MARLBOROUGH, MA & FOLEY, AL - BJ’s Wholesale Club announced that its location in Foley, Alabama, will open on September 25.

To celebrate the new club at 3275 Palm Beach Way, the on-site BJ’s Gas will offer members $2 per gallon for one day only on Wednesday, September 23, from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The promotional price applies to regular gas and has a 30-gallon limit.

Local shoppers can sign up now to become members at BJs.com/Foley. Limited-time membership offers start at just $40 for one year* and include a $10 reward for each $100 spent during the first 90 days of club opening.

BJ’s offers unbeatable value on everyday essentials in a convenient one-stop shop. Members save on fresh foods, produce, full-service deli items, fresh bakery goods, household essentials, home décor, pet supplies, toys, consumer electronics, and more. BJ’s members love the true treasure-hunt shopping experience, discovering new and exciting items with each visit.

“At BJ’s Wholesale Club, we take care of the families who depend on us,” said Ali Maria, Club Manager, Foley BJ’s Wholesale Club. “We’re excited to bring unbeatable value and convenience to the families of Foley and are honored to be part of the community.”

BJ’s has a long-standing commitment to nourishing its communities. For over 15 years, it has worked with Feeding America and its network of food banks, providing more than 165 million meals for those in need. In Foley, BJ’s is partnering with Feeding the Gulf Coast by regularly donating produce, meat, dairy products, and more to support those in need.

“We’re thrilled to partner with BJ’s Wholesale Club in Foley and continue our meaningful partnership in the region,” said Michael Ledger, President and CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast, in the recent release. “Their support and contributions are instrumental in helping create access to nutritious food and resources for those in need.”

BJ’s members can choose from several time-saving options, whether shopping online or in-club. Curbside pickup, in-club pickup, same-day delivery** and shipping are available on BJs.com. Members shopping in-club can use ExpressPay through the BJ’s mobile app to scan products as they shop and skip the checkout line.

Additional member perks include:

• Unbeatable grocery prices: Members can save up to 25% off grocery store prices every day
• A risk-free membership: Shoppers can try BJ’s risk-free with the company’s 100% money-back guarantee
• BJ’s coupons + manufacturers’ coupons: Members can combine BJ’s coupons with many manufacturers’ coupons to maximize savings
• BJ’s Gas: Members can fill up at any BJ’s Gas station at low prices. Plus, members can save even more through BJ’s Fuel Savers Program

MAITLAND, FL - The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has named Adam Lytch, regional manager at L&M Farms in East Palatka, Fla., to serve a two-year term as chair through 2028. Eric Hopkins, senior vice president at Hundley Farms in Belle Glade, Fla., was named vice chair. The appointments were made at the association’s board of directors and annual membership meetings on Sept. 22.

“Adam Lytch has been a respected leader in the produce industry for more than 20 years. During his time on the FFVA board, he has helped champion the priorities of specialty crop growers in Florida and across the country, serving as a strong advocate at both the state and federal levels,” said FFVA President Mike Joyner in the recent release. “Adam’s leadership, industry knowledge, and dedication to growers will help ensure FFVA remains a strong and effective voice for agriculture in the years ahead.”

In his role with L&M, Lytch oversees the Florida farming and warehouse operations for one of the most expansive and diverse produce enterprises in the Southeast. A grower, packer, and marketer of fresh produce nationwide, L&M grows fresh vegetables across eight Florida counties, reflecting the scale and diversity of the company's agricultural operations throughout the state.

FFVA members also voted to appoint Nick Wishnatzki, public relations director of Wish Farms, to serve as a district director on the board. Members also elected John Frey, vice president at Frey Farms; Carleton Johns, vice president at Tater Farms; April Roe Porter, co-owner of Noble Ag; and Daniel Sutton, vice president of operations for King Ranch, to serve as at-large directors.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Spiky kiwano melons. Spooky finger limes. Electric-pink dragon fruit. Tentacled Buddha’s Hand. When nature gets this weird, Halloween practically writes itself.

That’s the idea behind Melissa’s Freaky Fruit®, a signature seasonal program that has been bringing Halloween fun to produce departments for years. Originally created around a natural shift in the produce calendar, Freaky Fruit® gives unusual tropical and specialty fruits a moment to shine as summer fruit winds down and fall takes over.

Dragon fruit, rambutan, passion fruit, cherimoya, starfruit, papaya, kiwano melon and more turn the produce department into a destination for discovery, giving shoppers something unexpected to stop for, talk about and take home. They’re also a fresh, naturally colorful way to skip the candy aisle and join the Halloween fun, whether packed into lunchboxes, served as snacks or transformed into something spooky.

“Freaky Fruit has always been about making produce fun and getting people excited to try something new,” said Robert Schueller, Director of Public Relations at Melissa’s Produce, in the recent release. “Halloween is the perfect time for it. Rambutan and dragon fruit make great edible eyeballs, kiwano can become a shrunken head, and all those wild colors and shapes are perfect for spooky drinks, snacks and party boards.”

And the fun isn’t limited to fruit. Melissa’s Vicious Veg™ brings Halloween to unexpected items like aloe vera. The celebration carries through to the packaging, too, with select favorites dressing up for the occasion in Freaky Fruit® labels, including rambutans, starfruit, guava, goldenberries, kumquats and Muscatos™ grapes.

Look for Melissa’s Freaky Fruit® displays at select retailers throughout October. Want to bring the Halloween fun to your produce department? Contact your Melissa’s sales representative to learn more about the Freaky Fruit® assortment and available program materials.