REEDLEY, CA - Stonefruit is here, and it is ready to sing its sweetness and volume from the rooftops.

Running 10–14 days ahead of last year’s harvest, Mountain View Fruit shared that this early momentum points to a strong start to the season.

“We’ve kicked off the season with high-quality early-season varieties with a focus on flavor, color, and sizing that has been a little larger than anticipated on the front end,” Kevin Steiner, Director of Business Development, commented. “The overall orchard health looks excellent, and sizing has progressed well.”

An ideal mix of warm days and cool nights has the team expecting enhanced flavor, color, and eating quality, with the literal fruits of the team’s labor being easy to spot in the optimized size and quality. With a strong fruit set of good counts across orchards, Kevin assured me there is much to look forward to.

“The crop is there, the priority is precision management from this point forward,” Kevin explained. “Our confidence has been building as we enter harvest, and our growers' efforts, pruning and thinning this past winter and earlier in the spring, are really paying off.”

With fruit transitioning nicely to a cleaner, more uniform shape, yellow and white peaches kicked off the calendar last week (April 22–25), as well as apricots. Yellow nectarines are on track for late this week (April 29) with white nectarines kicking off early May, and finally plums around May 16.

With the season tracking very positively, setting the stage for strong performance, engagement, and upward momentum across the category, AndNowUKnow will continue to report.

SAN ANTONIO, TX - The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) announced record-breaking attendance for the 2026 Viva Fresh Expo. Now in its 11th year, the event welcomed a total of 2,872 attendees, including 380 retail and foodservice buyers, and featured 199 exhibitors, marking the largest turnout in the show’s history.

Since its inaugural event in Austin in 2015, Viva Fresh has grown into a premier regional trade show connecting the produce industry across North America. The 2026 edition continued that trajectory, delivering a dynamic mix of networking, education, and business development opportunities.

“This year’s record attendance reflects the continued momentum and importance of Viva Fresh as a key platform for the fresh produce supply chain,” said Bret Erickson, executive vice president at Little Bear Produce and current Viva Fresh chairman, in the recent release. “From meaningful buyer-supplier connections to high-quality educational programming, the event continues to evolve to meet the needs of the industry.”

The week’s activities included expanded networking opportunities such as the Viva Fresh Open across two golf courses at the TPC San Antonio, as well as the Second Annual Viva Fresh Pickleball Tournament and the first ever Viva Fresh Wine Tasting. These events offer attendees multiple ways to connect outside the exhibit hall. Signature programs such as the In Bloom Women’s Event, the EDGE student program, and the Y-TIPA Young Professionals mixer highlighted the association’s ongoing commitment to leadership development and industry engagement across all career stages.

The educational lineup featured a range of sessions addressing current topical industry issues, reflecting on challenges and opportunities, including a session on the Consumomics of Fresh Produce led by futurist economist Richard Kottmeyer of FutureBridge. along with Sabrina DeLay. Attendees also heard from keynote speaker Hunter Pinke, whose message of “no more bad days” and mindset shift resonated strongly with participants and set the tone for the weekend.

The Saturday expo brought together 199 exhibiting companies showcasing fresh produce, innovations, and services to a highly engaged audience of buyers and industry professionals and offered unique engagement opportunities in the booths and on the show floor.

With its strongest attendance to date, Viva Fresh 2026 reinforces its role as a must-attend event for the produce industry and underscores the continued growth and vitality of the Texas and Southwest produce sectors.

For more information about Viva Fresh and the Texas International Produce Association, visit www.vivafreshexpo.com.

MCALLEN, TX - Cinco de Mayo is an annual food-centric celebration, and fresh produce should absolutely be at the forefront. With a wide portfolio of high-quality products, I turned to GR Fresh’s Tony Incaviglia, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, to hear how retailers can take advantage of the holiday.

“Cinco de Mayo menus in the United States heavily lean on items like guacamole, tacos, nachos, and salsa, and provide an opportunity to highlight products that naturally align with this holiday by providing bold flavors. This is right up our alley, as avocados, Roma tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, and of course hot peppers such as Jalapeño, Anaheim, Poblano, and Serrano bring those festive ingredients to any celebration,” Tony began telling me.

For retailers, Tony pointed out that this is a meaningful opportunity to drive incremental sales through some creative display offerings focusing on convenience.

“Items such as pre-assembled guacamole kits, fresh salsa packs, nachos, tacos, and fajita kits simplify meal preparation,” he said. “Also, ready-to-grill vegetable assortments fit very nicely with consumers looking for convenience without extensive preparation.”

