Johnston Farms in Edison, CA, which grows several varieties of Mandarins in addition to Navel oranges, packed mainly under the company’s “Blue Jay” brand, is finding that its Satsuma Mandarins are continuing to grow in popularity.

Dennis Johnston, a partner in the company, attributes that growing popularity to the high flavor of the variety.

This summer, Paramount Citrus Cooperative in Delano, CA, announced two major expansions in its citrus program.

As reported previously in The Produce News, three weeks after disclosing that it had ended its joint venture with Sun Pacific Marketing Cooperative in Pasadena, CA, to market Mandarins under the “Cuties” brand, Paramount announced in a press release June 10 “the launch of a new premium California Mandarin brand, ‘Wonderful Halos,’ and revealed plans to spend a record $100 million over the next five years” to promote and market the new brand.

Paul Mastronardi, president and chief executive officer of Mastronardi Produce, based in Kingsville, ON, has been named Ontario's 2013 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Food & Beverage category.

Entrepreneur of the Year celebrates the contribution and spirit of entrepreneurs everywhere. The Canadian program is in its 20th year of honoring the country's most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business.

Giumarra announced the expansion of its line of Fair Trade-certified fresh produce with the addition of USDA-certified organic and conventional acorn, butternut and spaghetti squash.

The squash are grown in Mexico and will be available from November through March to meet consumer demand for the winter holidays.

Scott David Grinstead, the former chief executive officer of Adams Produce Co. in Birmingham, AL, was sentenced to 16 months in prison Oct. 29, which was significantly less than sentencing guidelines.

Birmingham attorney William Athanas told The Produce News Oct. 30 that as part of the proposal in which the former CEO pleaded guilty to fraud and other charges, Grinstead paid almost double restitution to the estate of Adams Produce during the bankruptcy proceedings for that company.

NEW ORLEANS -- Susan Waters, executive assistant to the Vidalia Onion Committee since 2009, has been named the organization's new executive director after a six-month search.

Waters replaces Wendy Brannen, who held the post for eight years before departing to become director of consumer health and public relations for the U.S. Apple Association earlier this year.