NOGALEZ, AZ - As Divine Flavor approaches its 20th year, the company is continuing to build on the agricultural principles that have guided its growth while expanding a produce business focused on quality, flavor, responsible farming, and long-term relationships with growers and retailers.

Nearly two decades ago, Alan Aguirre, Carlos Bon and Pedro Batiz established the foundation for Divine Flavor, developing a distribution platform that connected Grupo Alta’s agricultural operations with retail customers across North America. Since then, that foundation has expanded into a broader network of growers throughout Mexico, Peru and Chile, offering a diverse portfolio of conventional and organic produce.

Michael DuPuis, head of public relations and quality assurance at Divine Flavor, said the company’s foundation has always extended beyond simply growing and distributing fresh produce.

“From the beginning, the idea was that we wanted to do things the right way,” said DuPuis in the recent release. “That means producing food with quality and flavor at the forefront, while also focusing on food safety, social responsibility, organics, and sustainability. Those principles were established through Grupo Alta, and they continue to shape Divine Flavor today.”

As the company expanded, those same values became part of a larger grower network and an increasingly diverse product offering. Today, Divine Flavor’s portfolio includes more than 20 commercial varieties of table grapes, along with bell peppers, mini peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes and squash, with additional specialty tomato varieties on the horizon.

“Divine Flavor isn’t just another produce brand,” DuPuis said. “It’s a promise to our retail partners and their consumers. Behind every product is a grower, a farm and a person. There is a story of passion, dedication, hard work and a commitment to doing things the right way.”

Expanding a year-round grape program

That philosophy can be seen throughout Divine Flavor’s table grape program, which has grown to include production from Mexico, Peru and Chile. Antonio Escobar, Divine Flavor’s table grape category manager, said the program brings together premium, value-oriented and flavor-focused varieties while providing retailers with consistent quality and supply throughout the season.

“Our goal has always been to give our customers consistency without losing sight of what makes grapes exciting in the first place — flavor,” Escobar said.

As the industry moves into the fall and winter grape season, Peru remains an important part of Divine Flavor’s program. Escobar points to southern Peru, particularly the Ica and Nazca regions, as key production areas and highlights varieties such as AUTUMNCRISP® grapes for their strong eating experience.

“Peru continues to demonstrate what it can produce from a quality standpoint,” he said. “Our grower partners continue to amaze us with the quality and a fantastic eating experience they deliver every season.”

Having production across multiple origins also gives Divine Flavor greater flexibility when managing seasonal transitions and the natural uncertainties of agriculture. In addition to Peru and Chile, Mexican production from regions including Jalisco and Sonora provides further options as programs transition throughout the year.

“Every season is different, and there are always variables that we have to deal with,” Escobar said. “Having a strong presence in Peru, Chile and Mexico gives us options. When weather or other challenges affect one region, our job is to navigate those circumstances and continue looking for ways to provide our retail partners with quality, flavor and consistency.”

That flexibility could prove particularly valuable this season as changing weather patterns, including potential El Niño impacts, add another element of uncertainty to South American production.

Keeping flavor at the forefront

While consistency and dependable supply remain essential, Escobar said the consumer eating experience continues to be a major focus for Divine Flavor. Varieties gaining momentum within the company’s program include AUTUMNCRISP® grapes, APPLAUSE®, FLAVORCRUSH™, Candy Hearts™ and Jellyberries™, among other emerging varietals.

“The list keeps getting longer every year,” Escobar said. “Our breeder partners are continuing to improve flavor, and that’s something we’re excited about because great-tasting grapes result in repeat purchases with consumers.”

For DuPuis, the emphasis on flavor and responsible production connects directly with Divine Flavor’s broader mission: Better Food for a Better World.

“We’ve always believed that better agriculture should lead to better food,” DuPuis said. “It’s about healthy farms, healthy plants, responsible production and, ultimately, better eating experiences.”

Nearly 20 years of teamwork

As Divine Flavor nears its 20-year milestone, DuPuis said the company’s growth represents the collective work of the many people who have contributed to the organization over the years, from its growers and partners to employees throughout the company.

