At the beginning of each year, many Americans pledge themselves to healthy living. It’s no coincidence, then, that for many years the Michigan Apple Committee has made “Healthy Living” the theme of its winter promotions, which launch each January.

FAISON, NC — Nature’s Way Farms began as a brokerage company in 1979. Murray and Ann Crawford initially operated out of their home here, but the company, which now involves about 100 employees, has expanded several times into packaging and shipping operations — and it is about to expand again. Murray G. Crawford, owner and chief executive officer, told The Produce News that the company will begin construction on a new $2 million facility in late January. He hopes to have it completed and operating by mid-July 2015.

Chalmers R. Carr III, owner, president and chief executive officer of Titan Farms in Ridge Spring, SC, one of the larger peach growers in the Southeast, has been named to a prestigious national advisory group by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

The potato business is good for Crystal, ND-based O.C. Schulz this winter. David Moquist, secretary-treasurer of the firm, said getting his spuds delivered “is our greatest challenge.”

CHARLESTON, SC — It all began in 2008 with a 9-year-old South Carolina girl who grew a school-project seedling into a 40-pound cabbage that served 275 people. Katie Stagliano, now 16, is the founder and “chief executive gardener” of Katie’s Krops, which funds 80 gardens in 29 states coast to coast, operated by young people ages 9 to 16, with harvests donated to help feed people in need.

Retailers can be assured that produce departments will be well stocked with fresh Asian items during Chinese New Year. The Year of the Goat officially begins on Feb. 19.

Patsy Ross, marketing director for Christopher Ranch LLC, said the Gilroy, CA-based company offers a variety of products to add flavor to any meal. “We handle fresh ginger year-round,” she told The Produce News. “We also have some processed ginger items, chopped ginger and garlic ginger stir fry.”