The lion’s share of all Mexican grape shipments arrives through Nogales in June. This is always a massive logistical challenge, as the grapes, by law, undergo quality inspections by U.S. Department of Agriculture personnel. This spring, Nogales has also endured the added stress of tomato inspections required by a new Tomato Suspension Agreement. That requirement went into effect April 4 and is creating new demand for inspectors, independent of table grape needs. Lance Jungmeyer, president of Nogales-based Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, who is working to resolve such industry

Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. announced that J. Scott Neal will join the company as chief fresh merchandising officer, effective June 15, 2020. Neal will report directly to Sprouts Chief Executive Officer Jack Sinclair and will oversee Sprouts’ fresh merchandise offerings. “We’re thrilled to welcome Scott to the Sprouts team,” said Sinclair. “Scott joins us at the perfect time to leverage his deep experience in fresh merchandising and sourcing as we begin to implement our long-term growth strategy by creating an advantaged fresh supply chain to bring better-for-you options and innovative

Center for Growing Talent’s Virtual Wellness Walk and Run Challenge has been bringing together the produce and floral industry even in this time apart to participate in a shared opportunity to promote individual health, team building all while supporting attraction and development of the next generation of industry talent. The Virtual Wellness Walk and Run Challenge serves as an inclusive outlet for healthy activity, especially during a time when many were living under stay-at-home restrictions due to the global pandemic. It has also served as an outlet for healthy competition and team

Westfalia Fruit International Ltd. announced that industry veteran Johnathan Sutton has been appointed to fill the newly created role of executive of safety and environment for the multinational Group. Sutton is tasked with driving the avocado experts toward greater heights of sustainability, refining systems and protocols to ensure optimal levels of compliance with regard to environmental impact, food safety, and the health and safety of employees.

The epic storytelling of Pixar Animation Studios is the inspiration for an eight-month Dole celebration of healthy living as well as the very real stories behind the millions of parents, grandparents and others now building healthier, happier families at home. Calling upon the everyday triumphs of Pixar characters like Woody and Buzz from Toy Story, Carl from Up and the Parr Family from The Incredibles, Dole is encouraging North Americans to make their own “healthy-at-home” success stories with original, character-inspired recipes, family-friendly activities, digital downloads, fun social

With a good crop of peaches being thinned for size and quality, New Jersey growers — like most farmers — are working under new protocols to protect farm workers’ health during the virus pandemic while using stringent food safety regulations. “Growing peaches is a labor intensive process, said Santo John Maccherone, owner of Circle M Farms near Salem, NJ. “We strive to grow the very best peaches without cutting corners on the process of food safety and a safe environment for our workers.“ Maccherone, who farms peaches and asparagus with his son, John, is expecting a good crop of peaches with a