FOWLER, CA - In approximately one week, the Bee Sweet Citrus team is off to Orlando, Florida, to join numerous exhibitors at IFPA’s Global Produce and Floral Show. There, the team is eager to meet with attendees to discuss the 2026-2027 citrus season, variety availability, and more.

“Every year, our team looks forward to this show because it gives us the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with current industry friends and meet new connections,” stated Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Representative Joe Berberian in the recent release. 

“The show offers us an excellent opportunity to showcase our brand, discuss our new season, and discover what’s trending in the produce industry.”

Bee Sweet Citrus is currently transitioning from its summer import program to its domestic season. California-grown lemons, Meyer lemons, Pummelos, and Golden Gem grapefruit are currently available, while mandarins and Navel oranges will be available mid-October.

“There’s no better time to meet with the Bee Sweet Citrus team than when we’re at IFPA’s Global Produce and Floral show,” stated Bee Sweet Citrus Director of Communications Monique Mueller. “With the beginning of our season coinciding with the date of the show, our team will be able to give attendees real-time updates on our variety line, as well as insight into the projects we have planned for the new season.”

Bee Sweet’s entire sales team will attend this year’s show, and event-goers are encouraged to visit Booth #3983 to meet them. To schedule a meeting with a Bee Sweet Citrus sales representative or to learn more about the upcoming season, please call 559-834-4200.

BRAWLEY, CA - Five Crowns Marketing, a fourth-generation, family-owned grower, packer, and shipper with deep agricultural roots dating back generations, is poised to showcase its year-round approach to fresh produce at the upcoming International Fresh Produce & Floral Association Global Produce & Floral Show, October 15–16 in Orlando, Florida.

Visitors can find the Five Crowns team in Booth #731 to explore its year-round programs for corn, melons, and asparagus and learn how the company’s growing expertise, regional strategy, and commitment to quality help bring fresh produce to consumers well beyond traditional seasonal eating occasions. Built on a foundation of faith, family, integrity, and stewardship, Five Crowns has grown its agricultural footprint across multiple regions to deliver high-quality fresh produce throughout the year.

Five Crowns’ ability to provide year-round supply is rooted in a strategic approach to growing and sourcing that follows optimal conditions for each commodity. The company’s growing regions are strategically selected for the soil, microclimate, and conditions best suited to each crop, allowing production to move with the seasons and help maintain consistent supply and quality. Corn production spans Mexico, Arizona and California, while cantaloupe, honeydew and other melons are grown across Southern California, the Central Valley and Yuma, Arizona, complemented by offshore sourcing to extend availability. The company’s asparagus program extends across Mexico, Peru, and Washington, providing multiple production regions to support year-round availability. For corn specifically, Five Crowns’ proprietary seed program allows the company to strategically grow its corn in the regions offering optimal growing conditions, with a focus on producing sweet, tender corn and the very best eating experience for consumers.

At the heart of the Five Crowns program is a commitment to quality, innovation and an unwavering focus on the consumer eating experience. Across its corn, melon and asparagus programs, the company’s goal is to deliver produce that looks, tastes and performs in a way that keeps consumers coming back. That commitment to innovation takes different forms across the company’s programs. In melons,

Five Crowns has expanded its sourcing strategy through an offshore program that helps extend the availability of cantaloupe and honeydew beyond traditional domestic growing seasons, creating a more consistent, year-round supply for customers. In corn, innovation is focused on creating new ways for consumers to enjoy the category, from Cobettes, smaller cut cobs that offer a versatile, snackable format, to organic corn that gives retailers an option to meet continued consumer demand for organic produce, and California Style Street Corn, a ready-to-cook kit that combines fresh corn with flavorful sauce, seasoning, and cheese in one convenient package. Underlying each of these efforts is the same objective: deliver a quality eating experience that creates consumer satisfaction, builds repeat purchases, and keeps fresh produce relevant across more of the calendar.

