REIDSVILLE, GA - Healthy Family Project’s 24th annual Publix Produce for Kids campaign is underway through June 24, with a record 20 produce companies participating, making it the largest campaign in the cause marketing program’s history. Together, participating brands are helping provide more than 1,050,000 meals* to 40 Feeding America® partner food banks throughout Publix’s market area.

Since 2002, the campaign has raised more than $4.3 million to support organizations benefiting families and children in Publix communities while helping provide more than 18 million meals through local food banks.

Bright, colorful signage featuring fresh produce and easy meal inspiration will be displayed in over 1,434 Publix stores alongside participating produce affiliates. Designed to encourage healthy choices, the signs showcase simple and delicious ways families can enjoy more fruits and vegetables. A QR code will direct shoppers to an online campaign hub where participating companies are featured through a robust digital campaign that extends the in-store experience into the home through social media, e-newsletters, and additional digital marketing efforts.

“Supporting our communities and helping families thrive is part of who we are at Publix,” said Dwaine Stevens, Publix Director of Community Relations, in the recent release. “Through our continued partnership with Healthy Family Project and our suppliers, we’re able to connect shoppers with fresh meal inspiration while helping provide meals for neighbors facing hunger.”

Produce brands supporting the 2026 Publix Produce for Kids campaign include: Ayco Farms, Bay Food Brokerage, California Avocado Commission, California Walnut Board, Chiquita, CMI Orchards, Coast Tropical, Divine Flavor, Driscoll’s®, Fresh Express®, GT’s Living Foods, Mucci Farms, Passion Growers, Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice, Pure Flavor, Rainier Fruit, RealSweet® Vidalia® Onions, SUNSET®, Vegpro International Inc. and The Wonderful Company.

Healthy Family Project will celebrate the campaign with a volunteer event on June 3 hosted at Feeding Tampa Bay, where brands will come together to experience the organization’s hunger-relief efforts firsthand. Following the volunteer activity, attendees will gather for an on-site thank-you and networking event that will further support Feeding Tampa Bay and its mission to serve families across the community.

“Produce has the power to bring families together around healthier meals while also making a meaningful impact in local communities,” said Amanda Keefer. “This campaign continues to grow because of the shared commitment from Publix, our produce partners, and shoppers who believe every family deserves access to fresh food and support.”

According to the USDA, 1 in 5 children in the United States faces hunger. Through the Publix Produce for Kids campaign, participating produce companies are helping support families through meal donations benefiting local Feeding America partner food banks across the Publix footprint.

The campaign will raise funds for local Feeding America partner food banks including: Feeding Northeast Florida, Food Bank of North Alabama, Montgomery Area Food Bank, Inc., All Faiths Food Bank, America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Feeding America Tampa Bay, Feeding South Florida, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Feeding the Valley Food Bank, Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Dare to Care Food Bank, Golden Harvest Food Bank, Middle Georgia Community Food Bank, Second Harvest of South Georgia, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Lowcountry Food Bank, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Feed More, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Food Bank of Albemarle, Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, Area Food Bank, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, MANNA Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, Second Harvest Food Bank of NE Tennessee, Second Harvest Food Bank of SE North Carolina, Treasure Coast Food Bank, and Virginia Peninsula Food bank.

For more information about the Publix Produce for Kids campaign, visit healthyfamilyproject.com.

CARLISLE, PA - Blue Zones Project Lehigh Valley is proud to announce that six local GIANT stores have officially become Blue Zones Project Approved™, marking a significant step forward in improving community wellbeing across Allentown and the greater Lehigh Valley. GIANT is the first grocer in the region to receive this distinction.

GIANT achieved Blue Zones Project Approved™ after successfully completing a comprehensive set of evidence-based best practices designed to make healthier choices easier for customers. The approval was celebrated with a special in-store event at the GIANT located at 3300 Lehigh Street in Allentown and featured a ribbon cutting and certificate presentation, along with opportunities for community engagement and education.

