JALISCO, MEXICO - With excitement building ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, GLC Cerritos is getting into the spirit of the game. In this playful video, a World Cup soccer ball makes its way through the facility alongside fresh avocados, highlighting the teamwork, precision, and preparation that go into moving produce from the packing line to customers. The result is a fun reminder that whether it's on the field or in the supply chain, success starts with being ready when the moment arrives.

As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, GLC Cerritos is proving that preparation matters both on and off the field. The facility remains focused on delivering quality avocados while finding creative ways to celebrate the excitement surrounding the global event.

SAN DIEGO, CA - What makes for a strong partner in the fresh produce arena? With a proud legacy in the organic banana category, Organics Unlimited knows what it takes to arm its partners with a reliable supply of high-quality organic fruit. As the company gears up for this year’s Organic Produce Summit, Manuel Velazquez de Leon, Business Development and Client Relations, took a moment to highlight the values that continue to drive the brand’s growth.

“Our family was the first to pioneer organic bananas in the United States,” Manuel reflects. “This is our bread and butter, and we've been in it longer than most. Three things set us apart: supply reliability, service, and impact.”

Each of these pillars represents a key focus that translates into real value for Organics Unlimited’s retail partners:

Supply

“We have proprietary farms and long-term grower partnerships in both Mexico and Ecuador. That diversification means we're not exposed to a single region's weather, logistics, or seasonality. Our farms are within roughly three days of harvest, so what arrives at distribution is fresher than what most competitors can offer.”

Service

“We're not a large bureaucratic organization. Retailers get real responsiveness, customized programs, and a team that treats every account like a long-term relationship, because that's genuinely how we operate.”

Impact

“The GROW program has been running since 2005. It's not a marketing add-on; it's woven into how we do business. When retailers carry our product, they're participating in something that's funded education, healthcare, and housing for thousands of workers and their families across two countries.”

Organics Unlimited's GROW program contributes $0.60 per banana case and $0.40 per papaya case directly to worker communities in Mexico and Ecuador. Since 2005, more than $4 million has been contributed to the GROW Fund, with 2025 milestones including college funding for 15 students and medical support for 120 children in Ecuador.

Positioning itself for more success in the remainder of 2026, Organics Unlimited has set multiple key growth targets.

“First, we're rolling out our coconut program and introducing it to retail partners who are looking to round out their organic tropical set,” Manuel shares. “Second, we're focused on deepening existing retail partnerships. The retailers who run our full program, including GROW, tend to see better category performance, and we want to build more of those comprehensive relationships. We're also committed to continuing to invest in our grower communities through GROW. The program has real momentum, and we want to expand its reach as our volume grows.”

As Organics Unlimited continues to fuel category growth in the banana and papaya sectors, be sure to stop by booth #414 at this year’s Organic Produce Summit to learn more about the company.

CORAL GABLES, FL - With International Pineapple Day fast approaching on June 27, the sweet, juicy, and iconic fruit is having a moment. Del Monte Corporation, one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, distributors, and marketers of fresh and shelf-stable produce and the inventor of the best-selling Del Monte Gold® pineapple, is honoring the fan-favorite fruit and the people behind its production by giving fans valuable insights into the pineapple and its cultural significance.

As summer heats up, pineapple continues to be the defining flavor of relaxation and getaway moments, appearing more frequently in drinks, dishes, and global menus. Its tropical taste offers a bright, refreshing profile, and consumers are increasingly reaching for it to bring a sense of escape to everyday life. Globally, pineapple production has grown by nearly 43 percent, from around 21 million metric tons to nearly 30 million metric tons—an expansion driven by improved practices across farming, trade infrastructure, and global logistics.1 Consumers are also consuming more pineapples today, with an average of 8.5 consumed per person per year in the U.S. compared to the 1970s, when it was only 0.7 pounds.

For a fruit so beloved, there is still a surprising amount of information about this tropical delight that most people don’t know. Del Monte Corporation offers the following fun facts:

• Pineapples are not a single fruit; they are made up of about 100-200 small berries that fuse together as they develop in a process known as coalescence.
• The scientific name for pineapple, Ananas Comosus, means “excellent fruit.”
• The largest producer of pineapples in the world is Costa Rica, generating about 3.2 million tons annually.
• In 17th and 18th century England, pineapples were so rare and expensive that wealthy people would rent them for parties simply as table decorations.
• That tingle you feel in your mouth after eating pineapple comes from bromelain, a natural enzyme complex found in pineapple that helps break down protein. It also aids in digestion, reduces inflammation, and acts as a natural meat tenderizer.
• Pineapple was not very popular until the launch of the groundbreaking Del Monte Gold® Extra Sweet pineapple in 1996. This noticeably sweeter variety revolutionized the market and helped turn pineapple into a household staple.

Danny Dumas, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Product Management, Del Monte Corporation, North America, reminds pineapple lovers in the recent release that behind every single fruit there’s a farmer, field worker, logistics team, and buyer that work together to bring a perfectly ripe pineapple from a farm in Costa Rica, Kenya, or the Philippines to your kitchen table.

As demand continues to surge, growers have diversified where pineapples are grown, adapting to various geographical regions for production, like Del Monte Corporation’s long-standing pineapple operation in Kenya. Growers have also achieved consistent quality among pineapples at scale, investing in post-harvest handling and cold chain infrastructure that transformed pineapples from a seasonal indulgence into a year-round category that consumers can rely on wherever, whenever.

“What excites me most is where innovation is taking this fruit,” adds Dumas. “Demand for fresh-cut pineapple is increasing because consumers want convenience without compromise, but they’re also seeking flavor varieties that excite an array of senses, not just their palates.”

With offerings like the pink-fleshed Pinkglow® pineapple, the ultra-sweet Honeyglow® pineapple, the luxurious Rubyglow® pineapple, and convenient refrigerated pineapple spears, Del Monte Corporation is leading the way in pineapple innovation and reimagining what this exotic delicacy can become.

In recognition of International Pineapple Day, Del Monte Corporation acknowledges the growers, logistics teams and retail partners who make that innovation possible—growing the fruit that gives people joy, connects communities across the globe and reflects the best of what agriculture can achieve.

ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - Ahold Delhaize announces the nomination of Edmond Mesrobian for appointment to Ahold Delhaize’s Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board will propose his appointment to an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of Shareholders to be held on a date soon to be announced.

Edmond is an American national and an experienced technology and digital leader who has held senior executive roles in global retail and technology-driven companies. He most recently served as Chief Technology and Information Officer at Nordstrom and previously as Chief Technology Officer at Tesco and Expedia Group, where he was responsible for enterprise technology, digital platforms, and innovation.

Earlier in his career, Edmond held leadership roles at companies including The Walt Disney Company. He began his career in engineering and product development and brings deep expertise in digital transformation, data, and platform-driven business models.

Edmond currently serves as a non-executive director at Entain and Criteo. He has previously served on boards, including that of Apigee.

Upon this announcement, Wiebe Draijer, Chair of the Ahold Delhaize Supervisory Board, commented: “We are pleased to propose Edmond for appointment to the Supervisory Board. Edmond brings extensive experience in technology and digital transformation, particularly in U.S. retail environments. His expertise will be a valuable addition to the Supervisory Board as we continue to strengthen our omnichannel capabilities and support the company’s Growing Together strategy.”

More information will follow in the agenda and explanatory notes of the EGM.