With its relatively new Vista, CA packing and cooling facility fully operational, Del Rey Avocado Co. Inc. will be able to offer the shelf-life extending Apeel treatment on the production from Mexico for the entire season. The facility opened in the middle of 2019 and Del Rey added the Apeel process option several months ago, which coincided with the end of Mexico’s 2019-20 season.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against Kendall Frozen Fruits Inc. for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The company, operating from California, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to two produce sellers in the amount of $2.16 million from May 2017 through July 2018.

Tim York was named as the new CEO of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement during its Oct. 29 board of directors meeting. York will replace Scott Horsfall, who is retiring in early 2021. York will begin his work with the LGMA Dec. 1.

“Tim has been an influential presence when it comes to advancing continuous improvement in  food safety in the produce industry,” said Dan Sutton, chair of the LGMA. “He is a staunch advocate for protecting consumers and public health and we are fortunate to have Tim to guide LGMA into this new era.”

Generation Farms has added produce industry veteran Mike Harris to their expanding sales team. Harris recently joined the leading grower-shipper of organic and conventional onions, watermelon, and other fresh fruits and vegetables as watermelon sales director.

Giant Food, a leading greater Washington, DC, regional grocery chain, announced that Irfan Badibanga will step into the role of senior vice president of operations effective Nov. 1. Badibanga will be responsible for leading all operational aspects of Giant Food, including regional operations, store support, strategic store planning and execution and asset protection, as well as people, team, and culture development.

When Organically Grown Company transitioned its ownership to the Sustainable Food and Agricultural Perpetual Purpose Trust in late 2018, its new bylaws prioritized investing in the company’s stakeholder groups, which include coworkers, growers, customers, community allies and mission-aligned organizations.