On Saturday, May 7, Stemilt Growers celebrated the 2022 Apple Blossom Festival Stemilt Grand Parade. Fourth-generation cherry grower Kyle Mathison was decked out in his signature overalls on a 1926 Ford Model-T and Stemilt President West Mathison was at the wheel of the classic Stemilt Volkswagen Ladybug.

The Apple Blossom Festival is a beloved spring event celebrated by many Washingtonians and the Wenatchee Valley community.

Sunny Valley International, based in Glassboro, NJ, has been in business for more than 35 years, and is anticipating a strong domestic season in 2022, starting with South Carolina peaches.

“Right now, we are preparing for the South Carolina peach season,” said Tom Beaver, director of sales and marketing for Sunny Valley. “We will be shipping stone fruit with our partners, Belle Peaches, from May through August.”

Paige Stewart has joined Green Thumb Farms. Stewart brings eight years of produce and sales experience to the table as the company's newest business development manager.

Stewart launched her career as a buyer for FreshPoint Inc., where she developed an intimate knowledge of the produce landscape, its populace, and the mechanics of the market.

Value-added salad leader Fresh Express has contributed $500,000 to Center for Produce Safety’s current capital campaign to fund fresh produce food-safety research. In making the announcement with CPS officials, company President John P. Olivo urged the fresh produce industry to “drive together” and “never rest” in the shared quest to enhance produce safety.

Schnuck Markets Inc. has been selected as a 2022 U.S. Best Managed Company. Sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, the program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies and the achievements of their management teams. 99 Ranch Market was the only other grocery retailer named to the list.