Ever since Glenmont, NY-based New York Apple Sales launched Yes! Apples in 2019, the consumer-friendly apple brand has worked to become a force in the industry.

Employee-owned Tanimura & Antle, one of the largest grower-shippers in the Salinas Valley, announced the promotion of Brett Champlin to senior director of harvest operations. In his new role, Champlin will oversee the day-to-day harvest operations for all the company’s crops.

Stemilt’s cherry season kicks off this week in California and all eyes are on the crop’s upcoming promotional window and the fast-approaching Memorial Day holiday. The 2021 California crop projects more promotable volume compared to last year’s smaller crop, with good sizing and flavors predicted between now and mid-June.

Ahold Delhaize announced that David McInerney, co-founder and CEO of FreshDirect, the Northeast’s leading pure-play online fresh food grocer, stepped down effective May 5. He will continue in an advisory role through the end of October 2021. Farhan Siddiqi, chief digital officer of Ahold Delhaize, will serve as interim CEO and assumed overall leadership responsibility on May 5.

In an effort to address both the extraordinary opportunities and the extraordinary challenges the industry faces, the Hass Avocado Board, with industry participation, has developed BOLD: The Hass Avocado Industry Board Leadership Development Program. Helping the industry face an increasingly complex marketplace with sophisticated problem-solvers, BOLD is designed to develop emerging leaders who are both motivated and equipped to meet those opportunities and challenges.

Ocean Mist Farms, a leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in the U.S., hired John Georgalos as sales commodity manager. In this role, he will be responsible for managing iceberg lettuce, Ocean Mist Farms’ leaf program (red, green and Romaine), and will handle select key accounts for the company.