KINGSBURG, CA - The 2026 harvest season has arrived at HMC Farms. This year, the supplier is particularly excited for two specialty varieties available this summer: Belcanto™ grapes and Plumsicles™. I spoke with Chelsea Ketelsen, Director of Marketing, who relayed the details.

“Belcanto green seedless grapes feature small berries that are super sweet and flavorful. They will be available during a limited window, early July-August, in variety-specific 1 lb clams. These grapes are absolutely delicious and memorable, the type that will have customers returning to the store to purchase again and again,” Chelsea began telling me.

Plumsicles, on the other hand, are HMC’s proprietary stonefruit variety that continues to keep consumers coming back year after year.

“The bright and fun packaging is a mere preview of the beautiful speckled exterior and deep red interior of this fruit. Plumsicle's super sweet and tangy flavor can satiate any sweet tooth, so we like to call it nature's candy,” Chelsea explained. “Over the past few years, Plumsicles have developed quite the following of loyal customers, with numerous availability inquiries coming in throughout the spring and summer as consumers realize the availability window of their favorite fruit is short—mid June through late July. This year, we are extending the Plumsicle season into August with a second proprietary variety aptly named Plumsicle II™.”

As consumers seek out specialty table grape and stonefruit varieties this year, be sure to keep HMC products front and center.

UNITED STATES - Cheers to the mothers we know, the mothers we are, the furbaby moms, and the aspiring mothers-to-be. Approaching this holiday comes with its own season of possibilities, whether you are being celebrated or are doing the celebrating. Reflecting on this time of year through the lens of Mother’s Day and fresh produce is always a wonderful way to honor the moment. Join me as some of our friends share their experiences and love of the holiday.

Megan Gorgisheli, Vice President, Marketing Administration and Brand, The Giumarra Companies

“I love working in our industry because fresh produce and flowers are some of my favorite things. Becoming a mom made my work all the more special as I get to share what I do with my son and teach him about fruit. Mother’s Day is an extension of what I am already doing in my day-to-day life: leaning on fresh to elevate eating occasions. Produce and floral have a spot on my table, and beautiful displays at retail highlighting celebratory moments always catch my eye. I fill my cart based on what looks good, and I will rarely turn down a fun produce impulse buy.”

Dan’l Mackey Almy, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, DMA Solutions, Inc.

“Mother's Day is one of those holidays that holds a full spectrum of emotion. For some, it's a celebration. For others, it's a day of remembrance. Fresh produce has a way of living in both spaces, showing up at the celebration and carrying the remembrance through a flavor, a recipe, or a tradition that connects us to someone we love. As a mom myself, our celebrations almost always involve two things: delicious food and theatre. It's woven into the special moments, and those are the memories that stick.

For retailers, that's the invitation: fresh produce isn't just a department, it's where moments and memories can start. A stunning display of seasonal fruit, a pop of fresh herbs, and a hand-lettered sign that nods to both celebrations and remembrances. Small gestures that tell every shopper, whatever they're feeling today, that they're seen.”

Brianna Shales, Marketing Director, Stemilt

"As a mom of boys, the holidays are busy, loud, and hungry—and fresh produce helps keep everything balanced. We always celebrate Mother's Day with a big breakfast made sweet by a bowl of seasonal fruits like berries, watermelon, and this year cherries, since the peak season in California lines up perfectly with this holiday. Retailers can make the most of this holiday by leaning into seasonal items and positioning them as convenient and indulgent. After all, fresh produce supports both celebration and self-care, and that's what this special day to honor moms is all about."

Karen White, Vice President of Marketing Operations, Grimmway Produce Group

“Happy Mother’s Day! As a mom to an active eight-year-old boy and an entertainer six-year-old girl, Mother’s Day is really about them. They have already given me the best gift by making me a mom. Our days are full, but dinner is the one time we are all together, and we always go around and ask what the best part of your day was. It is a simple way to stay grounded and keep things positive. I genuinely love the work I do in produce, but like most working moms, it is a constant balance. I have learned you cannot do it all, and sometimes you have to let go of the small stuff to be present for the moments that matter, like recitals, awards, and school events. Having a supportive organization that allows for that balance makes all the difference.”