He points specifically to the contributions of Alan Aguirre Camou, Divine Flavor’s chief marketing officer, as well as the company’s sales, management, administration, and operations teams.

“There are a lot of people who deserve credit for where we are today,” DuPuis said. “Alan Aguirre Camou has put an incredible amount of hard work into building the Divine Flavor brand and helping tell our story, while our sales, administration and operations teams work tirelessly to support our growers and retail partners. You simply don’t get to 20 years without great people throughout the organization. This has always been a team effort.”

As Divine Flavor prepares for its next chapter, the company remains focused on strengthening its grower partnerships, continuing to expand its produce portfolio, and helping retail partners deliver fresh produce consumers can feel confident purchasing.

NEW ZEALAND - VentureFruit has launched ADORE™ apples, a new global premium apple program bringing together a family of climate-resilient varieties. By uniting under one brand, the program gives growers and marketers greater flexibility to build supply across different regions, harvest windows, and market needs.

Unveiled at Fruit Attraction in Madrid, ADORE™ is the latest commercial development from the Hot Climate Partnership, a long-term international initiative breeding high-quality apples and pears for resilience in hot and warming climates. The new program will initially launch with ‘HOT03A1’ alongside a second complementary variety that harvests four to six weeks earlier, with further varieties in development to broaden production and supply opportunities.

Under the global ADORE™ brand, licensees can select the variety or combination of varieties best suited to their region and market. Territory partners retain autonomy to grow, pack, market, distribute and sell fruit within their licensed region, while benefiting from consistent brand investment, program expertise and the scale of a global peer-to-peer network.

Morgan Rogers, VentureFruit General Manager, says ADORE™ apples respond to the global premium apple growth opportunity, while supporting resilience to climate change for growers.

“The global premium apple category is growing rapidly, creating a real opportunity for growers and investors; however, at the same time, global temperatures continue to rise. Growers need varieties that can deliver strong orchard and commercial performance as climates, growing conditions and markets change. ADORE™ brings together a suite of climate-resilient genetics, a premium consumer proposition and a global commercial framework designed to support sustained growth.

“By offering complementary varieties through one program, partners have greater choice in how they build supply for their region, conditions and market, as well as consolidating effort and investment under one global brand. That adaptability can help strengthen orchard performance and give growers confidence when making long-term investment decisions,” says Rogers on the recent release.

ADORE™ apples draw on more than two decades of breeding and scientific development through the Hot Climate Partnership, which brings together The Catalan Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), New Zealand’s Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI), FruitFutur and VentureFruit. Together, the partners contribute expertise spanning breeding, agronomic evaluation, consumer research and commercialization, with VentureFruit responsible for bringing varieties developed through the partnership to market.

“The launch of ADORE™ is a significant milestone for the Hot Climate Partnership and another demonstration of what long-term breeding science can deliver. Our team is incredibly proud to have played a part in developing apples that thrive in warming climates and that consumers love,” says Emma Brown, BSI General Manager Plant Varieties.

The initial ADORE™ varieties have undergone extensive agronomic evaluation and consumer sensory research in Spain, Germany, France, Italy and Hong Kong. Results showed strong overall liking against industry benchmarks and a consistent brand experience across appearance, flavor and texture.

The radiant red apples offer a balanced eating experience: sweet and fruity rather than sugary, fresh rather than tart, with a juicy, crunchy texture.

“We tested the positioning, name and visual execution across markets, and the response was overwhelmingly positive and consistent. That gives us, and our partners, confidence they are investing in a distinctive apple brand consumers will seek out and keep coming back to,” says Rogers.

The ADORE™ apple program enters the market with momentum, with 120 hectares already licensed in Catalonia through FruitFutur and early interest from broader European partners, South America and South Africa.

“As one of the first regions to progress the varieties commercially, Catalonia’s fruit research and production ecosystem has played an important role in their development and transfer to market," says Eva Ogué, Head of the Technology Transfer Office at IRTA.

The program will be developed progressively, beginning in regions where the varieties offer the strongest commercial and horticultural fit. Global plantings will be managed to align supply with demand, protect the varieties and brand, and support licensees with agronomic expertise in key regions.

