PERU - One of the most important components of my role as a trade news writer is to tell the inspiring stories of those on the ground floor bringing fresh produce to market. As grower stories become a heightened focus for both our industry and the consumer, I recently was given the opportunity to explore Mission Produce’s Peruvian mango operation and the key players who make it possible. Edgar Bocanegra Zecevich, Agricultural Production Manager for Mission Produce Peru, shared a glimpse of this powerful program.

How do you prepare for the mango harvest?

“Mission's Peruvian mango season is just getting started, and we are gearing up to meet global market demand. Our team spends the entire year carefully planning, assessing cultivation needs, and monitoring the crop’s progress to ensure a successful harvest. We begin the season with proper pruning and a robust crop nutrition and health management strategy. Once the crop begins to bear fruit, we focus on protecting the fruit until harvest.”

Can you tell me more about Mission Produce's methods for growing the best fruit?

“With a passion for excellence, we are committed to efficiency and continuous improvement. It’s important to be open-minded and implement new ideas that can improve the quality of our fruit. We have an industry-leading team with extensive knowledge and experience.”

How do you grow high-quality fruit and ensure the quality of mangos?

“To grow high-quality fruit, you must be committed to the details—and our entire team is greatly committed. We travel to the warm land of Olmos from around the country because we are passionate about growing the World’s Finest Mangos™. We are a family that takes care of each other, and in the same spirit, we take care of the quality of our mangos.

Our Agricultural Quality Assurance team is responsible for agronomic management, good agricultural practices, and integrated crop management, all necessary ingredients to grow consistent, quality mangos.”

Why do you like working for Mission Produce?

“Working at Mission Produce is truly special. The company’s corporate values are deeply embedded in its DNA, and I enjoy being part of a team that lives by these principles and continually strengthens its organizational culture.

I believe that our strong culture, combined with the continuous technical training we provide, plays a key role in developing our employees and equipping them to overcome challenges. Our team has everything it needs to produce the World’s Finest Mangos™ and meet the global standards for size, color, texture, food safety, and ultimately a delicious eating experience.”

More insights from the experts behind this comprehensive mango program are on the way, so be on the lookout for our next update.

*This interview has been translated from Spanish to English. 

BLANDON, PA - Super Bowl Sunday is fast approaching, which means the race is on for additional promotional opportunities. Giorgio® Fresh has products aplenty to help retailers kick off a key buying window.

“Game Day is a time to bring people together over bold, unforgettable flavors, and Giorgio is proud to offer innovative products that make a statement,” remarked Bryan Shelton, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Our Hot N’ Spicy Stuffed line delivers something for everyone—from mushroom enthusiasts to jalapeño lovers—all while simplifying the art of elevating your plate with fresh, premium ingredients.”

The Spicy Stuffed Mushrooms line now includes Jalapeño, Nashville Hot, and Fiery Sriracha flavors. Additionally, Giorgio is introducing Spicy Stuffed Jalapeños, available in Cheese and Imitation Bacon flavors. The stuffed jalapeños combine creamy, cheesy goodness with a savory flair, perfectly balanced by the natural heat of jalapeños.

As Bryan noted, spice continues to drive consumer behavior in 2025.

“With more folks eating at home and experimenting in their kitchens with bold flavors, Giorgio’s Hot N’ Spicy line is perfect for gourmet spicy flavors that are quick and easy to prepare and are the perfect addition to any party!” he added.

To ensure its retail partners are well-prepared for the high-volume days before the Big Game, Giorgio offers displays, strategic placement, educational materials, and promotional support.

“Retailers should take advantage of cross-promotion during the Super Bowl. Placing the Hot N’ Spicy line of Stuffed Mushrooms and Stuffed Jalapeños near items like hamburgers, hot dogs, dips, and other items that are popular for watch parties ensures that shoppers can grab everything they need for a fan-favorite party all in one place,” Bryan noted. “This placement also highlights the convenience of the Hot N’ Spicy line that is ready to heat and serve!”

AndNowUKnow will continue to deliver the latest in fresh produce news, so stay tuned!