Krista Beckstead, Director of Marketing, Mountain View Fruit Sales

"Mother's Day, like every holiday, is a time to get family together, and that always revolves around a meal at my house. I always try to incorporate lots of fruits and veggies into each meal for added nutrients for my two boys. One time, I even carried a pink pineapple on the plane back from a food show for Mother's Day brunch for everyone to try. New items from the produce department are always a great addition to a holiday meal, so everyone can try them out together. Retailers can capitalize on this concept by putting new and in-season (think Mountain View peaches and nectarines right now) items towards the front of their produce departments, so they are eye-catching and easy to grab!"

Lisa (Davis) Corrigan, Director of Retail Business Development, Sunview Marketing International

“For Mother’s Day, it’s all about unwinding and spending quality time with family. I’m dreaming of a BBQ paired with a fresh salad (my absolute favorite) and grilled vegetables. I’m so fortunate to have a husband who knows the produce section inside out, but for those who don’t, it would be wonderful if retailers had some one-stop merchandising displays. Imagine a selection of fresh fruits and veggies, all together for a quick, healthy snack. And if you’re in the mood for something hearty, a rib-eye steak would be the perfect complement!”

Mother's Day is really about meeting those mother-figures in our lives where they are and then elevating the moment.

SALINAS, CA - Syngenta Vegetable Seeds strengthens its commitment to romaine growers with the launch of Renegade , a new romaine lettuce variety with high resistance to Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV). Joining Stampede, which has been reclassified from Intermediate to High INSV resistance, Renegade represents the latest advancement in Syngenta's industry-leading portfolio. Together, Renegade and Stampede give romaine growers two proven options with high resistance to INSV, providing the flexibility to build stronger, more resilient growing programs across conditions and seasons.

“Syngenta Vegetable Seeds is proud to deliver a romaine lettuce program with the best-in-class product solutions tailored to growers needs. Our romaine lettuce portfolio now features high resistance to INSV, which represents a significant breakthrough for Salinas Valley growers, where disease pressure demands enhanced protection,” said Melaku Mekonnen, Breeder, in the recent release.

Introducing Renegade: The Latest Addition to Syngenta's INSV-Resistant Romaine Portfolio

Renegade is Syngenta's latest investment in giving romaine growers the tools they need to stay ahead of disease pressure and changing growing conditions.

A romaine variety purpose-built for Salinas Valley growing conditions, Renegade carries high resistance to INSV. Its planting window from April 1 through August 31 makes it well-suited for growers managing production through the summer season, and its strong bolting tolerance aids against heat stress and unpredictable conditions of the summer growing season.

Like Stampede, Renegade is a multipurpose variety suited for fresh market and processing applications, delivering the consistent, market-ready type that buyers and distributors expect. Both varieties also share one of the most comprehensive disease resistance packages available in commercial romaine, with high resistance not only to INSV but also to multiple races of Downy Mildew, including Race 10, and to Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus (TBSV). Renegade and Stampede lead Syngenta's romaine lettuce portfolio as the first commercially available varieties featuring Race 10 Downy Mildew protection.

With the highly slotted nature of growing lettuce, Stampede and Renegade give growers options, allowing them to match the right variety to the right conditions and reduce reliance on any single solution.

"Renegade was developed by working hand in hand with growers and validating performance through independent trials with organizations like UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. Salinas Valley growers need varieties they can count on, and Renegade delivers that," said Justin Goodwyn, Product Specialist, LBO, West US.

Nick Barnes, Commercial Unit Manager, West US, sees the expanded portfolio as a direct reflection of Syngenta's commitment to growers.