GIANT stores that received Blue Zones Project Approval include:

• 3300 Lehigh St., Allentown
• 3070 Tilghman St., Allentown
• 3926 Linden St., Bethlehem
• 2174 West Union Blvd., Bethlehem
• 7150 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown
• 2651 MacArthur Commons, Whitehall

As part of the Blue Zones Project approval process, GIANT implemented a variety of impactful initiatives to support customer wellbeing. Highlights include offering in-store nutrition tours led by registered dietitians, utilizing the Guiding Stars® program to help shoppers easily identify healthier options, and promoting locally sourced products through dedicated signage and seasonal displays. The company also provides virtual nutrition education and cooking demonstrations, along with healthy recipes through its Savory magazine to inspire simple, nutritious meals at home.

In addition to enhancing the shopping experience, GIANT continues to strengthen its community partnerships throughout Allentown. Through collaboration with Blue Zones Project Allentown, the organization has supported initiatives such as Meals on Wheels holiday baskets, nutrition education events, and local community programming. GIANT plans to continue this momentum through quarterly community events in 2026 aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles.

“At GIANT, we are uniquely positioned to touch lives frequently and help our customers and their families on their wellness journeys,” said Nick Koch, director of pharmacy and wellbeing, The GIANT Company, in the recent release. “Working with the Blue Zones Project Lehigh Valley and earning the distinction is a testament to our commitment to creating healthier communities by empowering our customers to make small changes that add up.”

Throughout the approval journey, Blue Zones Project Lehigh Valley worked alongside GIANT to provide guidance, resources, and strategies to enhance existing initiatives and introduce new opportunities that support customer health and wellbeing.

“GIANT continues to be an outstanding community, partner, supporting initiatives such as Meals on Wheels holiday baskets, nutrition education events, and local community programming,” Brooke Griffiths, executive director, Blue Zones Project, Allentown. “We are grateful for their ongoing commitment to helping provide resources throughout the Lehigh Valley that make the healthy choice the easy choice.”

MILLEN, GA - The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) recently concluded its STEP-UPP Foodservice Class summer tour, providing a group of rising industry leaders with an intensive, hands-on deep dive into the produce supply chain.

STEP-UPP—short for Southeast Training Education Program for Upcoming Produce Professionals—is the SEPC’s flagship educational initiative. The program is designed to bridge the gap between the field and the fork, equipping retail and foodservice professionals with a comprehensive perspective through strategic leadership development and direct field-based training.

The tour kicked off on Tuesday, May 12th, with an exclusive backstage tour experience at the Chick-fil-A Support Center. Participants gained firsthand insights into the innovative operations of one of the nation's leading foodservice brands. The momentum continued with a series of facility and field tours hosted by SEPC level sponsors Local Bounti and Pure Flavor, showcasing the latest advancements in controlled-environment agriculture and greenhouse growing.

On Wednesday, the educational journey shifted gears with a visit to a state-of-the-art watermelon packing house, hosted by the National Watermelon Promotion Board. The day continued into the fields with immersive tours provided by Alpine Fresh and Southern Valley Fruit and Vegetable, Inc. These visits with SEPC level sponsors allowed participants to witness the complexities of harvesting and packing, further strengthening the vital bond between growers and foodservice providers.

The tour reached its peak on Thursday with a visit to SEPC level sponsor Grimmway Produce Group, where the class explored large-scale organic and conventional production. As the group gathered to reflect on the week’s experiences, the common thread was one of gratitude for the transparency and mentorship provided by the host companies.

“Once again, our students immersed themselves in learning what it takes to maintain a consistent supply of fresh produce for customers. They experienced firsthand a wide range of operations, from fully hands-on environments to highly automated facilities.

Over the course of three days, the students’ questions remained thoughtful and engaging, while the passion of the growers was evident in every interaction. Their dedication was clear—not only to their craft, but also to the land and the communities they serve.

We greatly appreciate the continued support of our SEPC member partners, who play such an important role in educating and inspiring this next generation of up-and-coming produce professionals," said David Verdrager, SEPC STEP-UPP Foodservice Committee Co-Chair, RPE, in the recent release.

“It was excellent seeing the excitement to learn amongst our students. Throughout the program, they’ve really been able to deepen their knowledge about the industry and about the work growers do to feed the world. We’re thankful to our SEPC member partners who make this program possible and to all our hosts, who were gracious enough to share their time with us and show us their operations," said Heather Hart, STEP-UPP Foodservice Committee Co-Chair, Baldor.

