FRESNO, CA - Data is essential to success in the produce industry, especially as more technologies become available. A recent blog post from Famous Software outlines why real-time financial reporting should be a top priority for produce businesses:

In today’s volatile fresh produce markets, organizations face unique challenges that demand rapid, accurate financial insight. Unlike other industries, the perishability of produce and unpredictable factors—such as shifting weather patterns and sudden government tariffs—can dramatically affect pricing and profitability. Traditional, generic business solutions often fail to deliver the real-time data needed to navigate these dynamics, leaving companies vulnerable to costly mistakes. This blog post explores why real-time financial reporting is essential for success in fresh produce, highlights the limitations of standard ERP systems, and explains how timely, precise data empowers smarter decisions and provides a vital competitive edge.

Key Takeaways

Given the perishability of fresh produce, speed is essential across the supply chain and access to accurate financial data can mean the difference between a profitable price decision and a catastrophic one.

With fresh produce, unknown and unforeseen elements can have a dramatic impact. From shifting weather patterns to government influences like tariffs, understanding true costs in real time can make or break a season.

Real-time, accurate financial data can create a significant competitive advantage and allow organizations to adjust pricing and charges at critical moments.

Real-Time Financial Visibility for Rapid Decision-Making

Fresh produce moves fast and if your access to accurate financial data doesn’t keep up, your organization runs the risk of charging the wrong price, especially in the volatile, bulk-packed commodity market. When prices can fluctuate daily, knowing the true cost of your operations can mean the difference between a sale and product aging in your warehouse.

Access to real-time, reliable data is critical and you need a database built for speed and accuracy. Generic ERP systems with periodic replication simply can’t keep up with the pace of fresh produce.

Navigating Unpredictable Forces: The Critical Role of Real-Time Data in Fresh Produce

More than any other industry, fresh produce is impacted by a myriad of external, unpredictable forces. Changing weather patterns or unexpected climate events can have a major impact on your harvest or access to available inventory. Unreliable and inaccurate information can exacerbate strenuous times and create friction between teams when quick decision making is critical.

Changes in governmental policies like tariffs can have a major impact on your organization’s bottom line and can be impossible to predict. Access to reliable financial data in real-time can help your organization plan for the unplanned and be ready to pivot in any situation.

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AUSTIN, TX - When it comes to the world of artificial intelligence, technology expert Mitch McAlister’s philosophy stems from an idea we in the produce industry know very well: The food matters.

Mitch has over a decade of expertise at the intersection of complex systems and the humans who use them, and the Chief Robot Whisperer is on a mission to help companies understand how to best leverage agentic AI. As a quick visit to the Well Fed Robot website will tell you, “AI learns what we teach it,” and therefore, “The food really matters.”

“The biggest thing AI changes for our clients isn't headcount or efficiency. It's where their people get to spend their time,” Mitch explains. “Think about a sales exec heading into Viva Fresh armed with detailed research on every prospect they're meeting, prepared overnight, without spending a week buried in spreadsheets. Or a CEO who can pull up real business intelligence at 10 o'clock at night before a board call. Not a dashboard they have to interpret, but actual answers to their actual questions. That's not a future promise. That's what we're doing for clients right now. AI handles the detailed, tedious work responsibly and transparently, so your people can get out from behind their computers and go do what actually grows the business: show up, build trust, and close deals.”

Noting how AI agents are the most powerful and personal tool he has encountered in his career, Mitch explains that each interaction with the agent is critical, as it learns from what is reinforced, corrected, ignored, etc. The end goal is a robot that not only knows you well, but one you can trust, because that trust has been built deliberately. By utilizing tools like OpenClaw, businesses can override the defaults, assert their own values, and shape how their own agents think and behave by choosing the valuable information that is fed to their AI tech.

“That choice is the difference between a robot that does only what you ask—inconsistently, blindly—and one that knows you,” the company assures. “One that earns your trust.”

Through agentic AI consulting, Well Fed Robot helps businesses take advantage of this game-changing tool with a three-step process:

1. Agentic AI Adoption: Helping family-owned and small businesses put AI agents to work safely and practically, starting small and building trust as the relationship matures
2. Security and Responsible Deployment: Helping companies build the right guardrails from day one, so the power stays in their hands
3. Ongoing Partnership: “Agentic AI is a relationship.” Mitch works alongside your team as a trusted advisor, helping you adapt, grow, and stay ahead without losing control of the wheel

Contact Mitch McAlister today to get a head start on your agentic AI adoption and the exponential growth it can spark!

