Because J&J Family of Farms continues to expand into the western region of the United States, the company recently hired Mari Danielson, who will serve as its western sales manager.

Danielson, who was previously the senior sales executive for Sunfed, brings a wide range of produce experience to this new position.

Associated Wholesale Grocers announced that David Smith will be promoted to executive vice president of division operations effective Jan. 4. Smith will report to Jerry Garland, president and chief executive officer. In this new role he will have responsibility for AWG operations, corporate distribution, corporate services and IT.

In support of Produce for Better Health Foundation’s long-standing support of supermarkets, coupled with the close work PBH has done with supermarket dietitians over the last few years, PBH is awarding its second round of grants totaling $32,000 to support grocery store dietetics. Since 1991, the organization has worked to motivate people to eat more fruits and vegetables to improve public health, and these grants will facilitate that effort.

Fresno, CA-based Summit Produce recently hired Nolan Quinn as its commercial manager.

In his new role, Quinn will focus on developing and managing programs from Summit’s parent company, Gesex,  a grower of premium Chilean stone fruit, grapes, kiwi and citrus. Quinn will connect with Summit’s existing partners while forging new relationships with potential partners.

Prior to joining Summit, Quinn worked at Oppenheimer for 19 years, most recently serving as the marketer’s berry category director.

The George DeLallo Co., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, has launched its new “Crisp SaladSavors” variety just in time for the holidays.

This new flavor combo is an addition to the company’s gourmet salad-topping lineup.

Giuliana Pozzuto, marketing director, said that the company is “ready to rock the produce department yet again” with DeLallo’s new variety of its signature “SaladSavors” salad toppings’ line.

“Our western vegetable deal picked up immensely the minute the northeastern movement began to slow down around the beginning of October,” Kevin Bartolotta, president of Bartolotta Inc. in Torrington, CT, told The Produce News. “The only exceptions are eastern potatoes, onions and a few other commodity items.”

Industry associates started calling Bartolotta the “Celery King” several years ago, and he decided to turn it into his company brand name. Today he continues to do a major celery business, especially from California and Florida.