The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has named Bryn Fussell as its new director of membership and the executive director of the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation. She replaces Sonia Tighe, who retired in September. Fussell will manage FFVA’s membership recruitment, retention and administration efforts and direct the initiatives of the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that oversees several scholarship initiatives as well as the Emerging Leader Development Program (ELDP). Since 2011, more than 150 participants have graduated from the program, which develops leaders

Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms has bolstered its ranks with industry veterans Russell Lamplugh, Roberto Van de Wyngard and Alex Rotan. Lamplugh rejoined the company as senior director, national operations – fruit division, reporting to Dan Carapella, vice president of operations - fruit division/category director, Treefruit. Lamplugh has over 17 years of experience in fruit operations. In addition to his role in operations, he will also oversee the East Coast QC department. He is a Philadelphia native and married with three amazing kids. His spare time is spent supporting their many

The West is finally catching a bit of a break weather-wise. Cooler nights and drier afternoons have helped ease some insect pressure and dry out fields that were hammered by nearly 1.5 inches of rain earlier this month. That said, the impact of those storms is still being felt across the board. Lighter weights, increased trimming and quality concerns continue to affect many row crops as the Salinas season nears its end. Romaine hearts remain extremely tight, and Iceberg and green leaf are still showing issues with mildew, ribby frames and seeder. Harvest crews are pushing through, but lower

With a few weeks left in the domestic melon season, Westside Produce/Classic Fruit is reflecting on another successful harvest across its California and Arizona growing regions as they prepare for their offshore operations. The company reports a strong finish for cantaloupes and honeydews, supported by steady demand and dedicated retail, foodservice and fresh-cut partners across the country. Cantaloupe and honeydew melons out of the westside of California have just wrapped up and transitioned to Yuma for the remainder of the domestic season. “The transition from California to Arizona was right

The International Fresh Produce Association will celebrate the season of fall flavors and festive traditions by participating in Halloween at the White House. This annual tradition welcomes thousands of children and families to trick-or-treat on the South Lawn. As part of the festivities, IFPA is providing 7,500 apples from Washington and New York states to participants, along with thousands of colorful mums and pumpkins that capture the spirit of the harvest season. These fresh offerings highlight IFPA’s belief that produce and florals belong at the center of every occasion, bringing joy

Drought conditions in Mexico’s main avocado-growing region in Michoacan that have hampered fruit size and volume the past couple of years eased this past summer, giving La Bonanza a positive outlook for the season ahead. “As we stand on the threshold of a new growing season, we are encouraged by early signs of substantially higher volume compared to the past two seasons,” said Valeria Villaseñor, vice president at La Bonanza. “We enter this season with optimism, ready to channel our full efforts into delivering exceptional results.” Villaseñor said La Bonanza is a multi-generational company