“Avocados are leading the way; with good volume out of Mexico combined with the start of the California crop, expectations are looking good. Tomatoes and some pepper varieties are proving to be much tighter with elevated pricing, which could limit aggressive promotions on salsa items. Overall, it should be a good holiday supply-wise with avocados’ promotional capabilities,” Tony concluded.

Cinco de Mayo is nearly here, so be sure to keep those avocado, tomato, and pepper displays well-stocked!

JACKSONVILLE, FL - The Winn-Dixie Company is championing Earth Day by reinforcing its commitment to sustainability through innovative solutions that reduce environmental impact, empower customers to make eco-friendly choices, and support the communities it serves.

Earlier this week, The Winn-Dixie Company—in partnership with Relocalize—opened an autonomous ice micro-factory at its Plant City distribution center. The micro-factory enables the grocer to produce SE Grocers Party Cubes ice locally and on demand, significantly reducing transportation requirements and minimizing water waste and plastic pollution. The packaging is also certified plastic-negative, helping remove more plastic from the environment than it uses.

By producing ice directly at its distribution center, The Winn-Dixie Company can reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% while delivering fresher, high-quality products to customers. SE Grocers Party Cubes are now available at the newly remodeled Temple Terrace Winn-Dixie, with plans to expand to additional stores across the Tampa Bay area in the coming weeks. The milestone was marked with a ceremonial ice ribbon cutting, celebrating a step forward in sustainability and efficiency. The innovation also has the potential to scale across Florida, reflecting the grocer’s broader commitment to finding smarter, more sustainable ways to operate.

Anthony Hucker, Chairman and CEO of The Winn-Dixie Company, said in the recent release, “For more than a century, we have had the privilege of serving families and neighborhoods that count on us every day. That responsibility reaches far beyond our store walls and into the communities we call home. Earth Day is a powerful reminder that serving our neighbors also means protecting the environment we all share. We are committed to doing our part through thoughtful actions that reduce waste, conserve resources and help preserve our natural spaces for future generations. As a trusted hometown grocer, we remain focused on making a lasting difference for the people and places we serve.”

In addition to advancing sustainable operations, Winn-Dixie is making it easier for customers to reduce their environmental footprint through everyday actions. Customers can opt for digital receipts and browse weekly circulars through the Winn-Dixie app or online, reducing paper use while accessing savings through the grocer’s award-winning Rewards program. Additionally, shoppers can further support sustainability and hunger relief through the grocer’s Community Bag Program. Now through Dec. 31, 2026, Winn-Dixie will donate $1 to Feeding America® for every purchase of the specially designed $2.99 reusable bag, made from recycled materials to help reduce single-use waste. These conveniently sustainable options reflect Winn-Dixie’s ongoing commitment to reducing waste and promoting more sustainable shopping habits.

The grocer is also expanding its ecoATM program, currently available in 14 stores with plans to significantly increase the number of locations offering responsible e-recycling. The kiosks provide customers with a convenient way to recycle old cell phones, keeping electronic waste out of landfills while offering cash incentives on the spot. To date, the program has responsibly recycled more than 94,000 devices collected from Winn-Dixie customers, paying out more than $3 million to recyclers while diverting more than 36,000 pounds of e-waste and eliminating more than 4,000 tons of CO₂ emissions.

Beyond in-store initiatives, Winn-Dixie associates and their families are making a direct impact in their neighborhoods through hands-on green volunteerism. So far this year, teams have led eight beach cleanups across Florida, removing more than 1,200 pounds of trash from local coastlines and waterways. Cleanup efforts spanned some of the state’s most treasured destinations, including Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Bahia Honda State Park, Key Biscayne Beach Park, Coco Plum Beach, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park and St. Andrews State Park. These efforts demonstrate the power of collective action in preserving natural habitats, protecting wildlife and keeping Florida’s beaches healthy.

The Winn-Dixie Company’s sustainability efforts are guided by a commitment to continuous improvement and thoughtful, responsible choices that support the well-being of its communities. In 2026, this steadfast dedication earned the grocer recognition on the Forbes Best Brands for Social Impact list for the fourth consecutive year. From innovative partnerships to everyday customer solutions, the grocer remains focused on building a more sustainable future, one step at a time.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that La Mera Buena Produce, Inc., operating out of Saint Paul, Minn., has satisfied a $44,629 reparation order resulting from unpaid produce transactions under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The company has met its obligations and is now free to operate in the produce industry. Ramiro Hernandez Marquez was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business, and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.

USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are no outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individuals.

For more information, contact Penny Robinson-Landrigan, Chief, Dispute Resolution Branch, at (202) 720-2890 or [email protected].

BURLINGTON, ON - Ippolito Fruit & Produce Ltd., a leading fresh produce company, announces the successful implementation of Clean Works’ cutting-edge food safety technology in their chopped lettuce production line in Burlington. The addition of this innovative system further strengthens Ippolito’s already rigorous sanitation and food safety protocols through enhanced product protection.

