Green Giant released the findings from its annual Favorite Veggie Survey. Broccoli secured the No. 1 spot, yet again, as America's favorite vegetable, followed by carrot and corn. The brand polled over 5,000 Americans in an open-ended survey timed to National Eat Your Vegetables Day (June 17).

Although broccoli remains America's favorite, the popularity of corn substantially increased over the past year. Additional survey findings include:

• Broccoli ignites Americans' taste buds — 100 percent of consumers surveyed who picked broccoli as their favorite vegetable noted 'taste' as a top factor

Changes are happening at Gold Coast Packing. The company has promoted two employees and added one member to its team. The business, which has been family owned and operated by long-time friends Ron Burk and Bob Espinola since its inception in 1978, will continue that way as Burk’s son Gary has just been promoted to chief operating officer. 

On the sales side, Monica Cordero has been promoted to director of sales. Cordero had been the sales manager for the past eight years. She has supported the team as it’s grown its product portfolio and its customer base. She also oversees the marketing

Albertsons Cos. announced that Jennifer Saenz will join the company as executive vice president, chief merchandising officer effective July 12. Saenz will be responsible for all areas of merchandising within the company, including Own Brands. Saenz will also be responsible for further strengthening the company’s relationships with its brand partners. She will join the company’s senior leadership team and report to Vivek Sankaran, president and CEO.

“We’re excited to welcome Jennifer to the Albertsons team,” said Sankaran. “A commitment to serving our customers with a broad and differentiated

Jeff Walker, long time Houston, TX-based sales manager for Oppy will hang up his hat at the end of the month. Walker, who started selling produce from his family’s farm when he was 8 years old, joined Oppy in January 1994, opening the company’s fifth U.S. office on Houston’s Produce Row.

In short order, Walker became fondly known by his colleagues as “The Lone Ranger,” singlehandedly building Oppy’s business with key customers in Texas and the South-Central U.S. He went on to create a high-performing sales team in Houston, which thrives today.

“When Jeff joined us, we were launching the New

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on five produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• MT Produce Corp

Spring Born, an indoor hydroponic farm, announced its website launch this week, highlighting the farm’s sustainable practices, state-of-the-art technology, and product offerings. Gearing up for the company’s August launch, it will offer four introductory varieties available in standard retail and club-pack sizes.

“Our team has been working diligently in preparation for our official kick-off this summer,” said Charles Barr, president. “The announcement of our website is a step forward for customers to learn about our brand, products, and company-wide sustainability initiatives.”

Spring Born