NEW ROCHELLE, NY - LGS Specialty Sales, a leading importer of citrus, avocados, grapes, and persimmons, is introducing Darling Dekos®, a Chilean-grown Dekopon mandarin program built to add to Dekopon availability in late summer and fall. Sold under the company's Darling® label, the brand's 2026 season marks its trade debut, with fruit shipping from LGS's Chilean growing regions beginning in early August.

For more than a decade, the Dekopon category has followed a fixed winter calendar running from January through April. Existing brands have built strong consumer demand for the variety, known for its sweetness, large easy-peel segments, and signature top-knot shape. Darling Dekos is designed to add to the supply calendar for August through October rather than compete directly with established winter programs, arriving when retailers otherwise have no reliable Dekopon supply.

"Every year, we hear the same thing from retailers: shoppers keep asking for Dekopons long after the season ends, and they have no source of supply," said Luke Sears, Founder and Owner of LGS Sales, in the recent release. "Darling Dekos is the answer to that supply chain challenge. We're not here to compete with the brands that first created demand for this variety. We just want to offer a second window of availability that retailers can delight their shoppers with."

Darling Dekos are grown from the same Dekopon variety U.S. shoppers already recognize, technically known as Shiranui, a cultivar first developed in Japan in 1972. Its signature flavor comes from a balance of high Brix and high acidity, which creates a sweet, bright taste that stands out in the citrus aisle.

Chile also gives the program a seasonal advantage that matters at retail. Because Chile sits in the Southern Hemisphere, its citrus season falls counter to U.S. production, supplying another window for Dekopons in the U.S. market. LGS ships directly into New Jersey, placing the fruit within efficient reach of the retail corridor east of the Mississippi, with West Coast distribution expected to follow as volume grows.

The program is ramping up with an intentional volume ramp-up starting with an estimated 12 containers in 2026 and more than 200 containers by 2030. "This program was designed for the long term," said Lucio Rainelli, director of sales at LGS Specialty Sales. "We've spent years developing these farms, and our production forecast is based on real planted acreage already in the ground, not projections on paper. Retailers who come on board now are getting in early on a program built to support sales growth for years to come."

Darling Dekos is available August through October, with shipping expected to run primarily through mid-September and retail availability extending into October depending on supply. For produce buyers, the program offers a proven, premium variety with a track record of supporting premium pricing, arriving exactly when the category typically has no elevated late-summer option.

VERO BEACH, FL - Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet, part of the Greenyard Group that is active in fresh, frozen and prepared fruits and vegetables, will bring Pure Plant Power to the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show, taking place October 14–16, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. Visitors are invited to Booth #3643 to connect with the team and explore how the company is helping shape the future of food through the endless possibilities of fruit and vegetables, stated in a press release.

This year, Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet celebrates 55 years of membership supporting IFPA, a milestone reflecting decades of relationships, close collaboration, and commitment to the produce industry. Building on this heritage, Greenyard USA is evolving its offering beyond traditional produce trading, combining deep category expertise with integrated capabilities across sourcing, logistics, ripening, packaging and commercialization. By connecting the food value chain From-Fork-to-Field, they provide solutions and services that create value for consumers, their customers, and growers.

One consumer-oriented example of innovation in the frozen snacking assortment by Greenyard will be available to experience at the booth with complimentary samples of Gigi gelato, a pure-plant frozen snack of the Greenyard brand. Made with real fruit and vegetables, Gigi combines surprising flavors with a smooth, creamy texture, without milk, cream, or eggs. It is a delicious invitation to rethink what fruit and vegetables can be, showing how pure-plant innovation can open new food experience and inspire consumers to enjoy the category in entirely new ways.

Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet welcomes buyers, growers and industry partners to Booth #3643 to sample Gigi, explore new opportunities, and help shape the future of food—together.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Produce Moms® announced that Founder & CEO Lori Taylor joined U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the latest episode of The Real Food Show, preparing an affordable one-skillet meal while sharing practical ways families can get more fruits and vegetables on the table. HHS released the episode September 30 as part of the cooking series hosted by Secretary Kennedy.

