UNITED STATES - Trader Joe’s is one retail chain with a loyal consumer following, best known for its seasonal offerings and reasonable price points. The grocer is continuing to spread its footprint across the United States, opening several new stores so far this year with plans for more in 2027.

During June and July alone, Trader Joe’s announced the opening or planned opening for 10 new stores, according to its website. The newly opened store locations include:

• Mandeville, Louisiana: Opened on August 5
• Paso Robles, California: Opened on July 23
• West Palm Beach, Florida: Opened on June 12
• New Orleans, Louisiana: Opened on June 10
• Johns Creek, Georgia: Opened on June 11

Store locations coming soon include:

• San Diego, California: Opening TBD
• Joliet, Illinois: Opening TBD
• Riverbank, California: Opening TBD
• Baltimore, Maryland: Opening TBD
• Leucadia, California: Opening TBD

We will be sharing a followup article soon about even more Trader Joe’s store announcements that have happened as of late, so stay tuned.

ORLANDO, FL - A flash mob and live band, fun costumes, and celebratory glasses raised are just a few standout moments as I settle back in from the 2026 Global Produce & Floral Show. This was the show’s first midweek, Wednesday-through-Friday schedule, and the change seemed to leave attendees with more energy than ever to connect—the events calendar seemed more dynamic than ever before, both on and off the show floor.

“This week showed what our industry can do when it shows up for one another, particularly after the challenges we’ve faced in 2026,” said International Fresh Produce Association Chief Executive Officer Cathy Burns in a post-show release. “Buyers and sellers from around the world gathered to work through the issues that affect everyone in fresh, from food safety and trade to sustainability and increasing consumption of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.”

The show brought together more buyers from more global markets than ever before. According to IFPA, the numbers include:

• A 10 percent increase in participation from retailers outside the U.S.
• Attendees from almost 70 countries
• More than 400 retail and wholesale banners
• A buyer-to-attendee ratio of almost 1:9
• More than 1,050 exhibiting companies on the expo floor

Before The Show

The week got underway two days before the show floor opened with the Global Study Tour, held in partnership with Sprouts Farmers Market, which gave participants a look at how produce and floral move from distribution to the consumer before Wednesday’s opening with Cathy Burns’ annual State of the Industry address.

She called on the global fresh produce and floral community to meet a period of extraordinary disruption with deeper collaboration, stronger advocacy, and practical solutions, noting that the industry’s challenges, from food safety and trade to labor, sustainability, technology, and nutrition, rise or fall together.

“Resilience is not simply the ability to withstand pressure. It is the ability to keep growing through it—to keep learning, to keep showing up for one another and to keep choosing progress,” Cathy said during the address. “The future of fresh will not be shaped by one company, one country or one idea. It will be shaped by all of us.”

The keynote covered everything from food safety and traceability; trade, labor, and policy; regenerative ag; and more.

“Fresh products move at the speed of trust,” Cathy left us with. “When confidence is strong, borders open, markets function, buyers buy, and consumers choose fresh.”

The Education Festival’s short-form sessions helped pack a lot of information and expertise into manageable timeframes, diving into topics like the supply chain of the future, pricing and sourcing economics, shopper insights, and a number of other top-of-mind concepts and challenges.

The Festival closed with “From Appetites to Aisles.” That panel was moderated by Sophie Egan of Full Table Solutions and featured Sonya Constable, Senior Vice President of Produce at Sprouts Farmers Market, followed by “Conversations Shaping the Future of Produce & Floral” with three leaders:

• Advocacy and trade: Del Monte President and COO Mohammed Abbas
• Consumers and demand: Kevin Madden of Penta
• Leadership: Carlos Oramas of gems

Looking back, it’s hard to believe so much happened before the evening closed with the Welcome Reception at The Promenade at the Hilton Orlando, gathering everyone for the official opening before two days of showcasing.

Show Time

For some of us, day one of the official GPFS started early with The Foundation for Fresh Produce’s Race for a Healthier World 5K. For others, it was the Chair Remarks from 2026 IFPA Board Chair Prof. Patrick Vizzone and 2027 Chair Elyse Lipman, which led into a keynote from former UFC and Bellator MMA fighter turned humanitarian Justin Wren.

At 10 a.m., the Expo opened across Orange County Convention Center, spanning produce, floral, complementary items, and business solutions with clear labels to navigate rows upon rows of booths. 

Exhibitors got more than floor traffic, IFPA shared, with curated tours that took buyers straight to solution providers, including the new Fresh Supply Chain of the Future Tour, the Regenerative Agriculture Tour, and Ag Attaché tours of key production regions.

In the Innovation Hub, first-time exhibitors and the Fresh Ideas Showcase, which featured 235 new innovations, sat alongside the Food Safety & Tech X-Change. There, experts covered topics from traceability to food safety science.

As the day wound down, badge holders headed to the Hyatt Regency Orlando for community receptions and prepared for the final push on Friday, October 16.

