MAITLAND, FL - The trade associations that support Florida’s dynamic group of growers, packers, and shippers are searching for a new leader. The associations within this umbrella include the Florida Tomato Exchange, the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, and the Florida Tomato Committee.

This executive search comes after news that Michael Schadler, who has served as the Executive Vice President of the Florida Tomato Exchange since 2017, accepted a job with the Washington Apple Commission starting this September.

“We wish Michael well and congratulate him on his new position with the Washington apple industry,” commented J.M. Procacci, Chairman of the Florida Tomato Exchange. “This is a critical time for the U.S. tomato industry, so it’s important we find the right candidate to pick up where Michael is leaving off.”

According to a press release, the Florida Tomato Exchange manages government relations on issues affecting the domestic tomato industry. The new Executive Vice President will lead these efforts with the FTE’s Board of Directors.

Alongside serving as EVP of the Florida Tomato Exchange and Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, this new leader will also be the manager of the Florida Tomato Committee. 

“Between the two exchanges and the Florida Tomato Committee, this is a dynamic position that gets to touch all components of the Florida tomato industry—everything from working with tomato breeders at the University of Florida to representing the industry in Washington, DC,” said Tony DiMare, Vice Chairman of the Florida Tomato Exchange. “It’s a unique opportunity and a position that can be very impactful for our industry.” 

The same staff manages the three associations, but each organization has separate financial structures, membership, and boards of directors. Applications will be accepted through July 15, 2024.

Keep reading ANUK for the latest news in our industry.

SALINAS, CA - Digital technology solutions provider Inteligistics is tapping the expertise of an experienced food safety and agtech leader, welcoming Gary Fleming to the role of Chief Executive Officer.

“Industries from consumer package goods to manufacturing to travel have experienced significant gains in efficiency and profits from digitally transforming their operations,” stated Fleming. “Inteligistics is positioned and poised to accelerate these advances across the fresh foods supply chains. Companies today collect data from disparate sources, but fail to maximize the full value the data can provide. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), Inteligistics makes sense of the data to help companies look at each segment of their supply chain with a magnifying glass, reducing labor and energy use, increasing throughput, reducing shrink and waste, and selling more product at higher margins.”

Throughout his career, Fleming has been at the forefront of supply chain efficiencies and technologies, developing standards and industry best practices across the fresh food sectors to improve traceability and visibility in the supply chain, a press release explained. During his time as Vice President, Industry Technology and Standards at the International Fresh Produce Association, Fleming was one of the primary architects of the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) following the E coli spinach outbreak in 2008. His most recent position was CEO for Dapicon, a supply chain technology platform in the fresh foods sector.

“Digital transformation of fresh supply chains is in its infancy, and Inteligistics can help companies get there faster and reap the benefits sooner,” added Fleming. “I’m very excited for the opportunity we present to help companies squeeze greater value out of their legacy data platforms and transition to the operational standard where data drives smarter decisions, turns regulatory compliance expense into revenue and the industry experiences less waste and higher profits across the entire fresh supply chain.”

Fleming has also been a consultant to Inteligistics for the past year, spearheading the development of the data architecture and user interface for Inteligistics’ groundbreaking 1-Click FSMA 204 Compliance Reporting functionality, which was released in May 2024.

Upon Fleming’s appointment, Rao Mandava—who founded Inteligistics in 2010 and has been its CEO and Chairman since its inception—is now the company’s Executive Chairman. While Fleming is taking over responsibilities for daily operations and product marketing and development, Mandava will focus his activities on investor, industry, and key account relations, the release stated.

“Gary is the perfect person to take over day-to-day management of Inteligistics and spearhead our growth,” said Mandava. “His knowledge of food safety and technology, combined with his deep connections in fresh food and management experience, will guide our team as we help companies maximize the value from their digital transformations”.

To read more about Fleming’s career, click here.

And keep reading ANUK as we bring you more industry insights.

IRVINE, CA - The California Avocado Commission (CAC) has called on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to maintain direct oversight over the Mexico avocado export program, emphasizing that the continuation of the current U.S./Mexico Operational Work Plan (OWP) is essential.

“As reports of corruption and violence in Mexico continue, including regions authorized for avocado exports to the U.S., it’s unimaginable the U.S. government would consider abdicating inspection responsibilities to Mexico,” said Commission Vice President of Industry Affairs and Operations Ken Melban. “U.S. farmers will not be protected under such a program, one intended and designed specifically to protect U.S. farmers’ economic interests.”

As the organization stated in a recent release, the OWP requires the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to provide direct inspection of all harvesting and packing of Hass avocados for export to the U.S. CAC noted that maintaining the USDA’s direct oversight ensures the integrity of the avocado inspection program in Mexico and is critical to preventing the introduction of invasive pests to the U.S.

The organization emphasized the importance of preventing invasive pests by utilizing the agreed-upon and necessary levels of oversight found in the OWP.

“The Commission calls on USDA to uphold their mission and retain control of the Mexico avocado inspections as agreed upon under the current OWP,” Melban added.

The California Avocado Commission represents the roughly 3,000 avocado growers who produce avocados on more than 50,000 acres in the state, with an annual average farm-gate value of $367,000,000.

Keep reading ANUK as we continue to report on industry news.

ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Can’t believe that Organic Produce Summit is in a few short weeks? We’re in the same boat! As you continue planning which booths to visit, consider adding Zespri to the mix. With its organic SunGold™ and Green kiwifruit programs, the provider is ready to help its retail partners see the power that is organic kiwifruit.

“Zespri has been supplying the North American market with organic SunGold and Green kiwifruit varieties for nearly a decade,” explained Darren LaMothe, General Manager, North America. “Zespri’s had five straight years of growth in organic sales in the U.S., with a four-year CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 92 percent! Both organic SunGold and Green Kiwi are the top-selling organic kiwi SKUS.”

According to a press release, the company’s organic kiwifruit experienced dollar growth of +28 percent and volume growth of +20 percent in the U.S.

“Our growth is driven by our 1 lb organic SunGold pack,” LaMothe stated. “It accounts for over half of the total Zespri organic sales this past season while driving the largest growth of +60 percent. Kiwifruit is no longer considered an exotic fruit. It is a high-growth, everyday item now and it sells best when it is prominently displayed adding incremental sales to the produce department.”

Click here to learn more about Zespri Organics, the company’s program, and marketing support.

Stop by booth #713 to see Zespri at the show!