SANTA CLARITA, CA - Vallarta Supermarkets, one of California's largest Latino-owned grocery chains, proudly announces the grand opening of its newest location in Modesto, Calif. Building on a legacy of serving diverse communities across Southern California, Vallarta Supermarkets continues its commitment to offering quality products and outstanding customer service in this latest store. Located at 3900 Pelandale Ave #200, Modesto, CA 95356, the new location will celebrate with a Grand Opening Ceremony for the community on February 5, 2025, at 8:00 AM.

The recently completed store has taken over a 45,099ft² space, boasting 227 new jobs brought to Modesto, topping their recent opening of the Clovis, CA location with 218 employees, according to the press release.

Along with the fresh, quality produce and everyday goods that the chain is known for, the new store will feature many beloved departments:

• Guacamole Station: Customers can customize fresh, hand-crafted guacamole and newly added Pico De Gallo tailored just the way they like it.
• Sushi: Premium, handcrafted sushi rolls made daily with the finest ingredients at our sushi station. With multiple options to choose from, it's perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or snack.
• La Isla: Customers can order fresh-pressed fruit and vegetable juices, as well as Vallarta's signature agua frescas in a variety of flavors.
• La Fruteria: Choosing from the freshest fruits and ingredients, customers can order juicy fruit bowls topped with Tajin, Chamoy, lime juice, and salt.
• Cremería: Vallarta's version of a traditional deli, offering a selection of the freshest house-made cremas, as well as Latin American cheeses.
• Panaderia: Made fresh daily, Vallarta offers a variety of Latin American baked goods as well as hand-decorated cakes and signature sweets.
• Carniceria: Renowned for its trademarked Carne Asada, the Vallarta Carniceria marks the origin of the chain, offering a variety of American meat cuts and premium cuts not commonly carried at other supermarkets.
• Tortilleria: Customers can buy authentic corn and flour tortillas, made fresh in-house with the highest quality corn, soaked & boiled for 24 hours, ground with volcanic rock and then cooked to perfection.
• La Cocina: La Cocina offers the convenience of a ready-made delicious meal for any time of day. Choose from a variety of traditional favorites from Mexico and Central America for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Get a "comforting taste of home" for a quick meal or snack before or after you shop.
• Dulcería: Vallarta's candy section carries a wide array of authentic dulces from Mexico and Central America and has everything needed to make any occasion a celebration – piñatas, goody bags, games, prizes, piggy banks and traditional décor.
• Florería: For any holiday or occasion, customers can browse a wide selection of perfect arrangements from local growers ensuring quality, long-lasting flowers. For more permanent options, the florería also offers a huge variety of potted plants.

"This year, we have plans to reach even more California residents and are excited to celebrate the first Grand Opening of the year with the Modesto community," said Lizette Gomez, Vallarta's Director of Marketing. "Opening this new location is more than just expanding our business—it's about creating a space where the community can come together over fresh, quality ingredients and authentic flavors. We're excited to share this milestone and look forward to serving Modesto with the heart and care they deserve."

In support of their commitment to the community and appreciation for the residents, Vallarta Supermarkets will also be donating $7,500 to local charities and schools in the Modesto area and giving away reusable grocery bags filled with groceries to the first 300 customers.

Through the Vallarta Go delivery service, customers can also shop from the convenience of their homes and have their groceries and fresh authentic foods delivered to their homes. La Cocina items are available for delivery via DoorDash.

PORTLAND, OR - A new name, a new look, and a renewed mission—Pacific Coast Trading Company has officially rebranded as Grown Up Fresh Produce Company. This transformation reflects the company’s evolution from a trading-based model to a vertically integrated partner for growers and customers, all while staying true to its commitment to sustainability and excellence.

The rebrand is accompanied by the launch of a redesigned website, which features a modern design, enhanced user experience, and vibrant visuals that tell the company’s story. As stated in the press release, the new name and website underscore the company’s vision to champion the well-being of people and the planet through sustainable agriculture.

