The addition of Mission Produce Inc.’s asparagus business as well as its top salesman has given Los Angeles-based Progressive Produce Corp. more flexibility, more volume and more customers for its own asparagus business.

The deal, which was announced last fall and included Mission’s Mexican asparagus business, significantly increased Progressive’s presence in fresh asparagus.

John Vena Inc. recently announced James Collins as its new packingroom supervisor.

In this newly created role, Collins will be in charge of all packingroom processes.

Collins has a bachelor’s degree in networking and communications management, as well as experience in production processes. He has spent the majority of his career working in operations, which has allowed him to develop his skills in process technology and lean manufacturing.

WASHINGTON - California-grown tree nuts may be hard hit by Russian President Vladimir Putin's ban on food imports that went into place this week in retaliation to sanctions imposed over the Ukraine conflict.

Putin signed the Aug. 6 order that targets not only U.S. exports of fruits and vegetables but also a wide variety of foods originating from European Union countries as well as Canada, Australia and Norway. The one-year ban covers beef, pork, poultry, fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood, cheese, milk and other commodities.

Fresh Solutions Network LLC announced the establishment of the "Side Delights" brand as a powerful new full-line player in the fresh potato category.

SunFed Produce, based in Rio Rico, AZ, has hired Brett Burdsal as director of marketing, a new position.

Burdsal told The Produce News "this is a phenomenal opportunity with a company with such a great reputation for growing unbelievably high-quality produce," adding that working with SunFed's highly-professional staff "will make my job easy."

Burdsal was hired away from Columbia Marketing International, based in Wenatchee, WA, to "take SunFed to the next level," including working more closely with both consumers and retailers, he said.

On Aug. 7, Cold Train Express Intermodal Service announced it would be suspending service at its location at the Port of Quincy, WA. Cold Train, operated by Rail Logistics of Overland Park, KS, developed a transportation model which allowed fresh producers in the Pacific Northwest to take advantage of refrigerated rail service that moved commodities to Chicago, IL, and points beyond in a timely and efficient manner.