ISSAQUAH, WA - Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $30.02 billion for the retail month of September, the five weeks ended October 4, 2026, an increase of 13.0 percent from $26.58 billion last year.

Additional discussion of these results is available in a pre-recorded message. It can be accessed by visiting investor.costco.com (click on “Events & Presentations”). This message will be available through 4:00 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

Costco currently operates 939 warehouses, including 647 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 115 in Canada, 43 in Mexico, 37 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 20 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, three in France, two in Sweden, and one each in Iceland, and New Zealand. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, and China.

Read the full release here. 

ORLANDO, FL - For just a few days, the Salad Bowl of the World is coming to Orlando, Florida. With the annual Global Produce & Floral Show on the horizon, attendees are once again welcomed to the Grower-Shipper Pavilion (Booth 2172) to explore all that California’s Salinas Valley and Central Coast have to offer.

“We hope the pavilion represents the collaborative spirit of our region and gives attendees a sense of the people and businesses behind the produce grown in the Salad Bowl of the World,” shares Laura Lauritzen, Marketing Consultant for the Grower-Shipper Association. “Each company has its own story and expertise, but together we represent a strong, connected agricultural community.”

The Grower-Shipper Pavilion (Booth 2172) was created as an opportunity for Grower-Shipper Association members to come together and collaborate in a way that allows them to have a strong presence at the Global Produce & Floral Show, while sharing the resources and benefits of one collective space. Over the years, it has grown into a true one-stop shop where customers can connect with multiple grower-shippers and experience the depth and diversity of the Salinas Valley and Central Coast in one place.

This year, participating companies include Baja Son Growers, Church Brothers Farms, Coastline Family Farms, Misionero, Nature’s Reward, Ippolito International, River Fresh Farms, and The Nunes Company.

“Together, these companies represent a wide range of products, growing operations, histories, and expertise, while sharing a common connection to the Central Coast,” Laura adds. “Bringing them together demonstrates the depth and diversity of our region and the value of collaboration among our grower-shipper community.”

As part of the Global Produce & Floral Show’s exciting lineup of events, the Grower-Shipper Pavilion will be hosting a two-hour Happy Hour from 3–5 p.m. on Thursday, October 15. This event wraps up the first day of the show by bringing people together in a more relaxed setting after a full day of meetings and conversations.

“The Happy Hour is an opportunity to slow down, continue conversations, make new connections, and celebrate the relationships that make this industry so special,” Laura says.

These platforms for personal connection are one of the most valued features of the Global Produce & Floral Show.

“IFPA Global is really about connection—having meaningful conversations with customers and industry partners, understanding what they need, and talking about how we can continue to grow and adapt together,” Laura continues. “Our members are navigating many of the same important issues facing the industry, from supply and reliability to innovation, sustainability, food safety, labor and changing consumer expectations. Most importantly, we want to reinforce that the Central Coast is home to growers and shippers who are committed to their customers and to the future of the fresh produce industry. Global gives us an opportunity to listen, share ideas, and build the relationships that help move the industry forward.”

Known affectionately as the “Salad Bowl of the World,” there is much more to the Salinas Valley story than the volume and variety of the crops grown there, Laura tells me.

“We hope attendees leave with a greater appreciation for the people and agricultural community behind the produce coming from the Central Coast,” she concludes. “Ultimately, we want attendees to think of the Central Coast as more than a place on a map or a source of fresh produce. We want them to see it as a community of trusted partners who are proud of what they grow, committed to their customers, and invested in the future of the industry.”

Be sure to check out the Grower-Shipper Pavilion (Booth 2172) as you explore this year’s show!

LEAMINGTON, ON - Pure Flavor®, a greenhouse-grown produce company known for pushing innovation across the fresh category, is introducing Tulu Tomatoes®, a pink cherry tomato on the vine grown for one thing: flavor that stops you mid-bite. Inspired by the Mediterranean approach to food, where exceptional ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and gathering around the table come together, Tulu reflects a belief that the on-the-vine snacking tomato category has room for something unexpected.

Unlike conventional cherry tomatoes on the vine that lean heavily on sweetness, Tulu Tomatoes® deliver a balanced, dual-layered flavor profile: sweetness paired with savory umami depth that carries consistently from first bite to finish. Fresh or blistered, on a feta salad or paired with a chicken dish, Tulu is a tomato meant to be enjoyed the way the best Mediterranean dishes are, with simple ingredients and quality pairings that let the flavor speak for itself.