“Consumers don’t stop eating fresh produce when a traditional growing season ends, and our job is to make sure our customers have the supply and quality they need to keep those categories relevant year-round,” said Daren Van Dyke, VP of Sales & Marketing, Five Crowns Marketing, in the recent release. “Corn, melons and asparagus each have their own natural seasonality and eating occasions, but there are opportunities to extend those occasions well beyond what consumers may traditionally associate with each commodity. Corn can move from summer grilling into fall game-day gatherings, holiday meals, and fresh spring dishes. Melons can play a role in breakfast, snacking and entertaining throughout the year, while asparagus can move seamlessly from everyday meals into holiday and special-occasion dishes. By strategically growing and sourcing across regions and seasons, we can help our customers keep these commodities in front of consumers, create new eating occasions and ultimately drive demand through quality and great eating experiences.”

From a retail perspective, Five Crowns believes year-round availability creates opportunities for retailers to think differently about how these commodities are presented and merchandised. “Having a year-round supply is only part of the equation,” said David Dudley, Director of Marketing & Merchandising, Five Crowns Marketing. “The real opportunity is helping retailers connect the right product with the right eating occasion. Savvy merchandising can inspire consumers to purchase corn outside of the traditional summer months, bring melons into more snacking and entertaining occasions, and position asparagus as an everyday vegetable as well as a premium side for holiday and special-occasion meals. When you combine dependable supply with the right pack formats, quality and merchandising strategy, you create more opportunities for consumers to see, use and ultimately add these products to their baskets.”

Attendees of the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show can experience the Five Crowns programs firsthand at Booth #731, where the team will showcase its corn, melon, and asparagus offerings and share more about its year-round growing and supply capabilities. The team will also be sampling Corn & Dill Pickle Relish, offering attendees a fresh take on the versatility of corn. Stop by Booth #731 to taste the product, meet the Five Crowns team, and explore year-round opportunities across the company’s fresh produce programs.

BOISE, ID - After a 12-year journey from Idaho to Greece to India, the Guinness World Records title for the largest serving of French fries is back in potato country.

The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) and Spud Daddy reclaimed the title Friday at Boise Potato Days, transforming 1700 pounds of Idaho potatoes into 1474 pounds of fresh-cut fries, surpassing the previous record of 1,452.85 pounds set in India in 2018.

Idaho first held the title in 2014, when Twin Oaks Farms in Eagle served 1,003 pounds of fries. The record moved to Greece in 2017 and India in 2018, where it remained until Idaho came calling again.

Earning a Guinness World Records title is no small feat. CBS News’ 60 Minutes reported that Guinness receives roughly 50,000 applications annually, with as many as 95% rejected.

“If you’re going to hold the world record for the largest serving of French fries, we think it belongs in Idaho,” said Jamey Higham, President and CEO of IPC, in the recent release. “We’ve always known Idaho potatoes make the best fries, so it was time to bring this title home and celebrate the growers and industry that put Idaho potatoes on the map.”

“We do potatoes big in Idaho, but this was on another level,” said Thomas Watson, Founder of Spud Daddy and Potato Days. “It took 6 fryers, 50 people and a whole lot of potatoes to pull this off. You can’t get much more Idaho than that.”

After the official weigh-in, the record-setting fries were served free to Potato Days attendees, giving Idahoans a chance to take a bite out of history.

WEST GROVE, PA - I Love Produce is bringing a Wonderland of flavor to the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Global Floral and Produce Show, October 14-16 in Orlando, Florida. Rich, savory garlic. Zesty ginger. Sweet shallots. If you’re not grinning like a Cheshire cat, you need to taste the samples. Global Show attendees are officially invited to see the new I Love Produce brand—and taste the products behind it—in booth 1813.

At the heart of booth 1813 is a newly updated I Love Produce brand. The leading supplier of fresh garlic, ginger, and shallots debuted its new logo and website today. There’s a new logo, but the heart of I Love Produce will continue to be familiar to customers and fans, from its top-tier garlic and produce to its high-quality, competitive pricing, and timely delivery.

Ignore the rabbit. Follow your nose to booth 1813.

I Love Produce is all about enticing flavors. Small. Sweet. A little sly. Garlic, ginger, and shallots bring a lasting smile to anyone’s face. In that spirit, I Love Produce developed a lounge that incorporates the curious, off-kilter fun of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Attendees can talk business in the booth, then pass through the looking glass to the lounge. There, they’ll find a wonderland of fresh flavor.

Highlights include:

• Treats at the Booth
• Ginger Smoothie
• Garlic Popcorn (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Thursday and Friday)
• Black Garlic Dark Chocolate Bark
• Black Garlic Cupcake
• Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad (1:00-2:00 PM Thursday and Friday)
• A Wonderland-themed photo booth
• Stickers, snacks, and other fun, interactive surprises.

