The Produce Marketing Association announced that Fresh Summit 2021 will take place in person Oct. 28-30 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. PMA will welcome the industry back to the event with a variety of safety protocols and modifications developed with guidance from public health authorities.

SpartanNash announced the promotion of Amy McClellan to vice president of fresh merchandising, effective March 8. McClellan has served as senior vice president of retail operations and merchandising for Martin’s Super Markets and as division vice president, retail for SpartanNash since the company acquired Martin’s in January of 2019.

Ocean Mist Farms, a leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in the U.S., announced the availability of its proprietary purple artichokes. This seasonal, limited addition to the Ocean Mist Farms artichoke family is a colorful variety selected for superior flavor and appearance. The company expects the heaviest production period to be March 15-April 30.

Brighter Bites, a nonprofit organization that delivers fresh fruits, vegetables and nutrition education resources directly into families’ hands, announced its new supplier partnership with Mr Greens Produce Texas. The partnership is a strategic one that will support Brighter Bites in continuing to bring fresh food to Austin-area families.

In preparation of Cinco de Mango, the National Mango Board is offering a limited number of themed display bins to U.S. mango shippers on a first-come, first-served basis.
 

As produce managers stretch their limited staffs to stay on top of restocking high-velocity items, MountainKing is stepping up with a merchandising solution aimed at minimizing restocking time while stimulating impulse purchases of its fresh potatoes.

One of the nation’s largest suppliers of fresh potatoes, MountainKing is offering retailers large, half-pallet bins with 12.5 cubic feet of space ideal for the grower’s 1.5-pound and five-pound packages.