GRAPEVINE, TX – At 8 a.m. on March 26, a remarkable event occurred within the framework of the Viva Fresh Expo.  The expo was hours away from its launch, except that golfers were undoubtedly getting psyched for a perfect tournament day to kick off the expo.  While not on the official docket, this meeting was very much within Viva Fresh’s spirit and objective.

Tommy Wilkins, director of sales and business development for Grow Farms Texas LLC, based in Donna, and John Nakaoka, a business consultant, coordinated a summit of progressive thinkers to sit and talk for a couple of hours.

In the

Shenandoah Growers Inc., one of the nation’s leading and largest certified organic indoor farming companies with products available in most major retailers across the U.S., announced Cameron Geiger as chief operating officer as the company enters its next phase of transformational growth. Geiger will report to Shenandoah Growers President Phillip Karp and serve on the company’s executive leadership team.

Geiger, a seasoned supply chain expert, has served in a variety of operational and executive leadership roles at public and private companies focused on automation, innovation, and technology

The California Avocado Commission is extending its consumer advertising campaign, “The best avocados have California in them,” with new creative designs that playfully illustrate the California lifestyle, connecting the fruit with the locale. Pre-season media launched in winter with a series of video ads released on the commission’s YouTube channel to build anticipation for the season. In-season media launched in March and continues through summer to support the peak availability of this season’s California avocado crop.

“This year the commission partnered with 10 artists who brought to life

The boards of directors of the Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association have reached an agreement in principle to create a new global trade association combining their resources and expertise to enhance member services, increase advocacy before government and the public, help members grow their businesses, and drive consumption of fresh produce and demand for floral products as a vital cornerstone of public health.

The two associations will continue to operate as independent organizations through 2021, with the new association to be launched Jan. 1, 2022. 

“This

Sun World International LLC, a global fruit genetics, R&D and licensing company, announced an agreement to be acquired by Bridgepoint, an international private equity group. Bridgepoint will become controlling shareholder alongside management and succeed a transformative and successful period of ownership from Renewable Resources Group LLC and Vision Ridge Partners.

The Bridgepoint investment will support Sun World’s plans to accelerate its growth strategy by building a broad-based genetics and technology platform for specialty fruit growers.

“Our connection with the Bridgepoint team was

Wish Farms, international grower and year-round marketer of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, held a ribbon cutting on its new headquarters in Plant City, FL, to commemorate the official move to its new 24,000-square-foot office on its 36-acre campus.

“Our company has a 100-year relationship with the community of Plant City. Our connection goes back to our days on the State Farmers Market and beyond,” said Wish Farms’ Owner Gary Wishnatzki. “This is a strawberry town, so keeping our new address here means a lot to our company, employees and growers.”

The land on which