WENATCHEE, WA - Global Produce & Floral Show excitement continues to ramp up, with the number of days until the highly anticipated event quickly winding down. Stemilt is among those soon to hit the show floor, bringing several key programs that highlight innovation and growth opportunities across both the pear and apple categories.

One key offering taking the spotlight is Happi Pears®, which will be featured in the Fresh Ideas Showcase and Stemilt’s sponsorship video during the State of the Industry Breakfast.

“Happi Pears are bringing new excitement to the pear category with their unique ability to be enjoyed while green or yellow, delivering a sweet, bright, and zesty flavor experience that resonates with today's consumers and helps drive category relevance,” shares Auna Lundberg, Senior Marketing Manager.

The supplier is also reintroducing its Prism Pears™ program in a new pouch bag format.

“By combining multiple pear varieties in one convenient package, Prism Pears create strong visual appeal at retail, encourage shopper discovery, and provide a fresh way to drive engagement and category growth,” Auna explains.

The company is also drawing attention to its apple program, highlighting core varieties—including Cosmic Crisp®, SweeTango®, and Granny Smith—while showcasing merchandising solutions and promotional programs across bulk, bagged, and EZ Band formats. Lil Snappers®—the kid-sized apple and pear program designed to provide families with a convenient, healthy snack option—will also be on display.

Together, these programs help retailers meet a variety of shopper needs while creating impactful displays that drive sales.

“Stemilt stays on the leading edge by focusing on what matters most: delivering exceptional flavor, freshness, and value,” Auna continues. “We're intentional about growing the right varietal mix to meet consumer demand while generating strong returns for our growers, helping drive long-term growth across the apple, pear, and cherry categories.”

One of Stemilt’s core strengths is the company’s "win at the point of sale" approach. The grower’s dedicated merchandising team works closely with retailers to understand their business and develop customized programs, promotions, and display solutions that drive results.

“We're also committed to continuous innovation, investing in advanced packing technology and packaging solutions like our 4-CT Sustainable EZ Band packs to improve efficiency, enhance the shopper experience, and create value for our customers,” Auna adds. “By combining operational excellence, category expertise, and consumer-focused innovation, we continue to help our retail partners succeed.”

The supplier also maintains its portfolio strength by leaning into the latest consumer trends. Placing a greater emphasis on quality, convenience, and education, today’s shoppers want fruit that consistently delivers on flavor, freshness, and value, while also fitting seamlessly into their busy lifestyles through convenient packaging and merchandising solutions.

“We're also seeing increased interest in learning more about produce, from variety differences and flavor profiles to ripening and usage tips. That education helps build confidence at the point of purchase and encourages trial,” Auna explains. “For Stemilt, these trends reinforce the importance of delivering exceptional fruit quality, developing innovative packaging solutions, and providing resources that help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.”

Stemilt’s portfolio and innovative approach to category growth with be showcased at booth #2551 during the show.

“We encourage attendees to stop by the Stemilt booth and experience everything we have planned throughout the show,” Auna concludes. “In addition to learning about our latest apple and pear programs, visitors will have the opportunity to meet David the Magician, who will be joining us again this year. David has become a favorite part of our show experience, bringing energy, entertainment, and memorable interactions that help make our booth a fun and engaging destination. We look forward to connecting with customers, partners, and industry friends while sharing what’s new at Stemilt.”

More exclusive pre-show insights are on the way, so stick around!

HAMILTON, MT - An exciting new packaging debut is headed for the 2026 Global Produce & Floral Show (GPFS)! Local Bounti is rolling out a new design for its baby leaf portfolio in a strategic move to boost shopper engagement.

“At this year's Global Produce & Floral Show, we will showcase the new packaging design for our baby leaf portfolio, highlighting the qualities that matter most to today's consumers: pesticide-free, ready-to-eat greens with exceptional freshness, great flavor, and grown in a safe, controlled environment,” shares Baltazar Garcia, Vice President of Sales. “The refreshed packaging helps communicate not only how our products are grown, but also the consistent quality and eating experience consumers can expect every time they choose Local Bounti.”

GPFS offers the perfect platform to showcase the brand’s refreshed packaging, allowing the company to demonstrate how thoughtful design can support category growth while connecting directly with partners who share its focus on innovation, freshness, flavor, and consumer engagement.