A visit to the company’s kingdom of hearts isn’t complete without meeting its loyal subjects. I Love Produce staff will be available to feed attendees’ heads with products, promotions, and partnerships.

I Love Produce Black Garlic Purée makes its dark and delicious debut.

In the Fresh Ideas Showcase, the company spotlights I Love Produce Black Garlic Purée. Aged and fermented until the cloves turn a beautiful black, its craveable flavor is worth waiting for, but I Love Produce peeled, pureed, and packed it for on-demand umami, right from the jar. Savory, sweet, and tangy, with a caramelized, molasses-like richness, it’s perfect for dressings, sauces, spreads, ramen and broths, or anything a Mad Hatter (or creative chef) can dream up.

“I Love Produce wanted a booth that could showcase our new brand and highlight the curious power of our products,” said Samantha Snyder, the director of marketing, sustainability and innovation for I Love Produce, in the recent release. “Our produce can change the reality of a recipe, bringing a deeper, bolder, and more wonderful flavor. We’re excited to share the I Love Produce brand and experience what’s special about it at IFPA Global Floral and Produce Show.”

“With recent acquisitions and company growth, it’s a new chapter at I Love Produce,” said Eric Frasse, President of I Love Produce. “As the first public stop for our updated brand, we’re excited for our industry partners to experience I Love Produce and our helpful team. The moral at the end of the story, of course, is to add more garlic, shallots, and ginger!”

Don’t miss the I Love Produce display in booth 1813 at the IFPA Global Show, October 14-16 in Orlando, Florida. Visit ILoveProduce.com to take a look at the new I Love Produce brand and website right now.

LAS VEGAS, CA - As convenience retailers continue investing in foodservice as a key driver of growth and profitability, Georgia-Pacific Foodservice Solutions will showcase products from its Anchor Packaging brand that help operators protect food quality, improve operational efficiency, and create meal experiences that drive repeat purchases. The company will exhibit at the 2026 NACS Show, October 7-9 in Las Vegas, at Booth C55059 in the Central Hall.

Foodservice has become one of the most important growth opportunities in convenience retailing. Today, foodservice is offered in more than 90% of U.S. convenience stores, and operators increasingly view fresh food programs as critical to overall store success. At the same time, consumers are raising their expectations and increasingly choosing convenience stores for fresh, high-quality meal solutions.

Anchor Packaging, one of Georgia-Pacific Foodservice Solutions' leading brands, believes the path to winning more meals starts with a different view of packaging.

"Packaging is far more than a container," said Ryan Elwart, senior vice president – Sales and Innovation, Georgia-Pacific Foodservice Solutions, in the recent release. "The right packaging protects food quality, supports store operations, and helps create an experience that brings customers back again and again. As convenience retailers expand their foodservice offerings, they need partners with deep foodservice expertise, and that's where Anchor delivers for them."

For nearly 65 years, Anchor Packaging has partnered with restaurant and grocery foodservice operators, helping them address challenges related to food quality, hold times, labor efficiency, and profitability. Today, Georgia-Pacific's Foodservice Solutions team is bringing that foodservice expertise to convenience retailers looking to grow and differentiate their prepared food offerings.

Experience Crisp Food Technology Firsthand

At the NACS Show, attendees can experience live food demonstrations featuring Anchor's award-winning Crisp Food Technologies® containers.

Designed to preserve the texture and taste of hot, fried foods, Crisp Food Technology helps keep foods hot and crispy in a hot case and on the go. Visitors to the booth are invited to taste the difference firsthand and see how improved packaging performance can help operators deliver a better meal experience.

"Higher perceived quality drives repeat purchases," said Kurt Richars, director – Marketing, Anchor Packaging. "When operators deliver on consumers' expectations, they build a reputation that brings them back for more."

Simplifying Operations with Invertibles™

Anchor will also feature Invertibles™, an innovative single-piece container solution engineered to simplify operations and maximize efficiency and was recently recognized as Best New Product for Foodservice Packaging for 2026 by Convenience Store News.

