Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc., one of North America’s leading marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, promoted longtime employee Ana Cristina Fonseca to a newly created role: vice president of product management.

When Paige Huntington was crowned National Watermelon Queen back in February during the National Watermelon Association convention in Orlando, FL, she was set to begin a whirlwind schedule that would have her traveling around the country promoting watermelons for the next year.

Instead, just weeks into her reign, the coronavirus pandemic brought the nation to a halt, rendering non-essential travel off limits and severely hampering her role as the chief ambassador for the watermelon industry.

Chosen Foods, a leading producer of 100 percent pure avocado oil and creator of avocado-inspired kitchen staples including cooking sprays, mayos, dressings and simmer sauces, announces the launch of its first-ever refrigerated products -- a collection of four delicious new guacamole and salsa items.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association announced the cancellation of FFVA 2020, its annual convention that was set for Sept. 28-30 in Naples. The next convention will take place Sept. 13-15, 2021, at The Ritz-Carlton in Naples.

In the place of the annual convention, the association will hold a board of directors meeting Sept. 29 to accomplish its annual business, followed by regional meetings around the state in the fall.

At noon EDT today, June 15, United Fresh Produce Association President and CEO Tom Stenzel welcomed an on-line audience to the industry’s first major virtual convention by applauding the front line field and plant workers that have kept the food supply chain relatively intact during these challenging times.

While browsing the booths during United Fresh LIVE!, be sure to stop by The Produce News booth, where visitors will have a chance to walk down memory lane with vintage photos from past United Fresh events. We’re also offering visitors the ability to peruse old covers of issues from our storied history.

Once at the booth, look for the “United Fresh from the Vault” link to start the journey.