ST. LOUIS, MO - Viva Fresh connects key players in the Southwest and beyond, enabling companies across the supply chain a chance to network. In anticipation of the event, hosted in San Antonio, Texas, from April 16-18, Lange Companies reflects on current and future goals and what that means for its partners.

“Our most recent initiative is the expansion of our presence in South Texas through our Lange Farms division. The increased visibility and reach of the Lange Farms sourcing team, in partnership with our Lange Fresh Sales and Lange Logistics teams, allow us to stay closely connected from field to delivery,” shared Nikki Keene, Marketing Manager. “With Lange Farms’ established presence in Mexico through both our Mexican strawberry and asparagus programs, this new focus will look to expand into new commodities and partnerships.”

Lange knows its strength lies in its portfolio of companies: Lange Fresh Sales, Lange Farms, and Lange Logistics, and welcomes the chance to speak to the industry about these operations.

“Leveraging the expertise of each company, either individually or working together as a team, provides a range of solutions for the issues that plague both suppliers and customers. It allows us to stay close to supply, maintain quality all the way to delivery, and move product efficiently, especially in an industry where things don’t always go as planned,” Nikki noted. “At the end of the day, it means fewer gaps, better visibility, and more consistency for our customers.”

Team members from across all three divisions will be on the show floor at booth #513.

“Come find us, talk through your upcoming needs either as a supplier or customer, and let’s see how we can help you Get More with Lange,” Nikki said.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we cover the days ahead of the show!

BOISE, ID - Albertsons® Companies, Inc. reported results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 and full year fiscal 2025, which ended Feb. 28, 2026 and included 13 and 53 weeks, respectively.

In a LinkedIn post accompanying the announcement, CEO Susan Morris highlighted the company’s disciplined execution and thanked associates for their role in delivering results.

Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2025 Highlights

• Identical sales increased 0.7%
• Digital sales increased 16%
• Loyalty members increased 12% to 51.2 million
• Net loss of $(481) million, or $(0.94) per share, inclusive of the $600 million charge, net of tax, or $(1.18) per share, related to the Opioid
• Settlement Framework (as defined herein)
• Adjusted net income of $252 million, or $0.48 per share
• Adjusted EBITDA of $903 million

Fiscal 2025 Highlights

• Identical sales increased 2.0%
• Digital sales increased 21%
• Net income of $217 million, or $0.40 per share
• Adjusted net income of $1,209 million, or $2.18 per share
• Adjusted EBITDA of $3,902 million

"Fiscal 2025 was a year of disciplined execution and resilience, as we closed the year with a solid fourth quarter that delivered strong Adjusted EBITDA despite meaningful top-line pharmacy-related headwinds," said Susan Morris, CEO of Albertsons Companies, in the recent release.

Morris continued, "Across the full year, we remained focused on building a stronger foundation for the future, including investing in our customer value proposition, advancing digital and loyalty, and strengthening the capabilities that support sustainable, long-term growth. As we enter fiscal 2026, we are building on this foundation by scaling our productivity engine and positioning the company to deliver earnings growth, strong cash flow, and long-term shareholder returns."

Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2025 Results

Net sales and other revenue was $20.3 billion for the 13 weeks ended Feb. 28, 2026 ("fourth quarter of fiscal 2025") compared to $18.8 billion during the 12 weeks ended Feb. 22, 2025 ("fourth quarter of fiscal 2024"). The increase included approximately $1.4 billion incremental net sales related to the extra week in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025. Identical sales increased 0.7%, primarily driven by pharmacy sales, which were impacted more than expected by the pricing headwinds related to the Inflation Reduction Act ("IRA") and a mix shift within the broader pharmacy industry. The Company also continued to grow its digital sales with a 16% sales increase during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025. These increases in Net sales and other revenue were partially offset by a net reduction in sales driven by store closures since the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024.

See the full result here.

WATSONVILLE, CA - Driscoll’s, the world’s leading fresh berry company, announced that Ambassador Darci Vetter has joined the company as Vice President, Public Affairs. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, Vetter will report to CEO Soren Bjorn and join the Office of the CEO, supporting enterprise-wide alignment on governmental affairs across Driscoll’s global regions.

Vetter is a globally respected public policy leader with more than two decades of experience across government, business, and the nonprofit sector, advising organizations at the intersection of agriculture and international trade. She brings deep expertise in navigating complex policy environments and working across global systems that shape food and agriculture.

“Over the past several months, Darci has partnered with us as a consultant, working closely with a number of our senior leaders,” said Soren Bjorn, CEO of Driscoll’s, in the recent release. “Through that work, she has brought a thoughtful perspective and a clear understanding of the evolving global policy landscape shaping our business. As our company continues to grow globally, this experience will be increasingly important.”

Vetter previously served as chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. She also served as deputy undersecretary of agriculture, overseeing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service and its global market access, food assistance and capacity building programs.

Following her public service, Vetter held executive leadership roles as head of global public policy at The Nature Conservancy and PepsiCo, where she worked on policy engagement related to agriculture, climate, energy, health, and packaging. She continues to advise companies, nonprofits, and international organizations on aligning policy and market incentives to support agriculture and global trade.

“Whether navigating immigration policies, packaging mandates, or new tariff regimes, Driscoll’s business sits at the intersection of a multitude of policy initiatives,” Vetter said. “I look forward to working with the talented Driscoll’s team to ensure we are best positioned to influence this dynamic policy environment.”

