John Vena, president of John Vena Inc., located on the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, told The Produce News that the company is expanding its space at the market. The company was among the first to move into the market when it opened in June 2011, taking spaces F-1 through F-5.

Lorri A. Koster, chairman, chief executive officer and a primary shareholder of Mann Packing Co., a Salinas, CA-based grower, shipper and processor of fresh vegetables, received the 2014 Ag Leader of the Year award May 8, at the 10th annual Valley of the World Awards presented by The National Steinbeck Center.

Allegiance Retail Services LLC announced the opening of Farmtastic Market, a new banner located in Whippany, NJ.

Farmtastic, owned and operated by Roberto Laracca, has a focus on the perishable departments, but the full-service supermarket also provides shoppers upscale amenities such as a coffee bar with wifi, a juice bar and a large prepared food section featuring daily selections and grab-and-go offerings. There is also a full service pharmacy inside the store to provide customers additional convenience.

Onion season has begun, and the demand for the Tanimura & Antle Artisan Sweet Italian Red Onion is very strong.

Florida Classic Growers, based in Dundee, FL, has named Al Finch, the current vice president of sales and marketing, to replace President Bobby Bawcum, who will retire May 30 after 39 years in the Florida citrus industry.

After 18 years of supervising lettuce, Romaine and other vegetable harvests, Clemente Millan retired from Braga Fresh Family Farms. His final day was May 2, just over a month after his 18th anniversary with the company. He started on April 4, 1996.

“I am proud to have been trusted with my job all these years and am honored to be a part of such a great group of people,” Millan said in a press release.

"It will be hard to see such a great employee go," Rod Braga, president and chief executive officer, said in the release.