COLIMA, MEXICO - As the papaya and melon supplier took to the 2026 Viva Fresh Expo this past April, Super Starr International continued to highlight its philosophy of caring for its people and giving back to its community.

“Super Starr is always looking for the newest varieties to ensure the top quality for our customers,” Lance Peterson, Owner and President of Super Starr International, says. “Our buyer partners appreciate the quality and service they receive from Super Starr, but what we hope they walked away with this year is that we're the only papaya grower that is Fair Trade certified. We know consumers are looking for this certification more and more as they're buying products in the marketplace, and it is our absolute pleasure to invest in this as an organization to do what's best for our people, our product, and our customers. Buying direct from the producer has its advantages, as we have the most control over the product from the beginning to the end.”

For anyone who missed the grower’s Viva Fresh showcase, Super Starr highlighted several in-house products during the event, including its highly recognized winter melon program and papaya offerings.

“Super Starr International has been attending Viva Fresh for nine years,” Lance adds. “It’s a great balance between business and atmosphere—professional but relaxed enough to build relationships. Not to mention, the show’s location right in our backyard in Texas is key for our business.”

Super Starr’s melon and papaya products are grown at its farms with first-class operations that have been around for almost 30 years. The company offers organic and conventional papayas, along with melons, honeydews, a variety of tropicals, and a Latin specialty mix that it can source for its customers.

Keep an eye out for AndNowUKnow as we bring you more exclusive industry insights.

YAKIMA, WA - In celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary, Washington Fruit Growers is introducing a limited-edition Stars and Stripes cherry bag designed to elevate retail displays and boost cherry sales leading up to the Fourth of July weekend.

The Stars and Stripes bag features the American flag and the company’s long-time logo, the Liberty Bell. This patriotic bag will stand out on the shelf and in displays, encouraging shoppers to add fresh cherries to their carts during one of the strongest sales periods of the year.

As the 4th of July holiday aligns with peak cherry season, the program helps retailers capitalize on strong consumer demand, while also supporting existing promotional ads and in-store displays. “This bag really lends itself to cross merchandising—it fits perfectly alongside berries, watermelon, and grilling items to create a complete display for the Fourth of July,” said Lauren Roberts, Marketing Manager at Washington Fruit Growers, in the recent release. By pairing seasonal packaging with peak-quality fruit, the program helps retailers drive momentum and boost overall cherry performance.

This packaging is a natural fit for the company as the Liberty Bell and Independent® brand have been central to Washington Fruit’s story for over 100 years. The company began using the Liberty Bell in the 1930s as it was one of the most iconic American symbols of freedom and independence. Today, the Liberty Bell embodies Washington Fruit’s family-owned legacy, one that drives a deep commitment to sustainable farming practices and protecting the land for future generations.

Washington Fruit has been growing and packing cherries since the 1950s and continues to evolve today. With state-of-the-art cherry packing lines in Yakima, WA, and Dallesport, WA, the company continues to focus on the best new varieties while expanding both Rainier and organic cherry volumes.

The Stars and Stripes bag will be available for the two weeks leading up to the 4th of July, just in time for ad promotions and in-store displays.