Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. announced Jeff Pedersen, executive vice president and chief sales and support officer, is retiring after 45 years in the grocery business, effective December. Emile Breaux will succeed Pedersen in the role of senior vice president of sales and member support, effective Sept. 20.

Lipman Family Farms showcased the expansion of its compostable packaging line at this week's Southern Innovations conference and the Organic Produce Summit, furthering the company’s dedication to providing innovative, sustainable practices from farm to shelf. Designed for organic grape tomatoes, mini cucumbers, green beans and mini sweet peppers under Lipman’s Grown True organic line, the packaging meets the growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly products and sourcing.

Food Lion Feeds will help provide five meals* to Feeding America member food banks located near a Food Lion store for every specially marked bag of gala apples purchased through Oct. 5. The annual gala apples bagged campaign aims to help provide 1 million meals to neighbors in need. Since 2014, customers have helped to provide more than 10 million meals** through the sale of the specially marked apples.

Pace International LLC, a leading provider of sustainable postharvest solutions and technologies for the fresh produce industry, announced today the introduction of PrimaFresh® 60 Organic (OR). PrimaFresh 60 OR is the latest advancement in Pace’s organic premium line of edible plant-based coatings, developed specifically to enhance dehydration control in stone fruit and maximize its fresh appeal.

Progressive Produce is harvesting California Brussels sprouts and launching Mim's Specialty Sweet Potatoes this fall.

Mucci Farms is excited to announce that they have entered an exclusive marketing agreement with Casey Houweling to market all produce grown in the Camarillo, CA, facility under the Mucci Farms brand and trademarks.  As part of the agreement, Mucci Farms will also be opening two new distribution centers in Camarillo, CA, and Delta, B.C.