“The Global Produce & Floral Show brings together the retailers, growers, and industry leaders who are helping shape the future of fresh produce,” Baltazar adds. “The event also provides a valuable platform to continue educating the industry on the value of greenhouse-grown produce and the benefits it delivers to both retailers and consumers.”

The new packaging launch strategically caters to several key rising consumer demands.

“Today's consumers are looking for products that combine health, convenience, and transparency,” notes Baltazar. “At the same time, retailers need brands that can communicate value clearly and quickly. Our new packaging helps address both needs by making product benefits easier to identify while reinforcing the quality, freshness, and flavor consumers expect from Local Bounti. It's also an opportunity to better educate shoppers about the benefits of greenhouse-grown produce and the value of controlled environment agriculture.”

As Jazmin Tonnemaker, Director of Commercial Insights and Product Strategy, explains, this refresh is about making it even easier for consumers to find, understand, and enjoy Local Bounti products.

“More than a packaging update, it's a reflection of our commitment to transparency, quality, and innovation, helping shoppers connect the benefits of greenhouse-grown produce with the freshness, flavor, and convenience they're looking for,” she notes. “We hope consumers come away with a better understanding of how their food is grown and why that translates into a consistently great product, while retailers see a stronger platform for communicating the value of greenhouse-grown produce at the shelf.”

Local Bounti's strength is amplified by its ability to combine innovative controlled environment agriculture with a disciplined, customer-focused operating model.

The company’s proprietary Stack & Flow® growing approach, regional production network, and commitment to continuous operational improvement enable it to deliver consistently fresh, high-quality greens while providing the reliability and year-round supply that retailers value.

“What continues to set Local Bounti apart is our focus on scaling with purpose, investing in productivity, quality, and efficiency improvements that strengthen our business and create value for our customers,” Jazmin adds. “By pairing innovation with strong execution, we're building a differentiated model that meets evolving consumer needs while supporting long-term growth.”

Local Bounti’s commitment to innovation, quality, and transparency will be on display at booth #3961 at this year’s Global Produce & Floral Show.

BRADFORD, ONTARIO, CANADA - In today's produce industry, retailers and foodservice operators need supplier partners they can trust to consistently deliver safe, high-quality products. As consumer expectations continue to rise and food safety standards become increasingly rigorous, transparency, traceability, and operational excellence have never been more important.

“At Gwillimdale Farms, food safety and quality assurance are integrated into every stage of our operation,” shares Robin Maile, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager. “As a grower, packer, and shipper, we handle everything from seed to shelf, allowing us to manage risk, ensure product integrity, and deliver the consistency our customers depend on. Through robust food safety programs, CanadaGAP certification, advanced traceability systems, and continuous monitoring, we are committed to supplying our customers with root vegetables that meet the highest standards for safety, quality, and performance.”

At Gwillimdale Farms, food safety is a responsibility shared across the entire organization and embedded into its culture. The company’s Quality Assurance and Food Safety team oversees food safety from the earliest stages of production in the field through to the finished products that ultimately reach retail shelves and processing facilities across North America.

“Our responsibility begins with ensuring that the vegetables we grow are safe, wholesome, and compliant with industry requirements. We also verify that any products brought into our facilities meet strict food safety standards.” Robin says. “In addition, every product must meet the grading specifications set by regulatory authorities to ensure consistency, quality, and customer satisfaction.”

Through regular production inspections, Gwillimdale Farms’ team evaluates key quality attributes including shape, color, freshness, firmness, and overall appearance. These inspections allow the grower to identify potential concerns early and ensure only products meeting its standards move through the supply chain.

One of the key programs supporting Gwillimdale’s food safety efforts is its comprehensive sanitation program. All processing equipment and storage infrastructure is properly cleaned and sanitized before coming into contact with any product, further protecting the integrity of the produce the company handles.

“Gwillimdale Farms is proud to be CanadaGAP-certified for both our farming operations and packing facility,” Robin notes. “Certification demonstrates our commitment to following rigorous food safety protocols, maintaining comprehensive records, and continuously improving our practices throughout the production process.”

A typical day for the Gwillimdale Farms Quality Assurance and Food Safety team begins well before products reach its packing lines, Robin tells me.

