United Fresh LIVE! is a response to an unprecedented challenge to our industry and our world. While citizens around the globe are social distancing and avoiding physical connections, our industry must continue to find creative ways to continue doing business, and trade shows are a large part of that strategy for the fresh produce supply chain.

The Kroger Family of Cos. and Ocado announced the continued expansion of their partnership with plans to construct three new customer fulfillment centers in the Great Lakes, Pacific Northwest and West regions.  

Onions 52 Inc. has welcomed Clay Jones to its sales and business development team. Jones is based in San Antonio, TX, and will be focusing on new account development and expanding business with current customers.

“We could not be happier to have Clay join our team,” said Shawn Hartley, vice president of sales. “With Clay’s extensive industry knowledge and experience, he will be a great asset to the Onions 52 team.”

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania and Vermont, promoted Natalie Fisher to manager of safety and risk for the company.

Fisher began her career with Tops in the stores in 2001 and was promoted to various roles until her appointment as safety specialist for the Tops in the west region in March 2015. In her new role, Fisher will act as a liaison with Tops’ third-party workmen's compensation administrator while having over sight and direction on all retail and warehouse workers compensation claims.

The current coronavirus pandemic has presented challenges that few could have imagined. In the face of those challenges, Giltner Inc. has found a way to stay the course and continue to provide the high level of service its clients have come to expect.

“We’ve had tough conversations with some of our customers, but they remain committed to working with us because we treat them fairly and continue to provide the outstanding customer service they have come to expect from Giltner,” said Mark Durfee, general manager of Giltner, which is based in Jerome, ID.

Simple changes on a produce packaging label can drastically influence consumer purchases of that product.

Tony Cook, chief executive officer of Great Lakes Label LLC, said his customers have seen this immediately build retail sales by as much as 30 percent.