VALENCIA, CA - The juice is always worth the squeeze when working with partners like Sunkist. As we get into the thick of summer planning, the company is also gearing up for the Organic Produce Summit (OPS), scheduled for July 14-16 in Monterey, California. Joining those leaders at the top of the citrus category, Sunkist joined me to dig into the team's OPS plans.

"The Organic Produce Summit continues to be an important opportunity for Sunkist to connect directly with retailers, category leaders, and industry partners around the evolving organic produce landscape. Sunkist has been committed to organic citrus for more than 25 years, and OPS provides a strong platform to discuss the category's continued evolution—from merchandising and packaging innovation to shopper insights and long-term growth opportunities," Christine Toy, Director of Organic Business Development, shares.

Cassie Howard, Senior Director of Category Management and Marketing, adds that OPS also creates valuable opportunities to collaborate with retail partners on how organic citrus can continue driving engagement across multiple shopper occasions—from snacking and hydration to meal preparation and seasonal promotions.

"Consumer demand for organic produce continues to strengthen as shoppers become increasingly intentional about freshness, wellness, ingredient transparency, and product quality. According to Circana retail data, organic citrus volume has continued to grow year over year, reflecting sustained consumer interest across multiple citrus categories," Cassie says. "That continued demand is influencing how we think about packaging, merchandising, shopper engagement, and variety expansion across our organic portfolio. At Sunkist, we continue looking for opportunities to evolve our organic offerings in ways that better align with today's consumer preferences around convenience, premium presentation, and everyday usage occasions."

Sunkist is an expert at differentiating its organic program in today's marketplace, whether through innovation, sourcing, sustainability efforts, packaging, flavor profiles, or customer support.

This year, the company is mirroring its values in a new product for the market.

"One of the most exciting developments is the introduction of a new organic Cara Cara bag that will bring our National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) partnership into the organic category for the first time. By extending this purpose-driven program to organic shoppers, we have an opportunity to further connect premium citrus, consumer wellness, and charitable impact while creating additional differentiation at retail,” Christine describes. "Sunkist's organic citrus program is backed by more than 130 years of grower heritage and supported by a diverse network of California and Arizona family farms focused on delivering premium quality citrus. Our commitment to organic citrus spans more than 25 years, reflecting a long-term investment in the category and the growers behind it," Christine adds.

In fact, she tells me, Sunkist's Chairman of the Board is also the organization's largest organic grower, reinforcing how deeply rooted organic production is within the cooperative itself.

"Many of our organic growers and packing facilities are Equitable Food Initiative (EFI)-certified, reflecting our ongoing commitment to responsible growing, worker well-being, and sustainable business practices," Christine adds. "Packaging innovation continues to play an important role in how shoppers discover and engage with the category. As part of our evolving organic strategy, we are continuing to invest in packaging and merchandising approaches that help organic citrus stand out at retail while reinforcing freshness, quality, and approachability for consumers."

This year, Sunkist is planning a full lineup of initiatives for OPS, highlighting its organic citrus portfolio, including organic Cara Cara oranges and organic Sunkist Cali™ Mandarins, alongside new packaging initiatives currently in development for the category.

"These programs reflect the continued growth and momentum we are seeing around premium citrus varieties and evolving shopper preferences within organic produce," Cassie says. "Cara Cara oranges in particular continue to resonate with consumers because of their unique pink flesh, sweet flavor profile, and strong visual differentiation at retail, while mandarins remain an important everyday snacking option for families and younger shoppers."

When I ask the team, looking ahead, what trends or challenges they believe will shape the future of the organic produce category, and how they are preparing to meet them, they have much to share.

"Looking ahead, we expect continued focus on value perception, convenience, premium quality, and shopper education across the organic produce category. Consumers continue to seek products that align with wellness-focused lifestyles, but retailers and suppliers also face ongoing pressure on pricing, supply consistency, and merchandising differentiation," Cassie says.

Christine echoes the sentiment and adds that Sunkist is also seeing continued opportunities for growth through stronger storytelling, digital engagement, and packaging innovation that helps consumers better understand the value and versatility of organic produce.

"Retailers are increasingly looking for trusted suppliers with established organic expertise and long-term category commitment. At Sunkist, we remain focused on evolving alongside those trends while supporting our retail partners with strong merchandising programs, consumer insights, and high-quality organic citrus offerings," she shares.

So much to talk about and conversations to peel back.

Please visit the Sunkist booth #215 in Monterey, and we will see you all there!

MILLEN, GA - The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) launched its 2026 Next Generation Leadership Academy (NGLA) with an immersive retreat at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, June 8–12. This retreat marked the official kickoff of the learning year, uniting a talented and diverse cohort of rising leaders from across the fresh produce industry.

The week-long experience was a balanced blend of industry education, deep leadership development, and relationship building. Participants spent time at Clemson’s College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences, where they received an overview of the college’s research mission and engaged directly with faculty conducting cutting-edge work in plant and environmental sciences. A visit to the Musser Fruit Research Farm offered interactive research stops and hands-on learning alongside Clemson’s world-class horticulture and plant pathology teams.

“We believe in investing in the future of this industry by equipping tomorrow’s leaders with the tools and relationships they need to thrive,” said SEPC President and CEO David Sherrod in the recent release. “This retreat sets the tone for a year of deep learning, cross-sector collaboration, and transformational growth. Clemson’s commitment to agricultural innovation made it the perfect setting to launch this next chapter of NGLA.”