CHICO, CA - Silo, a modern AgTech platform built for specialty crop growers, packers, and shippers, announced it has been ranked #57 on the Forward Fooding FoodTech 500 — a global ranking of the most innovative companies shaping the future of food and agriculture.

The FoodTech 500 is published annually by Forward Fooding, a leading global food innovation intelligence platform, a press release stated. The ranking evaluates companies at the intersection of food, technology, and sustainability — spotlighting those using innovation to build more efficient, transparent, and resilient food systems. Silo's placement in the top 57 out of 500 global applicants reflects its growing impact in specialty crop agriculture and the accelerating role of AI in transforming how produce businesses operate.

"This recognition validates what we hear every day from our customers," said Amy Gates, CEO of Silo. "In specialty crops, sustainability isn't a concept — it's operational. It's less product lost, smarter labor allocation, and tighter alignment between supply and demand. That's what Silo delivers."

Field to Finance: A Platform Built for Perishable Complexity

Silo's unified platform integrates enterprise resource planning (ERP), payments, labor management through its Pet Tiger solution, and traceability capabilities into a single system purpose-built for the produce supply chain. By embedding artificial intelligence across workflows, Silo enables customers to:

• Reduce food waste through improved forecasting, inventory visibility, and demand alignment
• Optimize labor and resource utilization with real-time operational insights connecting field productivity to financial outcomes
• Enhance traceability and compliance, supporting evolving food safety requirements including FSMA 204
• Drive smarter financial decisions by connecting operational data directly to bottom-line results

In an industry defined by perishability, tight margins, and fragmented data, Silo's approach focuses on delivering measurable outcomes: reduced shrink, fewer unnecessary transportation miles, and improved supply-demand alignment — all of which reduce the carbon footprint of the fresh produce supply chain. Silo serves the full spectrum of fresh produce operators — growers, packers, shippers, distributors, and wholesalers — recognizing that a truly resilient food system requires every link in that chain to operate with greater intelligence and efficiency.

"Our vision is to empower the people who feed the world," Gates added. "AI will not replace the operator — it should elevate them and level the playing field. By giving produce supply chain partners better tools and clearer visibility, we can help build a more sustainable, resilient, and efficient food supply chain."

Leading the Charge: Silo's Commitment to a Better Food System

The FoodTech 500 recognition arrives as Silo takes its first formal steps toward building an ESG and sustainability framework — grounded in the belief that a technology company serving the food system has a responsibility to go beyond efficiency and actively contribute to the health of the industry and the planet.

Silo and Pet Tiger are already good for the food system. Silo reduces inefficiency, accelerates payments, and cuts unnecessary waste across the produce supply chain. Pet Tiger reduces friction for the agricultural labor operators who keep farms running. Now, Silo is looking to formalize that impact through a sustainability initiative spanning four areas it believes matter most to the communities it serves: food waste reduction, agricultural education and workforce development, support for women in agribusiness, and the mental health and well-being of farm operators and agricultural workers — an issue that is deeply personal and chronically underserved across the industry.

"We are already helping reduce food waste and improve sustainability through the work our platform does — now we want to make that story explicit and build on it intentionally," said Gates. "The businesses that feed the world deserve a technology partner that shares their values, not just their workflows. That is the company we are committed to building."

Silo's ESG framework is currently in development, with plans to formalize initiatives and publish a full impact report as the program matures.

DELTA, BC & CALIFORNIA - WINDSET FARMS® is bringing vibrant flavor and color to this year’s Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Convention and Trade Show in Toronto with FESTIVA™ Cherry Tomato Medley, an exclusive blend designed to deliver visual appeal, consistent sweetness, and standout flavor in every bite.

FESTIVA™ is part of Windset’s broader strategy to expand its premium greenhouse-grown tomato portfolio while leveraging its North American production network to deliver consistent, year-round supply.

Recognized for both its visual appeal and award-winning flavor, FESTIVA™ Cherry Tomato Medley has earned recognition from the International Taste Institute for its exceptional taste and consistently high Brix levels.

