Founded in 1985, Markon Cooperative will reach its milestone 40th anniversary this November. The company officially kicked off its year of celebrations at the May board of directors meeting in Monterey, CA. The three-day event brought together Markon leadership and representatives from all five of its independent foodservice member companies — Ben E. Keith, Gordon Food Service, Gordon Food Service Canada, Nicholas & Co. and Shamrock Foods. The gathering included dinners with key strategic suppliers and served as the launch point for the celebrations planned throughout 2025. This year coincides

Gem-Pack has appointed Tom Smith as its vice president of foodservice. With a mandate to build and lead a comprehensive foodservice program, Smith will spearhead initiatives aimed at delivering year-round, consolidated supply of fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries to foodservice customers across the U.S. and beyond. In this newly established role, Smith brings a strong vision to create a one-stop solution for foodservice partners seeking consistent access to premium quality berries. The program will focus on seamless supply, consistent flavor and eating experience

BRS Produce is a full line produce house that works on the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, handling items from every growing region in the U.S. and throughout the world. While the company specializes in tropical produce, mushrooms and tomatoes from all growing regions, BRS Produce also deals with a wide variety of produce to fit any customers’ needs. The company was one of the original tenants at the new Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market when it opened in June 2011 and has occupied units D-2 and D-3 since that time. As the calendar flipped to May, the company was having a “modest”

Get set for celebrating Memorial Day and the start of summer with large melon displays. Melons can add high volume sales to the produce department along with some very favorable gross profit. Melons originated between Africa and Asia. Cultivation goes back over 4,000 years and began to spread throughout the Mediterranean world. Christopher Columbus brought melons to the Americas. The origin of the cantaloupe came from Europe in the town of Cantalupo, Italy. The sweetest melons are grown in a volcanic ash on an island town in Yurabi, Japan. In fact, one melon can cost up to $10,000. Domestic

Tom Kovacevich said that watching the recent NFL draft led him to reflect on what it takes to build a championship team. “In case you don’t recall, the Philadelphia Eagles exacted revenge on the favored Kansas City Chiefs in the 2025 Super Bowl,” said Kovacevich, the president and chief operating officer of T.M. Kovacevich-Philadelphia for more than eight years. “Watching the Eagles general manager Howie Roseman navigate the 2025 NFL draft was particularly fun, and despite the team’s late picks, I think he did an amazing job, drafting 10 players that all have the chance to play an important

LGS Specialty Sales expects a seamless transition from domestic and Moroccan mandarins into Southern Hemisphere supplies, offering Clemenules and Orograndes varieties over the next month and then transitioning to W. Murcotts and Tango varieties late June and early July. “This year, we are experiencing excellent timing for Southern Hemisphere fruit,” said Lucio Rainelli, director of sales at LGS Specialty Sales. “Moving directly from Moroccan W. Murcotts to Clementines from the Southern Hemisphere should alleviate any issues with supply disruption or quality.” Fruit will be arriving to the U.S