FRESNO, CA - The Consolidated Central Valley Table Grape Pest and Disease Control District Board of Directors authorized the use of up to $1.7 million in district reactionary funds, generated through the California table grape industry, to support CDFA activities related to the prevention and control of Pierce’s Disease (PD) and the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (GWSS).

The action was taken during the district's board of directors meeting on Friday, August 21, 2026, in response to an approximately $1.7 million funding shortfall associated with current PD/GWSS program activities.

The district recognizes continued GWSS surveillance, treatment, and suppression as critical to limiting the spread of Pierce’s Disease and protecting California's table grape, winegrape and raisin industries. Since there is currently no cure for Pierce’s disease, preventing the movement of the disease and controlling populations of GWSS remain essential to protecting California vineyards.

Background

The Consolidated Central Valley Table Grape Pest and Disease Control District was formed pursuant to Article 8.7 of Chapter 9 of Division 4 of the California Food and Agricultural Code.

Under California Food and Agricultural Code Section 6047.87, the district is authorized to take actions necessary to control, eradicate, remove, or prevent the spread of the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter, Pierce’s Disease, and other designated pests and diseases injurious to table grapes. GWSS presents a significant threat because it can spread the bacterium that causes Pierce’s disease as it feeds on grapevines.

Historically, USDA and CDFA have provided funding for the GWSS Area-Wide Treatment Program. Due to federal and state funding shortfalls, the funding toward the GWSS program has been cut year-over-year. The district’s board of directors is providing emergency industry funding to prevent disruption of the program while longer-term state and federal funding solutions are pursued.

Protecting Kern and Tulare Counties

GWSS and Pierce’s Disease do not recognize county, crop, or district boundaries. A coordinated, area-wide approach to surveillance and treatment is critical to reducing GWSS populations and limiting the potential movement of the pest into vineyards and other agricultural areas.

Citrus plays a particularly important role in GWSS management because citrus trees serve as a primary year-round host for the pest. Area-wide programs use trapping and monitoring to identify areas with elevated GWSS populations and coordinate treatments in citrus and other host areas when necessary. 

The funding commitment from the district will help support continued CDFA-coordinated PD/GWSS activities, including area-wide efforts that provide resources for eligible citrus growers to conduct approved treatments designed to suppress GWSS populations. These activities complement trapping, monitoring, and other preventative measures intended to reduce the movement of GWSS and protect nearby vineyards.

By committing up to $1.7 million from accumulated district reactionary funds, the board is investing industry-generated funds directly into efforts intended to protect table grape growers. For growers in Kern and Tulare counties, there will be no assessment change.

The district remains committed to working collaboratively with CDFA, county agricultural commissioners, growers and other agricultural partners to protect California's grape industry from Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter.

For additional information, please contact the Consolidated Central Valley Table Grape Pest and Disease Control District at (559) 210-0118.

KINGSVILLE, ON - What started as a simple way to share fresh, greenhouse-grown produce with employees has grown into a meaningful tradition of giving at Red Sun Farms. Through its employee produce box program, Red Sun Farms is proud to announce its largest-ever donation, a record-breaking $10,660 to Make-A-Wish Canada, supporting its mission to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

As part of Red Sun Farms’ commitment to workplace wellness and community involvement, employees have the opportunity to take home boxes filled with fresh, premium vegetables harvested from the company’s greenhouses in exchange for a small donation. Every dollar collected through the program is donated directly to Make-A-Wish Canada, turning fresh produce into an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

This year, the generosity of the Red Sun Farms team helped the program reach a new milestone, with donations continuing to grow year over year.

“Our team continues to amaze me with their generosity and commitment,” said Jim DiMenna, President of Red Sun Farms, in the recent release. “Supporting Make-A-Wish Canada is deeply meaningful to all of us, and it’s inspiring to see our team's commitment to such an important cause. What makes this initiative particularly special is that something as simple as sharing the fresh produce we grow can come together to create such a positive impact in our community.”

Red Sun Farms is proud of the employees who continue to make this program a success and grateful for the opportunity to support the important work of Make-A-Wish Canada.

DANVILLE, VA - AeroFarms, an indoor vertical farming company and the leading U.S. supplier of fresh microgreens, announced new Micro Arugula and Micro Broccoli varieties and expanded product distribution nationwide. Recent company data cites increased purchase frequency and consumption of indoor-grown, U.S. microgreens. Since the company's April 2026 acquisition by Palm Ventures, AeroFarms has grown distribution in key geographic markets, added retail customers, and entered a new phase of strategic growth under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Gustavo Burger. The expansion signals durability in the marketplace, with disciplined execution, new distribution, and a growing footprint.

