ORLANDO, FL - For just a few days, the Salad Bowl of the World is coming to Orlando, Florida. With the annual Global Produce & Floral Show on the horizon, attendees are once again welcomed to the Grower-Shipper Pavilion (Booth 2172) to explore all that California’s Salinas Valley and Central Coast have to offer.

“We hope the pavilion represents the collaborative spirit of our region and gives attendees a sense of the people and businesses behind the produce grown in the Salad Bowl of the World,” shares Laura Lauritzen, Marketing Consultant for the Grower-Shipper Association. “Each company has its own story and expertise, but together we represent a strong, connected agricultural community.”

The Grower-Shipper Pavilion (Booth 2172) was created as an opportunity for Grower-Shipper Association members to come together and collaborate in a way that allows them to have a strong presence at the Global Produce & Floral Show, while sharing the resources and benefits of one collective space. Over the years, it has grown into a true one-stop shop where customers can connect with multiple grower-shippers and experience the depth and diversity of the Salinas Valley and Central Coast in one place.

This year, participating companies include Baja Son Growers, Church Brothers Farms, Coastline Family Farms, Misionero, Nature’s Reward, Ippolito International, River Fresh Farms, and The Nunes Company.

“Together, these companies represent a wide range of products, growing operations, histories, and expertise, while sharing a common connection to the Central Coast,” Laura adds. “Bringing them together demonstrates the depth and diversity of our region and the value of collaboration among our grower-shipper community.”

As part of the Global Produce & Floral Show’s exciting lineup of events, the Grower-Shipper Pavilion will be hosting a two-hour Happy Hour from 3–5 p.m. on Thursday, October 15. This event wraps up the first day of the show by bringing people together in a more relaxed setting after a full day of meetings and conversations.

“The Happy Hour is an opportunity to slow down, continue conversations, make new connections, and celebrate the relationships that make this industry so special,” Laura says.

These platforms for personal connection are one of the most valued features of the Global Produce & Floral Show.

“IFPA Global is really about connection—having meaningful conversations with customers and industry partners, understanding what they need, and talking about how we can continue to grow and adapt together,” Laura continues. “Our members are navigating many of the same important issues facing the industry, from supply and reliability to innovation, sustainability, food safety, labor and changing consumer expectations. Most importantly, we want to reinforce that the Central Coast is home to growers and shippers who are committed to their customers and to the future of the fresh produce industry. Global gives us an opportunity to listen, share ideas, and build the relationships that help move the industry forward.”

Known affectionately as the “Salad Bowl of the World,” there is much more to the Salinas Valley story than the volume and variety of the crops grown there, Laura tells me.

“We hope attendees leave with a greater appreciation for the people and agricultural community behind the produce coming from the Central Coast,” she concludes. “Ultimately, we want attendees to think of the Central Coast as more than a place on a map or a source of fresh produce. We want them to see it as a community of trusted partners who are proud of what they grow, committed to their customers, and invested in the future of the industry.”

Be sure to check out the Grower-Shipper Pavilion (Booth 2172) as you explore this year’s show!

LEAMINGTON, ON - Pure Flavor®, a greenhouse-grown produce company known for pushing innovation across the fresh category, is introducing Tulu Tomatoes®, a pink cherry tomato on the vine grown for one thing: flavor that stops you mid-bite. Inspired by the Mediterranean approach to food, where exceptional ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and gathering around the table come together, Tulu reflects a belief that the on-the-vine snacking tomato category has room for something unexpected.

Unlike conventional cherry tomatoes on the vine that lean heavily on sweetness, Tulu Tomatoes® deliver a balanced, dual-layered flavor profile: sweetness paired with savory umami depth that carries consistently from first bite to finish. Fresh or blistered, on a feta salad or paired with a chicken dish, Tulu is a tomato meant to be enjoyed the way the best Mediterranean dishes are, with simple ingredients and quality pairings that let the flavor speak for itself.

Tulu Tomatoes® will be revealed at the 2026 IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show at Booth #2780.

A New Look on Shelf

Tulu Tomatoes® brings a fresh packaging format that is unique to the category. The 9 oz vertical box features a black soft-touch exterior and a pink and cream striped interior, giving it a noticeably premium presence on shelf that sets it apart from traditional clamshell packaging. It's designed to signal what's inside: this isn't just another cherry on the vine.

"We grew Tulu because we believe the on-the-vine tomato category has room for something with more depth,” said Jamie Moracci, CEO, Pure Flavor®, in the recent release. "Recently, that segment has become overly commercialized, losing its focus on what should matter most: flavor. Tulu was our answer to that. When you taste it, you understand immediately that this is something different, and that's exactly the experience we set out to create."

Grown for the Premium Produce Shopper

Tulu Tomatoes® are positioned for consumers who choose their ingredients with intention: the shopper who reaches for a shallot instead of an onion or picks up the high-quality olive oil. It's a purposeful upgrade, not interchangeable with what's already in the aisle.