Founded in 2017 as an extension of Pacific Coast Fresh Company (formerly Pacific Coast Fruit Company), Pacific Coast Trading Company has grown into a vital link in the produce supply chain. The rebranding to Grown Up Fresh Produce Company marks a pivotal moment in its journey, aligning the company’s identity with its mission: “to champion sustainability and excellence in every seed we plant and every relationship we nurture, from dirt to door.”

The company’s new direction reflects its commitment to addressing the evolving challenges of the agricultural industry. As consumer demand shifts toward sustainability and closer connections to food sources, Grown Up Fresh is investing directly in small and medium-sized growers and entire harvests. This approach ensures reliability and strengthens long-term relationships with growers.

By creating dependable markets and offering year-round premium produce, Grown Up Fresh enhances transparency and access to fresh products while reinforcing its dedication to sustainable farming practices. These efforts, as noted in the press release, aim to safeguard the land for future generations and solidify the company’s role as a leader in the industry.

“When we started as a trading company, we didn’t own inventory or commit to entire crops. Over time, we realized that to truly support our growers and meet consumer expectations, we needed to invest in their success. Today, we’re not just connecting growers to customers; we’re partnering with them every step of the way,” said Sara Thompson, Vice President of Grown Up Fresh Produce Company.

Looking ahead, Grown Up Fresh Produce Company is focused on expansion and innovation. The company plans to continue building its grower network, introducing exclusive new products, and investing in sustainable farming practices that benefit both people and the planet.

Driven by its mission and inspired by its legacy, Grown Up Fresh Produce Company is poised to deliver exceptional produce while empowering the agricultural community.

TRAVERSE CITY, MI - North Bay Produce’s Mexico- and Florida-grown strawberries—including long-stem and organic—are ripe for the picking this Valentine’s Day. To gain insights on what retailers can expect from these luscious crops, I got in touch with Sarah Quackenbush, Sales Manager.

“We are carrying long-stem strawberries specifically for the holiday, and assuring that we have supply on all packs from multiple growing regions to satisfy demand and keep displays full,” Sarah began telling me.

She went on to note that one of the best places to merchandise strawberries for the holiday is—yep, you guessed it—a fully stocked berry patch!

“Blackberries and blueberries especially will look great side-by-side with the red, juicy strawberries. In addition, having other treats to complement the berries helps consumers create a romantic spread—think chocolate, champagne, and charcuterie,” Sarah added.

Lucky for consumers who will be hooked on strawberries long after Valentine’s Day, North Bay will have the supplies to continue meeting demand.

“We will continue to have a good supply of North Bay strawberries beyond Valentine's Day, so keep pushing after the holiday!” Sarah said directly to the buy-side. “The way this growing season has gone, our projections show very strong volumes of strawberries from Valentine’s through April 1, so we hope retailers will keep that in mind and talk with North Bay about how we can help promote them. Also, the month of March represents a great opportunity to continue to delight customers with our premium Erandy blackberries, which have great size, flavor, and color.”

Berries are a year-round treat here in the United States, and Valentine’s Day is just one opportunity to make them truly shine in the produce aisle. Stay tuned as we bring you more merchandising insights.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - The month of January has been a cold and wet one for those who reside in Florida. As of yesterday, January 29, the state had only seen four days in the 80s this month in Vero Beach and West Palm Beach. Recently, the Climate Protection Center released its outlook for February.

According to WPTV, the extended forecast shows a trend of above-normal temperatures. In February, the average high temperature for West Palm Beach is expected to be 76.7, and the low temperature is expected to be 60.1. In Vero Beach, the high is expected to be 75.6 and the low is expected to be 54.5.

The news source also noted that Florida will likely see a drier month in February—welcome news for all who live in the Sunshine State. In January, Florida totaled 0.94 inches of rain in West Palm Beach and 1.13 inches in Vero Beach. February is expected to be drier due to La Niña conditions through April.