"Food safety headlines refresh daily, with consumers becoming more deliberate about where their produce comes from and how it is grown," said Burger in the recent release. "Our indoor aeroponic system eliminates many of the key exposure points of traditional field agriculture, including soil, open-field contamination risk, and risk from dependence on unpredictable irrigation sources. In contrast, our Farm uses only purified water that is continuously monitored and tested. Food safety is increasingly the deciding factor for shoppers, more so now than we've seen in over two decades of operations."

Timed for fall menus and available year-round, AeroFarms' new Micro Arugula microgreens will be available at Whole Foods Market nationwide beginning late August. Micro Arugula adds a bright, peppery taste to entrees, salad bowls, and pasta, with a suggested retail price of $4.99 per two-ounce package. AeroFarms is also introducing nutrient-dense Micro Broccoli microgreens in a club-sized pack exclusively for Costco members at $7.99 per six-ounce package. With 34 times more vitamin A, 6 times more calcium, and 4 times more magnesium than whole crown broccoli, AeroFarms Micro Broccoli boosts nutrition, texture, and flavor in any meal. These new products join the company's extensive line of fresh microgreens curated for taste, nutrient value, and quality.

All AeroFarms microgreens are planted, harvested, and packaged indoors at the company's Virginia farm without soil or external exposure, using only purified water. The company's proprietary aeroponics system reduces environmental risks and ensures precise growing conditions. Strict controls maintain desired temperature, water, lighting, and airflow, all with minimal human contact. Every AeroFarms harvest passes rigorous safety testing to ensure quality standards from seeding to delivery. Additionally, company operations consistently earn top food safety and quality scores in independent third-party certification audits.

"We have grown produce vertically indoors since day one for sustainability and quality purposes," continued Burger. "The benefits of an aeroponics indoor farm allow us to have greater control over the entire operation, with the added dependability of our distribution system and nationwide availability."

A Certified B Corporation™, AeroFarms leads the microgreens category in supply and sustainable practices. The company's microgreens are grown indoors in a controlled environment without soil or pesticides and can deliver, on average, four to 40 times higher levels of select vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients compared to their mature vegetable counterparts, depending on the variety. AeroFarms' proprietary growing process also ensures an 18- to 21-day shelf life, significantly longer than that of soil-grown microgreens, which typically last seven days or less. AeroFarms products are ready to eat without washing and are currently available at approximately 2,000 retail locations nationwide, including trusted retailers such as Costco, FreshDirect, Harris Teeter, Jewel-Osco, Wegmans and Whole Foods Market. For store and product availability, visit www.aerofarms.com.

Sources

^{1. ScienceDirect, "Emergence of microgreens as a valuable food, current understanding of their market and consumer perception: A review." Oct. 30, 2024.}

^{2. AeroFarms Oct. 2025 broccoli analysis.}

ST. CLOUD, MN - Coborn’s, Cash Wise and Marketplace Foods are celebrating another successful summer Produce for Kids campaign, bringing together fresh produce, family-friendly meal inspiration and community impact through a longstanding partnership with Healthy Family Project and leading food and produce brands.

The 2026 campaign will provide a $6,000 donation to support local Boys & Girls Clubs, bringing the program’s total contribution to $25,000 since 2021. This year, the campaign’s impact went beyond the store with a hands-on cooking experience for youth at the Eastside Boys & Girls Club in St. Cloud.

Healthy Family Project joined club members on-site as kids rolled up their sleeves and followed along with Coborn’s, Inc. Registered Dietitian Macey Brickweg in her summer Kids Cook at Home online class. Featuring ingredients from campaign partners, the hands-on experience extended the Produce for Kids campaign beyond the store and gave participants the opportunity to prepare a recipe from start to finish.

“There’s something special about watching kids get hands-on in the kitchen and seeing their excitement as they make a recipe themselves,” said Tracy Shaw, Partnership Manager at Healthy Family Project, who joined the group onsite, in the recent release. “Being at the Boys & Girls Club brought the campaign to life and showed exactly what these partnerships can do: connect kids with fresh foods in a fun, memorable way while supporting an organization making a difference in their community.”

The onsite experience complemented the campaign’s annual Kids Cook at Home virtual cooking class, hosted by Brickweg. Families across the region were invited to cook this summer during the interactive class featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients from campaign partners.

