The largest vertical farming company in the U.S. has acquired Traptic, a company utilizing computer vision, robotic arms and artificial intelligence (AI), to harvest fruiting, vine and other delicate crops.
 

The distribution center spans more than 13,500 square feet and includes a new 10,000-square-foot food storage cooler and state-of-the-art food-processing line that meet the highest food safety standards. 

Indoor farming pioneer Gotham Greens has officially opened the first phase of its 10-acre, state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse near the University of California-Davis campus. 

Nature Fresh Farms is proud to announce that their director of business development, Ray Wowryk, is the recipient of this year’s Ontario Produce Marketing Association Lifetime Achievement Award. 

 Upon completion of the transaction, the acquisition will operate as part of FreshPoint, Sysco's specialty produce business.

Mission Produce has opened a 262,000-square-foot avocado ripening and processing facility in Laredo, Texas, the largest in North America. The plant also includes cold storage and packaging space. The building is located in Laredo’s Pinnacle Industry Center on 32.6 acres adjacent to the Rio Grande River and the Mexican Border. The new facility will allow Mission to capitalize on the continued popularity of its signature product in the nation’s busiest land port.

The U.S. Apple Association has named Michigan grower Chris Alpers of RedPath Orchards and Alpers Farms to lead its board of directors. He will serve the 2021-22 term. A third-generation grower, Alpers is the operations manager of RedPath Orchards and Alpers Farms and a partner in Alpers Tree Sales in Lake Leelanau, Michigan, where he grows apples, as well as sweet and tart cherries.

Don Goodwin, founder and former owner of GoldenSun Insights, a strategy-centric firm focused in the fresh produce industry, passed away on Sunday, April 18th, 2021. Goodwin was 58 years old. He leaves behind his loving wife, Roxanne, and daughter Isabella. He was surrounded by family during his passing. Goodwin had been battling multiple myeloma since November 2013.

The United Fresh Produce Association recently announced its 2021 Retail Produce Manager Awards honorees. Karen O’Dell, produce manager at the Martin’s Super Market in Granger, Indiana--a SpartanNash brand--was among the 25 produce managers recognized for her contributions to the industry.

FiveStar Gourmet Foods, Makers of Simply Fresh, is bringing aboard proven produce industry leader Michael Solomon as president, effective immediately. Reporting to CEO Tal Shoshan, Solomon will oversee all day-to-day operations out of the company’s Ontario, California, headquarters. Shoshan will continue to oversee the company’s innovation and strategic growth.