“Each morning starts with a pre-operational inspection to verify that the facility has been cleaned effectively and is ready for production. We utilize ATP swabbing technology, a system which quickly detects if organic matter is remaining on a surface, to validate the effectiveness of our sanitation program and confirm that equipment is safe for use,” Robin explains. “Our team also verifies that all required personal protective equipment, including gloves, sleeves, aprons, and hairnets, is available and being used properly. Employees are trained to follow strict hygiene protocols, including proper handwashing procedures before and throughout their shifts.”

Traceability is another component of the supplier’s food safety program.

“Every day, lot codes are established to ensure that all packed product can be traced back to its raw material source. This level of traceability allows us to respond quickly and effectively should information ever be required regarding a specific lot, providing confidence for both customers and consumers,” Robin adds.

Throughout production, Quality Assurance Technicians conduct Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) audits to verify that established procedures are being followed. These audits include checks for lot code accuracy, product weights, grading effectiveness, employee hygiene practices, and compliance with food safety protocols. These multiple layers of verification create a strong system of checks and balances designed to protect food safety and product quality.

As expectations for food safety and transparency continue to evolve, Gwillimdale Farms remains committed to investing in people, technology, and continuous improvement. To strengthen its program further, Gwillimdale recently expanded its team with a dedicated full-time Quality Assurance Technician based at its storage facility. This role allows the company to inspect products not only during harvest but throughout the storage season as well.

“Technology is also playing an increasingly important role in enhancing food safety and operational transparency,” Robin continues. “Through cloud-based reporting tools such as Lotpath, our team can efficiently record inspection findings, share information across departments, and identify trends that support proactive decision-making.”

The ability to analyze harvest and inspection data also allows the supplier to better match product characteristics with customer requirements, allowing the grower to deliver greater consistency and value to its customers.

Behind every vegetable Gwillimdale Farms grows is a commitment to its core values: Excellence, Sustainability, Innovation, and Unity. These principles guide its food safety culture and drive its commitment to continuous improvement.

Gwillimdale Farms’ year-round portfolio will be on display at this year’s IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show. Stop by booth #1388 for more opportunities to make freshness a year-round staple!

ORLANDO, FL - Elevated Foods, a company that connects small and mid-sized growers with retailers and markets through relationships and storytelling, is partnering with the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) to host a free Regenerative Agriculture Tour on Friday, October 16, during the 2026 Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, Florida.

The second annual curated show floor tour will spotlight companies advancing regenerative agriculture through innovative farming practices, measurable outcomes, and long-term commitments to a more resilient food system. The experience is designed to move the conversation beyond terminology and demonstrate how regenerative agriculture companies are creating healthier soil, more efficient water use, and stronger farms that create opportunities for growers, retailers, and consumers.

• What: Regenerative Agriculture Tour hosted by Elevated Foods and IFPA
• When: Friday, October 16, 2026, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EST
• Where: Tour begins at the IFPA Booth at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
• Who: Advanced registration is required and free for show attendees. The Regenerative Agriculture Tour is relevant for growers, retailers, supply chain professionals, procurement leaders, and sourcing, food safety and quality professionals.

Elevating the People Behind Regenerative Agriculture

Led by former retailer and GPFS Committee Chair Paul Kneeland, the tour will take attendees across the Global Show floor to meet companies advancing regenerative agriculture and to hear firsthand about their approaches, progress, and lessons. The experience supports meaningful change in agriculture by strengthening connections among the people who grow food, the markets, and the consumers they ultimately serve.

“There are small and mid-sized growers doing thoughtful, innovative work every day, but too often the people buying and eating their food never get to know who they are or why those practices matter,” said Paul Kneeland, vice president of sales for Elevated Foods, in the recent release. “This tour gives us an opportunity to make those connections visible, bring growers, retailers, and other industry leaders together for the same conversation, and show what regenerative agriculture can look like in practice. Our food system relies on this small but extraordinary group of growers and giving them a platform to share their work not only helps sustain their economic viability but also that of retailers and markets.”

Connecting the Farm to the Market

Elevated Foods launched in 2022 to connect growers with retailers and buyers, easing the mounting pressure on independent growers to divert attention from the field to marketing, outreach, sales, and supply chain logistics. Prioritizing and preserving growers’ unique stories, Elevated Foods also provides agricultural and market support to help strengthen those relationships.