Tulu Tomatoes® will be revealed at the 2026 IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show at Booth #2780.

A New Look on Shelf

Tulu Tomatoes® brings a fresh packaging format that is unique to the category. The 9 oz vertical box features a black soft-touch exterior and a pink and cream striped interior, giving it a noticeably premium presence on shelf that sets it apart from traditional clamshell packaging. It's designed to signal what's inside: this isn't just another cherry on the vine.

"We grew Tulu because we believe the on-the-vine tomato category has room for something with more depth,” said Jamie Moracci, CEO, Pure Flavor®, in the recent release. "Recently, that segment has become overly commercialized, losing its focus on what should matter most: flavor. Tulu was our answer to that. When you taste it, you understand immediately that this is something different, and that's exactly the experience we set out to create."

Grown for the Premium Produce Shopper

Tulu Tomatoes® are positioned for consumers who choose their ingredients with intention: the shopper who reaches for a shallot instead of an onion or picks up the high-quality olive oil. It's a purposeful upgrade, not interchangeable with what's already in the aisle.

Available in a 9 oz format, Tulu is ideal for fresh snacking, tomato toast, feta salads, chicken dishes, and blistered preparations. Its culinary versatility and distinctive flavor give consumers a reason to reach for something new and come back for it. The tagline, "Extraordinary flavor in every bite," is a promise rooted in that experience.

"Tulu Tomatoes® are about creating a moment around food," said Julia Weber, Vice President of Marketing, Pure Flavor®. "The Mediterranean table was our inspiration: quality ingredients, kept simple, with taste at the center of everything. We wanted that feeling to come through in the product itself. At the end of the day, Tulu earns its place on the plate through flavor. You don't need to dress it up. That's where it truly stands apart."

Retailer Opportunity

Tulu Tomatoes® give retailers a differentiated, premium-tier cherry tomato on the vine built to drive trade-up within the category. Its distinctive pink color, unique packaging, and flavor-forward positioning offer a clear point of difference on shelf. The product is Non-GMO and greenhouse-grown year-round.

With Tulu Tomatoes®, Pure Flavor® is reinforcing what it has always believed: that fresh produce belongs at the center of the table, and exceptional flavor is how it gets there.

DELTA, BC - WINDSET FARMS® is putting a spotlight on its California-grown Classic Heirloom Tomatoes, grown at the company's Santa Maria, California facility, the largest single-site vegetable greenhouse in the United States. Varieties include distinctive shapes, colors, and sizes, all boasting rich and complex flavors with a juicy, tender texture. Growing in Santa Maria means customers can enjoy USA-grown tomatoes every day of the year, for fresher, longer-lasting taste.

Classic Heirloom Tomatoes are packaged in a 2-count paper pack, making it convenient to merchandise, while protecting the delicate fruit inside and providing ample product visibility.

“Using more widely recyclable paper to package our produce is just another way we are offering more sustainable options for our customers,” said Ryan Cherry, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, in the recent release. “Paper can be recycled in most areas across North America, and the premium presentation stands out in stores.”

The Classic Heirloom Tomatoes 2-pack will be featured in the Fresh Ideas Packaging Innovations Showcase at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show, taking place October 14–16, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. Visit Windset at Booth No. 1552 for a firsthand look.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - Grapevine Capital Partners, LLC has officially entered into an advisory relationship with Clarifresh (Clarifruit Ltd.), a leading provider of AI-powered Quality Management technology for the fresh food and produce industry.

Alongside the advisory role, Grapevine has made an initial investment in Clarifresh, reflecting strong confidence in the platform's capabilities and its long-term growth trajectory.

Grapevine intends to deepen its involvement over time, working alongside Clarifresh's leadership team to support strategic initiatives, capital planning, and continued market expansion across the global fresh produce supply chain.

"We are investing in Clarifresh because their AI-powered platform addresses one of the most critical inefficiencies in the fresh produce industry — avoidable waste. Clarifresh standardizes quality control and creates objectivity across the supply chain," said Ben Toland, Partner at Grapevine Capital Partners, in the recent release. "Clarifresh has established itself as an innovative market leader with real growth potential. Partnering our capital relationships and operational expertise with their team and technology will accelerate their expansion and is core to our mission of serving farmers."

"We are looking forward to working with Ben Toland and the Grapevine Capital Partners team," said Elad Mardix, CEO & Co-founder of Clarifresh. "They bring industry expertise, experience, and capital relationships that are invaluable."