Matt Modena and Rich Tiveron have joined Delta, BC-based Windset Farms, a grower of greenhouse produce. Modena will be based in California to help manage customer accounts in the Western U.S., while Tiveron, who will be based at Windset Farms’ headquarters in British Columbia, will support sales in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

FirstFruits Marketing has pledged to contribute two containers of emergency supplies, valued at $20,000, to support relief efforts following the recent devastation from Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

One month after the typhoon, it is estimated that 6,000 people have been killed and 12 million were affected, with many left homeless and without food and safe drinking water.

Sarasota, FL-based Global Organics, a full-line distributor of certified-organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee, milk and eggs, recently hired KEVIN WEAVER as its director of sales and new business development.

At Global Organics, Weaver is responsible for working with existing customers to maximize their results and working with new customers to get organic produce into the homes of as many people as possible.

Florida Strawberry Growers Association Executive Director Ted Campbell talks about Florida’s $400 million winter strawberry deal as the season ramps up to full volume this month.

The area within a 20-mile radius of FSGA headquarters in Plant City, FL, is home to 95 percent of domestic winter strawberry production.

Ecoripe Tropicals in Medley, FL, carries a widely diverse line of tropical fruits and vegetables. The line was originally developed specifically for the wide range of Chinese, Indian, Hispanic and Southeast Asian cuisines, but these foods have become highly desired by mainstream foodies who want to experience new, interesting and flavorful dishes.

Marc Holbik, director of grower relations for the company, said that this year its tropical vegetable program is being sourced from three different growing areas.

Harrison Fresh is “a new company this year” in Nogales, AZ, and is “a work in progress,” said Brent Harrison, president of the new entity, in an interview with The Produce News.

Harrison is also president of Al Harrison Co. Distributors, a long-established multi-generation family company in the Nogales deal. “At this point, we are going to operate” under the Harrison Fresh name,” he said. Because the organizational aspects of the business were in a transitional state, he did not go into detail beyond that announcement.