“Our goal is to make healthy choices feel approachable for families, and this campaign gives us so many ways to do that,” said Macey Brickweg, Registered Dietitian at Coborn’s, Inc. “From discovering fresh ingredients and shoppable recipes in our stores to cooking alongside us at home, we’re helping families build confidence in the kitchen while supporting the communities we serve.”

Throughout the summer campaign, shoppers discovered colorful Produce for Kids signage across Coborn’s, Cash Wise and Marketplace Foods stores. QR codes connected shoppers directly to campaign landing pages featuring dietitian-approved recipes, partner products, and campaign information. Featured recipes were also shoppable online, creating an easy path from meal inspiration to grocery cart.

The 2026 campaign brought together Fresh Express®, Kid’s Choice Watermelon, National Pork Board, RealSweet® Vidalia® Onions, SAMSONS Grapes, Tasteful Selections and ¡Yo Quiero! Brands. Partner products were incorporated into family-friendly recipes and healthy-eating inspiration designed to help shoppers make the most of fresh, seasonal foods.

The campaign is part of an ongoing collaboration between Coborn’s, Inc. and Healthy Family Project that leverages the grocery store and trusted voices like registered dietitians to connect families with approachable healthy-eating solutions while generating support for organizations serving children and families.

To explore the campaign, watch the Kids Cook at Home class, and discover featured recipes, visit here.

ROSEMONT, IL - US Foods Holding Corp., one of America’s leading foodservice distributors, announced its 2026 class of US Foods Scholars, the largest class in the program’s history. This year’s cohort includes 20 exceptional students from 18 schools nationwide who are pursuing 2- or 4-year post-secondary degrees in culinary arts, hospitality, baking and pastry, or business management programs. Each recipient will receive a $20,000 scholarship to help advance their post-secondary education, along with access to professional development opportunities through US Foods.

The foodservice industry continues to offer meaningful career pathways for the next generation of talent. According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2026 State of the Restaurant Industry Report, restaurant operators expect to add approximately 100,000 jobs in 2026, bringing total industry employment to 15.8 million. The US Foods Scholars program, established in 2017, was designed to help strengthen this talent pipeline by providing financial support and industry exposure to students pursuing careers in foodservice and hospitality. Since its launch, the program has awarded more than $2.8 million in scholarships to more than 140 students, helping recipients continue their education and prepare for careers in the industry.

“It’s an honor to empower the next generation of culinary talent with the resources they need to pursue their career goals,” said Sara Matheu, Vice President of Corporate Communications at US Foods, in the recent release. “Beyond helping these 20 outstanding students reach their full potential, the US Foods Scholars program aims to support the culinary talent pipeline across our growing industry. We look forward to celebrating the scholars’ accomplishments as they move through their education and professional journeys and watching the positive impact they will make.”

The 2026 US Foods Scholars scholarship recipients are:

• Grace Bello, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas. Hometown: Manor, Texas.
• Marissa Blair, Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, N.C. Hometown: Shirleysburg, PA.
• Emily Vier, Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Hometown: South Ogden, Utah.
• Alisha Cameron, Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, Ore. Hometown: Coos Bay, Ore.
• Katie Kate Dagok, California State University in San Bernardino, Calif. Hometown: Palm Springs, Calif.
• Harlow Danio, Moorpark College in Moorpark, Calif. Hometown: Guerneville, Calif.Yvonne Finch, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Austin, Texas. Hometown: Milwaukee, Wis.
• James Ford, Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, N.C. Hometown: District Heights, Md.
• Genesis Jordan, El Paso Community College in El Paso, Texas. Hometown: El Paso, Texas.
• Jason Mascarenhas, University of Illinois in Urbana, Ill. Hometown: Buffalo Grove, Ill.
• Kayla McCloud, Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Misha Patel, Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Hometown: Frisco, Texas.
• Rylee Richmond, Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Hometown: Jasper, Texas.
• Zoe Rowe, Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, N.C. Hometown: Camden, Del.
• Emily Spadafora, The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pa. Hometown: Morrisville, N.J.
• Kendall Stanley, Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Hometown: Grapevine, Texas.
• Sasha T., University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. Hometown: Dallas, Texas.
• Kennedy Thompson, Framingham State University in Framingham, Mass. Hometown: Boston, Mass.
• Majalynn Thompson, Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla. Hometown: Bowling Green, Fla.
• Jake Toben, Mitchell Technical College in Mitchell, S.D. Hometown: Sioux Falls, S.D.

