New England retailer Big Y is investing in its store teams through a multi-million dollar increase in starting pay rates for all clerks, customer service, fresh food and center store specialists, and assistant department managers as of June 26.

McDaniel Fruit Co. is a third-generation, family-owned vertical integrated international avocado grower, packer and marketer, with its home base in Fallbrook, CA, which has been operating since the 1950s.

“As the industry has grown in popularity, our company has grown with it,” said Rankin H. McDaniel, president of the company.

Ten Acre Marketing hired experienced creative professional Tricia Benedetto as its creative director. Most recently Benedetto led creative departments within food, giving and entertainment agencies. Her experience was forged through early career opportunities working with creative icons Milton Glaser and Ralph Lauren in New York City.

Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology recently assisted Inteligistics, a WGCIT partner, in the evaluation of Inteligistics’ InteliCool system at Fresh Del Monte facilities in Salinas, CA, and Yuma, AZ. The results were significant reductions in cooling cycle time, electric power savings, reduced CO2  emissions and overall efficiency improvement of 30 percent.

The Kroger Co. announced Kroger Delivery now serves customers in south Florida with the opening of a new spoke location in Miami. The 60,000-square-foot spoke facility, in collaboration with the fulfillment center in Groveland, FL, will serve as a last-mile cross-dock location that expands Kroger Delivery's ability to serve more customers. The facility will offer job opportunities with roles in logistics, human resources and transportation to support the expansion in south Florida.

The Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association will hold its 2022 Development Experience July 27–29 in Minneapolis, MN. Formerly known as Management Institute, DevX is a unique, hands-on opportunity for WF&FSA members to experience education in a whole new way.