“Healthy eating should be simple, affordable, and practical for every American family,” said Secretary Kennedy. “We are showing families how to turn everyday pantry staples into real meals, stretch their grocery dollars, and take greater control over what they eat.”

The Real Food Show was launched by Secretary Kennedy in July 2026 as an HHS cooking series designed to make healthy eating more practical and affordable for American families. Each episode pairs simple recipes with the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, with an emphasis on real, whole-food ingredients, basic kitchen equipment, and meals that cost less than $5 per serving whenever possible.

“Being invited to cook with Secretary Kennedy was an incredible opportunity, but what mattered most to me was representing the moms who are trying to get a good meal on the table every night,” said Taylor in the recent release. “That means using what you have, staying within your budget, and not overthinking it. If we can help families get more fruits and vegetables on the table in a way that actually works for their lives, that’s the work I want to keep doing.”

Taylor’s appearance on The Real Food Show builds on more than a decade of work connecting consumers with fresh produce, agriculture and the people behind their food. The Produce Moms was created in part to give produce brands, farms and manufacturers a stronger voice with consumers, using approachable content and education to make fruits and vegetables more recognizable, relevant and accessible to families.

That reach has expanded through The Produce Moms Podcast, where Taylor brings growers, retailers, foodservice leaders, policymakers and other leaders in food and agriculture into conversations designed to connect their work with the consumers they ultimately serve.

Watch Lori Taylor’s appearance on The Real Food Show on The Produce Moms’ YouTube channel.

IDAHO FALLS, ID - Eagle Eye Produce has completed a new red and yellow potato packing facility within its existing Idaho Falls operation, significantly expanding capacity and adding new technology to support the continued growth of its red and yellow potato programs. 

“We continue to see more opportunity in red and yellow potatoes as consumer preferences evolve,” said Newman Giles, President and CEO of Eagle Eye Produce. “Our programs have grown every year, and we expect that trend to continue. This investment gives us the ability to grow right alongside that demand.”

Nearly every part of the packing process has been rebuilt with increased automation for receiving, product movement, sorting, packing, and palletizing. New AI-powered optical grading equipment captures up to 90 images of each potato, allowing operators to adjust grading parameters based on customer specifications and deliver greater consistency, stated in a press release. The facility also includes expanded receiving capacity and new storage bins and is designed to produce up to twice as many pallets as the company’s current russet packing line in the same facility.

Efficiency was another major focus of the project. A redesigned wash system collects and reuses water throughout the washing process, reducing water consumption by approximately 50 percent. Large ventilation fans and automatic LED lighting are also expected to reduce energy use. Construction began during the winter of 2025, with the new facility beginning production less than a year later. The project represents a significant investment in Eagle Eye Produce’s Idaho potato operations and brings together increased capacity, advanced technology, and greater efficiency under one roof. “We’re proud of what we’ve built, and we’re ready to put it to work,” Giles said.

REEDLEY, CA - Fall fruit is preparing to take the stage, but peaches still have a place in the produce department spotlight. Moonlight Companies’ Encore® peaches are available now through mid-October, giving retailers an opportunity to keep sweet summer flavor in the mix as they merchandise for fall.

For produce buyers making seasonal assortment decisions, Encore offers a reason to keep peaches in shoppers’ sight—and on their shopping lists. Encore’s late-season availability allows retailers to feature peaches alongside incoming fall favorites, with messaging that makes the remaining purchase window clear.

“Changing the seasonal display doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to peaches,” said Ben Clay of Moonlight Companies in the recent release. “Encore gives retailers an excellent opportunity to offer shoppers the peaches they love within a fall assortment.”

