The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against Tomato House LLC for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The company, operating from Texas, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to three produce sellers in the amount of $174,458 from December 2022 through February 2023.

Hoffman Nursery appointed Gordon D. Rowe III as the new director of sales and business development. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the horticulture and nursery industry, Gordon brings a wealth of expertise in sales strategy, customer success and operational efficiency.

I recently saw two shoppers in a store, each holding a cantaloupe close to their ear and tapping away on it. No customer likes a hard, unripe melon so how can they tell if a particular melon is ripe? By knocking on it? Most people laugh at that method, but it does work. Tapping on a cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon or any other type melon is a clue for ripeness when it has a specific sound.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture filed an administrative complaint against Hurst Produce & Flowers Corp. for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The company, operating from Pennsylvania, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to nine produce sellers in the amount of $296,668 from September 2022 through November 2023.

Kapi Kapi Growers has hired Daniel Acon Ferrandino as operations specialist. The company said he will play a critical role streamlining communication with customers from farm-to-market — from production, to transit and delivery expectations.

The Southeast Produce Council tied in the importance of family with Hawaiian spirit at its signature Southern Exposure event March 6-8, 2025, at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Just as ohana means family in Hawaiian, Southern Exposure once again proved — beyond a shadow of a doubt — that the produce community is a one big family.

Following educational sessions and a keynote address, the show floor was packed as attendees filled the aisles for more than six hours.