ADORE™ builds on the Hot Climate Partnership’s existing commercial portfolio, which includes TUTTI™ apples and STELLAR™ apple trees.

Licenses are now open to growers and fresh produce marketers. Interested parties are invited to attend upcoming ADORE™ apples evaluation activities or contact Kate James at [email protected].

OTTAWA, ON - The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) welcomed the Government of Canada’s announcement of the upcoming launch of the $1 billion Food-Link Fund, a core component of the National Food Security Strategy.

CPMA was pleased to attend the announcement made by the Honorable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and the Honorable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.

The Food-Link Fund will invest in critical food security infrastructure through two streams:

• The Food Terminal Fund, which will support the development and expansion of wholesale food terminals.
• The Food Hub Program, which will support the creation and expansion of regional food hubs across Canada.

“The Food-Link Fund is an important step toward building a stronger and more resilient fresh produce supply chain,” said CPMA President Ron Lemaire in the recent release. “Strategic investments in food terminals and regional food hubs will create new opportunities for businesses across the supply chain and support more efficient access to fresh fruits and vegetables for Canadians.”

Over the past year, CPMA has been advocating for federal support for the Ontario Food Terminal and regional food hubs. The investments announced today are a strong reflection of these key CPMA recommendations for government action to prioritize food production as a cornerstone of its Build Canada economic strategy.

“CPMA has consistently advocated for investment in the food system infrastructure needed to move fresh produce efficiently across Canada,” said Lemaire. “We look forward to continuing working with the Government of Canada and industry members across the fresh produce supply chain to support the successful implementation of the Food-Link Fund and the broader National Food Security Strategy.”

AUSTIN, TX - ShipStation, a leading intelligent shipping and logistics platform for small and mid-sized businesses, announced the launch of Ship with Walmart, a new shipping solution that gives Walmart Marketplace sellers direct access to Walmart-negotiated shipping rates within the ShipStation platform. The integration allows sellers to purchase eligible labels, access seller protections, and manage Walmart Marketplace orders directly within their existing ShipStation workflow.

Many Walmart Marketplace sellers manage orders across multiple selling channels, with ShipStation serving as the hub that brings those workflows together. Ship with Walmart extends that capability to Walmart Marketplace orders: sellers can activate it through ShipStation and purchase eligible labels alongside their existing carrier accounts, with no new integration to build.

Ship with Walmart works alongside a seller's existing shipping setup as an additional option, and activation is simple by design.

"Sellers shouldn't have to choose between the tools they rely on every day and the benefits their marketplace offers them," said Matt Norman, Vice President, Strategic Business Development, ShipStation. "Ship with Walmart closes that gap. Sellers get Walmart-negotiated rates and seller protections, including up to $100 of order protection, all within the ShipStation platform."

With Ship with Walmart, sellers gain access to:

• Walmart-negotiated rates: Discounted rates from trusted domestic carriers.
• On-time delivery and valid tracking support: Ship with Walmart supports on-time delivery and valid tracking performance.
• Seller protection for lost packages: Eligible orders shipped on time can receive up to $100 in protection for lost-item claims, including lost-in-transit and after-delivery claims. Sellers can also access negative feedback review for approved lost-item claims.
• Delivery promise, connected to carrier choice: Simplified Shipping Settings surfaces Walmart-recommended carrier and service-level options directly in ShipStation, based on the seller's delivery promise.
• A unified, multichannel dashboard: Walmart Marketplace orders sit alongside Amazon, TikTok Shop, Shopify, eBay, and other connected storefronts in one place—sellers don't have to step outside the ShipStation workflow they already know to manage Walmart shipping.
• Purchase labels directly in ShipStation: After activation, sellers can purchase eligible Ship with Walmart labels within their existing ShipStation workflow.

Walmart Marketplace sellers who are new to ShipStation can receive 20% off their ShipStation subscription for one year when they activate Ship with Walmart.*

"For Walmart Marketplace sellers, every operational advantage matters, and shipping is one of the biggest levers they have to protect margins and delivery performance," said Norman in the recent release. "Ship with Walmart delivers real, negotiated value inside the platform sellers already use."

Ship with Walmart is available now to Walmart Marketplace sellers using ShipStation, and activation is simple. Ship with Walmart in ShipStation currently supports U.S. domestic shipments only.