Retailers can draw attention to Encore with “last taste of summer” signage and serving suggestions for fall baking and entertaining. Peach pies and cobblers offer a natural connection to cooler-weather occasions, while grilling, salads, and fresh snacking showcase the fruit’s versatility in any climate.

With availability expected through mid-October, buyers can work with Moonlight’s sales team on current offerings and delivery timing to match their remaining promotional windows.

An Encore Now. An Opening Act Next Spring.

As retailers make the most of Encore’s final weeks, it’s also time to put Moonlight’s Coachella Valley peaches and nectarines on the calendar for spring 2027. The region’s mild winters and abundant sunshine allow Moonlight to begin harvesting in spring, giving buyers an early start on their next stone fruit program.

“Encore is the immediate opportunity, and Coachella is the next one to plan for,” added Clay. “We want to help buyers finish this season strong and be ready for the first fruit next spring.”

Both programs are part of Moonlight’s Seven Months of Summer™ approach, supported by growing regions spanning the Coachella Valley, Central California, and Washington. That extended season gives retailers opportunities to build promotions around stone fruit from the first spring arrivals to the final fall features.

Retail buyers interested in Encore availability or planning their spring Coachella programs can contact Moonlight Companies at (559) 638-7799 or visit moonlightcompanies.com.

BOLOGNA, ITALY - Behind many of the family farms that keep our supply chain moving, there's a woman balancing the books, planning the next season, and making the key calls—often without the credit. As a juror for this year's Agraya Changemaker Awards, Christy Slay, Chief Executive Officer of The Sustainability Consortium, is helping bring that work into the light. 

Christy took some time to tell me what she believes industry leaders are missing, and why supporting women farmers is as much a business case as it is a cause.

"Globally, women make up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce, close to 40 percent, and play critical economic roles strengthening communities, yet there are powerful cultural and supply chain barriers that prevent women from accessing the full value of their work," Christy explained, citing data from the World Bank, the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The Changemaker Awards are a global program celebrating bold, innovative initiatives that reshape agriculture and empower women in agrifood systems worldwide, backed by a jury of sector leaders in sustainable food systems and agribusiness. The Awards are part of Agraya's bi-annual Summit, Christy said, which will bring the agriculture and food sectors together in Bologna, Italy, for three days of exchange, insights, and connections.

She noted that women in agriculture have significantly lower wages than men, often have limited or no access to owning farmland, and less access to training, credit, and tools and equipment. And some of the biggest contributions are the hardest to see.

"Even more hidden is the fact that women are often the business operators for their family farms making key financial and planning decisions. As such, the role of women is harder to quantify as their leadership influence is often masked by their spouse or commercial farm operations," she said.

Christy shared that she and her fellow jurors will shine a spotlight on some of these 'invisible' achievers, honoring innovators helping women farmers break down persistent barriers.

The Business Case for Resilience

For Christy, supporting women farmers pays off across the whole chain.

"Given women's influence and impact in global agriculture, supporting programs that address the key challenges can create resilient supply chains and communities through increased crop yields, reduced harvest losses, stable supply to markets, and increased conservation impacts through regenerative practices," she stated. She added that consumers are more aware of the importance of women in agriculture. 

Companies that invest in programs supporting women can build consumer loyalty and open new consumer channels. She also pointed to the next generation of growers.

"Another factor is intergenerational farming—when daughters and young women see farming as a profession in which they can own assets, make decisions, use technology, and earn income, agriculture might become more attractive as a career outlook, increasing workforce resilience," Christy said.

What Stood Out This Year

With 2026 being the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer, Christy noted that this year's awards will highlight initiatives that strengthen the role of women in agriculture. The range of entries left an impression.
"The diversity of approaches the female leaders took to innovation, sustainability, and community impact was impressive," she said.

Projects ranged from using agricultural drones for precision farming to training women to take over more automated operations to creating women-owned demonstration farms. As Christy put it, "there are so many ways to support women in agriculture that drive positive impact," and each community may need something different.