We will continue to monitor how Florida weather plays a role in the state’s agriculture, so stick around.

HOUSTON, TX - Sysco Corporation announced financial results for its 13-week second fiscal quarter ended December 28, 2024.

As a press release shared, key financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 include the following (comparisons are to the same period in fiscal year 2024):

• Sales increased 4.5%; U.S. Foodservice volume increased 1.4%
• Gross profit increased 3.9% to $3.7 billion
• Operating income increased 1.7% to $712 million, and adjusted operating income increased 5.1% to $783 million
• EBITDA increased 1.9% to $931 million, and adjusted EBITDA increased 4.4% to $969 million
• EPS was $0.82, in line with the same period last year, and adjusted EPS increased 4.5% to $0.93
• Reiterating FY25 guidance, with sales growth of 4-5% and adjusted EPS growth of 6-7%
• Increasing cash return to shareholders to approximately $2.25 billion in fiscal year 2025, with share repurchase now expected at $1.25 billion, along with dividends at $1 billion

“Sysco delivered another quarter of disciplined financial performance fueled by top and bottom line growth that was consistent with expectations. We delivered compelling results in our International, SYGMA, and National sales businesses. Our International business was particularly strong, delivering a 14.5% increase in operating income, and a 26.5% increase in adjusted operating income. Our local business is beginning to show signs of progress, with improvements to our new customer win rate and our Net Promoter Scores. These outcomes, coupled with investments in sales professionals and our expanding specialty offerings, provide the pathway to increased local case volume performance in the second half of 2025. When combined with the strong success in our other three major business segments, we are confident in our ability to deliver our full year fiscal 2025 guidance,” said Kevin Hourican, Sysco’s Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

“Second quarter results included improvements across the company’s core financial drivers. Combined, our efforts generated positive operating leverage and sequential improvements to gross profits and our continued operating expense control delivered margin expansion. We are encouraged by the momentum in our business and are reiterating our full year guidance including sales growth of 4%-5% and adjusted EPS growth of 6%-7%. Consistent with our efforts to drive compelling returns on invested capital and total shareholder return for our investors, I am pleased to announce the upsizing of our share repurchase plan for the year to $1.25 billion, up from our prior plan of $1 billion,” said Kenny Cheung, Sysco’s Chief Financial Officer.

To read the full report, click here.

KANSAS CITY, MO - Vertical Cold Storage, a developer and operator of temperature-controlled distribution centers sponsored by real estate investment firm Platform Ventures, purchased a frozen distribution center near the Port of Savannah in Pooler, GA. Terms were not disclosed.

“Our Pooler cold storage facility is just nine miles from the Port of Savannah, the fastest-growing container terminal in the United States. With its strategic location near the port, high-capacity blast freezing, and comprehensive import/export capabilities, this facility enables us to provide our customers with faster, more efficient access to global markets,” said West Hutchison, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertical Cold Storage.

The facility, located at 220 Nordic Way, Pooler, Georgia, is nearly 350,000 square feet, has 40 dock doors, and includes over 35,000 pallet positions. Built in 2013, a press release noted that it has the capacity to blast freeze up to 40 loads per day and features an extended dock designed to support high volumes of imports and exports. Storage areas have temperatures ranging from -20°F to +40°F. The warehouse is USDA inspection certified.

Vertical Cold Storage is immediately implementing its industry-leading technology and operational processes at the facility. The facility is perfectly suited for handling frozen import/export commodities like poultry, seafood, produce, and other perishable products. It is managed by Anthony Morgan, a seasoned General Manager with extensive expertise in overseeing cold storage and port operations.

“Georgia Ports is delighted to welcome Vertical Cold Storage to the greater Savannah area and knows they will be very successful. We will work to ensure that Vertical Cold Storage and its customers see all the benefits of doing business in Southeast Georgia, including a highly skilled workforce and an efficient intermodal network,” said Flavio Batista, Chief Commercial Officer of Georgia Ports.