It didn’t take long for the industry to feel the impact of the sixth annual, and first virtual, BrandStorm this March. More than 360 produce industry marketers convened during the largest storm on record. United Fresh was well-positioned to bring this annual event online, and the attendees arrived for the event ready to engage.

As the week kicked off, United Fresh set expectations for attendees, coaching them to understand the tools and opportunities to make the most of their engagement during the opening meet-up networking reception.

With a branded Zoom background graphic, open chat

Dollar General announced the planned retirement of Mike Kindy, the company’s executive vice president of global supply chain, effective April 15. During his tenure with the company, he drove tremendous expansion, highlighted by the addition of nine traditional distribution centers, the inception of the DG Fresh supply chain that now includes 10 DG Fresh facilities, and the creation of the DG Private Fleet network that now includes more than 550 drivers.

“Mike’s retirement comes after an outstanding career marked by exceptional leadership in supply chain innovation and operational excellence,”

The fresh produce industry will gather the first week in April for the Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure 2021 conference and expo, its premier annual event, which this year is themed "The Rise of Produce."

Attendees can expect many of the popular business and social events that Southern Exposure is known for, such as two powerhouse educational sessions, the Southern Roots luncheon, a spectacular opening gala, the keynote luncheon and, of course, the exposition.

But they will also notice some differences due to the continuing influences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first

The designation of March as Women’s History Month perfectly aligns with the start of this year’s California avocado season, which presented the concept to interview the three women that currently sit on the California Avocado Commission.

Jessica Hunter, secretary of CAC, joined the family-owned farming and packing operation — Del Rey Avocado Co. — almost 20 years ago. She has been on the board for five years. Rachael K. Laenen is assistant ranch manager of Santa Paula, CA-based Kimball Ranches - El Hogar, and is the fourth generation of avocado growers in her family. She joined the CAC board

Gold Coast Packing is a family business that was started by two long-time friends, Ron Burk and Bob Espinola. Both owners have been actively involved in the company since its inception and still have a large role in the business. Throughout the years, both Burk’s and Espinola’s children have joined the company and remain as leaders of the business.

This past year has been possibly the most challenging year that Gold Coast Packing has endured, but the company got through it without laying off any employees.

“It definitely made us stronger, wiser and more committed as a team,” said Crystal

Lytone Enterprise Inc. just announced a novel liquid fertilizer aiming to improve crop growth and quality by providing natural trace elements.

The newly launched ferlizer, Azolyte, consisting of not only macro-nutrients such as phosphorous, potassium and magnesium, which have been proven necessary for plant growth, but also a series of multiple elemental nutrients, many of which can only be found in oceanic sediments. These trace elements are believed to be beneficial for plant physiology as well as growth.

The trial of examining Azolyte’s effect on fruit quality took place in central Taiwan