“FESTIVA™ brings together color, flavor, and consistency in a way that creates excitement at shelf and on the plate,” said Ryan Cherry, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Windset Farms, in the recent release. “It’s a product that reflects our continued focus on delivering premium greenhouse-grown products with outstanding taste.”

A dynamic range of flavors is delivered across distinct cherry tomato colors, including vibrant red, bold orange, bright yellow, rich brown, fresh green, and deep black. From ultra-sweet notes to deeper umami tones, each color contributes its own personality while maintaining the same signature “pop-in-your-mouth” experience. The result is a balanced medley that delivers both flavor diversity and consistent quality.

Grown at Windset Farms’ greenhouse facilities in California and Delta, British Columbia—part of a combined production platform expected to reach 298 acres in 2026—FESTIVA™ Cherry Tomato Medley supports reliable supply, consistent quality, and year-round availability for customers across North America. By growing at scale in close proximity to major markets, Windset ensures tomatoes are harvested at peak ripeness and delivered quickly—enhancing freshness, flavor, and shelf life while reducing transit times, food miles, and transportation costs.

With its vibrant color mix and consistent sweetness, FESTIVA™ creates strong shelf differentiation while delivering a premium snacking experience that drives repeat purchases. Ideal for snacking, entertaining, and fresh applications, it brings both visual appeal and flavor to everyday meals.

Join the Windset team at Booth 410 during the CPMA Convention and Trade Show in Toronto, April 28–30, to taste FESTIVA™ Cherry Tomato Medley and experience the flavor, freshness, and quality that continue to define Windset’s growing tomato portfolio.

OTTAWA, ON - The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) held its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday, April 8, bringing members together to reflect on a year marked by strong governance, member engagement, and meaningful advocacy outcomes for Canada’s fresh produce sector.

During the meeting, CPMA leadership outlined key accomplishments delivered over the past year, despite ongoing cost pressures, regulatory complexity, and global trade volatility. According to the recent release, the association remained focused on delivering value beyond its flagship Convention and Trade Show through year-round advocacy, industry development, and practical tools that support members’ businesses.

CPMA 2025 Chair, Steve Bamford, shared with members key achievements which included:

• Continued member growth, with CPMA now representing more than 900 companies across the fresh produce supply chain, reinforcing its role as the national voice for the sector.
• Strong convention outcomes, with CPMA’s Montreal Convention & Trade Show marking the association’s largest show to date and donating more than 46,000 pounds of fresh produce to local food banks.
• Major advocacy wins, including the adoption of Bill C-280 (the Financial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Act) into law and the removal of select retaliatory tariffs that were adding cost and uncertainty for members.
• Expanded international engagement, with CPMA supporting trade missions, market development initiatives, and buyer outreach across key global markets, while continuing to advocate for predictable, tariff-free trade ahead of the upcoming CUSMA/USMCA review.
• Practical leadership on food safety and sustainability, supported through targeted research, education programs, and guidance designed to align regulatory compliance with commercial realities.

CPMA also reported a strong financial position, underscoring the importance of face-to-face engagement, disciplined governance, and prudent investment in member-driven programs.

President Ron Lemaire shared results from its recent member Pulse Survey, providing timely insight into members’ perspective from 2025 on business conditions and outlook across the fresh produce supply chain for 2026. The survey highlighted three clear and consistent themes:

• Cost pressures are structural, not temporary. Members reported that energy, freight, labour, and input costs continue to place sustained pressure on margins, limiting the sector’s ability to absorb additional shocks without downstream impacts on availability and pricing.
• Trade certainty is now a core business requirement. With the upcoming CUSMA/USMCA review, respondents identified the preservation of tariff-free, predictable trade conditions as the single most important factor influencing investment, contracting, and long-term planning decisions.
• The sector’s adaptive capacity is increasingly policy-dependent. While in 2025 produce businesses have demonstrated resilience and innovation in the face of volatility, members emphasized that future performance will depend less on operational agility alone and more on stable, science-based, and commercially grounded policy frameworks.

CPMA leadership emphasized that these findings reinforce the association’s advocacy focus on trade stability, regulatory predictability, and efficient supply chains as essential components of food affordability and food security for Canadians.

During the AGM, Leadership Committee Chair, Angela Santiago, announced the new Directors to the Association’s Board following a transparent and competitive nomination process. The following individuals were elected to the CPMA Board of Directors:

• Yan Branco, Sobeys
• Gary Cabral, