MONTREAL, QC - Are you red carpet ready? Equifruit is bringing a high level of glitz and glam to the 2024 Organic Produce Summit as it looks to generate an exciting new trade show experience.

"Our presence at the Organic Produce Summit is not just about making a splash—it's about making a statement," says Kim Chackal, Director of Sales and Marketing at Equifruit. "We’re importing Fairtrade bananas to produce aisles everywhere, and we refuse to be ignored. This year's summit experience will highlight our mission to make Fairtrade as appetizing and loved as pop culture."

The trailblazing banana brand is infusing the world of produce with high fashion, seeking to engage show attendees in a deeper conversation about the importance of ethical consumerism.

As a press release explained, Equifruit's booth #318 promises to be a haven for those who appreciate the finer things in life, with a cheeky nod to the world of haute couture and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of banana farmers.

A glamorous setup will serve as a backdrop for meaningful interactions with industry leaders, leading to increased opportunities in a staple produce category.

Be sure to hit hair and makeup and head straight to the red carpet at this year’s OPS!

For more insights in the lead-up to the show, stick around.

CALIFORNIA - The efforts of Western Growers (WG) and its business community partners to reform the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) are proving to be successful. In a recent industry update, Western Growers announced new developments in its push toward PAGA reform.

“For months, the Fix PAGA coalition has been in discussions with the Newsom Administration and labor lobbyists,” Western Growers Chief Executive Officer Dave Puglia wrote in an announcement yesterday, June 18. “Today, legislation capturing that agreement was introduced. The goal is to secure its passage, and the Governor’s signature, before the end of the day, June 27, which is the deadline to withdraw our qualified initiative from the November ballot.”

To support WG’s efforts to reform the PAGA, 130 members contributed $1.4 million to the organization’s successful ballot qualification campaign in 2022.

As the organization shared in its release, the coalition believes that these changes will significantly reduce both the number and severity of PAGA cases.

“Make no mistake, this is a win for California—for both employers and the workers we support,” Puglia continued. “This deal was the result of an extraordinary collaboration between WG and our Fix PAGA coalition partners—in particular, our original allies who were with us since the beginning of the 2022 ballot qualification campaign: the California New Car Dealers Association, California Chamber of Commerce, and California Restaurant Association. This process proves what is possible when the California business community links arms—and checkbooks—in support of smarter public policy.”

Puglia also applauded the hard work of his team, including Matthew Allen, who pushed hard alongside our coalition partner lobbyists to elevate PAGA as one of the biggest issues in the Capitol, and Jason Resnick, who worked with a small team of Fix PAGA Coalition lawyers to draft, edit, analyze, and criticize a high volume of legislative text over the last few weeks as negotiations went into high gear.

Click here to access a summary of changes to the existing PAGA statute.

ANUK will continue to report as more developments come to light.

WENATCHEE, WA - That long-awaited moment has arrived: Skylar Rae® cherries are back. With harvest now in full swing for CMI Orchards, consumers are eager to secure “The Sweetest Cherry You’ll Ever Eat™”.

“Skylar Rae cherries are extra special, from their remarkable origin story to their unique flavor and crunch,” says Sarah Barkley, Domestic Sales at CMI Orchards. “Bursting with super sweet flavor and juice, and delivering a satisfying texture, they’re far superior to any other cherry.”

The sweet, crunchy, bi-colored cherries are hitting shelves for a profitable short season. As CMI Orchards reported, while a January cold snap initially impacted bud development for higher elevation orchards, the mild winter and consistently warm temperatures that followed delivered an exceptional bloom, resulting in Skylar Rae cherries of top-notch quality.

Skylar Rae cherries were discovered by the Toftness family in 2004. Grown by selected growers in the US, Chile, New Zealand, and Australia, Skylar Rae cherries are set for further expansion, skyrocketing in popularity and increasing in volume.

“Skylar Rae cherries sometimes develop a unique bronzing, giving the appearance of a sun-kissed tan,” adds Troy Toftness, Co-Owner of the Skylar Rae brand and Tip Top cherry variety. “This ‘caramel glow’ is a hallmark of their supreme sweetness, indicating the cherries have absorbed ample sunshine—a sure sign of the sweetest cherries on the tree.”

The top priority when developing these top-tier cherries is always flavor, as the grower allows the fruit to ripen on the tree until it achieves the perfect flavor. This short video explains the variety’s caramel glow feature, including visual examples of how to hunt down the extra sweet ones.

“Cherries inspire excitement year after year, coveted for their limited availability and summer seasonality,” Sarah concludes, “and Skylar Rae are only around for a few short weeks each year—so get them while supplies last!”

Take hold of increased cherry sales with the help of this beloved variety! And keep reading ANUK as we bring you the latest industry news.

WATSONVILLE, CA - The California Giant Chef Invitational has been moving the needle on berry consumption at foodservice, and a new launch doubles down on those efforts. California Giant Berry Farms has launched its new California Giant Chef Invitational Academy, a program designed to empower and inspire its past Chef Invitational winners while elevating berries as a menu item.

"We are excited to celebrate the talent of our past Chef Invitational winners," says Tom Smith, Director of Sales. "The Chef Invitational Academy is an opportunity to foster their ongoing culinary development and provide them with a platform to further hone their craft."

This immersive, four-day event will be held in the greater Portland, Oregon, area in mid-July. According to a press release, the Academy will provide the esteemed chefs—Luis Reyes (Sysco, 2018 winner), Travis Peters (The Parish, 2019 winner), Sam Blackburn (Sodexo, 2020 winner), Derek Seigfried (Gordon Food Service, 2022 winner), and Steven Halliday (Gordon Food Service, 2023 winner)—with a firsthand look at the journey of California Giant berries from field to table through exclusive tours of the company's blueberry operations.

Under the guidance of the renowned Chef Rosalyn Darling, the Top Chefs will participate in an exclusive culinary expertise workshop designed to spark fresh inspiration, elevate their culinary skills, and promote blueberries as a menu item.

The Chef Invitational has garnered valued brand partnerships with the chef participants and continues to drive fresh berry consumption. Following its quinquennial, The Chef Invitational Academy seeks to celebrate the talent of past winners while continuing to influence menu development.

California Giant Berry Farms extends its best wishes to the Chef Invitational Academy participants for an enriching and inspiring experience and shares its gratitude for their partnership and contributions over the past years.

Stay tuned as we continue to hear more about this impactful program.