Invertibles' unique design uses one component as both the base and lid, helping operators reduce storage requirements by up to 50% while eliminating base-and-lid mismatches. The clear, recycle-ready polypropylene container is microwave-safe and suitable for both hot and cold grab-and-go applications, providing versatility for a variety of menu offerings.

Attendees can see Invertibles in the booth and find it featured in the Cool New Products Expo at this year's NACS Show.

Georgia-Pacific Foodservice Solutions: A Partner for Growing Foodservice Programs

Through brands such as Anchor Packaging, Georgia-Pacific Foodservice Solutions offers a broad portfolio of packaging solutions designed to help operators protect food quality, enhance food presentation, and improve operational execution. Anchor's product portfolio includes Crisp Food Technologies® containers, Safe Pinch® tamper-evident packaging, and numerous other innovative containers and cling film solutions that help foodservice operators serve meals more profitably while delivering a better customer experience. Anchor products are manufactured in the United States and are designed to support restaurants, grocery retailers, convenience stores and other foodservice operators responding to the changing needs and growing consumer demand for high-quality meals to go.

GP Foodservice Solutions, a division of Georgia-Pacific, is an integrated platform that combines Dixie's® smartly designed, reliable products that help simplify service and enhance convenience for consumers and operators with Anchor Packaging and Panoramic brands' innovative, custom-engineered solutions for food protection, preservation, and sustainable choices after use.

MADRID, SPAIN - Chiquita Brands International, a leading global banana brand, will bring its unmistakable brand personality and forward-looking approach to Fruit Attraction 2026, taking place October 6–8 at IFEMA Madrid. Fruit Attraction is an international trade show for the fresh produce industry that brings together customers, retailers, partners and key stakeholders from across the sector. At Hall 10, Stand 10C11, attendees can connect with the Chiquita team, meet Miss Chiquita, Chiquita’s Global Brand Ambassador, and discover the latest initiatives helping shape the future of the banana category.

Innovation will take center stage with an update on from Yelloway, a collaborative breeding initiative focused on developing more disease-resistant banana varieties. Recent progress includes successful field trials in the Philippines and advances in breeding banana hybrids with commercial-quality characteristics. Together, these developments demonstrate the potential of innovative breeding to create more resilient varieties while maintaining the quality, taste, and performance expected across the banana supply chain.

Chiquita will also highlight its progress on sustainability and continued commitment to using resources more efficiently throughout its operations. Attendees will learn more about work spanning community engagement and food waste reduction, including efforts to increase the volume of produce diverted from landfills across the United States and Europe.

“Fruit Attraction gives us an important opportunity to connect with our partners and share how Chiquita continues to move the banana category forward,” said Marco Volpi, Chief Marketing Officer, Chiquita, in the recent release. “From the progress we’re making through Yelloway and our sustainability efforts to the ways we connect with consumers and support retailers, our work is focused on creating value for our partners and strengthening the category for years to come.”

Visitors will also get a closer look at “Small Change, Big Difference,” Chiquita’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness campaign taking place throughout October in partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS). As part of the campaign, Chiquita swaps its iconic Blue Sticker for a Pink Sticker, turning a small change into a meaningful reminder about the importance of breast cancer awareness. This year, Miss Chiquita steps off the sticker and comes to life as a real woman, creating a powerful new way to connect with consumers and encourage them to make time for their health.

For retail partners, Chiquita will showcase new shopper marketing programs, point-of-sale materials and merchandising solutions designed to increase visibility and strengthen the in-store experience in the produce aisle. By combining the strength of the Chiquita brand with shopper insights, these tools are designed to help retailers create compelling banana displays and drive category engagement.

Fruit Attraction attendees are invited to visit Chiquita at Hall 10, Stand 10C11 from October 6–8 at IFEMA Madrid to meet the team, experience the brand and learn more about the work shaping Chiquita’s next chapter.

For more information on Chiquita Brands, visit www.chiquita.com, and to learn more about Chiquita's sustainability initiatives, click here.

LEAMINGTON, ON - Nature Fresh Farms®, a leader in greenhouse-grown produce and proud sponsor of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show, will bring Eating Better, Made Easier™ to life through its latest lineup of products and packaging designed around how people actually eat.

