Pizza Fusion, a gourmet organic pizzeria, opened Washington’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified restaurant. Following the opening of San Diego’s first LEED certified restaurant, Seattle Pizza Fusion will be located in the new Trace Lofts at 12th & Madison in Capitol Hill. It will be the second of the chain’s West Coast locations to open this year.

Organic Style Ltd., eco-luxury internet retailer, announced the acquisition of Coyuchi, Inc., an eco-luxury brand for premium organic and fair trade cotton bed and bath products. Coyuchi specializes in certified organic and fair trade bed linens, blankets, towels, robes, sleepwear, baby clothing and home accessories, selling in 300+ specialty retailers, spas and hotels.

CCOF, one of North America’s oldest and largest organic certification agencies announced the appointment of Claudia Reid as its first full-time policy director in the organization’s 35-year history demonstrating the organizations’ commitment to ongoing leadership of the organic movement through advocacy for governmental policies that protect and encourage organic agriculture. Reid previously served as policy director for the California Coalition for Food and Farming and, prior to that, she was the legislative director for the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources.

ForesTrade, Inc. a supplier of organic tropical spices, vanilla, essential oils and fair trade coffee, announced that Jim La Rosa has been recently named CEO and president. His 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and business management runs the spectrum of the U.S. food ingredients market. Over the years, La Rosa has worked for industry leaders, such as Ghirardelli Chocolate, Bunge Foods and Suiza Foods. 

NewOrganics, LLC, an organic ingredient supplier, recently announced the hiring of Craig Kennedy as vice president, operations. Kennedy, who has worked, GE and Johnson and Johnson, is an experienced leader with an extensive background in value creation, strategic planning, operations & supply chain management, process improvement, and leadership of dramatic business change.

The company also hired Thomas Bunkley as the company’s COO. Bunkley was most recently vice president of commercial operations—North America Food Group for Mars, Inc. Bunkley will oversee all operational aspects of NewOrganics, including supply chain and purchasing management, quality control, and financial expenditures, and will help develop strategic direction and business best-practices for the company.

D.D. Williamson announces the promotion of Graham Merryweather to vice president, global sales. Prior to this, Merryweather has served as technical coordinator for the plant and global team, plant manager, and regional sales manager for North America.

For the North American operations, the company has hired Connie Sandusky to replace Merryweather as regional sales manager. Sandusky was most recently the director of product management for Kalsec. Inc. Megan Mullinix recently joined as business development manager.

SK Food has recently moved to a new location in Fargo, North Dakota to accommodate for growth and has further developed its organization by creating two new staff positions. Greta Hangaard and Joni Massey have been hired to provide support to all areas relating to SK Food’s Identity Preserved ingredients including certified organic, non-GMO products.