Looking Ahead

Asked what would make the biggest difference going forward, Christy pointed to funding and to the partners who put it to work.

"Government and industry funding to support women in agriculture is a win/win. There is a clear economic case to make from a supply chain perspective," she explained. "The data on the ROI is there. The right program partners are the key to unlocking the full value of funding programs for women. A project partner who knows the local community and culture, understands the needs, and can move quickly through bureaucracy to get funding applied on the ground is a recipe for success."

The winners of the Agraya Changemaker Awards will be unveiled at the 2026 Agraya Summit in Bologna, Italy, October 27-29.

IRELAND - Bananas remain one of the most affordable food products in supermarkets, but behind that affordability lies a supply chain facing unprecedented pressure. Ahead of Fruit Attraction 2026, Fyffes is calling for greater collaboration across the banana sector to develop a long-term sustainable model that ensures growers, producers, importers and retailers can continue investing in the future of the category.

Across producing countries, banana growers are facing rising costs for labor, fertilizers, crop protection, packaging, energy and transportation. At the same time, climate-related disruption, plant disease pressure and increasingly complex supply chains are making it more challenging and more expensive to maintain reliable production and consistent fruit quality. These pressures are occurring across the industry while banana retail prices have failed to keep pace with the true cost of producing and delivering the fruit.

"The banana industry is under very significant pressure," said Frank Burkhardt, Chief Commercial Officer at Fyffes, in the recent release. "Costs have increased across virtually every part of the supply chain, from farm inputs and labor to logistics and transportation. Yet bananas continue to be sold at prices that often do not reflect the reality of what it costs to grow and deliver them responsibly. For many years, the industry has absorbed those increases. That is no longer sustainable."

Bananas support hundreds of thousands of jobs across Latin America and other producing regions and remain one of the world's most popular and nutritious fruits. However, Fyffes believes the long-term future of the category depends on creating an economically sustainable supply chain, alongside continued environmental and social progress.

The company is warning that the industry cannot continue to absorb rising costs indefinitely while simultaneously investing in climate resilience, responsible farming practices, worker welfare, community development and supply chain improvements.

"Sustainability has environmental, social and economic dimensions," Burkhardt said. "The industry is rightly being asked to invest more in climate adaptation, responsible farming and the wellbeing of workers and communities. But those investments depend on economically viable farms and supply chains. If growers and producers cannot achieve sustainable returns, the long-term future of the category is put at risk."

Fyffes believes that addressing the challenge requires closer cooperation across the value chain and a willingness to engage in a constructive discussion about pricing.

"This is a shared responsibility," Burkhardt added. "Growers, producers, importers and retailers need to work together to develop a long-term sustainable plan for the category. That discussion must include banana pricing. If we want growers to continue investing in their farms, workers and communities, and if we want consumers to continue enjoying reliable access to high-quality bananas, the value chain needs to recognize the real cost of producing and delivering the fruit."

Despite these pressures, Fyffes continues to invest in supply resilience and category development. The company operates a diversified sourcing strategy spanning ten origins worldwide, supported by an integrated logistics network and long-standing strategic partnerships that help reduce exposure to localized disruption and support continuity of supply.

Fyffes also continues to invest in innovation and sustainability initiatives, including its recently announced ambition to source 30% of its produce from regenerative agriculture systems by 2035. The company believes these investments are essential to building a more resilient tropical fruit sector but notes that continued progress depends on ensuring the economic sustainability of the supply chain.

At Fruit Attraction, Fyffes will engage with customers and industry partners on the challenges facing the banana and pineapple sectors and the actions needed to ensure their long-term future.

"Bananas have been available and affordable for so long that it is easy to underestimate the investment, expertise and complexity required to bring them from farms to supermarket shelves," Burkhardt said.

Visitors to the Fyffes stand (Booth 10 D 18) will also be able to learn more about the company's sourcing capabilities, sustainability initiatives, category development programs and upcoming Fyffes and Trudi's consumer brand activations.