Elevated Foods specializes in identifying local growers, coordinating crop planning and logistics, advancing soil-health practices, and sharing stories from farms and farming families with retailers to share with consumers. The company’s regenerative agriculture approaches are tailored to each grower’s crops, land, and growing conditions and can include practices to improve soil health, use water efficiently, and strengthen the farm’s long-term resilience.

“For Elevated Foods, storytelling is more than marketing. It can become part of the economic bridge between growers and markets. Our goal is to put the people who grow our food at the center of the story,” said Kneeland. “When retailers introduce consumers to a grower, a farm, and the practices behind the food on the shelf, we create transparency and connection that directly support the grower.”

A Growing Conversation Across the Produce Industry

IFPA has identified regenerative agriculture as a major focus of its sustainability efforts and is supporting grower-led approaches that align environmental performance with long-term economic viability and stronger market access.

“Regenerative agriculture becomes much more meaningful when we can connect the practice to an outcome and that outcome to a person,” said Tamara Muruetagoiena, vice president, sustainability at International Produce and Floral Association. “Attendees of the first Regenerative Agriculture Tour valued the opportunity to talk with growers, hear what they’re doing differently, and see how those practices positively influence the soil, water and crops. Elevated Foods is bringing this experience outside of the show floor to the growers, retailers and consumers that want to know where their food comes from and how it’s grown.”

The industry's focus is increasingly shifting from adopting regenerative agriculture practices to measuring what those practices accomplish. Elevated Foods is working with the food-testing and data company Edacious to help measure and communicate outcomes, including soil and water health, crop data, and nutrient density.

The Global Produce & Floral Show brings together produce and floral professionals from throughout the global supply chain to explore industry trends, business opportunities and emerging ideas. To register and view the show schedule, visit here.

WENATCHEE, WA - CMI Orchards is bringing fresh excitement to the pear category this season with increased availability of its highly sought-after GEM pears, a variety known for exceptional flavor, versatility, and consumer appeal.

Primarily grown by Diamond Fruit in Oregon's fertile Hood River Valley, GEM pears remain a signature offering that is largely unique to CMI Orchards. Featuring attractive light green skin and vibrant red blush, GEM pears offer consumers the best characteristics of Bartlett, Seckel, and Comice, but with a unique eating experience unmatched by traditional pear varieties.

Unlike many pears that require ripening at home, GEM pears are naturally delicious at every stage. Consumers can enjoy them straight from the tree as a crisp, sweet snack, or allow them to soften for a juicy, buttery texture. Their slow-browning qualities make them an ideal choice for snacking, lunchboxes, and entertaining. For health-conscious consumers, GEM pears offer a fiber-packed, nutrient-rich snack option.

"GEM pears solve one of the biggest barriers facing the pear category today," said William Gant, Pear Manager for CMI Orchards, in the recent release. "Consumers often struggle to know when a pear is ready to eat, but GEM pears deliver outstanding flavor whether they're enjoyed crunchy or soft. That flexibility creates a great eating experience and encourages repeat purchases."

Available now through January, GEM pears can be merchandised in bulk or convenient 2-pound pouch bags. To help retailers maximize visibility, CMI also offers branded GEM pear display bins that create impactful secondary displays and attract shopper attention throughout the produce department.

"As availability continues to grow, we're excited to bring this exceptional pear to more consumers across the country," added Gant. "Retailers have a unique opportunity to build excitement around a differentiated variety that delivers consistently great flavor and a compelling story.”

Supplies are increasing, but GEM pears remain available in limited quantities. Reach out to your CMI Orchards representative today to secure fruit.

For more information visit here.

PHOENIX, AZ - A fresh milestone is sprouting in the retail sector as Sprouts Farmers Market officially celebrates the opening of its 500th store, marking a significant chapter in the specialty grocer’s continued growth.

David McGlinchey, Chief Development Officer at Sprouts Farmers Market, reflected on the achievement in a recent LinkedIn post, recognizing the wide network of team members and industry partners responsible for bringing the retailer’s expanding footprint to life.

“This weekend, we reached an incredible milestone: 500 stores open and serving communities across the country,” McGlinchey shared.