The last show day opened with the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast, “Play Bigger. Lead Bolder,” headlined by concert pianist and speaker Jade Simmons. Thousands of steps later, it concluded with buzzing conversations, handshakes and info exchanged, and new memories to recall as we prepared to travel home brimming with inspiration.

“Thank you to our exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, and guests for joining us in Orlando,” Cathy concluded in the IFPA’s release. “And a special thanks to our staff who give so much of their time and passion to help bring this show to life for our members and attendees. We’ll see you next year in Atlanta!”

Awards

Congratulations to the recipients of the following accolades, standing out amid so many.

On-Floor Expo Awards:

• Best First-Time Exhibitor: ESU
• Best Island Booth in Produce: Altar Produce
• Best Inline Booth in Produce: North Shore Greenhouses
• Best Island Booth in Floral: Passion Growers
• Best Inline Booth in Floral: Charme Flowers
• Best Island Booth in Complementary Items: Oasis Dates
• Best Inline Booth in Complementary Items: California Walnuts
• Best Island Booth in Business Solutions: Ocean Network Express (ONE)
• Best Inline Booth in Business Solutions: Royal Interpack

From the Fresh Ideas Showcase:

• Best Sustainable Packaging: Stemilt Growers, Compostable PLU
• Best Product Promo: Offshoot Brands, Baby Beets

A heartfelt thank you to IFPA for having us once again. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we hear from industry members on the moments, conversations, and connections that made this year’s show!

LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO - Nature Fresh Farms®, a leader in greenhouse-grown produce, unveiled Pop Stars™ this week at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando. The new premium grape tomato on the vine joins the company’s snacking collection and was built around one idea: eating better should be easier.

Pop Stars has a deep, glossy red color and a layered sweet and savory flavor with umami depth. It turns a snack into something worth savoring and shows that easy snacks can still be showstopping.

“Exclusive to Nature Fresh Farms, Pop Stars hits all the right notes for flavor-seeking snackers. The premium grape tomato on the vine delivers a sophisticated balance of sweet and savory and will be on the shelf Spring 2027.” – Amanda Armstrong, Vice President, Product and Brand Strategy, Nature Fresh Farms.

Pop Stars are great for snacking, salads, and pasta. Try it sliced in half with olive oil and sea salt or roasted to bring out the umami. It comes in a 340g/12oz clamshell with a distinctive label made to stand out on the shelf. Retail buyers can plan for Pop Stars on shelf in early 2027.

Retail buyers can learn more about Pop Stars, contact their Nature Fresh Farms sales associate, or reach the team directly.

LAKELAND, FL - Publix CEO Kevin Murphy announced officer promotions effective Jan. 1, 2027, and the retirement of Senior Vice President of Industrial Operations Mike Smith.

Smith plans to retire at the end of the year after 43 years of dedicated service. With Smith’s retirement, Vice President of Distribution and Transportation Mike Lester will be promoted to senior vice president of industrial operations, and Director of Transportation and Maintenance James Sadler will be promoted to vice president of distribution and transportation.

The company also announced that Vice President of Finance Doug Stalbaum will be promoted to senior vice president of finance.

“Mike Smith’s 43 years of dedicated service have had a lasting impact on Publix. His commitment to operational excellence, safety, efficiency, and developing others has helped strengthen our company and prepare the next generation of leaders. We are grateful for all Mike has contributed and wish him the very best in retirement,” said Murphy. “Mike Lester, James and Doug have each made meaningful contributions throughout their careers, and we are confident their leadership will help us continue strengthening our operations and positioning Publix for long-term growth.”

About Smith

Smith, 67, began his Publix career in 1983 as a rail dock associate. He advanced to shipping and receiving manager in 1988, senior purchasing analyst in 1991 and manager of manufacturing supply purchasing in 1993. He was named director of deli and bakery manufacturing in 2001, director of fresh product manufacturing in 2004 and vice president of manufacturing in 2005. In 2013, he was promoted to senior vice president of industrial operations. He is a recipient of the 2003 George W. Jenkins Award and the 2008 President’s Award.

About Lester

Lester, 61, began his Publix career in 1983 at the Lakeland frozen food warehouse. After serving in various positions, he was named Orlando warehouse superintendent in 2000, Orlando distribution manager in 2008 and director of warehousing in 2014. In 2019, he was promoted to his current role as vice president of distribution and transportation.

About Sadler

Sadler, 54, began his Publix career in 1988 at the Lakeland dairy warehouse. He advanced to supervisor in 1994, manager of warehouse operations in 2016, and director of warehousing in 2019. In 2021, he was promoted to his current role as director of transportation and maintenance. He is a recipient of the 2025 George W. Jenkins Award.

About Stalbaum

Stalbaum, 47, joined Publix in 2019 as director of business analysis and reporting. In 2022, he was named vice president and controller and was promoted in 2025 to his current role as vice president of finance.