A M King has begun construction on a distribution center for Mexico-based GAB Operations in Laredo, Texas. The new 45,590-square-foot facility, when complete, will provide increased cold storage capacity for fresh produce and will serve as a hub for the company’s U.S. and Canadian customers. The project is scheduled to be completed in October.

As part of its ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, SpartanNash and its family of nearly 19,000 associates will commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 18.

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. 

Nature Fresh Farms welcomes Robert Van Der Geest as General Manager to their Mexico team. The company has financially invested in the operation of a 15-acre greenhouse with an additional 15 acres under construction, located in Central Mexico. Van Der Geest has been brought on to lead their greenhouse operations.

Leonardo’s Produce (“Leonardo’s”), a distributor of fresh produce and specialty products, joined FreshEdge, a family of produce and specialty food companies backed by Rotunda Capital Partners, further diversifying the group’s combined customer base and increasing its breadth and depth of service offerings in Michigan and Ohio. Leonardo’s joins a growing family that includes Piazza Produce & Specialty Foods, Indianapolis Fruit, Get Fresh, McCartney Produce, Garden Cut, Cibus Fresh and Papania’s.

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.

Nature Fresh Farms has expanded operations with a new Distribution Center in Laredo, Texas, with future developments planned for next year. The new 61,000 square foot Distribution Center in Laredo, Texas, provides a new major hub of fresh produce. Since the opening of the facility, they have employed over 30 team members with more positions available for hire.

McCartney Produce, a distributor of fresh produce and specialty food products, joined FreshEdge, a family of produce and specialty food companies, further diversifying the group’s combined customer base and increasing its breadth and depth of service offerings in the Midwest and Southeast. McCartney joins a growing family that includes Get Fresh, Indianapolis Fruit, Piazza Produce & Specialty Foods, Garden Cut, CIBUS Fresh, and Papania’s.

Del Monte Fresh Produce launched its new ‘Can Do Done Daily’ campaign, which aims to highlight its dedicated workforce, who have been going above and beyond during these trying times. The new campaign, which features stories from Del Monte Fresh Produce employees in all sectors, from warehouse operations to merchandising and more, showcases the exemplary work Del Monte Fresh Produce’s staff has remained committed to executing throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, despite the challenges they have faced.

The closures of restaurants, hotels, and schools have left growers with heaps of fresh produce without a destination. With crops often grown exclusively for the foodservice industry, growers who produce crops with a large percentage of production destined for this vital market segment are faced with incredible challenges amidst COVID-19 closures.