With its beginnings dating back to the turn of the last century, the United Fresh Produce Association has a rich and storied history of bringing the fresh produce industry together under the same roof on an annual basis to discuss the issues of the day.

COVID-19 forced United Fresh to pivot to a virtual platform in 2020 and eliminated the 2021 annual convention and trade show. Senior leadership at United Fresh and the Produce Marketing Association, which is finalizing the 2022 merger of the two organizations, has not yet announced what the trade show landscape will look like moving forward

The Idaho Grower Shipper Association, which was formed in 1928 to serve growers, shippers, marketers and processors of Idaho potatoes, will hold its 93rd annual convention in Sun Valley, ID, Sept. 1-3.

Last year, rather than opt to hold a virtual convention during the COVID-19 restrictions, the organization’s board of directors chose to cancel the event. “They didn’t feel like we could meet the objectives of our convention virtually, so we cancelled it last year. This year, it is happening,” said Shawn Boyle, president and general counsel. “We are expecting a higher registration than ever. I

Adam Wampler, president of Kroger’s Dallas division, died earlier this week. He was 48. With more than 30 years in the retail industry, Mr. Wampler had a successful career with Albertsons/Safeway and Bartell Drugs in Seattle before joining Kroger.

"The entire Kroger family is saddened by the passing of Adam Wampler, president of the Dallas division," said Rodney McMullen, CEO and chairman of the Kroger Co. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Adam’s wife, children, family and friends."

Mr. Wampler held miscellaneous retail roles at Safeway for the first 16 years of his career before being

DNO Produce, based in Columbus, OH, is a leading produce distributor and processor for the Midwest, providing fresh, healthy and easy solutions for its partners in foodservice, food manufacturing, school service, government and retail.

Alex DiNovo, president and COO of DNO Produce, has always been very active with United Fresh leadership, holding several board positions over the years.

“Initially, we joined up with United Fresh a long time ago, and what drew the company — and me — was that they had a really solid focus on schools, and this is even before the United Fresh Start Foundation was

Valley Produce, a distributor of fresh produce and specialty products, has joined FreshEdge, a family of produce and specialty food companies backed by Rotunda Capital Partners. The addition further diversifies the group’s combined customer base, and increases its breadth and depth of service offerings in Tennessee and the southeastern U.S.

Valley is part of a growing family that includes Piazza Produce & Specialty Foods, Indianapolis Fruit, Get Fresh, McCartney Produce, Leonardo’s Produce, Garden Cut, CIBUS Fresh and Papania’s. FreshEdge now operates with 1,430 employees and approximately

Divine Flavor's very aggressive growth plan has blossomed and matured in recent years. Part of that strategic plan was to plant new vineyards in northern Sonora – around the Caborca growing area – to have new, high-flavor, proprietary table grape varieties to compete with early-season California grapes. 

Specifically, Grupo Alta, which owns Divine Flavor, planted Sweet Celebration, Sweet Globes and Cotton Candy as well as Sables. Carlos Bon, sales manager of Divine Flavor, said these varieties will be on the market as late as the third week of July.

This is the second year of production for