CINCINNATI, OH - The Kroger Co. announced its inclusion among the 2026 Axios Harris Poll 100, an annual ranking of the reputations of the most visible companies in the U.S.

"This recognition belongs to our associates," said Greg Foran, CEO of Kroger, in the recent release. "Every day, more than 400,000 of them help families put fresh, affordable food on the table. It is their care and commitment that builds trust with our customers and communities."

The Axios Harris Poll 100 surveys more than 16,000 Americans on how they view the country's most visible companies across measures including trust, culture, ethics, vision, products and services, relevance, character, and trajectory. Kroger has regularly received high marks on the survey, consistently ranking among America's most visible and trusted companies.

The recognition also reflects Kroger's long-running Zero Hunger | Zero Waste commitment. Since 2017, Kroger has directed more than $2.1 billion to hunger relief, rescued 935 million pounds of surplus food, and provided more than 4.4 billion meals to families in need. In the past year, associates and customers came together at Kroger Community Days to pack more than three million meals with U.S. Hunger, an effort expanding to more cities in 2026.

"Trust is earned one customer, one neighbor, one meal at a time," said Keith Dailey, Kroger's Group Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs. "We're proud of this recognition, and even prouder of the work behind it."

Kroger has also been named one of America's Most Trustworthy Companies by Newsweek, honored by Handshake for early career hiring, and ranked among Computerworld's Top 100 Best Places to Work in IT for eight straight years.

OTTAWA, ON - Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) is pleased to announce David Dubé as the 2026-2027 CPMA Chair following his appointment during the Board Meeting held concurrently with the 2026 CPMA Convention and Trade Show in Toronto.

David is known by many in the produce industry for his leadership of Krown Produce, Krown Imports, and The LID Company, which fall under the umbrella of parent company, Concorde Group Corp, a company he purchased in 1996.

He has served numerous boards across the for-profit and not-for-profit world, including serving the industry on CPMA’s Board for years and on several committees, such as the Executive Committee, Human Resources Committee, and CPMA Government-Issue Management. He continues to actively mentor emerging industry leaders through CPMA’s Passion for Produce program. In addition, he has chaired the Destination Inspection Service Advisory board for Western Canada for several years.

As Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors at the University of Saskatchewan, David co-founded the Global Diplomacy and Public Policy Network within the Young Presidents Organization and also the Unified Purchasing Group of Canada.

During his term as CPMA Chair, David will focus on serving members by advocating for a fair and tariff-free trading environment, making healthy food affordable and accessible for everyone, and promoting the consumption of fruits and vegetables to improve Canadians’ health and wellness.

“It is a tremendous honor for me to serve as CPMA’s 2026-2027 Chair,” says David Dubé in the recent release. “The produce industry has played a vital role throughout my career, shaping the business principles that have guided me as an entrepreneur and produce professional. As the industry navigates today’s volatile trading environment, I look forward to working with stakeholders to advance this important priority and support its continued success.”

In his role as Chair, David will be supported by the Executive Committee, which consists of:

• Chair: David Dubé, Krown Produce (Wholesaler)
• Past Chair: Steve Bamford, Fresh Advancements (Wholesaler)
• 1st Vice-Chair: Steve Boulianne, Metro Richelieu Inc. (Retailer)
• 2nd Vice-Chair: Andrea Vandergrift, Costco Wholesale Canada (Retailer)
• Executive Committee Member: Jeff Madu, Windset Farms (Grower/Packer/Shipper)
• Executive Committee Member: Stephan Schmekel, North American Produce Buyers Limited (Wholesaler)

The complete CPMA Board of Directors listing can be found here.

FRESNO, CA - We have been receiving reports of an early California table grape season, meaning the buy-side can expect to see supplies shipping ahead of schedule. I had the chance to connect with Anthony Johnson, Sales Executive at Fowler Packing Company, to hear how the producer’s season is progressing.

“We are currently trending 10–14 days ahead of historical averages. Our farming team has adapted seamlessly to the early developments in the vineyard, and thanks to the unique microclimate in the northern part of the Valley, we are able to allow the fruit to develop at a pace that aligns with our retail partners' needs. We are thrilled to be kicking off the Samsons grape season earlier than ever,” Anthony began telling me.

He assured me that so far, supplies are looking strong.

“Despite the early start, bunch counts and berry size indicate there will be an excellent supply of Samsons from late June through the entirety of the California season. We are expecting a high-quality season in both sizing and flavor, with our current estimate projecting over 6 million cases of Samsons this season,” Anthony added. “We will continue to be one of the largest, and still growing, suppliers of table grapes in California.”

