Nature Fresh Farms has expanded its sales team with two new hires, adding Brenda Necic and Pam Cherwak to the Nature Fresh Farms team.

Gold Coast Packing has promoted two employees and added one member to its team. The business has always been family owned and operated since its inception in 1978 by long-time friends Ron Burk and Bob Espinola. And it will continue that way as Burk’s son Gary has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Prior to the promotion, Gary was Gold Coast’s general manager. He had held that position since 2019. Gary will now oversee all daily operating duties at Gold Coast Packing and the company’s processing facility, Fresh Venture Foods.

Fresh Del Monte Produce, one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, is pleased to announce the election of two additional members to its Board of Directors, Lori Tauber Marcus and Kristin Colber-Baker.

Vanguard International has added new talent to their team with the hiring of Fanny Robles in Peru and Ignacio Ugarte in Chile.

Mann Packing, a subsidiary of Del Monte Fresh Produce and one of the largest suppliers of packaged vegetables in North America, has opened its new facility in Gonzales, California. Joining a lineup of California facilities in Salinas, Chualar, Delhi, and one in Yuma, Arizona, the new fifth facility will allow Mann Packing to grow its business, elevate its existing operations and provide an innovative new space to help the brand continue to meet consumer needs.

Markon welcomes Kate Burr as its new Food Safety Director. In her new role, Burr will use her proficiency of field and processing practices, product recall expertise, and sustainability knowledge to enhance Markon’s food safety initiatives. She will be responsible for compliance with Markon’s 5-Star Food Safety Program standards throughout Markon’s supply chain; ensure all Markon First Crop, Ready-Set-Serve, and Markon Essentials products meet or exceed its stringent food safety standards; and serve as the voice of Markon for all food safety-related matters. She will also deliver relevant industry information to members, alert customers about food safety concerns, and conduct ongoing research in the field. 

Houweling’s Group has moved to its new Nogales, Arizona, distribution and packing services center. Having outgrown the 18,000-square-foot facility the company operated the last few years, the new 30,000-square-foot facility has 50% more receiving bays, six coolers with the ability to manage three separate climate zones and a cooled packing area.

Hitchcock Farms of Salinas, California, a premier and innovative grower/shipper has acquired Pfyffer Associates, a grower, packer and shipper of premium Brussels sprouts in Santa Cruz, California. Pfyffer has been a leading supplier of Brussels sprouts for over 45 years with their well-known Ernie’s Pride and Pfyffer labels.