Company Press Release – Bayer successfully completed the acquisition of Monsanto on Thursday. Shares in the U.S. company will no longer be traded on the New York Stock Exchange, with Bayer now the sole owner of Monsanto Company. Monsanto shareholders are being paid 128 U.S. dollars per share. J.P. Morgan assisted Bayer with processing the purchase price payment for the largest acquisition in the company’s history. According to the conditional approval from the United States Department of Justice, the integration of Monsanto into Bayer can take place as soon as the divestments to BASF have been completed. This integration process is expected to commence in approximately two months.

Company Press Release – Jean-François Laverdure, CEO of J.B. Laverdure Inc. and Alain Routhier, CEO of Courchesne, Larose Ltd. are pleased to announce that Courchesne Larose Ltd. has taken a minority stake in J.B. Laverdure Inc. Both organisations are key players in Quebec’s produce importation and distribution industry and this transaction will help them face the challenges of their ever-changing business environment.

FDA Recall — Firm Press Release – Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. (“Del Monte Fresh”) announced today, the voluntary recall of a limited quantity of 6 oz., 12 oz. and 28 oz. vegetable trays containing fresh broccoli, cauliflower, celery sticks, carrots, and dill dip sold to select retailers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Company Press Release – Amazon Produce Network, a mango importer headquartered in Vineland, NJ with offices in Los Angeles, McAllen, Nogales and Miami, now offers Fair Trade Certified organic and conventional mangos this year for the first time.

Company Press Release – The newest offering from The Star Group is Inspired Leaves; Canadian Grown, pesticide free lettuce that is cut, washed, and ready-to-eat. This new product is an extension of Inspired Greens living lettuce, which is greenhouse grown year-round in Coaldale, AB.

USDA/AMS Press Release – Penick Produce Company Inc., operating out of Vardaman, Miss., has posted a $75,000 cash surety bond with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).