Erwan Landivinec, Baldor Specialty Food's founding director of wholesale, died at the age of 66, following a long and hard-fought illness. Mr. Landivinec's food career began many decades ago in his native France, just as he entered adulthood. After conscription in the French Navy, he began exporting and promoting produce (in particular, endive) for the French government as an alternative to further military service. He soon discovered a passion for sourcing unique items and exposing them to new audiences, and his facility with languages (including French, English, Italian and Spanish) helped

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas announced that Pedro Francisco Batiz Guillen will receive the Pillar of the Industry Award at FPAA’s 2025 Annual Meeting. Batiz is a distinguished veteran of the produce industry whose career has been defined by leadership, partnership and mentorship. Born Oct. 19, 1957, in Mexico, Batiz married Maria Clarissa Mexia Salido, and together they moved to Arizona, where they raised their three children — Pedro, Clarissa and Isabella. In 1998, the family relocated from Nogales, AZ, to San Diego, where Batiz continued to thrive and contribute to the

David Bernstein, a past chair of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association who also served as vice president of marketing at Sunkist, died Oct. 22. He was 85. Mr. Bernstein held many positions over his career in law, sales and marketing, executive leadership and board service, all connected to the produce industry he loved. His legacy includes Sunkist's expansion into Asian markets and time as executive vice president of Pacific Fruit in New York. He was also the owner of an import-export consultancy, introducing Moroccan citrus to the U.S. Anyone who met him was apt to learn something

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

Joseph Emanuel Esformes, husband, brother, father, grandfather and leader in the agricultural industry, died after a long illness on Oct. 17, at the age of 88. Born in the Bronx, NY, on June 27, 1937, Mr. Esformes was the son of Jack and Dora Esformes. Raised in Miami Beach, he shared a joyful childhood with his siblings, Flora Mason and Nathan Esformes. Mr. Esformes attended Miami Beach High School, where he made lifelong friends. He continued his education at the University of Miami, graduating in 1959 with a major in english and a minor in philosophy, and was a proud member of Phi Epsilon