“Another successful STEP-UPP Foodservice farm tour is in the books! Our 2026 class had a fantastic time learning first-hand from our sponsor growers of South Georgia what it takes to bring fresh produce to market. The education program continues to grow, drilling into the ‘day to day’ fundamental operations of each farm, including the unique challenges the entire farming community faces daily – labor costs, seed and varietal development, and input costs such as fertilizers and packaging.

Every trip has a unique takeaway that resonates with our class in its own special way. We are extremely thankful for the continued support of this education program by our SEPC partners," said Rob Bonghi, SEPC Board Member, STEP-UPP Foodservice Committee Co-Chair, Fresh Alliance.

The SEPC extends a sincere thank you to our Future of Industry sponsors whose generous support makes this program possible: Divine Flavor, Fresh Alliance, Mid-State Produce, Nature Fresh Farms, Nickey Gregory Company, NPC Powered by Foodbuy, RPE, Shuman Farms, Southern Specialties, Southern Valley, and Vick Family Farms.

The STEP-UPP Foodservice Class of 2026 will celebrate their hard work and official graduation this September during Southern Innovations in Nashville, Tennessee.

For more information about the STEP-UPP program and other educational opportunities offered by SEPC, please visit www.seproducecouncil.com.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint against Ingles Produce, Inc. The company, operating from Florida, allegedly failed to make prompt payment to 10 produce sellers in the amount of $1,018,332 from August 2023 through December 2025, in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

Ingles Produce will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

For further information, contact the PACA Investigative Enforcement Branch, at (202) 720-6873 or [email protected].

WEST GROVE, PA - I Love Produce is set to launch a comprehensive new sustainability strategy aimed at reinforcing its core values while positioning the company for continued success during a period of intentional, rapid growth and transformation. This initiative is designed to integrate sustainability across all aspects of the business - from sourcing and operations to partnerships and product innovation - ensuring that environmental responsibility and social impact go hand in hand with strong financial performance.

This plan will be implemented during the I Love Produce Innovation Week with a kickoff event on Thursday, May 28th. I Love Produce is taking a structured and measurable approach to embedding these principles into its culture. By doing so, I Love Produce seeks to empower its teams, drive meaningful innovation, and create long-term value for team members, customers, partners, and stakeholders, while playing a proactive role in shaping a more resilient and sustainable future for the produce industry.

More than two decades after its founding, I Love Produce is evolving from a produce trading company into a leader in fresh and value-added specialty/branded produce, with a growing focus on the customer and the end consumer. The new strategy reflects that evolution while reinforcing the company’s commitment to responsible growth.

“Our company is building strong momentum across culture and engagement, customer centricity, product portfolio expansion, accelerated growth, and recent strategic acquisitions,” said Adrian Almeida, CEO of I Love Produce, in the recent release. “As a people-first organization, we believe sustainability must be embedded into how we grow, operate, and create long-term value — ensuring every team member understands its importance to both our purpose and our future success.”

The framework is built on three interconnected pillars: social, environmental, and financial viability. The social pillar emphasizes investment in people, culture, education, co-workers’ well-being, and development. Recent efforts include expanded education and training programs, such as Lean Manufacturing training and the Academic Excellence Program for co-workers’ children. This goes alongside improved benefits and a renewed focus on culture, accountability, innovation, and engagement. Looking ahead, the company aims to formalize training targets and expand access to education through scholarships and community initiatives. Continuing to build a workplace that supports growth, ownership, and collaboration.

The environmental pillar focuses on practical and credible actions to reduce impact while supporting business performance. Current initiatives include improving operational efficiency across facilities, generating power from solar panels, and prioritizing lower-emissions transportation, such as ocean freight over air. Future efforts will focus on gaining a clearer understanding of energy consumption across facilities to help identify additional efficiency opportunities.

The financial viability pillar ensures that sustainability supports long-term growth, profitability, and resilience. Future focus areas include waste reduction, supply chain responsibility, and sustainable packaging, guided by the principle that sustainability must align with the overall business strategy and vision