Giddings Berries USA, the Monterey, CA-based subsidiary of Giddings Fruit, a leading global supplier of conventional and organic berries, cherries and more, has strengthened its management team as it aggressively grows its presence and support to U.S. customers.

Neftaly Vargas has joined Giddings Berries USA in the newly created position of senior sales manager, and will be focused on expanding the company’s major retailer program and building out the company’s sales and customer service teams. "Having supported producers and built successful programs for some of the nation’s leading

Jordan Fideler, a recent graduate from California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo with a degree in agricultural business, spent her summer in a 12-week sales internship at West Pak Avocado. During that time, she set out to learn about and work on all aspects of West Pak’s sales processes and gained exposure to the company’s sales and marketing efforts.

“My experience here at West Pak has been amazing," said Fideler. "Everyone here has made an effort to get to know me and teach me what they do at the company. I have enjoyed working with many different departments and getting an overall education

Christopher Shinn Gardella, who spent more than 50 years working in the produce industry, died in Oxnard, CA, Monday, Sept. 13. He was 68.

Mr. Gardella began his esteemed 44-year produce career in 1977 in Philadelphia, where he learned the agribusiness of deciduous fruits from the ground up. His work spanned the globe and often took him to Chile.

During the 1990s Mr. Gardella moved to Bakersfield, CA, and worked for several growers in marketing and sales capacities. Most recently, he started his own sales and marketing firm, CSG Marketing, selling specialty grapes for international markets

Pear Bureau Northwest is pleased to announce Jim Morris has joined the organization as marketing communications manager.

Morris brings over 12 years of combined retailer and marketing experience to the Pear Bureau Northwest team. Most recently, Morris created and executed omni-channel marketing programs for key accounts and specialty retailers at Keen Footwear, where he worked as the Retail Marketing Manager for three years. His experience covers many areas in the consumer goods category and he brings a unique perspective on the retail world to Pear Bureau Northwest.

“I’m excited to combine

Selected by the Advisory Board and Keynote Speaker Faculty as the winner of The Millennium Alliance’s CMO Innovator of the Year award, The Fresh Market’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kevin Miller, accepted the award on behalf of his team’s outstanding efforts for this past year. During a year when marketers were challenged to find new ways to reach target audiences and drive ROI, The Fresh Market’s marketing group launched several key initiatives including developing a world-class gourmet food magazine, allowing them to meet customers in-home during the pandemic, with QR codes integrated with

This October marks not only the start of Starr Ranch Growers Harvest Season but also brings the announcement of the retirement of longtime Director of Marketing, Scott Marboe.

For 35 years Scott Marboe has been an intricate part of the team that helped steer Starr Ranch into the company it is today. His contributions within Starr Ranch and a variety of industry organizations like PMA and Pear Bureau Northwest will always be valued and remembered.  His hard work, commitment and dedication are worthy of admiration.  From the early days of sales to his role as Director of Marketing Scott’s