Essential workers employed by California cantaloupe growers are among some of the first front-line food workers to receive COVID-19 vaccines in the state that grows the majority of our nation’s fruits and vegetables.

The board of directors of Big Y Foods Inc. announced the promotion of the following third-generation D’Amour family members: Colin M. D’Amour has been named senior director of Big Y Express Gas & Convenience Stores division, and Christian P. D’Amour is director of e-commerce. Both appointments represent new and expanding divisions within the company. Both D’Amours report to Richard D. Bossie, senior vice president of operations and customer experience.

The Organic Produce Network has released its inaugural State of Organic Produce, a comprehensive overview of how the industry performed last year, including data and analysis of retail sales of organic fresh produce.
 
The newly published report includes information related to:

Living Greens Farm, a vertical, indoor aeroponic farm that provides year-round fresh salads, salad kits, microgreens and herbs, announced the addition of significant new retail distribution of its products in the upper Midwest to independent, specialty, and co-op retailers.

The U.S. Apple Association announced its class of 2021 Young Apple Leaders. Fifteen accomplished and aspiring young women and men were selected by the organization to join with, and learn from, USApple leaders and mentors throughout the year.
 
The 2021 Young Apple Leaders are:

Committed to providing access to sustainable nutrition for 1 billion people and moving towards zero processed sugar in all products by 2025, Dole Packaged Foods LLC took its efforts to raise awareness to new heights with Malnutrition Labels.  An experiential initiative designed to spark conversation and action around these imperative global issues, the activation sheds light on the gaps in nutrition access, affordability and acceptability.