Fowler’s signature varietal program, Sorbet, is set for another year of premium quality and flavor. Retail partners across the country will be able to promote Sorbet beginning mid-August through September, Anthony assured.

“With over 6 million cases expected this season, we are excited to begin offering promotional volume to our retail partners starting in July and continuing through the entirety of the Samsons season. On top of that, Samsons is hitting the road this summer with our Road Tour, bringing live events, sampling, games, prizes, and excitement directly to shoppers across the country. Stopping at stores throughout August and September 2026, the tour creates a festive, hands-on experience that puts our grapes front and center—giving shoppers a chance to taste, engage, and walk away with something to smile about,” Anthony continued. “We're also partnering with influencers to spread the word about what makes Samsons special, and at the center of it all is our Sorbet variety, a fan favorite renowned for its exceptional sweetness and unforgettable flavor. Once shoppers taste Sorbet, they come back for it year after year, and we can't wait to introduce even more people to the experience this season.”

California table grapes are ready to take the produce aisle by storm, and the shopper foot traffic will follow.

CHARLOTTE, NC - In addition to signaling the traditional start of summer and honoring Dads, grads, brides, and grooms, June 2026 is being christened as the Month of Pineapples by the brand most associated with the fruit: Dole.

Dole Food Company is announcing more than a month of free activities in its hometown of Charlotte and nationwide, leading up to International Pineapple Day on June 27, as part of the produce leader’s 125th Pineapple Crowning Anniversary, marking its first 125 years in the pineapple business.

Dole’s Quasquicentennial celebration, continuing through summer 2026, honors the foresight of a 24-year-old James Drummond Dole, who planted his first pineapple plants in Wahiawa, Hawaii, in 1901 to found the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, which later became Dole.

“There’s something incredibly humbling about looking back 125 years and realizing how one man’s vision and an initial pineapple planting in Hawaii grew into a global story shared by generations of farmers, families, communities, and pineapple lovers around the world,“ said William Goldfield, director of corporate communications for Dole, in the recent release. “This year’s Pineapple Day feels especially meaningful in that context, and we’re so excited to spend the summer honoring that history by celebrating the sweetness, hospitality, and spirit of aloha that the pineapple represents.”

“In gratitude, we give back to the pineapple lovers in our hometown of Charlotte, across the U.S., and around the world who helped make James Dole’s dream possible.”

In honor of the holiday and Dole’s Uptown Charlotte U.S. headquarters, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles has officially proclaimed June 27, 2026, as Charlotte Pineapple Day.

For June 2026, pineapple fans across the U.S. are encouraged to take advantage of the following new and no-cost offerings:

• The Ultimate Dole Pineapple Cookbook: Free Limited-Time Digital Download. Melanie Marcus, MA, RD, Dole’s nutrition, wellness, and communications manager, has assembled 21 of the company’s most interesting and requested breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes, drinks, and desserts to create the ultimate pineapple-lovers cookbook available for free public download. Highlights range from the Banana Pineapple Coconut Smoothie to the Smoked Salmon & Pineapple Skewers to Dole’s Fresh Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, the fresh-ingredient remake of the iconic recipe that won the company’s 1925 recipe contest. To download the free resource, go HERE.
• Charlotte Blood Drive in Partnership with the American Red Cross. In partnership with the American Red Cross, Dole is hosting a June 25 blood drive in Charlotte in keeping with the pineapple’s association with hospitality, friendship, and compassion. The produce leader will offer a fresh DOLE® Tropical Gold Pineapple to every blood donor who donates blood in person at a special donation location down the street from Dole's U.S. headquarters office in Uptown Charlotte on June 25. For location information and to schedule an appointment, go HERE.
• Texas and Hawaii Blood Drives: In support of its port and office cities in Texas and Hawaii, Dole is sponsoring blood drives in Lake Jackson, Texas, on June 23, in partnership with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center; and in Honolulu on June 26, in partnership with Blood Bank of Hawaii. For location information and to schedule an appointment, go HERE for Lake Jackson or HERE for multiple locations in Honolulu.
• Nationwide Blood Drive in Partnership with the American Red Cross. For those outside Charlotte, Lake Jackson, and Honolulu, Dole and the American Red Cross have organized a 10-day national blood drive from June 19 to 28 in honor of International Pineapple Day. For donation locations, dates, and times, and to schedule an appointment, go HERE. Please note the free DOLE® pineapple offer applies only to those donating blood in person in Charlotte on June 25.
• Crown to Core 2026 Social Media Showcase. Throughout the month, Dole’s digital channels will share fun, actionable pineapple tips, tricks, trivia, serving suggestions, and other interactive engagements with Dole’s approximately 2 million followers on Facebook and Instagram.
• Dole Positively Rocks Charlotte: Sweet Surprise Pineapple Hunt. As the ultimate grass-roots celebration, Dole team members will hide 125 river rocks hand-painted with pineapple-themed messages of positivity and inspiration in and around Uptown Charlotte as a reminder that even a simple discovery at any moment can brighten someone’s day. Locals around the city are encouraged to seek these rocks or serendipitously find them, hold them as a reminder, or replace them to brighten someone else’s day. Additionally, Dole has recruited a host of neighboring Uptown Charlotte businesses—coffee shops, cafes, bakeries, and delis. markets and stores—to join in on the fun, interactive treasure hunt. during designated weeks June 7-July 31, 2026. Each week, one “golden” rock will be hidden amongst the others. If found, a prize can be claimed using the QR code.

