Mixtec Group, a top executive search firm for the produce industry, hired EMILY FRAGOSO as an associate recruiter.

Fragoso brings more than 12 years of produce industry experience as a communications, marketing, public relations and business strategy expert. She has represented industry associations, private companies and consulting firms in a variety of executive roles.

Bill Litvin, vice president of sales and national account manager Giorgio Fresh, headquartered in Temple, PA, told The Produce News that the company now offers a line of stuffed Portabella mushrooms.

Kevin Donovan, national sales manager for Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square, PA, told The Produce News that the company was looking forward to the upcoming Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit in New Orleans, Oct. 18-20.

“We will be exhibiting at booth number 4639, and we’ll be demonstrating our new Phillips Gourmet Fire Roasted Frozen Mushroom product,” said Donovan. “The fire roasted flavor and texture of this product matches that of fresh mushrooms.”

RockTenn Automated Packaging Systems unveiled the newest addition to its Meta line of mandrel forming machines at the Association for Packaging & Processing Technologies trade show Sept. 23 in Las Vegas.

The new Meta LS utilizes mandrel forming technology to produce precision formed cases in a wide range of sizes and designs.

In response to North Carolina’s announcement that it will temporarily suspend benefits under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children Program because of the federal government shutdown, Food Lion made a $500,000 donation to food banks across the state to support citizens who need food assistance to feed their families.

Even if Chilean fruit crop damage from September frosts was already quantifiable, the numbers would still not paint a clear picture of the upcoming winter fruit marketing season.

Making this observation Oct. 10 was Brad Cantwell, vice president of deciduous sales-North America for Dole Fresh Fruit Co., who is based immediately south of Philadelphia in Lester, PA.

As to estimates on crop damage, Cantwell confirmed that many different sources are offering widely varying numbers.

"There is crazy information out there now," he said. "But the jury is still out."