North America’s largest greenhouse lettuce grower, Revol Greens, has acquired BJ’s Produce, operating under the widely recognized Living Fresh brand, in Athens, Georgia, to establish its first East Coast greenhouse operation.

Bowery Farming, the largest vertical farming company in the United States, introduces Baby Rabe, the next release in its ‘Farmer’s Selection’ product category, which first launched in stores January 2021.

Pure Flavor’s Cloud 9 Bite-Sized Fruity Tomatoes have been awarded the ChefsBest Excellence Award, adding to the reputation of this snacking tomato endorsed by professional chefs. 

Expanding what is already one of the most diverse greenhouse baby leaf and head lettuce portfolios on the market, Revol Greens is adding a large-scale chopped romaine program with three new retail varieties available at select retailers throughout the Midwest: Premium Romaine Salad, Leafy Romaine Chop, and Vibrant Romaine Blend (SRP $2.99-$3.99 for 7.5-ounce packages). There also will be channel-specific packaging available for foodservice, serviced out of the Minnesota greenhouse. 

Fresh Express announced four new flavors across its popular salad kit lines: Bacon Thousand Island and Kickin’ Bacon Ranch Chopped Salad Kits, and Italian Balsamic and Spinach & Bacon Salad Kits.

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.

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.

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.

Tim York was named as the new Chief Executive Officer of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) during a recent Board of Directors meeting. York will replace Scott Horsfall who is retiring in early 2021.