FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Chiquita Brands International is set to return to the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Annual Convention and Trade Show for 2026, inviting attendees to experience the brand in a way that's bigger, bolder and more interactive than ever before.

At Booth #709, Chiquita will transform its space into a vibrant destination designed to spark connection, creativity and a little fun along the way. From can't-miss photo ops to unexpected culinary moments, the brand is leaning into what it does best, bringing people together through fresh, feel-good experiences.

The iconic Miss Chiquita will be onsite, inviting attendees to step into playful, photo-worthy moments, alongside the ever-entertaining Banana Man, adding an extra layer of energy and surprise to the booth experience.

Inside the booth, a live culinary experience will put bananas in the spotlight, with a chef cooking up warm Bananas Foster paired with a refreshing banana mocktail, an inspired combination that highlights the fruit's versatility and flavor. Attendees can also drop by to enjoy fresh bananas and pick up exclusive Chiquita swag.

Throughout the two-day event, the Chiquita team will celebrate and thank its valued Canadian customers for their continued partnership and support. The brand is excited to connect with retail partners to share what's next for the brand, from new ideas to collaborative opportunities that continue to drive excitement in the produce aisle.

Attendees are encouraged to stop by Booth #709 to experience Chiquita's latest innovations firsthand. For more information on Chiquita Brands, visit www.chiquita.com.

ORANGE, CA - GreenFruit Avocados, a California-based avocado supplier with a decade-plus track record in ripening, cold storage and distribution, has been acquired by a powerful partnership of industry veterans committed to building a vertically integrated avocado company with global supply reach and California leadership.

GREENFRUIT 2.0 LED BY INDUSTRY LEADERS

The acquiring group includes Scott Bauwens and Jamie Johnson, partners in Simpatica, one of California’s largest avocado growers; Jim Donovan, former Senior Vice President of Global Sourcing at Mission Produce; and Tahuaycani, a Spanish investment company with deep involvement in one of the largest avocado growers in Peru, Agricola Cerro Prieto (ACP Agro). Together, they have acquired 100 percent of GreenFruit Avocados via the newly formed holding company, Last Mile, and will be supported in the acquisition by an investment fund managed by New York-based Ospraie Management, LLC.

Scott Bauwens brings more than 21 years of global executive management experience in the avocado industry, including 12 years as Vice President of Global Sourcing with one of the largest U.S. avocado distributors, 10 years on the Hass Avocado Board and seven years on the California Avocado Commission. He will step back from his role as CEO at Simpatica to serve full-time as Chief Executive Officer of GreenFruit. Jim Donovan, whose career at Mission Produce, spanning over 36 years, helped conceptualize and build global supply and consumer demand for avocados, will serve as Executive Chairman of the board. Brian Gomez, one of GreenFruit’s original owners, will serve as President of Sales.

GreenFruit Avocados will remain headquartered in Orange County, California, with expanded supply operations across South America, California, Mexico and Europe, a press release announced. 

“This partnership was formed around a simple conviction: the avocado industry rewards companies that control the supply chain and bring the right leadership, the right growers and the right capital together. GreenFruit 2.0 gives us the distribution and operational foundation to do that. Together, we can build something that benefits every customer and grower we work with.” — Jim Donovan, Executive Chairman, GreenFruit Avocados

GROWER, PACKER, SHIPPER, RIPENER - ACROSS NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA

Under new ownership, GreenFruit will operate as a grower, packer, shipper and ripener across North and South America. Tahuaycani’s connection to ACP Agro and one of the world’s leading avocado producing regions in Peru provides scale and year-round sourcing capability. Simpatica’s approximately 1,400 acres of established California groves are built on four generations of farming in Ventura, Santa Barbara and Riverside counties and add captive domestic growing capacity at the heart of the U.S. market.

“This is industry-savvy ownership with real grower relationships in a vertically integrated model. We understand this business from the ground up. For growers, that means a financially stronger partner who knows their world. For retailers and distributors, that means a team with the credibility and the supply depth to deliver on what we promise. GreenFruit’s success will be earned by exceeding customer expectations.” — Scott Bauwens, Chief Executive Officer, GreenFruit Avocados

GreenFruit’s ripening and distribution centers operate across Southern California, Texas, Chicago, Miami, Pennsylvania, Toronto and Vancouver. These facilities anchor North American operations and position the company strategically near major distribution channels, supported by an experienced GreenFruit team. Mexico remains a core foundation of the sourcing model, with the acquisition adding capital, global supply depth and seasoned leadership to an already strong platform.
Continuity of customer and grower relationships and contracts will remain a top priority for all entities in the transaction.

“We built GreenFruit on a belief that controlling the process is what delivers the perfect avocado. To take that to the next level, we needed three things: leadership that the industry respects, partners committed to vertical growth and the financial strength to secure GreenFruit’s future. This team delivered all three.” — Brian Gomez, President of Sales, GreenFruit Avocados

A DIFFERENT ANSWER TO A CONSOLIDATING MARKET

The announcement comes as the avocado category undergoes significant consolidation. The GreenFruit partnership reflects a different thesis: market opportunity belongs to companies that compete on quality, stable pricing and supply chain reliability. The company enters this next chapter well-capitalized with strong financial partners, including an investment fund managed by Ospraie Management, LLC, which invests institutional capital in real assets across various sectors including agriculture, energy, metals and mining, commodity processing and logistics. Post-close, Ospraie's support will continue through direct participation on the GreenFruit Board of Directors.

The GreenFruit ownership group is committed to long-term investment in people, distribution and value-added infrastructure.

The transaction closed April 24, 2026. Terms were not disclosed.

ATWATER, CA - A.V. Thomas Produce, a leading grower and shipper of premium sweet potatoes, is proud to announce that our operations have achieved certification through the Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), a groundbreaking program that brings together growers, farmworkers, retailers, and consumer groups to transform agriculture through higher standards.

EFI certification is awarded to operations that meet more than 300 rigorous standards focused on food safety, environmental stewardship, and improved working conditions. A.V. Thomas Produce successfully earned this certification following an independent, third-party assessment conducted by SCS Global Services.

“Achieving EFI certification is a significant milestone for our team,” said Brian Escobar ~ Director of Organic & Compliance. “It reflects our deep commitment to not only growing high-quality organic and conventional sweet potatoes, but also fostering a safer, more transparent system and creating a workplace where our employees can thrive.”

The Equitable Food Initiative partners with growers and retailers to build a more transparent supply chain, ensuring safer food and healthier working environments across the agricultural industry. EFI-certified partners implement collaborative worker-management training, continuous improvement practices, and robust verification processes that benefit everyone from the field to the consumer.

By joining the EFI program, A.V. Thomas Produce reinforces its dedication to responsible farming practices and strengthens its role as a trusted partner to retailers and consumers seeking ethically grown food, a press release stated.

“Our participation in EFI aligns with our core values,” added Jason VanDusen ~ Director of Marketing. “We believe that doing the right thing—for our people, our partners, and our customers—is essential to long-term success.”

For more information about A.V. Thomas Produce, visit [website]. To learn more about the Equitable Food Initiative, visit www.equitablefood.org.