"Persistent disease pressure and high thrip counts remind us every season why this work matters. With Stampede's resistance classification now confirmed as High Resistance and Renegade joining the portfolio with the same classification, we're giving growers more options to build resilient, diversified programs they can count on. Syngenta's investment in INSV-resistant romaine is ongoing, because the challenges growers face are ongoing, and being a true partner means staying ahead of those challenges," said Barnes.

INSV and Its Impact on Romaine Production

For decades, the Salinas Valley has been the heart of romaine lettuce production in the United States. INSV has significantly impacted Salinas Valley romaine lettuce production in recent years. The virus, transmitted by thrips, causes rapid yield loss and unmarketable produce. Crop losses in the Salinas Valley reached an estimated $150 million at peak infection levels, threatening the stability of grower operations.

A Stronger Portfolio for the Seasons Ahead Syngenta

Vegetable Seeds is providing romaine growers with the most robust INSV-resistant romaine portfolio available, giving growers the tools, flexibility, and confidence to protect their operations season after season. Contact your local Syngenta representative to learn more about Stampede and Renegade and find the right fit for your growing program.

To learn more about Stampede and Renegade and Syngenta's INSV-resistant romaine portfolio, visit here.

To connect with a local Syngenta representative, visit here.

SALISBURY, NC - Leading grocery retail group Ahold Delhaize USA announced an expanded partnership with Uber Eats to bring enhanced on-demand grocery delivery to customers across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Through the collaboration, nearly 2,000 stores – operated by Food Lion, Giant Food, The GIANT Company, encompassing GIANT and MARTIN’s, Hannaford, and Stop & Shop – are now available on the Uber Eats marketplace.

Customers can shop their favorite Ahold Delhaize USA brand directly in the Uber Eats app, providing another channel for customers for online access to thousands of items such as fresh foods, pantry staples, household essentials, and alcohol at select locations, with on-demand and scheduled delivery options. In conjunction with the launch, Uber and Ahold Delhaize USA brands will be offering a special promotion for customers’ first order on the Uber Eats platform.

“Customers expect flexibility in how they shop, and that means being wherever they are — whether through our own brand experiences or trusted marketplaces like Uber Eats,” said Keith Nicks, Chief Commercial and Digital Officer, Ahold Delhaize USA, in the recent release. “This partnership reinforces our brands’ commitments to being leading omnichannel retailers, making it even easier for customers to access the brands they know and trust.”

The partnership strengthens the Ahold Delhaize USA brands’ omnichannel offerings by meeting customers wherever and however they choose to shop, while maintaining the strong local connection each brand is known for. It also builds on the existing partnership between Ahold Delhaize USA and Uber Direct, a delivery solution supporting Ahold Delhaize USA brands’ first-party delivery channels. Through Uber Direct, Ahold Delhaize USA brands have access to Uber’s network of couriers, enabling fast, convenient delivery for customers.

“Partnering with trusted local retailers like the Ahold Delhaize USA brands allows us to bring fresh, affordable groceries and everyday essentials to more customers,” said Hashim Amin, Head of Grocery and Retail for Uber in North America. “With nearly 2,000 stores now available, customers can shop the brands they know and love, whether they’re planning ahead or ordering on-the-go.”

Shopping Ahold Delhaize USA brands on Uber Eats is easy. Customers can open the Uber Eats app, tap “Grocery” and select a nearby Food Lion, Giant Food, The GIANT Company (GIANT or MARTIN’S), Hannaford or Stop & Shop location and browse a wide assortment of items, add products to cart, choose a delivery time and place the order. Orders are then tracked in real time to customers’ doorsteps. Eligible orders at participating locations also support SNAP/EBT payments, enabled through Uber’s partnership with Forage.

With the launch of this partnership, customers can now choose to shop via Ahold Delhaize USA local brands’ website and apps, or major online ordering marketplaces, including Uber Eats.