Available in a 9 oz format, Tulu is ideal for fresh snacking, tomato toast, feta salads, chicken dishes, and blistered preparations. Its culinary versatility and distinctive flavor give consumers a reason to reach for something new and come back for it. The tagline, "Extraordinary flavor in every bite," is a promise rooted in that experience.

"Tulu Tomatoes® are about creating a moment around food," said Julia Weber, Vice President of Marketing, Pure Flavor®. "The Mediterranean table was our inspiration: quality ingredients, kept simple, with taste at the center of everything. We wanted that feeling to come through in the product itself. At the end of the day, Tulu earns its place on the plate through flavor. You don't need to dress it up. That's where it truly stands apart."

Retailer Opportunity

Tulu Tomatoes® give retailers a differentiated, premium-tier cherry tomato on the vine built to drive trade-up within the category. Its distinctive pink color, unique packaging, and flavor-forward positioning offer a clear point of difference on shelf. The product is Non-GMO and greenhouse-grown year-round.

With Tulu Tomatoes®, Pure Flavor® is reinforcing what it has always believed: that fresh produce belongs at the center of the table, and exceptional flavor is how it gets there.

DELTA, BC - WINDSET FARMS® is putting a spotlight on its California-grown Classic Heirloom Tomatoes, grown at the company's Santa Maria, California facility, the largest single-site vegetable greenhouse in the United States. Varieties include distinctive shapes, colors, and sizes, all boasting rich and complex flavors with a juicy, tender texture. Growing in Santa Maria means customers can enjoy USA-grown tomatoes every day of the year, for fresher, longer-lasting taste.

Classic Heirloom Tomatoes are packaged in a 2-count paper pack, making it convenient to merchandise, while protecting the delicate fruit inside and providing ample product visibility.

“Using more widely recyclable paper to package our produce is just another way we are offering more sustainable options for our customers,” said Ryan Cherry, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, in the recent release. “Paper can be recycled in most areas across North America, and the premium presentation stands out in stores.”

The Classic Heirloom Tomatoes 2-pack will be featured in the Fresh Ideas Packaging Innovations Showcase at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show, taking place October 14–16, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. Visit Windset at Booth No. 1552 for a firsthand look.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - Grapevine Capital Partners, LLC has officially entered into an advisory relationship with Clarifresh (Clarifruit Ltd.), a leading provider of AI-powered Quality Management technology for the fresh food and produce industry.

Alongside the advisory role, Grapevine has made an initial investment in Clarifresh, reflecting strong confidence in the platform's capabilities and its long-term growth trajectory.

Grapevine intends to deepen its involvement over time, working alongside Clarifresh's leadership team to support strategic initiatives, capital planning, and continued market expansion across the global fresh produce supply chain.

"We are investing in Clarifresh because their AI-powered platform addresses one of the most critical inefficiencies in the fresh produce industry — avoidable waste. Clarifresh standardizes quality control and creates objectivity across the supply chain," said Ben Toland, Partner at Grapevine Capital Partners, in the recent release. "Clarifresh has established itself as an innovative market leader with real growth potential. Partnering our capital relationships and operational expertise with their team and technology will accelerate their expansion and is core to our mission of serving farmers."

"We are looking forward to working with Ben Toland and the Grapevine Capital Partners team," said Elad Mardix, CEO & Co-founder of Clarifresh. "They bring industry expertise, experience, and capital relationships that are invaluable."

ORLANDO, FL - I love this concept. Most people know what outcome they want for their businesses, but the map that guides many of them to those solutions is, at best, conceptual, if not a distant aspiration. When a company goes out of its way to guide you, I find the legwork that follows to be that much more enjoyable and rewarding.

As RSM's Kevin Head, Director of Food and Beverage, tells me, it is all about knowing the questions to put to the task. And even more, finding the right company to answer them.

Join Kevin has he gives us the technology questions worth asking at the 2026 IFPA Global Produce & Floral Summit...

Every technology provider has an answer. 

The harder part is knowing which questions to ask. 

That challenge is becoming increasingly important across the produce industry. As organizations navigate margin pressures, labor shortages, evolving compliance requirements, and rising customer expectations, technology decisions can have a lasting impact on future growth and performance. As leaders prepare for IFPA 2026, they should look beyond product demonstrations and software features. The most valuable conversations often explore business outcomes, operational priorities, and long-term strategy. 

Here are several technology questions produce leaders should consider asking at IFPA 2026.

Is Your ERP Helping the Business Grow or Creating Limitations? 

Many produce businesses have relied on the same systems for years. In some cases, those solutions have been heavily customized, while others operate across multiple disconnected platforms that were implemented to solve specific challenges over time. 
The question is whether those systems are still supporting business goals. 