Sweet Surprise Pineapple Hunt Spotlight Partners Schedule:

• June 7-13: Amelie’s French Bakery Café (Uptown Charlotte café)
• June 14-20: Johnny Burrito
• June 21-27: All businesses will participate during Pineapple Week, leading up to International Pineapple Day on June 27.
• June 28-July 4: Rhino Market & Deli (Uptown Charlotte market)
• July 5-11: Coco and the Director
• July 12-18: Devon & Blakely (Uptown Charlotte café)
• July 19-25: Paper Skyscraper (Uptown Charlotte store)
• July 26-Aug. 1: Geno D’s Pizza

To commemorate the milestone anniversary, a Dole 125th Pineapple Crowning Anniversary landing page launched last month with 10 new and reimagined classic pineapple recipes, serving suggestions, Dole pineapple history and trivia, and a host of free digital downloads, including DOLE®-branded Pineapple Gift Tags, phone wallpaper, a Royal Tea Party Menu, and DIY Chef’s Hat and Royal Certificate.

In honor of its Hawaiian roots, the company rolled out 125th Pineapple Crowning Anniversary tags on millions of DOLE® Royal Hawaiian® Pineapples across the Islands and is working with retailers throughout North America to bring the celebration to shoppers through in-store signage, point-of-purchase displays, and other activations.

Dole’s pineapple festivities come just months after the launch of the award-winning* DOLE® Colada RoyaleÔ, a groundbreaking pineapple variety naturally bred at Dole’s oldest pineapple farm in Honduras, with a unique flavor profile offering notes of coconut in every bite.

Check www.dole.com/125 for continually updated information on Dole 125th Pineapple Crowning Anniversary activities in Charlotte and nationally. Use hashtags #DolePineapples, #DolePineapples125, and #PineapplesForTheFuture to join in on the conversation.

SACRAMENTO, PA - Masser Family of Companies is bringing patriotic flair to the produce department this summer with the launch of a limited-edition red, white, and blue petite potato pack in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.

Timed for peak summer selling, the USA-grown potato assortment gives supermarket produce teams a fresh seasonal merchandising opportunity tied to cookouts, holiday gatherings, and the countdown to the Fourth of July. The colorful mix of petite red, white, and blue potatoes delivers a strong visual impact on display while connecting shoppers to a local story rooted in Pennsylvania agriculture.

The patriotic potato lineup will be available nationally in stores throughout the summer and is ideal for grilling, entertaining, and seasonal favorites like Red, White, and Blue Potato Salad, Grilled Red Potato Skewers, and Grilled Potato Bake.

Masser, an eighth-generation farming company with roots dating back to 1754, launched the specialty packs to celebrate Pennsylvania’s role in America’s 250th anniversary and spotlight the state’s long-standing agricultural heritage.

As the first official state partner in the national America250 effort, America250PA is honoring Pennsylvania’s history, culture, and future through events, programs, and partnerships across the Commonwealth.

“The Masser family has been farming potatoes in the United States for eight generations, and we’re proud to celebrate this historic milestone alongside America250PA,” said Dave Masser in the recent release. “Pennsylvania’s farmland has shaped our family and our farming for generations. This limited-edition pack is a meaningful way to celebrate that heritage while giving shoppers a fun, fresh addition for summer meals and celebrations across this great country.”