Ippolito’s implementation of Clean Works’ waterless solution, used in tandem with its conventional washing and processing methods, is already delivering measurable food safety and operational advantages. Early performance results indicate that the system is providing meaningful food safety benefits in a cost-efficient manner.

“Food safety has always been foundational to our culture and to the trust our customers place in us”, said Steve Dimen, COO, Ippolito Fruit & Produce Ltd., in the recent release “Implementing Clean Works on our chopped lettuce line reinforces our commitment to continuous improvement and investment in leading-edge technologies that strengthen an already robust food safety program.”

Clean Works’ technology utilizes ultraviolet light, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, and ozone to kill up to 99.99% of pathogens. The system integrates seamlessly into existing operations, enabling continuous throughput without compromising compliance.

“Everything is going well, no issues. Equipment is easy to incorporate into the process and daily routine,” says George Anastasopoulos, Director of Operations, Ippolito Fruit & Produce Ltd.

“For food safety leaders across the industry, the priority is ensuring the highest standards of product protection while remaining cost-efficient for their customers,” said Michele Visser, Vice President, Clean Works.

Meet Clean Works and the Ippolito team at CPMA in Toronto, Ontario!

Clean Works and Ippolito will be discussing this implementation and sharing insights at CPMA Convention & Trade Show 2026, on April 29th-30th, where attendees can learn how this food safety technology is reshaping modern processing environments.

To schedule a meeting at the show, contact Clean Works in advance.

DALLAS, TX - Vallarta Supermarkets, a leading Southern California grocery retailer, generated a 1,070% return on investment after implementing Fresh Inventory Management technology from Logile, Inc., a global leader in AI-powered Connected Workforce solutions, according to a new ROI Case Study report by Nucleus Research.

After changing how it forecasted demand, reduced spoilage, and aligned fresh production with sales, Vallarta recovered its investment in 15 months and generated more than $10 million in attributable profit over three years.

“Vallarta demonstrated a high degree of operational innovation in how it applied Logile’s technology across its fresh business,” said Evelyn McMullen, analyst, Nucleus Research. “By thoughtfully rolling out the solution and embedding it into daily execution, the company was able to turn better forecasting and production planning into measurable financial and operational gains.”

How Vallarta Supermarkets Unified Fresh Planning with Logile

Prior to deploying Logile’s Fresh Inventory Management solution, Vallarta relied on multiple disconnected systems to plan and produce fresh foods across its stores. The lack of integration made it difficult to forecast demand accurately, contributed to overproduction and spoilage, and limited visibility into execution across departments such as produce, bakery, taqueria, and seafood.

To address these challenges, Vallarta expanded its use of Logile’s platform to unify fresh production planning, recipe management, and execution. The retailer implemented modules including Production Planning, Recipe Management, Scale Management, Grind, and Yield, creating a single system to support forecasting, in-store execution, and labor coordination across fresh operations.

Vallarta rolled out the technology in phases by department, allowing teams to test, refine, and scale new processes while maintaining day-to-day operations. The approach enabled store teams to focus production on items with stronger demand, improve consistency in fresh preparation, and reduce overproduction of lower-performing items.

Driving Sales Growth While Reducing Inventory and Spoilage

As a result of the Logile implementation, Vallarta increased sales while carrying less inventory and reduced both spoilage and shrink. The retailer also lowered software costs by consolidating legacy systems and improved labor efficiency by better aligning tasks with real-time production needs, without reducing in-store staffing levels.

Key results included:

• 1,070% return on investment over three years, with a payback period of approximately 15 months
• More than $10 million in attributable profit by year three of deployment
• 15% reduction in software costs through consolidation of legacy systems
• Sales increases across fresh departments, including:
  • 1.1% in produce
  • 1.6% in bakery
  • 15% in taqueria
  • 9% in seafood
• Reduced spoilage and shrink while carrying less inventory across fresh categories
• Improved labor efficiency and task execution without reducing in-store staffing levels

“Before Logile, we didn’t have a consistent way to connect demand, production, and execution across fresh,” said Steve Netherton, CIO and VP of Continuous Improvement at Vallarta Supermarkets, in the recent release. “The platform helped our teams make better daily decisions about what to produce and when, which reduced overproduction and supported stronger sales while maintaining our commitment to fresh, made-from-scratch food.”

“Retailers are moving beyond basic automation toward intelligence that can plan and act with purpose,” said Purna Mishra, Founder and CEO of Logile. “Vallarta’s results show how AI that adapts in real time and works alongside store teams can help retailers move from reactive fresh operations to more predictive, disciplined execution with measurable financial impact.”