LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - The Allen Lund Company is pleased to announce that the General Managers in the Cincinnati and Salt Lake City offices have been named.

Tim Bryner has been promoted to GM of ALC Cincinnati, and Josh Mason has been promoted to GM of ALC Salt Lake City.

Tim Bryner joined the Cincinnati office in 2017, with more than 15 years of experience in the logistics industry. He worked his way up through the ranks to become the Assistant GM before being appointed the new General Manager of the office.

Matt Gronostaj, Vice President of Sales and Operations said in the recent release, “We are excited for Tim to step into the General Manager role. He has the experience, knowledge, and grit to lead Cincinnati to the next level, and we look forward to the immediate success that he will bring to the office.”

Regarding his new position, Tim shared, “I am honored to take on the role of General Manager of the Cincinnati branch. Having started my journey here as a broker nearly a decade ago, I am excited to lead this talented team into the next chapter.”

Josh Mason entered the logistics industry in 2019, gaining a wide breadth of experience. In 2024, he was among the first hires in ALC’s Salt Lake City office, where he introduced and grew ALC’s Refrigerated LTL program from the ground up.

Ben Batten, Vice President of Sales and Operations, stated, “I'm thrilled for Josh on his promotion to GM of our Salt Lake City office. Since joining the team at its very beginning, he's helped establish the foundation for this office. Josh's operational knowledge and track record of delivering solutions to our customers make him the ideal leader to guide the SLC office into the next chapter of success.”

Reflecting on his promotion, Josh said, “I am incredibly honored to step into the role of General Manager for our Salt Lake City office. Since opening our doors in 2024, this team has made remarkable strides, and our current momentum is a testament to the talent we have here—truly some of the best in the West. I look forward to leading this group as we continue to scale our operations and set new standards for excellence in the region.”

FRESNO, CA - Baloian Farms will begin harvesting its California Flat Sweet Red Onions in early May, marking the start of what the company anticipates to be a strong domestic season.

The program features Baloian’s Italian Flat Sweet Red Onion, grown from an exclusive heirloom seed cultivated for more than three generations. Known for its high Brix sweetness, distinctive flat shape, and strong shelf appeal, the item continues to gain traction among retailers seeking differentiated, high-flavor onion offerings.

“As consumers continue to look for more flavor-forward produce options, our Flat Sweet Reds deliver both taste and visual appeal,” said Reiley Johnstone at Baloian Farms, in the recent release. “We’re seeing increased interest from retailers looking to elevate their onion category with unique items that drive repeat purchases.”

Harvest will begin in Fresno, with promotable volumes expected throughout the May through October window. Baloian Farms offers a range of pack options and supports retail ad planning and seasonal programs.

The California season comes at a time when demand for premium and specialty onions continues to grow, particularly among shoppers seeking sweeter, versatile varieties for both fresh and culinary use.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on seven produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• FarmFresco Produce LLC, operating out of Lockhart, Texas, for failing to pay a $23,720 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Maria Luna was listed as the member/manager of the business.  
• Good Brew LLC, doing business as SoCo Ginger Beer, operating out of Austin, Texas, for failing to pay a $9,612 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Benjamin Weaver was listed as the member/manager of the business.
• Sun Wing Katy Supermarket, Inc., operating out of Katy, Texas, for failing to pay a $87,725 award in favor of a New York seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Yue Sheng Liang and Rong Fu Haung were listed as the officers, directors and major stockholders of the business.
• Sun Wing Bellaire Market LLC, operating out of Houston, Texas, for failing to pay a $96,283 award in favor of a New York seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Yue Sheng Liang and Rong Fu Haung were listed as the members/managers of the business.
• Everfresh Farms LLC, doing business as Everfresh Farms Produce, operating out of Fallston, Md., for failing to pay a $27,585 award in favor of a Pennsylvania seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Angelo Toutsis and Emmanuel Toutsis were listed as the members/managers of the business.
• JDB Produce LLC, operating out of Forest Park, Ga., for failing to pay a $32,993 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jose Dorantes Bustamante was listed as the member/manager of the business.
• L Produce LLC, operating out of Detroit, Mich., for failing to pay a $44,544 award in favor of a Michigan seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Sam Maniaci was listed as manager/member of the business.

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

For more information, contact Penny Robinson-Landrigan, Chief, Dispute Resolution Branch, at (202) 720-2890 or [email protected].

WENATCHEE, WA - Crunch Pak, a leader in healthy snacking solutions, is thrilled to roll out its refreshed brand system this May, featuring a new logo, revitalized packaging, and a modernized look across its core product lines. Designed with both shoppers and retailers in mind, the update supports faster shopping decisions and stronger brand blocking.

The 2026 refresh prioritizes primary SKUs, with artwork and mechanicals currently moving through final approvals. Updated brand assets will launch through Crunch Pak’s standard retail and partner channels, while web and digital visuals will transition in parallel with the market rollout to create a consistent brand experience across every point of contact.

Rooted in Crunch Pak’s commitment to making healthy snacking simple and inviting, the refreshed packaging delivers clearer variant cues and vibrant new imagery, helping shoppers find their favorite products in seconds. Retail partners will also notice a stronger shelf presence, reinforcing Crunch Pak’s impact in the produce aisle.

“Our newly designed logo emphasizes the concept of “Crunch,” capturing both the emotion and sensation associated with fresh produce. This focus aligns our visual identity with the core experience of our products. We are confident that the updated brand architecture will enhance communication with consumers. Furthermore, it enables us to unify the brand elements from our Licensee partners, creating a consistent and cohesive appearance across our entire product line,” said Andy Kimbrel, Executive Vice President at Crunch Pak, in the recent release.

“A strong brand and packaging system enables us to work more efficiently, focus on innovation, and maintain a clear, cohesive presence on shelf," said Kim Green, Marketing and Creative Director at Crunch Pak.

The updated look and feel extends beyond the pack, with a refreshed logo, contemporary typography, and a more energetic, cohesive tone of voice that signals where the brand is headed and better aligns with how today’s families talk, shop, and snack. The rebrand also reinforces what has made Crunch Pak a trusted name for more than two decades—delivering fresh, high-quality produce in ways that make sense in real life.