An ERP platform should provide visibility across finance, operations, inventory, procurement, and supply chain activities. When teams rely on spreadsheets, manual workarounds, or duplicate data entry to complete critical processes, it may indicate that the technology environment is no longer aligned with organizational needs. Technology providers should be able to explain how their solutions support the unique requirements of produce operations, including inventory tracking, grower accounting, food safety, forecasting, and supply chain management. More importantly, they should demonstrate how the technology can scale as the business grows. 

The best ERP discussions focus on business outcomes rather than software capabilities alone.

What AI Use Cases Are Delivering Measurable Value Today? 

Artificial intelligence continues to dominate technology conversations, but many organizations are still determining where practical value exists. Rather than asking what AI can do, produce leaders should ask what AI is already doing.

Strong answers should move beyond theoretical possibilities and focus on measurable business outcomes. Examples may include automating repetitive administrative tasks, improving reporting processes, accelerating data analysis, enhancing forecasting, or helping employees access information more efficiently. Solutions such as Microsoft Copilot are generating interest because they can help employees spend less time searching for information and more time acting on it. However, successful AI adoption typically starts with specific business challenges rather than broad experimentation. 

Technology providers should be able to identify realistic use cases that address operational needs and explain how organizations can measure success. 

How Connected Is Your Technology Ecosystem? 

Many produce businesses operate across multiple systems that manage customer relationships, inventory, finance, logistics, food safety, and reporting. The challenge arises when those systems operate independently. When information is fragmented, employees spend valuable time manually gathering data, reconciling numbers, and verifying accuracy. Leadership teams may struggle to gain a complete view of operations, making decisions more difficult. 

As organizations explore modernization initiatives, an important question is whether their technology investments work together as a connected ecosystem. 

A strong provider should discuss integration strategies, data visibility, process automation, and ways to reduce operational silos. The goal is not simply adding new technology. The objective is creating a technology environment where information moves seamlessly across the organization. 

Can You Trust the Data Driving Your Decisions? 

Produce organizations generate significant amounts of customer, operational, inventory, financial, and supply chain data every day. 
The challenge is turning that information into meaningful insights. 

Leaders should ask technology providers how their solutions improve data quality, reporting accuracy, and business visibility. Organizations that can access reliable information quickly are better positioned to identify risks, respond to disruptions, and uncover opportunities for growth. This conversation should also include analytics capabilities and evolving ESG reporting requirements. As stakeholders continue to demand greater transparency and accountability, businesses need confidence in the information they provide. Technology should help transform data into action rather than creating additional complexity. 

Are You Prepared for Increasing Traceability and Compliance Demands? 

Traceability remains one of the most important technology conversations in the produce industry. Regulatory requirements continue to evolve, but compliance is only part of the story. Leading organizations are leveraging traceability capabilities to strengthen customer confidence, improve response times during recalls, enhance operational visibility, and reduce risk throughout the supply chain.

Technology providers should be able to explain how their solutions capture information, support reporting requirements, and create end-to-end visibility across product movement and inventory management processes. For growers, packers, shippers, and distributors, traceability is increasingly becoming a business advantage rather than simply a compliance obligation. 

How Can Customer Relationships Become More Data-Driven?

In a competitive market, strong relationships remain a critical differentiator. However, technology increasingly supports customer engagement. 

CRM platforms give organizations better visibility into customer activities, sales performance, service levels, and growth opportunities. When connected with operational and financial systems, these tools can create a more complete understanding of customer needs and business performance. Technology providers should discuss how their solutions help organizations strengthen relationships, improve communication, and identify opportunities for expansion. 

The most effective CRM strategies are not focused solely on sales. They support collaboration across the entire organization and contribute to a better customer experience.

What Happens After Go-Live? 

Technology implementation is often viewed as the finish line. In reality, it is just the beginning. 

Organizations frequently underestimate the resources required to maintain, optimize, and improve technology environments after implementation. Business priorities change, processes evolve, and new opportunities emerge over time. 

When evaluating technology providers, leaders should ask about long-term support models, managed services capabilities, continuous improvement strategies, and optimization resources. Technology investments generate the greatest value when organizations continue refining and enhancing their solutions after deployment. A provider's commitment to long-term success can be just as important as the implementation itself. 

Looking Beyond IFPA 2026 

Technology conversations within the produce industry continue to evolve. While artificial intelligence, analytics, modernization, traceability, and supply chain visibility are receiving significant attention, the most important discussions remain centered on business outcomes. 

The right technology strategy should help organizations operate more efficiently, improve visibility, strengthen customer relationships, manage risk, and support future growth. As you walk the IFPA 2026 show floor, consider focusing less on product demonstrations and more on the questions that reveal long-term value. The answers may provide greater insight than any feature list. 

If you'll be attending IFPA 2026, stop by RSM Booth #3931 in the Business Solutions Section to discuss technology priorities, industry trends, modernization strategies, and the opportunities shaping the future of produce operations. The most valuable conversation may begin with a simple question. 

This article draws on the technology themes discussed in RSM's previous IFPA thought leadership article, including AI, analytics, traceability, visibility, modernization, and industry-focused technology strategies.