The California Table Grape Commission recently hired Fabian Garcia as its new assistant director of international marketing, and expanded the responsibilities of Rachel Scott and Jeff Klitz in the areas of digital media/community service and marketing communications, respectively.

“We are looking forward to the Florida blueberry season this year,” Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, told The Produce News in early March. “As of now, we continue to bring product into our Pompano facility from offshore, such as asparagus, which we grow and import from Peru year-round. When Peru is in its slower season our Mexican volumes pick up, but Peru continues to move in conjunction with the Mexican movement.”

Jim DiMenna, president of JemD Farms headquartered in Kingsville, ON, said that the company continues to receive outstanding feedback on its “Red Sun” brand of “Hacienda Special Reserve” heirloom tomatoes in a retail-ready display box.

“We will be featuring the item, along with our other outstanding ‘Artisan Series’ collection of greenhouse produce at the upcoming CPMA Convention and Trade Show in Vancouver on April 2-4,” said DiMenna.

Packaging that spotlights "Josie's Organics" Romaine hearts took home an award in the 2014 Graphic Design USA American Package Design Competition. The eye-catching design by Moxxy Marketing of Salinas, CA, was chosen for recognition out of 1,800 entries and is the ninth GDUSA award Moxxy has won.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Food & Drug Administration investigators may be on farms to enforce the new Food Safety Modernization Act, but they will not be “heavy handed,” FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg reassured a congressional subcommittee on Thursday.

Hamburg appeared at the House Appropriations agriculture subcommittee hearing to defend the administration’s proposed FY 2015 budget request and respond to questions from the panel on issues including FSMA.

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Inc. announced that Paul Hertz has been named president and chief executive officer of the company, effective immediately. Since joining A&P in 2010, Hertz has held the role of chief operating officer. In his new role, Hertz will be responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the company, including oversight and implementation of all business and marketing decisions, as well as support of ongoing growth initiatives.