KINGSVILLE, ON - Mastronardi Produce®, a pioneer in the greenhouse industry and the company behind the SUNSET® brand, has been honored with the CPMA Packaging Innovation Award at the 2026 Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Convention and Tradeshow for the SUNSET® Tomato Branch™, a first-of-its-kind triangular packaging format for greenhouse-grown, on-the-vine micro-grape tomatoes.

"We believe great packaging should do more than protect the product, it should reflect how that product grows and meet consumers where they are," said Paul Mastronardi, President and CEO of Mastronardi Produce®, in the recent release. "Earning this recognition two years in a row reflects our team's relentless pursuit of flavor and freshness, and the creative ways we bring that to the produce aisle."

The SUNSET® Tomato Branch™ distinctive triangular carrier is designed to mimic the natural branching structure of tomatoes on the vine, combining premium finishes with fully recyclable materials to deliver a package that is as visually striking on shelf as it is responsible. The format fits seamlessly into existing retail systems, meeting growing consumer and retailer demand for sustainable packaging without sacrificing shelf appeal or product quality.

This honor marks the second consecutive year Mastronardi Produce® has received the CPMA Packaging Innovation Award. In 2025, the company was recognized for its resealable paper lettuce bag, which reduced plastic use by 65% compared to a traditional PET tray and launched on the Backyard Farms® brand.

For more information visit www.sunsetgrown.com and follow on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and TikTok.

EDMONTON, CANADA - The Little Potato Company, the number one Little Potato brand in North America, is expanding its focus in foodservice with the introduction of The Little Potato Company Food Service Solutions, a dedicated division designed to better support operators across key segments. The move marks a significant step in the company’s continued growth, bringing added resources, visibility, and expertise to the channel.

“Our focus is on creating confidence for food operators; we make it easier for operators to deliver great food, every time,” said Sanford Gleddie, EVP, Sales, Marketing, and Business Development at The Little Potato Company, in the recent release. “Foodservice customers operators can count on consistency with Little Potatoes; reliable quality with uniform sizing, easy prep that works for all skill levels, a versatile product that works across the entire menu and year-round supply of potatoes grown by family farms across North America.”

A Little Potatoes Portfolio for Versatile Foodservice Needs

The new division will support customers across limited and full-service restaurants, retail, and hospitality, with additional focus on healthcare, education, and other institutional segments over time.

The Little Potato Company’s Foodservice Solution’s portfolio includes:

• Fresh Little Potatoes in larger pack sizes (4 x 10 lb bags, 25 lb cases and 50 lb cases): Little Yellows, Little Reds, Little Trios, Little Purely Purples and Little Fingerlings
• Sous-vide products available exclusively through foodservice

Whole or sliced for efficiency, ease of use, and taste, Little Potatoes help operators reduce prep time, streamline kitchen operations, and maintain consistency across menus and dayparts. Products are consistently uniform in size, cook to the same level every time and require no peeling, helping operators manage food cost and waste. Sous-vide options are ready in as little as two minutes, requiring no specialized skills or training. From package to plate, the offering helps to simplify back-of-house operations while delivering consistent flavor and presentation as a backbone for more innovative creations.

Grown and Packaged for Consistency, Efficiency, and Value Creation

This focus comes amid broader shifts in the foodservice landscape, where operators are balancing labor pressures, rising costs, and increasing demand for fresh, high-quality ingredients. Little Potatoes offer a versatile solution that can be used across a range of applications and menu occasions, with minimal additional ingredients or preparation required, keeping final plated costs lower.

The Little Potato Company currently distributes its foodservice products through major partners including Sysco and Gordon Food Service, as well as Restaurant Depot, with continued expansion underway.

As part of its growing commitment to foodservice, the company is also developing an integrated platform that will include expanded digital resources, product information, and culinary inspiration tailored to operator needs.

For more information about The Little Potato Company’s foodservice offerings, visit https://www.littlepotatoes.com/food-service/.

MCALLEN, TX - Thriving in the fresh produce industry takes resilience, innovation, and a willingness to come to the table—not just to participate, but to help raise the bar for everyone at it. It’s at this intersection that Fox Packaging and Fox Solutions operate, helping others find their footing.

As we break into May, just coming off the energy and collaboration of a successful Viva Fresh, Victoria Lopez, Marketing and Business Development Manager, joined me to reflect on the recent expo, its continued value, and what Fox brought and continues to bring to the table.

