Retiring Idaho Potato Commission CEO Frank Muir was honored last night at a dinner during the Idaho Grower Shipper Association's 93rd convention. The annual event kicked off Wednesday, Sept. 1 in Sun Valley, ID, and runs through Sept. 3.

Todd Cornelison, chairman of the Idaho Potato Commission, gave tribute to Muir's many accomplishments during his 18-year tenure. Cornelison drew a standing ovation when he said, "Frank is as pure Idaho as anybody I have ever met!" 

Muir was presented with a golf bag and a set of clubs by the appreciative IPC commissioners.

The Idaho Potato Commission’s

United Fresh Produce Association announced the four recipients of the 2021 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarships: Joseph F. Basciani of Basciani Foods Inc.; Curtis Griffin of Griffin Ranches Inc.; Lianna Tilton of Braga Fresh Family Farms; and Leticia Velazquez of The FruitGuys.

The Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship Program was founded in 2001 by sisters Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins in honor of their mother, Frieda Rapoport Caplan. The program provides the opportunity for representatives from family-owned, United Fresh member businesses to attend the

Vision Import Group, based in Wyckoff, NJ, recently announced several staff changes to position the company for its expanding future.

Angela Aronica previously was sales director and was promoted to vice president of sales. Aronica is a second-generation produce industry member and has been with Vision Import for four years. She graduated from Penn State University with a major in agricultural sciences and minor in agricultural communication.

In her new role, Aronica works hand-in-hand with Vision’s procurement team and oversee sales activities, working remotely from an office in Erie, PA.

The Arizona LGMA's new public relations liaison, April Ward of Harvest Moon Communications, brings two decades of marketing and communications experience and a wealth of knowledge relating to leafy greens farming and food safety.  Although she is new to working with Arizona LGMA, she is a familiar face to many in the Arizona farming community.

As the public relations liaison, Ward will work alongside Director Teressa Lopez to manage internal communications with Arizona LGMA members, growers and harvesters, as well as directing external communications with media,  produce associations and

Yessenia Arroyo is in love.

“I love my job.”

“I love my company.”

“I love my boss.”

“I love my co-workers.”

“I love being in sales.”

“I love Washington (state).”

“I love the weather here. People say it rains every day. They are lying. In Puerto Rico, it rains more.”

The list goes on and on. Arroyo punctuates almost every sentence with her love for her family, her career, her upbringing, her current situation, the products she sells, her clients and basically everything about her life.

She is currently in sales with HLB Specialties, which has its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nature Fresh Farms has expanded its sales team with two new hires: Brenda Necic and Pam Cherwak.

Over recent years Nature Fresh Farms has grown exponentially with new facilities and expansions across North America. In addition to organizational growth, they have also had the opportunity to welcome key individuals to their Nature Fresh Farms team. The company said it is thrilled to welcome Necic and Cherwak to its sales team.

Joining the produce industry nearly eight years ago, Necic is a proven leader and possesses the sales acumen that makes her exceptional at identifying new account