Highlights include the nutrition-forward Fresh Fuel Snacking line, with a new resealable 10-ounce snack bag across a range of Fresh Fuel products, and the redesigned Premium Ingredient Collection featuring YumiiTM, Sauci® and Cheers®. Updated messaging makes it easier for home chefs to prepare for weeknight meals and group gatherings.

Together, the products and packaging address everyday occasions, from lunchboxes and afternoon snacks to weeknight meals and shared tables, making it easier for shoppers to choose fresh and helping retailers position each product in store.

“We’ve given tomato shoppers more choice, but we haven’t always made choosing easier,” said Matt Quiring, Senior Vice President, Brand, Products and Marketing, Nature Fresh Farms in the recent release. “When so many packs promise sweetness and flavor, shoppers are left to figure out what’s different. Every promise on the pack needs to be earned by the product inside.”

“At IFPA, we’re showing how clearer packaging and messaging can help shoppers choose tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers for nutritious snacks, convenient lunches, everyday meals and something special to share. Snacking continues to drive growth across the category and remains part of the opportunity. Our ambition is to earn a bigger place for fresh throughout the week by making those choices easier. That’s Eating Better, Made Easier.”

The lineup is backed by consistent quality and dependable supply. Greenhouse Clean™ supports that commitment through protected indoor growing, beneficial insects for pest management, carefully managed plant nutrition and robust traceability.

Attendees can experience Nature Fresh Farms at Booth 2642 throughout the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - The Giumarra Companies is pleased to announce the addition of two accomplished professionals to its sales and business development teams, respectively. Alexandra Cody joins as Long Beach Division Manager, and Jon Heath joins as Business Development Director. These strategic additions reflect Giumarra’s continued investment in its teams to support customer growth, category expansion, and long-term business development initiatives.

In her new role, Cody is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, financial performance, and operational execution of the company’s Long Beach Division, focused on national sales for table grapes from all origins, as well as South American tree fruit. She will oversee sales, procurement, grower relationships, customer development, inventory management, and business planning efforts while working closely with supply partners and customers to drive profitable growth and strengthen Giumarra’s position in these key categories. A graduate of the University of Arizona, Cody brings extensive experience in the table grape industry developed through nearly a decade of progressive sales roles with Columbine Vineyards and, most recently, Castle Rock Vineyards.

“We were impressed with Alexandra’s drive, commercial acumen, and commitment to the industry,” said Sebastian Carmona, Vice President of International Development for The Giumarra Companies. “Her experience, leadership skills, and deep understanding of the grape category make her exceptionally well positioned to lead our sales team and help grow our business for both customers and grower partners.”

“I’m honored to join Giumarra and lead the Long Beach Division,” said Cody in the recent release. “I’ve spent my career in the table grape industry, and I look forward to bringing that experience to a company with Giumarra’s global reach, strong grower partnerships, and long-standing reputation in produce. I’m especially excited to work alongside the team to strengthen customer and grower relationships, expand our year-round grape program, and build on the tremendous opportunities ahead.”

Heath’s professional background includes extensive account management and business development expertise, including his tenure with C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., where he drove account development, growth, and retention for regional and national retail customers. Beyond the produce industry, he has held senior sales roles across the finance, retail, and event planning sectors, giving him a broad perspective on customer engagement and business growth. As Business Development Director at Giumarra, Heath is responsible for growing key customer accounts, developing new business opportunities, and executing strategic sales and marketing initiatives across the company’s fresh portfolio. He will collaborate with the company’s sales divisions to deliver service solutions and implement programs that strengthen customer partnerships.

“Jon will be a valuable asset to the business development team at Giumarra, which serves as a bridge between our retail partners and our sales teams,” said Kristina Lorusso, Vice President, Retail Partner Services for The Giumarra Companies. “He understands the complexities of the produce business and has a strong ability to connect customer needs with the right capabilities across sales, marketing, and services. His experience and insights will allow him to bring a sharp commercial lens to the development process and help us support continued growth across the organization.”

“I’m incredibly grateful to join the Giumarra team at a time when the company is poised for significant growth,” said Heath. “I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place and bringing my experience in deepening relationships and developing solutions that create mutual success. I’m excited to collaborate with our teams, partners, and customers to identify new opportunities that deliver meaningful value across the supply chain.”

Cody and Heath will join the Giumarra team at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, Oct. 14-16, and look forward to connecting with industry partners and customers at Booth #3755.