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HOUSTON, TX - Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit committed to improving the long-term health of children and families, announced the release of its 2025 Annual Impact Report, highlighting a year of expansion, new city launches, food is medicine work, and adaptive programming in support of its mission to create healthier communities.
The report provides a comprehensive look at the organization’s achievements over the past year, including key program milestones, community partnerships, and the individuals and families impacted by its work. In 2025, Brighter Bites impacted over 264,350 individuals across 13 cities, delivering a retail value of $20,123,018.65 of fresh produce and implementing 29,041 nutrition education lessons and PE activities.
“Our impact this year reflects the dedication of our staff, partners, and supporters who make this work possible,” said Rich Dachman, CEO of Brighter Bites, in the recent release. “Together, we are creating lasting change and opening doors to brighter futures for the communities we serve.”
Key Highlights from the 2025 Impact Report Include:
- Expanded our Food is Medicine work in Houston
- Launched programming in San Diego
- Debuted the new Brighter Bites 2.0 program in Washington, D.C.
- Distributed over 7.5 million pounds of fresh produce
In addition to quantitative outcomes, the report features personal stories that illustrate the real-life impact of Brighter Bites’ program. These stories underscore the organization’s commitment to equity, access, and long-term sustainability.
The full 2025 Annual Impact Report is available at: www.brighterbites.org/our-impact.
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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Oppy will be coming to the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Convention and Trade Show with real momentum. Through the company’s integration with Dole Diversified North America six months ago, Oppy has expanded its offerings in berries, grapes, citrus, and cherries. Here to discuss is Sales Director of Canada Steve Young.
“What’s been most exciting is how quickly this momentum has translated into the marketplace, from the introduction of Dole-branded berries to the expansion of our overall offering. We’re building a stronger, more connected global network that delivers greater value to our customers and partners,” Steve began telling me.
In addition to Dole, Oppy will showcase a diverse portfolio of brands including Sun Grape, Eco Farms, Avoworks, Divemex, Envy, Zespri, OriginO, Perpetual Vegetable Co., UP Vertical Farms, and Ocean Spray. Each one represents a different facet of where the category is going.
“We’re especially excited about UP Vertical Farms’ newest microgreens that will be featured in the New Product Showcase, as well as the upcoming Zespri kiwi season and the momentum building toward our domestic grape season with Sun Grape,” Steve relayed. “At the same time, we’re continuing to invest in reliable, year-round local supply. Expanding greenhouse-grown cucumbers with Perpetual Vegetable Co. and strengthening our leafy greens and microgreens programs with UP Vertical Farms are great examples of how we’re delivering consistency while reducing supply gaps.”
All of this, according to Steve, is laying the groundwork for a lineup that is more resilient, more sustainable, and more closely aligned with what today’s consumers are looking for. CPMA provides the perfect platform to showcase all of these developments.
“After more than two decades in produce and nearly as many CPMA shows, what stands out to me this year is the pace of change across the industry. Canadian consumers are evolving quickly, and that’s pushing all of us to think differently about how we grow, move, and market fresh produce,” Steve pointed out. “CPMA creates a unique environment to have those conversations in real time with the people who have the ability to make an impact.”
Steve explained that Canada is one of the most dynamic produce markets in the world—diverse, quality-driven, and increasingly innovation-focused. That creates a real opportunity for collaboration across the value chain. For Oppy, it’s a key moment to strengthen relationships and explore new ways to grow the category together.
“We’ll have a strong cross-functional team on site from across Canada and the U.S., spanning sales, category management, operations, marketing, and more. That mix allows us to have more meaningful, well-rounded conversations with our partners,” Steve stated. “We’re also proud to recognize a couple of standout team members attending this year. Director of Business Implementation Projects Bilkis Laher has been named a 2026 Outstanding Woman in Produce by CPMA and Grocery Business. Joan Wu, our Packaging and Private Label Project Manager, is participating in the Passion for Produce program—bringing fresh perspective and energy to the next generation of industry leaders.”
On a final note, Steve said, “We’re looking forward to connecting throughout the show and especially at the banquet, where we’re proud to be sponsors of the evening. It promises to be a memorable night, complete with a special tribute and some great Oppy items on the menu. And be sure to stop by booth #601.”
More exclusive event coverage is coming your way, so stick with ANUK.
DELANO, CA - A First Class™ experience is coming to Viva Fresh, and trust me when I say you don’t want to miss out. Sunview Marketing International is landing in San Antonio, Texas, ready to emphasize its role as a Single Source® for delicious, high-quality California table grapes.
“Sunview is one of the few truly integrated, multi-generational family table grape growers. We own and manage every step of the process. This complete control allows us to deliver a consistent First Class™ eating experience,” Bryan Roberts, Director of Retail Development, explains as we discuss the company’s Viva Fresh platform. “We’ll be showcasing our First Class™ program, highlighting our exclusive Sunview varieties. We’ll also be communicating how we plan to grow our variety portfolio in the next several years, so attendees will not only get a look at our current portfolio, but also some exciting things in the pipeline.”
Viva Fresh show-goers will get an up-close look at this First Class™ portfolio just in time to start planning for the California table grape season.
“The timing of the show is great as it is in the lead-up to the season,” Bryan shares. “With our season starting around July 1, we are currently in bloom and able to get a good look at what the season is going to look like when it starts. Viva Fresh is a great opportunity to get in front of customers and communicate the benefits of our program, while also sharing some early details for the upcoming season.”
