On Friday, Oct. 26, the inaugural PMA Robert L. Carey Leadership Award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer leadership skills and an uncommon commitment to helping the Produce Marketing Association achieve its goals of advancing the produce industry.

PMA President Bryan Silbermann told The Produce News that the award is named in honor of Robert Carey, who served as the chief executive officer of the association for 38 years.

Early-season pomegranate varieties have moved smoothly into the distribution channels, and now the Wonderful, the principal pomegranate variety, is starting to ship.

"Continued warm days and cool nights in California's Central Valley have helped to produce the cleanest and largest crop we've seen in years," Tom Tjerandsen, manager of the Pomegranate Council, said in a press release.

Grant Stanton Produce Co. Inc., located at the New England Produce Center in Chelsea, MA, was started in 1996. Today the company is owned and operated by Shawn Grant. He told The Produce News that the company handles a full line of mushrooms, all of which are sourced from Pennsylvania producers.

“We also handle greenhouse-grown English cucumbers and peppers,” said Mr. Grant. “The majority of our greenhouse produce is from Ontario and Mexico, depending on the season.”

“Del Rey gets Mexican fruit from two major suppliers in Mexico, and we are very happy with the relationship,” said Bob Lucy, president of Del Rey Avocado Co. Inc. in Fallbrook, CA, in an interview with The Produce News. “They pack the ‘Del Rey’ box for us, so there is a continuity for our customers” who see the “Del Rey” label 52 weeks a year. “That is helpful in marketing.”

Brett Libke, The Oppenheimer Group’s East Coast senior sales representative, has been promoted to the role of East Coast director of sales.

“Brett has proven to be a very strategic thinker, is well regarded throughout the industry and possesses invaluable leadership qualities,” David Smith, the company’s senior vice president, North American sales and categories, said in a press release. “His experience and knowledge of the business will complement the sales efforts made by many of Oppenheimer’s veteran salespeople on the East Coast.”

FPFC members and volunteers came out to support the salad bar dedication Oct. 17 at Earl Warren Elementary School in Sacramento, CA.