DELTA, BC - WINDSET FARMS® will be at this year's IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show, where the team is looking forward to connecting with industry, sharing everything from new products to what three decades of investment in greenhouse growing means for its customers and consumers today.

The show comes at a milestone moment for the company. Celebrating 30 years in controlled environment agriculture, Windset Farms grows premium greenhouse-grown vegetables for customers across North America and International markets. To mark the anniversary, Windset Farms recently released a video highlighting the company's successes over the years and what to expect in the years ahead. The video can be viewed here.

Windset’s Delta, British Columbia operation is the largest lit greenhouse vegetable facility in Western North America. Together with trusted grower partners in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, and owned greenhouse production in California, Windset continues to strengthen its ability to deliver a reliable, year-round supply of fresh produce.

"As demand for fresh, premium greenhouse-grown vegetables continues to grow, we're investing in our people, our greenhouse platform, and the latest greenhouse technology to deliver the quality, flavor, consistency, and year-round supply our customers expect from Windset Farms," said Steven Newell.

Windset invites show attendees to stop by booth No. 1552 to see its greenhouse-grown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and specialty items firsthand, and to learn more about what's next for the company, including continued expansion plans, packaging innovations, new products, and award-winning branding. 

“We’re excited to connect with all our partners who have helped us bring great-tasting produce to people’s tables every day of the year," said John Newel.

Learn more at Windset’s Booth No. 1552 at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, Florida, October 14–16.

SALINAS, CA - Tom and Steve Church, co-founders of Church Brothers Farms, will receive the E.E. "Gene" Harden Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California (GSA) at its Fall Recognition Event on Friday, October 9. The award recognizes individuals whose contributions have created a lasting legacy for Central Coast agriculture. The brothers will be introduced by longtime partner David Gill, co-founder of True Leaf Farms and last year's Harden Award recipient.

At the brothers' request, all proceeds from the afternoon’s live auction will benefit the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, a gathering place for families across Salinas, reflecting Church Brothers' longtime support of youth and community in the Valley.

"When Steve and I started out in the lettuce fields, the people around us were the ones who taught us what this business is about," said Tom Church in the recent release. "Being recognized by the Grower-Shipper Association means a lot, because it comes from those same people and that same community. I've been lucky to do this with my brother for more than forty years, and there's nobody I'd rather have shared the desk with."

The honor carries a family connection to the GSA itself. The brothers' father, Salinas attorney Sidney Church, represented many of the Valley's early grower-shippers and wrote the association's original bylaws.

Tom and Steve started in the Salinas lettuce fields as teenagers in the 1960s, working alongside Bracero crews. It's where they learned the value of hard work and respect for the land and the people who tend it. After college (Tom at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Steve at Arizona State University), Tom joined his uncle's Bruce Church Company, and Steve joined Growers Exchange. In 1981, Tom launched Fresh Western, one of the industry's first one-stop-shop operations combining commodity vegetables and value-added products. Steve joined him in 1985, and the brothers built the company until its 1993 sale, which led to the creation of River Ranch Fresh Foods.

In 1999, the brothers started over. With one computer and two desks facing each other in an office rented from their sister, they founded Church Brothers and set out to build the one-stop shop Tom had envisioned years earlier. Partnerships with David Gill and Neil Milburn created True Leaf Farms, and the combined company grew into a vertically integrated grower, harvester, processor and shipper with operations across California, Arizona and Mexico and more than 600 fresh vegetable items.

"Tom was always the one with the vision, and I was the one making sure the details held together. It's worked pretty well for us," said Steve Church. "To be recognized alongside the people who've received this award before us, people we've known and competed with and learned from our whole lives, is a real honor."

Along the way, the brothers helped move the industry forward. Tom brought the first form-fill-seal machine to Salinas, co-developed the injection ice system and Fresh Hold technology, and was a charter owner of Primus. Steve served as chairman of both the GSA and the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement and on the boards of Western Growers and United Ag. In 2016, the brothers were jointly named The Packer's Produce Marketer of the Year.

Today the next generation leads the company, with Brian Church as CEO, Jeff Church as COO, Chuck Church as Chief Performance Officer and Megan Chedwick as Vice President of Food Safety and Quality Assurance. Church Brothers Farms remains family owned and operated.

TAMPA, FL - The IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show comes to Orlando October 14-16, and Oppy is arriving with one of its widest ever showcases: Highlighting core items, longtime brands, and the growers behind them.

As a leading grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce operating in 28 countries, Oppy will bring its portfolio to life for buyers, showcasing everything from category staples to standout new introductions.

"IFPA is one of those few moments each year when we can bring the full strength of our portfolio together under one roof," said President and Chief Operating Officer David Smith. "It's an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our grower-partners and connect with customers and industry leaders who are shaping the future of fresh produce."

Leading this year's display is Oppy's premium avocado program, in collaboration with Avoworks. What began as a strategic alliance in 2022 has evolved into a robust avocado platform that continues to grow in scale and value, helping customers meet rising consumer demand with confidence, alongside Oppy's partner Eco Farms.

On display is Soluna, the premium apple known for its deep burgundy skin and crisp balanced flavor, returning to the U.S. market for its second season with broadened distribution. The booth will also showcase Zespri kiwifruit, Sun Grape California grapes, Dole and Ocean Spray berries, and much more.

Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Categories James Milne shared, "Kiwi, avocados, grapes, berries, apples, hothouse, citrus, cherries and stone fruit are our strongest pillars in our portfolio, and IFPA is where we get to put that strength on full display. Retailers know they can count on us for innovation and consistency in those categories, season after season."

Looking ahead, Oppy is giving retailers a first look at its upcoming winter premium cherry program with quality fruit coming from Chile to brighten store shelves.

Stop by for a coffee and a chat with the Oppy team at booth #1943.

CORONA, CA - Index Fresh, a global avocado marketing and distribution company, has announced the addition of Caitlin Gerstenberger to the Sales & Business Development Team. Gerstenberger brings a decade of fresh produce sales and business development experience, with a background in building customer relationships and developing programs for retail, wholesale, and foodservice partners. She will join the Index Fresh team at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show, representing the company at booth #4157.

“Caitlin brings a strong understanding of the produce business and a thoughtful, customer-focused approach to building relationships,” said John Dmytriw, Vice President of Business Development at Index Fresh, in the recent release. “She understands the importance of listening to customers, identifying opportunities, and working across teams to deliver on their needs. We’re excited to welcome her to Index Fresh as we continue to strengthen our customer partnerships and grow our business.”

Most recently, Gerstenberger served as Director of National Business Development at Jac Vandenberg, working with key retail and wholesale accounts across the United States and Canada. In that role, she collaborated with company leadership and sales teams on sales strategies and grower programs that aligned with customer needs and market opportunities.

Previously, Gerstenberger spent more than eight years with The Oppenheimer Group, serving as Senior Business Development Representative for the Southeast United States. Her responsibilities included developing business across a 13-state region and managing large national chain accounts. She worked closely with customers, growers and internal teams to develop promotional programs, expand account coverage and support business growth.

“I’m excited to join Index Fresh and contribute to a team that values strong relationships and customer service,” said Gerstenberger. “I look forward to working with our customers to understand their priorities and develop avocado programs that support their business. The Global Produce & Floral Show will be a great opportunity to reconnect with industry partners and meet new customers alongside the Index Fresh team.”

Show attendees are invited to visit Index Fresh at booth #4157 to meet Gerstenberger and connect with the team about avocado sourcing, ripening, and customer programs.