Ocean Mist Farms, a leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in the U.S., announced that Jenny Rivera has joined Ocean Mist Farms as a sales representative. With this hiring, Ocean Mist Farms has brought on an experienced and proven professional.

In her new role, Rivera will be responsible for the day-to-day management of key accounts in relation to sales at Ocean Mist Farms. Prior to accepting the position, Rivera served as senior district sales manager at Dole Fresh Vegetables, where she began her career over 12 years ago. She earned her degree at Santa Clara University and Cal State

Oppy is celebrating two of its finest — Tropicals Category Vice President Steve Woodyear-Smith and Creative Services Director Cathie MacDonald — as they wrap up their careers with the leading grower, marketer and distributor at the end of the month.

“Steve and Cathie have both made momentous contributions to our business over their storied careers — as leaders, innovators and cultural role models,” said Oppy President David Smith. “They have more than 50 years of tenure between them, all of which were spent breaking ground in their respective areas of expertise, while supporting their peers

This year, 11 participants completed the third annual Viva Fresh Clean Eating Challenge, which culminated at the Viva Fresh Expo last month. Since 2020, the challenge has captured the attention of the produce industry as participants challenge themselves every year to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their daily routines. As a welcome bonus, participants have lost more than 1,000 pounds in the three years of the challenge and have enjoyed even more positive side effects.

In September of 2021, the Texas International Produce Association once again asked would-be participants, “Do

Robert (Bob) Yoshiharu Sakata, a lifelong member of the agriculture industry and founder of Sakata Farms, died June 7 at the age of 96.

Mr. Sakata  was born April 15, 1926, in San Jose, CA, to Aki Nishimura and Mantaro Sakata. His mother died of pneumonia leaving his father to raise 5-year-old Bob and three older siblings. Mr. Sakata’s father farmed a small plot of land near Centerville, CA, where he learned to love farming. Following the declaration of war against Japan, the United States government interned 120,000 Japanese Americans, including Mr. Sakata and his family. As a teenager, Mr

Pear Bureau Northwest has promoted Bob Catinella to director of merchandising.   

Catinella started at PBNW in 2012 as one of the organization’s five regional marketing managers and has been continually taking on new responsibilities, including adding national account responsibility for some of the country’s top retailers and becoming lead regional marketing manager in 2019. Prior to joining PBNW, Catinella was manager of retail sales for Progressive Gourmet.

“I am really excited to have the opportunity to work even more closely with our team of regional mangers and to continue developing

Long known for moving fresh produce around the world swiftly and safely on vessels, trucks and planes, Oppy is now helping one of its own travel across the United States — on a bicycle.

Executive Director of Marketing Karin Gardner is a member of Love, Sweat & Gears, a four-woman squad participating in the 2022 Race Across America, which rolls out from Oceanside, CA, on June 18. Spanning more than 3,000 miles across a dozen states, the event is billed as the world’s toughest cycling race. The team is racing to raise awareness and funds for Gaia Home, a new non-profit in Gardner’s home state