Sal Vacca, the former owner of A.J. Trucco located on Hunts Point Terminal Market in the Bronx, NY, died March 22. He was 93.

Mr. Vacca retired in 2015 from a company he has been so deeply involved with since it was formed in 1960.

His story about being a U.S. immigrant from Italy started in 1949. Born in Capri, he was in school learning English World War II ended in 1945. He also had a business buying locally made espadrilles and taking them to Naples to sell. It was that year when a cousin of his father, Domenico D’Angiola, approached him with the idea of coming to the United States.

“Dom

California Giant Berry Farms has hired Justin Kosta as director of sustainability. He will play a pivotal role in the expansion of California Giant’s corporate sustainability program, which will extend to its grower partners throughout the Americas. 

Kosta has held several sustainability-focused positions of increased scope and responsibility throughout his 18-plus year career, including working as an environmental consultant in Latin America and holding management positions in the federal government and food industry. He joins California Giant Berry Farms from Foster Poultry Farms, where he

Heath Webber has joined Black Gold Farms as its chief financial officer. Webber has more than 30 years of finance experience and a combined 10 years in the CFO role. He holds a bachelor's degree in accountancy from the University of North Dakota and a master's in business administration from the University of Mary.

Webber is succeeding Bob Hoffert, who will enjoy retirement after 30 years of service with Black Gold Farms. Webber most recently served as CFO at PS Industries Inc. in Grand Forks, ND, where he oversaw all financial aspects of the organization.

"Heath brings a wealth of knowledge

Last month the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted a swearing-in ceremony for 30 producer members and two importers to join the Potatoes USA board of directors during its annual meeting.

In a display of commitment to the potato industry, the USDA appointed 16 new members and reappointed 16 members to the board to serve three-year terms, expiring Feb. 28, 2026. Alex Caryl, branch chief of the Market Development Division of the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service’s Specialty Crops Program, officiated the swearing-in ceremony.

The nomination process for board members is conducted

Weis Markets announced the recent promotion of Alison Gregas to director of private brands. In this position, she is responsible for new product development and the day-to-day management of the company’s 6,500-item private brand program, including its Weis Quality, Weis By Nature and Weis Organics products.

The retailer is a Mid-Atlantic food retailer operating 197 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia and Virginia.

Gregas began working with Weis Markets as a business manager for Daymon Worldwide, the company’s in-house private brands brokerage

The National Mango Board elected new officers during its annual March board meeting. This year, the March board meeting occurred in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. As dedicated members, the NMB officers will fulfill their duties and responsibilities by leading the board in accordance with the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996, and the Mango Order.

Albert Perez of Miami will serve as chair and Thomas Hall of Oxnard, CA, as vice chair. Serving as secretary is Cesar Morocho of Piura, Peru, and elected as treasurer is Luis Carlos Martinez of Guatemala City, Guatemala.