WASHINGTON, DC - Two of Australasia’s prominent fresh produce industry leaders have been appointed to the International Fresh Produce Association ANZ’s board of directors.

They are Perfection Fresh Australia Chief Commercial Officer John Simonetta and New Zealand’s Jenkins Group Ltd Managing Director Cameron McInness. Both Mr. Simonetta and Mr. McInness were among the advocates who proposed the IFPA (formerly the Produce Marketing Association) establish an Australia-New Zealand branch in 2009. Perfection Fresh and Jenkins Group are long-term members, and individually, Mr. Simonetta and Mr. McInness have long been key supporters of the organization’s activities.

IFPA ANZ Managing Director Belinda Wilson said Mr. Simonetta and Mr. McInness were elected with strong support from IFPA ANZ members, following an extraordinary number of highly accredited applicants for the board positions which became available at the annual general meeting on December 20, 2024.

“It’s great to see so many members wanting to be part of our organization, get involved in driving its strategic direction, and ensure members are engaged and supported,” Ms. Wilson said.

The IFPA ANZ board comprises 10 fresh produce industry leaders who represent a range of sectors across the supply chain including growers, marketers, retailers, technology innovators, researchers, and strategy experts, a press release stated.

Mr. Simonetta has held various senior executive roles at one of Australia's largest privately owned fresh produce businesses, Perfection Fresh Australia since 1997, following a legal career. In his current role, he is responsible for all commercial operations including sales, supply, fulfilment and export. In addition to his IFPA ANZ directorship, he is a committee member of the Australian Blueberry Growers’ Association.

“I’m looking forward to working with other directors to ensure we engage with retailers and consumers to increase the consumption of fresh produce and create excitement around fruit and vegetables,” Mr. Simonetta said.

“It’s an exciting time for the industry. Global trends show there is an increase in health and wellness and a rise in in-home dining. This is all great news for fresh produce consumption and presents opportunities to leverage. In terms of the environment, packaging is one of the important and major steps industry needs to take. It’s difficult to be green if you’re in the red but it’s become more affordable and achievable for producers to work towards sustainable options.”

Mr. McInness was appointed Managing Director of fresh produce packaging innovator and supplier, Jenkins Group in September 2024. Previously, he was Director of New Ventures and Innovation, a role he held since 2018. His background is in general management and product commercialization.

“I’m thrilled to be part of the IFPA's efforts to champion the fresh produce industry across Australia and New Zealand. I’m particularly excited to contribute to initiatives that foster the next generation of talent, address evolving industry challenges like sustainable packaging, and drive innovation within our industry” Mr. McInness said.

“One of the biggest industry challenges is the cost of labour in relation to productivity and automation. Australasia is undergoing rapid change in this space,” he said.

Premier event a chance to meet directors

The new directors will be formally welcomed at the IFPA ANZ’s first 2025 board meeting to be held in conjunction with the first Executive Leadership Summit for the year to be held at Chifley Square Business Centre, Sydney on March 13. The ELS will be followed by the association’s premier member event, the exclusive Diamond-Platinum Executive Dinner at Bridge Marquee, Sydney Harbour later that evening.

Open only to Diamond members and Platinum partners, the dinner is a chance for members to meet the board and welcome the new directors. Ms. Wilson encouraged all applicable members and partners to register.

Board Chairman Richard Byllaardt welcomed the new directors and said it was encouraging that long-term members were deeply invested in supporting and driving the industry.

Membership continued to grow year-on-year. A key focus this year would be on developing a strategy targeting membership growth, he said.

Register for ANZ Diamond-Platinum Executive Dinner here.

CASTROVILLE, CA - Ocean Mist® Farms, North America's leading grower and shipper of fresh artichokes, reports strong artichoke supplies from its winter growing region in Coachella, California.

“The quality looks good, and we expect ample supply of our seasonal Frost-Kissed® artichokes over the next couple weeks,” said Commodity Account Manager, Ben Wilson. Continuing, “This is a great opportunity for retailers to take advantage of these volumes and promote artichokes, especially sought-after Frost-Kissed® artichokes.”

Frosted artichokes develop their unique markings naturally when temperatures drop into the 30s °F or below, causing a slight blistering or darkening of the outer skin. Similar to a sunburn, this browning is purely cosmetic and peels away once cooked, revealing the familiar vibrant green artichoke.

The browning of the exterior petals in no way affects the eat-ability or quality of the artichoke, and actually enhances the nutty flavor, which many consumers prefer, making these winter gems a very desirable item that’s only available for a limited time.

Frost-Kissed artichokes include petal inserts designed to educate consumers about this natural phenomenon and emphasize their limited availability. Ocean Mist offers POS materials to retailers, including case cards, petal inserts and shelf wobblers, available directly through their website.