While the number underscores the retailer’s growth, McGlinchey emphasized that the milestone represents much more than new locations. He credited thousands of people across Sprouts’ store teams, field leadership and support center, including those working in operations, merchandising, supply chain, finance, human resources, information technology, real estate, construction and facilities.

The executive also acknowledged the external partners who have supported the company’s expansion, from developers and landlords to brokers, architects, engineers, general contractors, refrigeration partners and other vendors.

Reaching 500 stores reflects years of planning, collaboration and execution across Sprouts and its broader partner network. As each new location has opened, the company has continued extending its presence to more communities and strengthening its position within the grocery retail landscape.

For McGlinchey, the milestone offers both an opportunity to celebrate the retailer’s progress and a look at what lies ahead.

“The future is bright, and we’re just getting started,” he said.

With 500 stores now serving shoppers nationwide, Sprouts is carrying the momentum of this achievement into its next phase of growth—supported by the teams and partnerships that helped transform its long-term vision into a coast-to-coast retail presence.

MEMPHIS, TN - For decades, 1-MCP application in apple cold storage has followed a consistent operational model: generate the gas, seal the room, and rely on post-treatment outcomes to confirm success. Fresh Inset Solutions is changing that approach with the MaTri® System, a complete 1-MCP product line built around flexible application, straightforward operation and treatment confidence.

MaTri Sure: See for Yourself That Your 1-MCP Treatment Worked

MaTri SURE™ addresses a critical gap in post-harvest management: the ability to verify 1-MCP treatment effectiveness in real time. Until now, growers treating apple and pear rooms with 1-MCP had no practical, real-time way to confirm that gas reached the required concentration throughout the storage space. A sealed room could be treated correctly — or it could have a leak, an incorrect dose, or a missed area — and growers would not know until they opened the room weeks or months later to find quality loss.

MaTri SURE introduces a simple in-room indicator strip placed in the storage environment during treatment. After the exposure period, the test plate provides a visible color change that confirms whether effective 1-MCP conditions were achieved during application.

Key benefits of MaTri SURE include:

• Immediate, on-site confirmation of treatment exposure,
• No laboratory testing or external sample analysis required,
• Support for quality assurance and documentation programs,
• Increased confidence in treatment consistency across rooms and loads,
• Simple single-step use: hang the strip before sealing, read the result before resuming storage operations

"A color change from pink to yellow is all it takes - confirmation that every room, every treatment, every time delivered the freshness protection your crop deserves. The result is a practical verification tool that helps growers and packers confirm treatment execution. With MaTri SURE™, we are introducing a new level of visibility and confidence to 1-MCP application, transforming a traditionally invisible and complicated process into one that can be verified quickly, clearly, and reliably by everyone," said Gordon Robertson, General Manager North America at Fresh Inset Solutions, in the recent release

One MaTri System, Built Around the Way Growers Work

Every storage operation is different. Room sizes and treatment volumes vary. Some growers operate large centralized storage facilities, while others need to treat smaller rooms or fruit moving in shipping containers. That is why MaTri is designed as a system rather than a single application format.

The MaTri System brings together:

• MaTri Powder – the established 1-MCP formulation for use with the MaTri Generator
• MaTri Generator – supporting efficient application in larger-scale cold storage operations
• MaTri Tablets – an additional, easy-to-use application for smaller rooms or containers
• MaTri SURE™ – visual treatment confirmation that adds a new level of confidence to the system
• MaTri DoseRight – an easy-to-use digital tool at ma-tri.com that helps apple growers calculate the right MaTri dose for their specific storage operation and order online.

Together, these components allow growers and packers to select the application approach that fits their operation while maintaining the advantages of one integrated MaTri platform.

MaTri Tablets: Effervescent Precision and Flexibility

MaTri Tablets expand the MaTri System with a convenient unit-dose application option for smaller packinghouses, satellite cold rooms, shipping containers and other sealed treatment environments.

The proprietary effervescent tablets simplify 1-MCP release. Operators place the required number of tablets into a standard bucket or tray containing water. The tablets dissolve and release 1-MCP into the sealed treatment space. Practical option within the MaTri System when the size, location or logistics of a treatment call for a simpler application method.

See the full release here.