OXNARD, CA -- John Leo Boskovich, former vice president of Boskovich Farms in Oxnard, CA, died Sept. 7 at the age of 84 after a brief period of declining health. Mr. Boskovich, along with his brothers Phil and George, helped found Boskovich Brothers Farms, which later became Boskovich Farms, according to a Sept. 22 press release. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Stephen Boskovich, a Croatian immigrant who was one of the early farmers to work the San Fernando Valley. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Mr. Boskovich returned home and joined his brothers growing green

CORAL GABLES, FL -- Turbana Corp. is celebrating 40 years of existence since opening its doors in 1970. Since its inception, Turbana has been one of the premier importers of premium bananas, exotic bananas and plantains in North America. "It is amazing how far the company has gone and how much it has grown since it started, not just as an importer of quality fruit, but as a leader of socially responsible farming and an advocate of fair trade," Juan Alarcon, chief executive officer at Turbana, said in a Sept. 24 press release. Turbana was the first importer to ship 100% percent unitized cargo

Tiffany Cruickshank, transportation manager and sales assistant for Snake River Produce Co., might just be the onion industry's all-American girl. She’s equally at home fishing for king salmon in Alaska with her husband, Chad; moving cattle with her horse, Lenny; tromping through Oregon’s Duck Valley with her dog, Roscoe; or arranging to move onions from her desk in Nyssa, OR. "I grew up on a small farm in Willow Creek," said the 24-year-old native Oregonian. After graduating from Vale High School, she knew she was destined to attend the University of Oregon in Eugene. “My family is a huge

SAVANNAH, GA -- The Southeast Produce Council elected new leaders at its annual fall conference, held here Sept. 23-25, led by John Shuman of Shuman Produce as president. He is joined by Andrew Scott of General Produce Inc. as first vice president, David Sherrod of Apio Inc. as second vice president, Mark Daniels of Military Produce Group as secretary and Steve Williams of Sweetbay Supermarkets as treasurer. The conference drew a record crowd of about 275 people, according to outgoing President Tom Page of Supervalu Inc., who gave a state-of-the- council address at the president's dinner dance

LINDSAY, CA -- LoBue Citrus announced in late September that it has hired Rick Osterhues as vice president of sales and marketing, a newly created position. Effective Oct. 4, Mr. Osterhues will provide leadership on key sales and marketing initiatives as identified in LoBue's recently completed strategic plan. Mr. Osterhues brings nearly 20 years of experience in business-process improvement in the produce industry. He previously worked as a division manager at Chiquita Brands International and as marketing director at the David Oppenheimer Group. Most recently, he served as director of

Red Blossom Sales, based in Salinas, CA, will be offering Florida strawberries as part of its winter and early-spring product sales. The McDonald family in Plant City, FL, which has been growing strawberries in Florida for 30 years, will grow and sell 200 acres of Florida strawberries exclusively for Red Blossom. Additionally, Mark McDonald, along with his son, Shane, and nephew Andy McDonald, will all be joining Red Blossom. According to Mark McDonald, he is excited to bring all his business operations under one umbrella company and label: "Red Blossom's conscientious growing practices and