the produce industry, died Jan. 17. He was 81.

To promote focused, proactive dialogue between regulators and industry, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas will hold its annual Spring Policy Summit March 3-4.