This year has ushered in a new era of retail, and customers are asking for retailers to show up differently.

"We have an amazing set of assets that have us well prepared for this next era, but we can’t stop there," said John Crecelius, senior vice president of associate product and next generation stores. "We’re moving quickly to use our physical retail stores to not only serve in-store shoppers, but to flex to meet the needs of online shoppers, too, in ways that only Walmart can. That’s where our new test stores come in. Their purpose is to find solutions that help our stores operate as both

As the new sales director at Mission Produce, Brooke Becker is responsible for managing outside purchases and utilization of product. Her responsibilities include analyzing volume trends that impact North American retail, wholesale, and foodservice businesses, and guiding domestic sales staff on price and market conditions.

“Brooke is a strong sales professional and has become a leader at Mission,” said Stephen Fink, vice president of North American sales. “In her tenure, she has contributed to efforts that have resulted in the growth of retail and wholesale business. Brooke is dedicated to

With its relatively new Vista, CA packing and cooling facility fully operational, Del Rey Avocado Co. Inc. will be able to offer the shelf-life extending Apeel treatment on the production from Mexico for the entire season. The facility opened in the middle of 2019 and Del Rey added the Apeel process option several months ago, which coincided with the end of Mexico’s 2019-20 season.

Company Vice President Patrick Lucy said the process has been available on the new crop of Mexican avocados since the season began in mid-summer.  He said the Apeel treatment definitely extends shelf life which can

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against Kendall Frozen Fruits Inc. for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The company, operating from California, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to two produce sellers in the amount of $2.16 million from May 2017 through July 2018.

Kendall Frozen Fruits Inc. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the

Tim York was named as the new CEO of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement during its Oct. 29 board of directors meeting. York will replace Scott Horsfall, who is retiring in early 2021. York will begin his work with the LGMA Dec. 1.

“Tim has been an influential presence when it comes to advancing continuous improvement in  food safety in the produce industry,” said Dan Sutton, chair of the LGMA. “He is a staunch advocate for protecting consumers and public health and we are fortunate to have Tim to guide LGMA into this new era.”

York was formerly the president of Markon

Generation Farms has added produce industry veteran Mike Harris to their expanding sales team. Harris recently joined the leading grower-shipper of organic and conventional onions, watermelon, and other fresh fruits and vegetables as watermelon sales director.

With a produce career spanning over three decades, Harris learned the business from the ground up. His first job was in the fields pitching watermelons at the age of 14, and over the years, he has worked every aspect of the business, from growing and business operations, to sales.

"I’m excited for the opportunity to bring my experience