The world has entered the third wave of COVID-19 and the pandemic continues to challenge not only the health system but also the market and the economy. Salix Fruits, a leading company in the import and export of fresh fruits, anticipates the obstacles and difficulties that logistics will bring in 2022 and puts operations as a priority for the company.

That is why the company announced the appointment of Juan Gonzalez Pita as chief operating officer. To prioritize the operation and provide the best service to their clients, they created and formalized the position of director of operations

The Del Rey Avocado senior leadership team and business partners Bob Lucy and Bob Siemer announced the transition of leadership of the company to the next generation — Jessica Hunter (Siemer’s daughter) and Patrick and Donny Lucy (Lucy’s sons). Lucy and Siemer will remain active in industry and will serve on the company’s board of directors.

“We will continue to be available to advise and consult thus ensuring the continuity of excellence the company is known for,” said Lucy.

“We are so proud and delighted to pass the torch to three highly talented and intelligent people, who just happen

Plant City, FL-based Wish Farms, an international grower and year-round marketer of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and pineberries, is proud to announce the hiring of Carlos Fear as director of berry genetics.

“Adding Carlos to our team is a major milestone for our company,” said Wish Farms’ Owner Gary Wishnatzki. “His track record is phenomenal, and this move fits perfectly into our long-term strategic vision to develop and brand proprietary berry varieties that taste great.”

A renowned plant breeder and horticulturalist, Fear has thirty years of experience in the

Over the past seven years, Joe Bernardi, president of Bernardi & Associates Inc., and his family have raised more than half a million dollars for charities through the Kayla Bernardi BEE Positive Foundation.

“It really is more than monetary,” said Cathie Bernardi.  “It is about how many lives we can touch, and how far we can spread Kayla’s BEE Positive message.”

Joe Bernardi, who was excited to use this story space to talk about his late daughter’s life and impact, agreed with his wife’s assessment 100 percent. “We would like to focus on that more than the dollar amounts,” he said. “The more

Harps Food Stores Inc. has appointed J. Max Van Hoose to president.

Van Hoose is a northwest Arkansas native and graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1991 with a degree in industrial engineering. In 1997 after earning his MBA at the University of Kansas, Van Hoose returned to Arkansas to join Harps Food Stores as director of construction and equipment.  In 2002 he was named vice president of store planning and then later to executive vice president.

Van Hoose continues to oversee store development, acquisitions, construction and real estate activities for Harps.

“J. Max has

The Fresh Produce & Floral Council announced its incoming 2022 board of directors, outgoing directors and congratulated the 2021 Apprentice Class.

Traditionally, the departing and incoming chairs would be announced and pass the gavel at the FPFC Dinner Dance; however, its dinner dance has now been rescheduled, set for May 21, at the Langham Pasadena Hotel.

FPFC’s 2021 chairman, Sean McClure, will pass the reigns to the FPFC 2022 chairwoman, Kori Martin of Oppy, but will remain on the board as the past chair replacing Brian Cook of Pete’s. Michael Schutt of Raley’s will serve as chair elect