SANTA PAULA, CA - The first thing I noticed upon stepping into the produce department of my local grocery store yesterday was the robust avocado display and the small crowd of customers patiently waiting their turn to nab some green gold for themselves. With the upcoming events sending more foot traffic to the category in preparation for game-day spreads and get-togethers, avocados are primed for a strong sales boost.

“Avocados will always be the MVP for the Big Game, whether as a traditional big bowl of guac and chips, atop a plate of nachos, or added to a burger or taco,” shared Peter Shore, Vice President of Product Management for Calavo Growers. “Furthermore, there is increasing demand for vegan/vegetarian and healthy eating, and the versatility of avocados really shines when it comes to snacks that are healthy, delicious, and crowd-pleasing. For example, an easy appetizer of guacamole atop a crisp slice of cucumber sprinkled with your favorite seasoning is a quick, healthy snack, and adding some Cajun or blackened shrimp on top takes it to another level.”

To support the strong avocado demand leading up to this year’s Super Bowl, Calavo Growers currently is sourcing fruit from both California and Mexico.

“It's always a great idea to cross-merchandise with traditional fresh guacamole ingredients such as tomatoes, Jalapeño or Serrano peppers, onions, and cilantro,” Peter advises. “Spices, seasonings, or dry guacamole mixes are great tie-ins, providing convenience for shoppers and additional ring-ups for the store.”

Versatility, quality, and snackability are drawing shoppers directly to the avocado category in the weeks to come, be sure to have an ample supply of avocados on display! For more category updates, leave a tab open to AndNowUKnow.

PERU - Mission Produce® is celebrating the start of its Peruvian mango season, ready to supply the World’s Finest Mangos™. From pruning to nutrition planning all the way to harvest, a team of expert leaders guides this program’s growth with a strategic approach to maintaining top quality and flavor. Tasked with evaluating the different phenological stages of the mango crop, Phenology Supervisor Xiomara Rodriguez continued our deep dive into the company’s mango operation in Peru.

What sets Mission Produce’s mango operations apart?

“Our team is made up of great people—professionals who have successfully tackled the challenges of the ever-changing agro-industrial world. There is a strong sense of support among us, and our teamwork leads to great results, as shown in the quality of the fruit we produce.

During the season, we are fully dedicated to growing mangos. Our rhythm is dynamic and agile. Without a doubt, my personal and professional growth have been remarkable. I feel proud of the journey I’ve taken.”

How does the Mission Produce team prepare for the mango harvest? What are some of Mission Produce's most vital methods for growing the best fruit?

“Mission Produce is a company that constantly innovates. We are always seeking ways to improve our processes, and we do so by leveraging our passion for efficiency and open-mindedness—two important values of Mission Produce Peru.

We use advanced technology to evaluate the crop. This involves checking soil moisture, applying irrigation, measuring fruit growth, among other techniques, all of which help us make informed cultivation decisions.”

How do you take care of and ensure the quality of your mangoes?

“Like the rest of my team, I am committed to the quality of our fruit throughout each stage of cultivation. It’s about protecting the fruit in every way possible—we keep the trees clean and healthy, we prevent disease growth, and we mitigate damage from the sun, wind, or other elements.”

What impresses you about Mission Produce's crop and operations?

“I am impressed by everything in Mission Produce’s crop operations, from our organization to the attention given to each detail of the crop. One team focuses on caring for the fruit, another on nourishing the fruit, another on protecting the fruit, and so on. Before coming to Mission, I had never seen this level of detailed operation and passion for perfection.

Today, I have a much greater appreciation for the fruit I see in a supermarket. I now understand the immense effort that goes into producing it. Holding a piece of fruit reminds me that there is an entire team working hard to deliver it fresh and delicious to your table. It’s a unique perspective for those of us in the fresh produce industry.

I’ve learned so much working on the Mission Mango Farm—not just in my specific role but in other areas, thanks to how openly each team shares their knowledge and expertise. I love the way we work—with such care and attention to detail. Together, we bring the best of our land to the world!”

What do you like most about working for Mission Produce?

“I like working at Mission Produce because it has a great organizational culture, good management, transparency, and employees are valued. I like being surrounded by good leaders who support me and provide me with the tools and technical knowledge I need.

I am proud to know that I work for a very good company that is dedicated to growing and producing high-quality and delicious fruit that crosses borders, reaches other continents, and feeds people around the world.”

Cheers to Mission Produce on not only this successful program, but its ability to establish a team passionate about providing fresh produce to people around the globe.

*This interview has been translated from Spanish to English.