MONTREAL, QC - Equifruit, North America’s market leader in Fairtrade-certified bananas, is bringing its most legendary booth yet to CPMA 2026 (April 28-30, Toronto), and it has a name: the Endcap of Destiny.

Stop by booth #638 at the Metro Toronto Convention Center, where Equifruit will be inviting CPMA attendees to step up and build the ultimate Equifruit banana display. The kind that shatters records, stops customers mid-shop, and makes your boss question if they want your job.

2026 is officially the year of the Banana Badass. To mark the occasion, Equifruit has reimagined its iconic banana cases, because the most ethical banana in the aisle should also be the most unmissable. The Endcap of Destiny is what happens when Fairtrade conviction meets retail display glory. It’s going to be epic.

“We’ve spent twenty years proving that Fairtrade is good for farmers, good for retailers, and good for business”, said Kim Chackal, VP of Sales and Marketing and Co-owner of Equifruit, in the recent release. “This year at CPMA, we’re making Fairtrade bananas impossible to ignore. The Endcap of Destiny is much more than just a banana display, it’s a visual values statement. Come by booth #638 and build it with us. Your produce aisle will thank you.”

With growing consumer demand for ethically sourced produce and a proven track record of retail success across North America, Equifruit is coming to CPMA ready to show Canadian retailers why switching to a Fairtrade banana program is the boldest, and the best move they can make.

CARLISLE, PA - The GIANT Company, known locally as GIANT and MARTIN’S, announced its Feeding School Kids initiative, in partnership with its customers, raised more than $1.2 million to address food insecurity in local school districts throughout the communities it serves.

“Thanks to the continued support of our customers and team members, we have now raised nearly $10 million to help local public schools make a difference in their hunger relief programs,” said Courtney Hopcraft, manager of community relations and strategic partnerships, The GIANT Company, in the recent release. “Whether expanding access to healthy meals, aiding weekend backpack programs or enhancing nutrition infrastructure, our Feeding School Kids initiative strives to ensure that all students eat well so they can learn, play and thrive.”

From Jan. 1 through March 31, customers at GIANT, MARTIN’S, and GIANT Heirloom Market stores were invited to round up their grocery purchases to the nearest dollar or convert their CHOICE points into a donation to support their local public school districts’ food programs. The GIANT Company also donated $100,000. Through Feeding School Kids, public school districts have been able to support meal programs and address food insecurity by supplying backpacks with weekend food, clearing outstanding student lunch debt, building on-campus food pantries, and establishing garden programs.

“GIANT’S Feeding School Kids program is a valued partner in our mission to provide nutritious meals to every student in our schools,” said Melissa L. Froehlich Green, coordinator of school nutrition services, North Penn School District. “Their generosity helps ensure that no child goes without access to healthy food, regardless of their circumstances. This support plays a vital role in promoting student well-being and helping all students succeed both in and out of the classroom.”

The 10 public school districts receiving funds from the Feeding School Kids initiative include:

• Berkeley County School District – Martinsburg, W. Va – $16,805
• Central Bucks School District – Doylestown, Pa. – $18,857
• Central Dauphin School District – Harrisburg, Pa. – $18,212
• Frederick County Public Schools – Winchester, Va. – $23,116
• North Penn School District – Lansdale, Pa. – $20,946
• State College Area School District – State College, Pa. – $19,249
• The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia – Philadelphia, Pa. – $46,666
• Washington County Public Schools – Hagerstown, Md. – $22,192
• West Chester Area School District – Exton, Pa. – $41,034
• Winchester City Public School District – Winchester, Va. – $17,206

Fund donated by customers benefited the local public school district in the community in which they were given. The GIANT Company’s matching funds were awarded based on need, as determined by the percentage of students in the district who receive free or reduced meals.

CONSHOHOCKEN, PA - Offshoot Brands, a portfolio of better-for-you brands known for bringing innovative produce items to market, announced the appointment of Jenna Schulte as Vice President of Sales & Operations.

In this newly created role, Schulte will lead the integration of sales strategy and operational execution across the organization, supporting the company’s continued expansion while strengthening customer partnerships and internal capabilities.

Schulte brings more than a decade of experience across fresh produce and transportation industries, with a background spanning supply chain, distribution, processing, and retail. Most recently, she has focused on building and growing national retail partnerships, while also leading sustainability and employee resource initiatives. Her cross-functional expertise positions her to drive cohesive, scalable growth across the business.

“We are thrilled to have Jenna leading sales and operations. Her extensive experience across supply chain operations combined with strong customer relationships will help us achieve both our short-term and long-term goals,” said Angie Rowland, Chief Commercial Officer, in the recent release. “Jenna is an incredible cultural asset, and I can already sense the positive impact of her collaboration.”

Schulte was drawn to Offshoot Brands by its strong momentum and mission to make healthy eating more approachable for consumers. “Offshoot Brands is building something incredibly exciting at the intersection of produce and fresh snacking,” said Schulte. “There’s a strong foundation already in place, and I’m looking forward to helping scale that growth in a way that stays true to what makes these brands special and continues to meet changing consumer expectations.”

As Vice President of Sales & Operations, Schulte will focus on expanding the company’s reach across both existing and new channels, deepening key customer relationships, and ensuring operational excellence as the business scales.

“Jenna joins us at a pivotal moment,” said George Shropshire, General Manager of Offshoot Brands. “We have strong momentum across our brands, and her ability to connect strategy with execution will help us accelerate that growth in a thoughtful, sustainable way.”

Her appointment reflects Offshoot Brands’ continued investment in building a high-performing team to support its next phase of growth.