Ark Foods, a modern-day farming company making fresh food accessible to everyone, will showcase its newly launched line of plant-based, protein-packed Clean Label Salads at the Southeast Produce Council’s hybrid virtual/in-person Southern Exposure trade show April 6-8.

The line first garnered attention when Ark Foods announced its 2021 launch plans during PMA’s fall 2020 virtual trade show.

On the heels of Southern Exposure, Clean Label Salads will debut on shelves in the following key retailers across the country.

• Whole Foods Southwest (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas)
• Giant Martin

In announcing the blockbuster merger of the United Fresh Produce Association and the Produce Marketing Association, the leadership for both associations, which includes the co-CEOs that will be running the new merged organization in 2022, have emphasized that “Better Together” is both its mantra and its marching orders. The industry seemingly agrees.

PMA and United’s top staff and volunteer leaders outlined their vision March 31 and then reiterated their goals with the industry’s press corps in a Q&A session on Thursday, April 1. At the same time, The Produce News reached out to many industry

After more than 46 years of dedicated service, Publix Super Markets’ Jacksonville Division Vice President Scott Brubaker has announced his decision to retire at the end of June. With Brubaker’s retirement, the company is promoting Adrian Bennett to assume the vacated position.

Brubaker, 62, began his Publix career in 1975 as a part-time front service clerk in Melbourne, FL. After working in different positions at several stores throughout Florida, he was promoted to store manager in 1987 and district manager in 1994. He was promoted to regional director in 1997 and to his current position in

ORLANDO, FL — The Southeast Produce Council held its annual VIP dinner Monday evening, April 5, at the Swan & Dolphin Resort's Lake Terrace, just prior to the opening of the 2021 Southern Exposure conference and trade show, taking place here April 6-8.

The conference has planned a full schedule of events, both virtual and in person, including the annual Tom Page Golf Classic (named for Tom Page, one of the founders of the council), the STARS & STEP-UPP dinner, two educational workshops, the Southern Roots luncheon for women in produce, the opening gala, the keynote luncheon and the expo.

Blueberry demand remains strong with American consumers, and Berry People, a year-round, full-line shipper of branded organic and conventional strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, has promotable volumes of high-quality fruit available.

"South American supply delays caused by weather, port clearance and unloading delays caused by COVID-19 are behind us, and we now have steady volumes of great quality conventional and organic blueberries from our Mexican growers," said Jerald Downs, president of Berry People. "Our growers in California report a fruit set that looks promising

IMG Citrus, a family-owned, vertically integrated citrus grower, packer, and shipper in Vero Beach, FL, announced the acquisition of a large citrus grove in Charlotte County, FL. The 2,500-acre grove increases its control of citrus land management in Florida by 27 percent, bringing its total acreage in Florida to 11,387 acres and further securing its position as an established citrus leader in the state of Florida. The grove was originally planted in the 1990s and known as the Chiquita grove. The IMG Citrus family has renamed it the Imagine grove, referencing an existing IMG Citrus brand and