As Bryan notes, the timing, size, and location of Viva Fresh provide a host of unique benefits, opening up the door to in-depth conversations and creating an exciting platform for industry collaboration.
Be sure to stop by booth #702 as you explore the show floor this week (April 16–18), and keep checking ANUK for more exclusive event insights!
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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - This National Banana Day, Chiquita is doing more than celebrating…it's taking over. For the third consecutive year, the iconic banana brand transformed April 15 into National Chiquita Day, turning a beloved food holiday into a vibrant cultural moment fueled by creativity, joy, and unmistakable personality.
Building on the Pop by Nature platform, Chiquita is bringing its bold, joyful spirit to life in an unexpected way this year: through an AI-powered social video experience that transforms Times Square into a larger-than-life Chiquita takeover. The activation blends tropical energy with pop culture flair, reimagining one of the world's most iconic locations as a banana-forward celebration that's impossible to ignore.
At the center of it all is Miss Chiquita, the brand's timeless icon, leading the celebration with a fresh, playful energy that bridges heritage and modern expression.
"Chiquita has always been about more than just bananas; it's about bringing joy to everyday moments," said Marco Volpi, Chief Marketing Officer at Chiquita, in the recent release. "National Chiquita Day is our way of turning that joy into something bigger, something people can see, hear, and be part of together."
As part of this year's celebration, Chiquita is building on its long-standing use of music and storytelling, introducing a new limited-time, tropical-inspired jingle and dance challenge, inviting fans everywhere to join in. Designed to be simple, catchy, and instantly recognizable, the dance features a signature Chiquita move that creators and consumers alike can learn, share, and remix across social platforms.
Creators will help spark the movement, demonstrating the choreography and encouraging fans to add their own spin while keeping the core move consistent, transforming a single brand moment into a global, shareable trend. The result is a celebration that extends far beyond April 15, bringing Chiquita's upbeat energy to audiences everywhere.
To extend the celebration, Chiquita is hosting an Instagram-only promotional giveaway through April 19, offering fans aged 18+ in the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec) the chance to win ceramic bowl and plate sets inspired by the Pop by Nature campaign. No purchase necessary. Terms and conditions apply. Eligibility, timing, and participation requirements may vary by country and are set out in the applicable local Terms & Conditions. Official rules are available at: http://www.chiquita.com/Chiquitabananaday2026-giveaway-us-can. For more information, visit @chiquitabanana on Instagram.
With this activation, Chiquita continues to reinforce its role as the category leader, not just in quality, but in culture. By blending innovation, storytelling, and participation, the brand is redefining what it means to celebrate something as simple, and universally loved, as a piece of fruit.
NEW ZEALAND - T&G Global’s premium ENVY™ apple brand has surpassed NZD $1 billion in global retail sales, becoming the first apple brand from Aotearoa New Zealand to reach this milestone.
The result reflects sustained global demand and years of investment in T&G’s integrated end-to-end Apples system spanning proprietary genetics, future-fit growing methods, leading-edge post-harvest capabilities, and disciplined in-market execution.
Shane Kingston, T&G’s Managing Director Apples, said in the recent release that the milestone marks a significant moment for the company, its growers, and Aotearoa New Zealand’s horticulture sector.
“Surpassing one billion dollars in global retail sales is a major milestone for ENVY™ apples and a reflection of our long-term strategy to build global premium brands,” says Shane. “It shows what’s possible when you combine world-class genetics, outstanding growers and a globally connected system that consistently delivers for customers and consumers.”
Bred in 1985 by the Bioeconomy Science Institute (then part of DSIR) and exclusively commercialised globally by T&G (then ENZA), ENVY™ has evolved into a globally recognised premium apple brand.
Today, it is grown in more than 13 countries across both hemispheres and sold in over 55 markets. T&G partners with more than 100 growers in Aotearoa New Zealand and over 1,000 grower partners globally to ensure year-round supply.
With a strong export focus, ENVY™ represents a significant piece of Aotearoa New Zealand-grown intellectual property, scaled successfully on the world stage.
The milestone comes as the global apples category continues shifting toward premium offerings. Between 2024 and 2035, the premium segment is expected to grow at 7.6% annually, compared to 4.4% for mainstream apples. T&G’s premium portfolio is forecast to exceed both at 8.4%, driven by rising incomes, urbanisation, health-conscious consumption and demand for consistent quality.
Shane says T&G has deliberately positioned its Apples business to capture this higher-growth segment.
“Our strategy is focused on the fastest-growing part of the category, where premium branded fruit delivers the greatest value,” he says.
A key differentiator has been T&G’s integrated system, built over many years.
“We connect every part of the value chain, from our IP through to the consumer. That gives us greater control over quality, supply, demand and how we show up in market.”
This approach continues to translate into strong global demand. Across Asia, ENVY™ apples hold top three positions in key markets including number one in Viet Nam, number two in Thailand and number three in China, with strong recent growth in China, Singapore, Viet Nam and Malaysia.
In the United States, ENVY™ has significantly outperformed the broader apple category in a flat market, with household penetration increasing from 7.2% in 2023 to 12.4% in 2025.
Shane says the billion-dollar milestone is not an endpoint, but a signal of continued growth ahead.
“With strong global demand and more premium fruit coming online, we’re well positioned to significantly grow ENVY™ apples further and deliver increasing value for our growers, customers, consumers and shareholders.”