SANTA BARBARA, CA - Fresh Formulaics will introduce its inaugural product, Flair S1™, at Berlin Fruit Logistica this week. Flair S1™ represents a significant breakthrough in plant-based, post-harvest solutions. It offers a shelf-life extension with shine that is safer, smarter, and a more effective alternative to conventional produce waxes.

Flair S1™ is a high-performance, all-in-one solution designed to improve the shelf-life, quality, and appearance of fresh produce. Its proven commercial performance, compared to traditional waxes and resins, delivers a longer-lasting shine and superior firmness retention while creating stronger operational efficiencies and helping suppliers adapt to changing consumer and regulatory demands.

Flair S1™’s many benefits as a food formulation include:

• Longer-lasting shine
• No MRLs (maximum residue levels)
• Elimination of plastic use and non-vegan ingredients
• Expansion into new markets
• Decrease of overpack
• Reduction or elimination of heat drying
• Higher fruit throughput
• Consolidation of treatment steps
• Certified as Vegan 

"Flair S1™ is a breakthrough change for the produce industry, transforming the supply chain with smarter, more effective solutions that are plant-based,” said Denise Junqueiro, Vice President of Marketing. “We’re thrilled to provide suppliers with a product that elevates the quality and appearance of produce to meet the growing retail and market demands, while helping them achieve their sustainability goals."

Flair S1™ also allows suppliers to consolidate treatment steps, process fruit faster, and eliminate the need for fruit tempering–cutting energy consumption and operational costs.

Fresh Formulaics will showcase Flair S1™ at Berlin Fruit Logistica from February 5-7, 2025, in Hall 25, Stand B-51. Attendees can learn more about Flair S1™’s benefits and explore Fresh Formulaics’ commitment to redefining post-harvest solutions.

KENOSHA, WI - Heartland Produce, a trusted leader in delivering fresh and quality produce throughout the Midwest, is proud to announce that Greg Samels will join the company as Vice President of Sales, effective February 3, 2025. In this role, Greg will oversee strategic sales initiatives, strengthen client relationships, and drive growth across Heartland’s expanding markets.

Greg brings over 20 years of experience in sales leadership within the produce industry. His career began in 2005 as an integral member of the start-up team for W. Newell & Company in Champaign, IL. Greg then went on to manage a 14-state territory with Del Monte Fresh Produce, where he successfully grew sales during his 13-year tenure. Greg attributes his success at Del Monte to his expertise in developing strategic partnerships with major retailers.

Other highlights of Greg’s career include the establishment of Carbamericas’ first berry program Most recently, Greg served as Senior Director of Sales at Kapi Kapi Growers, where he successfully led a territory expansion in the Southwest.

“We are excited to welcome Greg Samels to the Heartland Produce team,” said Ryan Dietz, President of Heartland Produce. “Greg’s extensive experience, passion for excellence, and proven track record of growth align perfectly with our mission to provide the highest quality produce and service to our partners.”

Greg shared his enthusiasm about joining Heartland Produce, saying, “I am thrilled to join a company with such a strong reputation for quality and innovation. I look forward to contributing to the company’s continued growth and working with the talented team at Heartland Produce to exceed customer expectations.”

Greg will join the executive leadership team, alongside William Dietz Jr. (CEO), Ryan Dietz (President), Nico Berlen (VP of Procurement), and Russell Cartwright (VP of Operations), to drive exceptional results for produce buyers across the Midwest.

Heartland Produce is confident that Greg’s expertise and leadership will play a vital role in driving success for its customers, while upholding its core values of excellence, selfless service, and consistent quality.

SANTA MONICA, CA - Sensei Farms is pleased to announce the arrival of baby spinach, the latest addition to the indoor-grown produce brand’s retail line of leafy greens. Grown fresh, year-round out of the company’s 30-acre Ontario greenhouse, Sensei Farms Baby Spinach is available now at participating Safeway and Acme grocery store locations across the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region.

“Our goal is to deliver the freshest, responsibly grown fruits and vegetables throughout the year,” says Jessica Vasisht, Sensei Farms’ Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We’re eager to add Sensei Farms Baby Spinach to our lineup and excited to continue expanding our portfolio over the next year.”

According to the company’s team of sensory experts and growers, Sensei Farms Baby Spinach has a delicate texture, mild flavor, and delicious taste. Enjoyable raw, steamed, or sautéed, Sensei Farms Baby Spinach makes a great salad base or a nutrient-rich smoothie ingredient. It’s also pesticide-free and non-GMO.

As a press release detailed, all of Sensei Farms’ leafy greens varieties, including baby spinach, are available in the brand’s more sustainable packaging, featuring a recyclable, moisture-resistant paperboard tray, 360-degree product visibility, and “peel and reseal” closure.

PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA - Hortgro, an organization that supports and represents the deciduous fruit producers of South Africa, announces its second annual “Plum Possibilities” consumer-facing sweepstakes to shoppers in the United States. Now through March 18, participants will be encouraged via email and social media platforms to enter the promotion HERE for a chance to win one of two $500 gift cards.

Hortgro will connect with target audiences in the areas where the product will be available via online advertising through social media to drive demand for plums and encourage shoppers to participate in the sweepstakes. South African plums can be found at Costco, Sam’s Club, and Wegmans with high saturation in the northeast region.

“We are thrilled to be able to build upon the engagement and success we experienced from our inaugural promotion launch last year,” said Wilechia Van Der Westhuizen, Trade Development Manager at Hortgro. “Having the opportunity to continue to educate and enlighten U.S. consumers about what makes South African plums special is key to furthering our presence on grocery store shelves.”

Fruit began arriving to the U.S. from South Africa with a 50/50 split between New York and Philadelphia, just in time to kick off the consumer promotion, a release stated. The growing regions have been experiencing favorable weather conditions the last few weeks, which have contributed to the overall quality and taste of South African plums.

The South African stone fruit industry has been focused on new cultivars which has led to greater consistency of product in what is quite a challenging category. This ensures consumers have a positive eating experience and can trust the product every time.

“We hope that with this second year of the sweepstakes we are able to gather crucial information about shoppers that will help build relationships and increase sales for retail partners while also bring awareness to the greatness that South Africa stone fruit has to offer,” noted Van Der Westhuizen.