Fleuroselect, the international organization for the ornamental plants industry, proudly announces the election of Marc Driessen, CEO Beekenkamp Ornamentals, as president of the organization as of Jan. 1, 2024. Elected by the membership during the Annual General Meeting in July 2023, Driessen succeeds to Karol Pawlak, owner of Vitroflora. Driessen has been part of the board of directors since 2019, representing the business unit Production and Distribution and acted as the organization’s vice president for the past five years.  

Tops Friendly Markets re-opened its 57,000-square-foot Grand Island, NY, store with $2 million of renovations and enhancements. During the ribbon-cutting celebration, Tops presented local community non-profits with a donation, positively impacting first responders, schools, food pantries and veteran organizations.

This store will offer new, enhanced services, an expanded assortment of products and an enlarged fresh perimeter with new updated décor.

The Consumer Connection Conference is more than an event, a place to learn and connect. It’s one of the actions that drives the promise of the Foundation for Fresh Produce: Grow a healthier world. 

“Words are inspirational; actions make a difference,” said Foundation Board Member Bil Goldfield, director of global communications and marketing for Dole. “Everyone benefits from greater produce consumption – the health of consumers and the health of our industry. That’s why I attend this conference – to learn and to act on our mission.” 

The largest vessel in its 300-year history called on PhilaPort’s Packer Avenue Marine Terminal when the 1,300-foot M/V CMA CGM Marco Polo arrived March 8, greeted with a water cannon shower by the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Marine Unit.

The owners of the vessel are the French shipping company, CMA CGM, the third-largest shipping company in the world. CMA CGM’S “NAMEX” service originates in Yantian, China, continuing through Vietnam, Malaysia, Siri Lanka and Morocco before heading to the U.S. East Coast.

The opening of California avocado season marks a celebratory milestone for Index Fresh. The company's network of growers and customers spent the offseason preparing for the coming months of picking, packing, and marketing only the highest quality fruit. Fed on a balance of ample rain and nourishing sunshine, California avocados harvested in 2024 will stand out for impressive sizing and consistent quality now through August.

In order to enhance its sustainability efforts, GLC Cerritos LLC, a leading grower-shipper of avocados from the Mexican state of Jalisco, has hired Armando Garcia as director of sustainability.  This newly created position will evaluate current sustainability initiatives with in the company and define a strategy for future projects.