Produce

Sun World International LLC has appointed Stems Fruit Pty Ltd, a relatively new stone fruit export company in South Africa, as a licensed stone fruit marketer. Stems Fruit Pty Ltd joins Capespan Exports Pty Ltd and Green Marketing International Pty Ltd and brings to the table a solid producer base as well as professional and expert stone fruit management team. …

Fresh Express Incorporated is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of 9 oz. Leafy Green Romaine Salad with the expired Use-by Date of September 16 as a precaution in an unlikely event that consumers may still have the expired salad in their refrigerators. The recall was necessitated by a positive test result for Listeria monocytogenes on a single package out of many samples collected for the U. S. Department of Agriculture random sample testing program. …

As part of AYCO Farm’s growth strategy, the company has fashioned a comprehensive greenhouse produce program. AYCO has acquired procurement and greenhouse production in the four leading Mexican growing regions in Mexico. Through its partnerships in these production areas Ayco will ship over three million cases this coming winter season. …

Pura Vida Farms, nationwide pineapple importer and grower and shipper of melon products, announced the selection of Shawn Avera as the Director of Watermelon Operations for their Eastern Region. Avera began his duties on August 20, 2012 and will be based at Pura Vida’s new Moultrie, Georgia office.  Working face to face with contacts on the East Coast, Avera brings over 10 years of experience in the produce industry, specifically focusing on watermelon production in the Southeast and Midwest. He has experience working in all aspects of the produce supply-chain, from the ground to the store, including growing, greenhouse, brokering trucks and sales. …

Ready Pac Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce that its Irwindale, California facility completed its first Safe Quality Food (SQF) 2000 Level 3 Certification Audit and has attained Level 3 certification, the highest level possible. …