DINUBA, CA - What will inspire a consumer to do a double-take as they travel through their local retailer’s produce department? A standout, vibrant cherry display brimming with premium fruit. As summer holidays get underway, retailers can look to some of the season’s favorites to light up sales, with cherries sharing a spot at the top of that list. With this in mind, Keith Wilson, President of King Fresh Produce, joins me to share the season’s timing and what customers can look forward to in the coming weeks.

“The California cherry season started on time, with early varieties being harvested in the last days of April. The crop was originally forecasted to be well over 10 million cases,” Keith begins. “The May 4th rains we experienced did reduce packouts on certain varieties that have kept the market relatively clean through May 20th. New forecasts are calling for the California cherry crop to fall more into the 7.5 to 8 million case range, which is still a promotable size crop through mid-June.”

Keith continues sharing his insights, adding that the volume of fruit for cherry promotions perfectly aligned with Mother's Day and is now in ideal alignment with Memorial Day.

“Both packers and retailers have done an excellent job this year promoting California cherries, which have been aggressively priced for these holidays,” he details. “Recently, the market has adjusted lower, and the daily volume being packed is still huge. We may see a gap by June 5th, but are confident in our committed volumes.”

Packed in an 8 x 2 lb random weight bag, a 16 x 1 lb clamshell, and an 8 x 2 lb clamshell, cherries will be the bell of the ball this season. King Fresh offers its retailer customers program pricing throughout the California cherry season as well as ad price forecasting and point of purchase material.

“Call King Fresh if you need Fresh California Cherries,” Keith wraps up, heading back into the busy day of planning and strategy.

As cherries continue to drive traffic in the fresh produce department, check back with AndNowUKnow for updates on the coveted category and its performance.

WASHINGTON, DC - Last week, the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Executive Leadership Summit took place in Santiago, Chile. This event convened 150 Chilean and global supply chain leaders and covered global trends, discussion groups on key topics, and a deep dive on produce packaging.

NielsenIQ analysis of consumer shopping behaviors noted that global fresh food moved from sixth place to fourth place in fast-moving consumer goods globally. Contributing to this growth is consumer interest in building, maintaining, or improving health and wellness.

Another topic of interest was the passage of the Plastic Packaging Waste Reduction (PPWR) rule by EU Parliament. IFPA’s message to policymakers there is that food safety, food quality, and no new carbon miles are nonnegotiable.

For IFPA’s Board of Directors, some key concerns ranged from sustainability, packaging and plastics, and standardization around sustainability, as well as rising costs and the effects on consumers.

Attendees participated in table discussions and shared insights on opportunities and challenges for the industry and IFPA. Among the topics discussed were boosting produce consumption and attracting new talent to the industry.

To see more of what was discussed, click here.

We’ll keep you in the loop regarding all things related to the global supply chain.

DINUBA, CA - Berry Fresh is using its platform to amplify the voice of two California blueberry farmers in its latest grower spotlight. The company sat down with brothers Jaspal and Jaspreet Sangha of partner grower Sangha Farms to talk about how their family became blueberry growers and their vision for the future.

A little over 30 miles south of Fresno, Sangha Farms is in the small town of Dinuba, California. With 45 acres of blueberries, the two brothers are kept busy tending their farm from dawn until dusk.

“We live in Fresno, so it’s about a 30-40 minute drive to the farm. Everyday we are here at 7 a.m. and stay in the fields until the sun goes down,” Jaspreet Sangha said in a press release provided by Berry Fresh.

Jagjit Sangha, the brothers' father, is still active on the Sangha family farm, helping the two tend their fields. With pristine fields and fantastic quality, Sangha Farms is lauded as a first-class blueberry grower amongst customers and fellow growers alike.

“Our great-grandparents, grandparents, and our parents were all farmers in India and Pakistan. They grew mostly seasonal crops, and my dad is a master in growing potato seeds,” said Jaspal Sangha. “It just comes down to the great varieties we grow [Suziblue, Legacy, and Meadowlark] and our time in the field. Growing well is all about timing, knowing exactly when to give the plants what they need, and you can only know that when you’re in the field every day.”

With the California season starting, Jaspal and Jaspreet Sangha are excited for this season and the future. In the short-term, their focus is growing production through newer varieties which will pave the way for their long-term goal of having their children take over the business someday.

“We want each kid to get involved, maybe have a parcel each to see who can be the best grower,” Jaspal Sangha joked.

For more from Berry Fresh’s interview with the brothers, click here. And don’t forget to come back for more ANUK news later today.

UNITED STATES - Multiple severe weather warnings have been issued along a 1,500 mile stretch of the United States from Texas to New York due to severe thunderstorms. The main threats from these storms are hail, damaging wind gusts, and potential tornadoes.

"It has certainly been a wild weather ride in Texas this year, and we are looking at a very active forecast for the upcoming hurricane season," Bret Erickson, Executive Vice President of Business Affairs for Edinburg, Texas-based Little Bear Produce, shared with ANUK. Reminding us of the sheer size of the state, he explained how one area is currently experiencing one extreme while a different region is seeing another, but that all are doing everything possible to prepare for what Mother Nature has in store. "It's a catch 22—we don't want the damaging effects of flooding and wind that comes with the hurricanes, but we need massive rainfall inflows to fall into our watershed to help refill our irrigation and municipal water supplies for the upcoming year."

One of the highest threats of severe weather, as of yesterday evening, was centered in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. According to a report from Fox Weather, a Tornado Watch was in effect for portions of Texas, including cities such as Dallas, Waco, Fort Worth, and McKinney.

As of this morning, those showers and thunderstorms are expected to clear. Clusters will still be monitored but the threat of the storm becoming severe appears to dissipate in the week.

We’ve checked in with several supply-side companies in Texas to check on conditions. Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we cover the events affecting fresh produce.

SANTA BARBARA, CA - Apeel Sciences announced the launch of its initiative “The Apeel Leverage” earlier this month. Building on this momentum, the company launched the second pillar of the initiative, titled “Helping You Sell More.”

"As we continue to roll out ‘The Apeel Leverage,’ we’re showcasing how suppliers and retailers can enhance the management of their produce,” said Denise Junqueiro, Vice President, Commercial and Marketing. “Highlighting this pillar communicates that our partners can maintain a fresher produce inventory longer, resulting in a reduction of shrink or dehydration while enhancing their capabilities to sell more fruit."

According to a press release, the second pillar addresses how Apeel’s technology ensures that produce reaches retailers in optimal condition. The technology also fits into existing operations, allowing suppliers to enhance their storage without additional investment in new packaging, space, or equipment.

"By reducing the operational challenges associated with managing fresh inventory through the supply chain, our partners can focus more on customer satisfaction and less on logistics," Junqueiro added. "Our technologies not only help our supplier partners but also benefit the entire supply chain, from farm to table."

With Apeel-treated produce enjoying an extended shelf-life, suppliers can significantly reduce dehydration and maintain strong quality upon arrival, leading to fewer repacks and better marketability.

For retailers, this equals a significant reduction in shrink, a common challenge. This improved shelf life and storage capability ensures that produce remains fresh and delicious, increasing consumer trust and driving repeat purchases.

We look forward to learning about the next pillar in this initiative!