To learn more, visit shipstation.com/partners/walmart or read Introducing Ship with Walmart on the ShipStation blog.

^{*The ShipStation subscription offer can be used alongside discounted Ship with Walmart label rates. Eligibility requirements and offer terms apply.}

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - Since 2004, Allen Lund Company (ALC) has been working with growers/producers and carriers in support of Navidad en el Barrio. The two organizations are now spreading the word to fresh produce providers that they will be seeking donations come December.

"Navidad en el Barrio has been a part of the Allen Lund Company's commitment to community service since 2004. In my new role as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for Navidad en el Barrio, it's comforting to know ALC continues to support our annual Christmas grocery initiative,” Nora Trueblood, who is also the retired Director of Marketing at ALC, told me. “We look forward to working with growers and shippers again in 2026 to provide healthy options to families. Together, we hope to supply a complete Christmas dinner and supplementary groceries to 12,000 food-insecure households this year, and we thank ALC for their unwavering support."

Donations will be accepted the week of December 8, with groceries delivered Saturday, December 12, 2026. Perishables are delivered via ALC to a warehouse location and then delivered to agencies throughout SoCal for distribution to families.

Navidad en el Barrio was established in 1972 with the mission of providing a healthy Christmas dinner to thousands of the most needy Southern California families. Over 75,000 people are served annually through the efforts of Navidad En El Barrio and their team.

"Navidad en el Barrio is a team event!” Kenny Lund, Executive Vice President at Allen Lund Company and ALC Logistics, added. “It brings growers, transportation companies, retailers, and many individuals all together to benefit those who need assistance during the holidays. I am so proud of our involvement, and thankful for the suppliers of product who help us and the Navidad group to do so much good. There is no better way to kick off the Christmas season."

To get involved, contact Nora by phone at (818) 257-4914 or by email at [email protected]. The produce industry is known to lend a helping hand, assuring me that the contributions made to Navidad en el Barrio will be plentiful.

MCALLEN, TX - Fox Packaging is coming to the Global Produce & Floral Show ready to answer your questions! With a booth built around the questions customers actually ask, Fox is helping simplify every aspect of fresh produce packaging for its partners.

"We hear the same questions from partners every season," shares Aaron Fox, Vice President of Fox Packaging. "How do I choose the right bag for this commodity? What does EPR mean for my operation? How do I get more out of my pack line? We decided to put those questions front and center and have experts ready to answer them."

Printed on the walls of the booth will be some of the most frequently asked questions, ranging from packaging (flexible formats, shelf-life, recyclability, PCR, and EPR costs) to equipment (throughput, changeovers, labor reduction, and automation).

Heading into 2027, regulation is another key area of focus for Fox Packaging customers. As Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws like California's SB 54 require growers and shippers to report detailed packaging data and show how they're reducing packaging, many companies are adapting to the increased requests for transparency for the first time.

"A lot of our partners are seeing these reporting requests land in their inbox and don't know where to start," adds Iliana Csanyi, Sustainability Manager at Fox Packaging. "They need to know what material their bags are made of, what each one weighs, and how much they're running. That's information we can help them pull together."

To fill that gap, some companies hire outside consultants, paying extra for packaging data their flexible packaging supplier already has on hand, Victoria Lopez, Marketing and Business Development Manager at Fox Packaging, tells me.

"We want our customers to understand that this is more straightforward than having to pay a consultant," says Victoria. "As their packaging supplier, a lot of that information starts with us, and we can help them get it."

To help its partners meet these evolving demands, Fox has been working directly with customers on their source reduction responses and building out resources on its EPR Field Guide. Fox also offers film with 30 percent post-consumer recycled content.

"EPR isn't something packers should have to figure out alone," Victoria continues. "Our job is to make sure they have the answers they need from their packaging supplier."

"The right bag protects the product and keeps good food out of landfills," adds Aaron Fox, Vice President of Fox Packaging. "That's the conversation we want the industry to be having about packaging."

Get the answers on packaging and equipment in one conversation at this year’s Global Produce & Floral Show, booth #3225. For more pre-show insights, stick around!