SALINAS, CA - Naturipe Farms proudly announces the ramp-up of Sweet Selections Blackberries, offering retailers a premium blackberry option with unparalleled flavor and consistent quality. Grown in Mexico, Sweet Selections Blackberries are packed with the exceptional sweetness and large, vibrant berries of the proprietary “Fenomenal” variety, developed through Naturipe’s renowned breeding program. With supplies increasing steadily now through May, retailers can count on a consistent and reliable supply of Sweet Selections Blackberries, ensuring they can confidently meet customer demand with this premium product.

Sweet Selections Blackberries are designed to meet the increasing consumer demand for high-quality, sweet blackberries. This season, a press release outlined, Naturipe is offering the product in three convenient pack sizes to better suit different retailer needs: a new 6 oz. option that was introduced this season, a 10 oz. standard size, and a 12 oz. club pack size. This expanded packaging gives retailers the flexibility to appeal to a broader customer base and boost sales with a product that is sure to drive consumer interest.

“We’re thrilled to see Sweet Selections Blackberries gaining momentum this season,” said John Johnston, Director of Premium Products at Naturipe Farms. “We’re seeing excellent fruit quality and exceptional flavor straight from the fields. These berries are simply delicious. With steady volumes and expanded pack options, we’re ready to meet growing demand and bring more of this exceptional product to market. Blackberries have never tasted so good.”

With consistent, high-quality fruit grown using sustainable practices in Mexico, Sweet Selections Blackberries fill an important gap in the market for top-notch blackberries. Retailers looking to stock up on Sweet Selections Blackberries can expect steady supplies, excellent flavor, and a product that delivers on consumer expectations for taste and quality.

For more information about Naturipe’s Sweet Selection Blackberries and other berry offerings, visit our website at naturipefarms.com.

DALLAS, TX - Kroger’s Dallas Division welcomed the community to its newest Kroger Marketplace store in Plano, Texas, located at 9617 Coit Road on Friday, January 24. The store replaces the grocer’s former location at 9700 Coit Road in Plano, Texas, effective immediately. The new 125,000-square-foot store is an investment of $31 million in the community and provides the City of Plano access to more than 35,000 fresh, affordable products, and more than 130 newly created jobs.

“As North Texas and this community continues to grow, simply moving our location to the Southeastern corner of Coit Road will provide greater access to fresh, affordable groceries and more convenience for drivers entering and exiting from all access points,” said Keith Shoemaker, President, Kroger’s Dallas Division. "We recognize Kroger’s unique role in the communities we serve. As an employer, grocery retailer, healthcare provider, and more, we have a responsibility to create positive change and deliver on Our Purpose to Feed the Human Spirit.”

According to a release, the new Kroger Marketplace store in Plano will feature an enhanced selection of products for shoppers who crave Asian flavors, with an increased variety of current selections and new products. The store will also feature the best that Kroger has to offer, including a Starbucks kiosk, Murray’s Cheese counter, a fuel center featuring 18 fueling positions, and a grab & go kiosk with beverages and snacks, full-service grocery, produce, floral, meat, and seafood, pharmacy, and expanded general merchandise, including outdoor living products, home goods, apparel, toys, and more.

During the grand opening event held on Thursday, January 23, 2025, Kroger made a donation to support local hunger relief organization Minnie’s Food Pantry as part of the company’s Zero Hunger Zero Waste social and environmental impact plan. Kroger also contributed thousands of dollars in cash and products to ten local schools as part of the company’s Return to School program. The festivities also featured the T.C. Jasper High School Orchestra and the Plano High School Marching Band and Cheer Team.

To commemorate the Grand Opening celebration, shoppers at this location were presented with a special weekly advertisement that featured exclusive savings for this store from January 24-28, 2025, including .20 cents off per gallon at the store’s new Fuel Center with a Kroger Rewards Card during the weekend of January 24-26, 2025.

Shoppers attending the grand opening were surprised and delighted throughout the morning with prizes, including gift cards and small appliances. The grocer also provided coupons for free products to make the perfect breakfast to the 200 shoppers who followed.

The new store is the second new Marketplace format store built by Kroger in North Texas. The grocer opened a new Marketplace store in Melissa, Texas, in October 2024. Kroger will open a new Marketplace store in North Fort Worth later this year. The company has also announced plans to break ground on new Marketplace stores in Little Elm and the Sendera Ranch neighborhood of Fort Worth later this year.