The US Foods Scholars program is administered in partnership with Scholarship America. Scholars are selected through a competitive application process that evaluates academic achievement, financial need, and a personal essay highlighting each student’s goals, passion for the industry, and commitment to their future career.

To learn more about the US Foods Scholars program and the newest recipients, visit www.usfoods.com/scholars.

IMMOKALEE, FL - Lipman Family Farms, one of North America’s leading fresh produce suppliers, has acquired Farm Fresh, a fresh-cut fruit and vegetable operation in Phoenix, Arizona.

Farm Fresh, a leading fresh-cut player in Phoenix, is located a few miles down the road from Lipman’s repack operation in Glendale. The two facilities will complement Lipman’s service in a market where coverage and capabilities are growing.

This is the second western Lipman acquisition in recent months, after Inland Premium Packers in Riverside, California. Lipman’s footprint continues to grow nationally, with a focus on surety of supply and solutions to their partners.

The Farm Fresh facility prepares a variety of ready-to-eat produce, providing customized solutions for customers looking for a lineup of convenient, food-safe, and freshly cut produce.

As Lipman expands its footprint in the fresh-cut category, it also expands its team’s expertise as fresh produce continues to evolve.

“Investing in fresh-cuts in the Arizona region emphasizes our goal of supplying fresh produce solutions that are accessible to all,” said Elyse Lipman, CEO of Lipman Family Farms, in the recent release. “As we expand, this also means ensuring we have the right people in the right places that we can count on. Through Farm Fresh, we acquired experienced professionals who know fresh-cut and produce distribution. They bring a level of knowledge and customer service that we are thrilled to join forces with.”

In recent years, the company has made several investments to meet the growing demand for convenient, ready-to-use fruits and vegetables. Lipman is dedicated to national distribution in their fresh vegetable category, now with fresh-cut operations spanning from Mexico to Phoenix, Northern California, Colorado, Portland, and Texas, as well as Florida, North Carolina, and New Jersey. As Lipman builds on its vertically integrated model out west, its new Phoenix location makes the company an even more consistent, reliable and strategic supplier for its retail and foodservice customers.

To learn more about Lipman Family Farms, visit LipmanFamilyFarms.com.

IRELAND - New Kantar research released by Fyffes highlights growing consumer recognition of Trudi’s® in Norway, with aided brand awareness reaching 27% just over a year after the brand launched in the market. The research also found that every fifth Norwegian consumer would consider purchasing Trudi’s® the next time they buy bananas.

The findings underline the growing appeal of Trudi’s®, a banana brand created to combine high-quality fruit with a commitment to supporting banana-growing communities. Through its long-term partnership with CARE International, Trudi’s® helps fund programs that support women, families and communities in key sourcing regions.

Commenting on the findings, in the recent release, Adriano Di Dia, Chief Marketing Officer at Fyffes, said in the recent release: “These findings are particularly encouraging because they show that Trudi’s® is building meaningful recognition among Norwegian consumers in a relatively short period of time.

“For a relatively young brand, awareness of 27% is a strong indicator that the proposition is resonating with shoppers. Increasingly, consumers want confidence not only in the quality of the products they buy, but also in the positive impact behind them.

“We believe the combination of high-quality fruit, strong retail partnerships and a genuine commitment to supporting banana-growing communities continues to differentiate Trudi’s® in the marketplace. These results give us confidence that the brand is connecting with consumers with an emotional message that is both relevant and meaningful.”

Trudi’s® has also delivered strong commercial performance in Norway. Fyffes reported last year that the brand achieved 8% value growth at Coop Norway, outperforming growth across the total banana category.

Since launch, Fyffes has supported Trudi’s® through its compelling “Little Voices” campaign, combining out-of-home advertising, digital storytelling and in-store activations across retailers including Obs, Coop Mega, Coop Prix and Extra. The campaign has helped build awareness of the brand’s dual focus on quality fruit and positive social impact.

One of the foundations of the brand is its partnership with CARE International, which reinforces Trudi’s® commitment to creating positive impact in banana-growing communities while delivering high-quality fruit for consumers.

The findings build on wider European consumer research previously released by Fyffes, which confirmed bananas as consumers’ favorite fruit, with 89% of consumers reporting that they had eaten bananas within the previous four weeks.

The Kantar findings form part of Fyffes’ wider consumer insight program, which supports evidence-led marketing, brand development and category growth across key European markets.