ORANGE, CA - Fifty miles north of my home, four key fires amid several have spread across Los Angeles County. With Santa Ana winds howling from 35–45 miles per hour, gusts up to 75 miles per hour, we living here watch them blow knowing that, until the weather calms, firefighters are facing a Herculean task to rescue people living in areas many in our industry call home.

Fire crews are currently fighting the wildfires listed below, where corresponding impact areas have been issued evacuation orders and warnings:

• Palisades Fire
• Eaton Fire
• Hurst Fire
• Sunset Fire

Together, the number of acres burned stands at 27,876 and counting, the largest being the Palisades Fire, which firefighters said has 30,000 people under mandatory and immediate evacuation orders. A detailed breakdown of each fire’s acreage, evacuation details, and more can be found in this latest report by Fox News. 

Thankfully, no ag acres have been reported as of this morning as directly in the line of any fires, but I have connected with friends in the industry whose lives have been affected. Having to pick up what you own and leave, hoping that your neighborhood will be there when you are able to return, is a heartache many are enduring while still ensuring the produce wheels keep moving from field, to office, to transportation, to retail and restaurant.

Please keep them in your thoughts as we continue to report.

WASHINGTON, DC - International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) kicked off 2025 by jumping into the newly announced 2025-2027 strategic plan, which also included new leadership roles to best position IFPA and The Foundation in support of the upcoming work.

As a press release explained, the strategic plan was first announced at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta during Tammy DeBoer’s 2025 Chair Remarks. DeBoer, president of Harris Teeter, will serve as the 2025 Chair of the Board of Directors and will focus much of her tenure on supporting the execution of year one of the new plan which includes three main pillars:

1. Worldwide Influence: IFPA will grow the industry’s advocacy network and impact around the globe to address top-level issues for the industry.
2. Personalized Experience: IFPA will create a community of members that find personalized experiences tailored to their business needs and those of their organizations.
3. Future Proofing the Industry: IFPA will drive consumption by actively seeking innovation and resources that enable the industry to be prosperous and relevant to consumers in the future.

“These strategic pillars, as identified by Tammy and a task force of Board members, are critical to our industry’s future prosperity,” said IFPA CEO, Cathy Burns. “The world is changing quickly, and our success requires that we are recognized, valued and impactful on a global stage, that we are relevant and essential to consumers across the world, and that our members are engaged and connected on a personal level with the work we do.”

To deliver on the strategic plan, IFPA has also announced some role changes that will build capacity and prioritize focus on key parts of the organization. Doug Bohr, formerly Chief Education and Program Officer, will assume the role of Chief Strategy and Program Officer. Bohr’s new role will align the strategy, events, education and marketing teams. 

Lauren M. Scott, formerly Chief Strategy Officer, will become the first President of The Foundation for Fresh Produce.

“Our entire staff is dedicated to achieving these goals and our new structure supports these efforts,” said Burns. “As the Association moves forward, we must also ensure The Foundation for Fresh Produce is positioned to achieve transformative growth. I’m thrilled that Lauren will lend her leadership and vision as the first President of The Foundation.”

As this strategic plan takes root, ANUK will be here to report.

NORTH BERGEN/LYNDHURST, NJ - The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have reached a tentative agreement on all items for a new six-year Master Contract. As shared in a recent press release, the two sides agreed to continue to operate under the current contract until the union can meet with its full Wage Scale Committee and schedule a ratification vote, and USMX members can ratify the terms of the final contract.

“We are pleased to announce that ILA and USMX have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year ILA-USMX Master Contract, subject to ratification, thus averting any work stoppage on January 15, 2025,” the two sides said in a joint statement. “This agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf coasts ports—making them safer and more efficient, and creating the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong.

“This is a win-win agreement that creates ILA jobs, supports American consumers and businesses, and keeps the American economy the key hub of the global marketplace.”

Details of the new tentative agreement will not be released to allow ILA rank-and-file-members and USMX members to review and approve the final document.

In the meantime, ANUK will continue to bring reports like this straight to your inbox.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - As the year kicks off, Bako Sweet® encourages retailers to prepare for February merchandising strategies that highlight heart health and nutrition. With February recognized as both Heart Health Month and National Sweet Potato Month, this period presents a prime opportunity to drive consumer engagement and sales with heart-smart choices like Bako Sweet Potatoes.

Sweet potatoes are a certified “heart-healthy” food by the American Heart Association, and for good reason. They’re rich in fiber, which helps reduce cholesterol, and high in potassium, a key nutrient that regulates blood pressure. Combined with their natural antioxidants, sweet potatoes support cardiovascular health while offering a versatile and delicious option for everyday meals and snacks.

Veronica Rouse, Registered Dietitian and creator of The Heart Dietitian, emphasizes their nutritional benefits, saying “sweet potatoes are a heart-healthy powerhouse, packed with fiber to reduce cholesterol, potassium to regulate blood pressure, and antioxidants to combat inflammation and oxidative stress. I often recommend swapping rice, pasta, or white potatoes for sweet potato options to boost nutrition and support heart health.”

To capitalize on this unique window, Bako Sweet is rolling out refreshed pink packaging and vibrant heart-health display bins, designed to capture attention and inspire shoppers to make better-for-you choices. As a press release shared, both the packaging and displays will prominently feature the American Heart Association’s “Heart-Check” logo, giving health-conscious consumers an easy visual cue that they’re choosing a certified heart-healthy product.

“Healthy eating remains a priority for shoppers as they enter the new year, and February is the ideal time to highlight the role sweet potatoes play in supporting heart health,” said Susan Noritake, Director of Sales at Bako Sweet. “Our bright packaging and merchandising solutions not only educate shoppers about the nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes but also make it easier for them to incorporate this versatile vegetable into their meals. For retailers, it’s a win-win opportunity to drive incremental sales while meeting the demand for heart-smart choices.”

Throughout February, Bako Sweet will also amplify their campaign with influencer partnerships, registered dietitian collaborations, and social media activations. Shoppers can expect engaging giveaways, practical tips, and recipes that showcase how heart-healthy eating can be delicious, easy, and fun.

The campaign will also spotlight recipes such as Healthy Sweet Potato Cookies, a playful heart-shaped treat that aligns perfectly with the theme of Heart Health Month. Featuring a QR code on the display bins, shoppers can quickly access this recipe, adding a digital layer of engagement to in-store promotions.

For more information about Bako Sweet, visit bakosweet.com or contact the sales team at [email protected] or 661-858-1075 x818 to place an order.

ISSAQUAH, WA - Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $27.52 billion for the retail month of December, the five weeks ended January 5, 2025, an increase of 9.9 percent from $25.03 billion last year.

Net sales for the first 18 weeks were $94.04 billion, an increase of 8 percent from $87.07 billion last year, a recent press release shared.

E-commerce sales in December were positively impacted by an estimated 15 percentage points due to Thanksgiving/Black Friday/Cyber Monday occurring a week later this year versus last year. Total and comparable sales were positively impacted by approximately one and one-half percent as a result of the shift in E-commerce sales.

Additional discussion of these results is available in a pre-recorded message. It can be accessed by visiting investor.costco.com (click on “Events & Presentations”). This message will be available through 4:00 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

Costco currently operates 897 warehouses, including 617 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 109 in Canada, 41 in Mexico, 36 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 19 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, two in France, and one each in Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.

To view the full report, click here. And keep clicking on ANUK for more retail news.