With Viva Fresh Expo 2026 fresh in the rearview but still on everyone’s minds, what is the bigger story your company was able to share with attendees on the show floor about Fox this year?

Victoria Lopez: "This year, our message centered around the idea that not everything in packaging is black and white. The industry is navigating complex topics like PCR, EPR, and material sustainability, and while those acronyms are widely used, they do not always translate into clear, practical decisions at the packhouse level.

We focused on shifting the conversation. Rather than staying at a high level, we spent time with customers talking through how these concepts apply in real-world operations.

At Fox, we believe that acronyms do not solve circularity—conversations do—and that mindset guided how we engaged throughout the show."

What made this year’s Viva Fresh Expo a particularly meaningful or timely opportunity for connection and collaboration?

VL: "This year felt especially meaningful because the industry is balancing multiple priorities at once, including sustainability expectations, operational efficiency, and cost pressures. There is a real need for clarity and practical solutions.

Viva Fresh continues to stand out because of its ability to bring people together in a more personal and focused way. We were able to have honest, productive conversations with both longtime partners and new connections, which made the show feel especially impactful."

Which products, innovations, or programs were you most excited to showcase, and how did they reflect where your company—and the industry—are headed?

VL: "We showcased the packaging solutions that have supported the fresh produce industry for over 60 years, built on reliability, performance, and real-world application. Alongside those proven products, we introduced targeted material advancements, including options with 30 percent PCR content, laminated films, and pouch bags with reinforced handles. These offerings reflect where the industry is headed, with a continued focus on balancing sustainability goals with performance and usability.

We also highlighted our work through Fox Solutions, emphasizing automation compatibility and the importance of ensuring that new materials integrate seamlessly into existing packing operations. This combination of trusted products and thoughtful innovation reflects how we are supporting practical progress across the supply chain."

Who from your team attended Viva Fresh Expo, and what perspectives or expertise did they bring to the show this year?

VL: "Our team included members from sales, business development, and operations across both Fox Packaging and Fox Solutions. This allowed us to bring a well-rounded perspective to each conversation, from packaging materials and performance to equipment integration and line efficiency.

Having both packaging and automation expertise on the show floor made a meaningful difference. It allowed us to engage in more in-depth, solution-oriented discussions and better understand how we can support our customers across the full scope of their needs."

Why is it important to work with a Texas-based partner in today’s produce and packaging environment?

VL: "Being based in Texas allows us to stay closely connected to our customers and respond quickly to their needs.

Because we manufacture domestically, we are more agile in managing lead times, controlling costs, and adapting to program changes as they happen. It also gives us the ability to collaborate more directly. Our in-house design team works closely with customers to develop packaging concepts, refining artwork and structure until it aligns exactly with their vision and operational requirements.

That combination of proximity, flexibility, and hands-on support allows us to be more than a supplier. It positions us as a true partner in helping our customers meet both their immediate needs and long-term goals."

As the industry continues to navigate complexity, Fox Packaging is focused on turning conversation into clarity—and solutions into real-world results.

UNITED STATES - A multi-day severe weather pattern is set to impact much of the central and eastern United States through midweek, with storms bringing damaging winds, hail, a few tornadoes, and localized flash flooding.

According to AccuWeather, the setup begins Tuesday as warm, humid air surges northward, fueling strong thunderstorms from central Texas through Arkansas into parts of Kentucky and Illinois. The greatest tornado risk is expected from northeastern Texas into Arkansas, while areas farther north—particularly parts of Missouri—could see heavy rainfall leading to localized flooding.

By Wednesday, the system expands significantly, with showers and thunderstorms stretching from southeastern Texas to New England. The most concentrated severe weather is expected from Louisiana into Mississippi, where storms may bring damaging winds, hail, flash flooding, and isolated tornadoes.

On Thursday, the focus shifts toward the East Coast. Steady rain is likely across parts of the Northeast, while strong thunderstorms develop farther south from Louisiana through the Carolinas. The primary threats at that stage will be gusty winds and heavy downpours.

While the rainfall may provide some drought relief in portions of the South, repeated rounds of storms increase the risk of urban and localized flash flooding, particularly in areas that see multiple waves of heavy rain.

This extended stretch of severe weather highlights a volatile early May pattern, with impacts expected to shift region by region as the week progresses.