MyLand Co. LLC announced the appointment of Pradeep Monga, former deputy executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, to its board of directors. This appointment elevates the company as a global leader in soil health and regenerative agriculture and positions them at the forefront of the conversation around the impact of investing in land and soil health on decarbonization, climate resilience, water efficiency, food security, nature-based health solutions, eco-restoration and the economic security of farmers and local communities around the world.

“As we

As if dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t challenging enough, this past year many companies in the produce industry have been dealing with unprecedented labor shortages.

According to the 2021 Farm Labor Survey, conducted by USDA’s Economic Research Service, the data shows a serious problem with labor in the agricultural sector.

Labor shortages were caused by border closings, fewer young people entering the field and just an increase in acreage needing to be harvested.

“There’s a tremendous labor shortage and it’s hitting the agricultural community hard,” said Alex Cracchiolo of USA

Changes are happening at Gold Coast Packing. The company has promoted two employees and added one member to its team. The business, which has been family owned and operated by long-time friends Ron Burk and Bob Espinola since its inception in 1978, will continue that way as Burk’s son Gary has just been promoted to chief operating officer. 

On the sales side, Monica Cordero has been promoted to director of sales. Cordero had been the sales manager for the past eight years. She has supported the team as it’s grown its product portfolio and its customer base. She also oversees the marketing

Albertsons Cos. announced that Jennifer Saenz will join the company as executive vice president, chief merchandising officer effective July 12. Saenz will be responsible for all areas of merchandising within the company, including Own Brands. Saenz will also be responsible for further strengthening the company’s relationships with its brand partners. She will join the company’s senior leadership team and report to Vivek Sankaran, president and CEO.

“We’re excited to welcome Jennifer to the Albertsons team,” said Sankaran. “A commitment to serving our customers with a broad and differentiated

Jeff Walker, long time Houston, TX-based sales manager for Oppy will hang up his hat at the end of the month. Walker, who started selling produce from his family’s farm when he was 8 years old, joined Oppy in January 1994, opening the company’s fifth U.S. office on Houston’s Produce Row.

In short order, Walker became fondly known by his colleagues as “The Lone Ranger,” singlehandedly building Oppy’s business with key customers in Texas and the South-Central U.S. He went on to create a high-performing sales team in Houston, which thrives today.

“When Jeff joined us, we were launching the New

Sunny Valley International, headquartered in Glassboro, NJ, announced June 15 that Steve Pinkston will be retiring, effective June 20.

A 40-year veteran of the produce industry, Pinkston joined Sunny Valley as the director of business development in 2018 after spending nearly 25 years in various produce sourcing and procurement roles at Walmart. Prior to joining Walmart in 1994, he spent 18 years with Food Lion.

"We want to extend our sincere thanks to Steve for the work that he has done over the past three years to strengthen Sunny Valley International's relationships with retailers up and