The retreat’s leadership sessions guided participants through self-awareness exercises, peer feedback processes, and collaborative discussions that will anchor their collective work throughout the year.

Now in its fourth year, the NGLA has become a signature SEPC initiative, intentionally designed to cultivate the next wave of leaders who will guide the produce industry with character, courage, and connection. With sessions planned throughout the year focusing on personal leadership development, industry innovation, and strategic thinking, the program builds toward graduation at SEPC’s Southern Exposure conference in Spring 2027.

“This is more than a leadership course; it is a launchpad for a new generation,” said NGLA co-chair Raina Nelson. “The individuals in this cohort are not only talented and driven; they are committed to shaping a stronger, more connected, and more resilient produce industry. Watching them come together at Clemson and invest in one another is exactly what this program is about.”

“The energy and openness this class brought to Clemson was remarkable,” said NGLA co-chair Kim Flores. “Great things happen when you put talented people in an environment designed for real, vulnerable learning. This retreat is just the beginning of what this cohort will accomplish together.”

For more information about SEPC’s Next Generation Leadership Academy, visit seproducecouncil.com.

SALINAS, CA - Church Brothers Farms announced the promotion of Chuck Clunn to Vice President of Harvesting, recognizing his decades of leadership and contributions to the company’s harvesting operations across the western United States.

In his new role, Clunn will oversee one of the company's most critical operational functions, providing leadership and strategic direction for approximately 900 harvest employees across California and Arizona. He is also responsible for more than 30 company-operated harvest crews as well as a network of harvesting partners that support seasonal operations across multiple growing regions and commodities.

Clunn's responsibilities include labor planning, harvesting operations, equipment utilization, food safety and quality standards, transportation logistics, customer fulfillment, and continuous improvement initiatives. His leadership has been instrumental in strengthening Church Brothers' harvesting capabilities while supporting the company's continued growth.

“Chuck has played a vital role in the success of our harvesting operations and has consistently demonstrated the leadership, expertise, and commitment necessary to move our organization forward,” said Brian Hunt, Senior Vice President of Agricultural Operations at Church Brothers Farms, in the recent release. “His ability to build strong teams, drive operational excellence, and adapt to the evolving needs of our business has earned the respect of employees, partners, and customers alike. We’re excited to see him continue to lead and shape the future of our harvesting organization.”

Raised in Holtville, California, Clunn developed an appreciation for agriculture at an early age. He began working in the industry as a teenager and has spent his career building extensive experience in fresh produce harvesting and field operations.

Widely respected throughout the organization, Clunn combines deep operational knowledge with an upbeat leadership style, a practical problem-solving mindset, and a positive approach that inspires confidence in those around him.

“When you look at what it takes to successfully harvest and deliver fresh produce every day, it comes down to people, teamwork, and execution,” said Clunn. “I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had at Church Brothers and proud to work side by side with employees and harvest partners. I look forward to continuing to support our teams and helping the company grow.”

When he is not in the field, Clunn enjoys spending time with family and friends, fishing, hunting, and firing up the grill.

MILWAUKEE, WI - Maglio Companies (a d/b/a/ of The Fresh Group, Ltd.), a leader in fresh produce innovation and value-added solutions, is pleased to announce an exclusive distribution agreement with Imperial Dade Canada for its patented readyripe watermelon pouch technology.

Through this partnership, Imperial Dade Canada will become the exclusive Canadian distributor of the readyripe watermelon pouch program, expanding access to an innovative packaging solution designed to help retailers improve merchandising, reduce shrink, extend shelf life, and enhance the consumer experience.

Developed to address common challenges associated with traditional overwrapped watermelon quarters, the patented readyripe pouch technology helps maintain product quality, extend shelf life, eliminate leakage, and create a cleaner, more attractive retail display. The solution offers retailers a convenient grab-and-go format while supporting operational efficiencies throughout the supply chain.

"We are excited to provide the patented readyripe solution to Canadian grocery retailers through this partnership with Imperial Dade," said Sam Maglio, CEO of The Fresh Group Ltd., in the recent release "Maglio provides innovative solutions to everyday problems, and Imperial Dade is an expert at delivering those solutions to the users that need them."

The readyripe watermelon pouch program provides several benefits for retailers and consumers, including:

• Extended shelf life of up to 11 days
• Zero leakage and cleaner retail displays
• Improved merchandising presentation
• Convenient grab-and-go packaging for consumers
• Reduced fresh produce shrink and food waste
• Enhanced product quality and freshness
• Resealable and reusable package

Imperial Dade Canada will leverage its extensive distribution network and expertise within the grocery, foodservice, and packaging industries to bring the readyripe program to retailers across Canada.

"At Imperial Brady Canada, we’re proud to bring innovation to our customers and the readyripe Watermelon Pouch is exactly that. It’s a game-changer that combines freshness and convenience in a way that truly stands out. We’re incredibly excited to be the exclusive distributor in Canada and to help our partners deliver a unique, refreshing experience to the market,” said Gina de Ryk, Category Manager.

The agreement reflects Maglio’s continued commitment to innovation and its focus on developing practical solutions that help retailers improve operations, reduce waste, and deliver a better shopping experience for consumers.

For more information about readyripe, visit www.maglioproduce.com/readyripe.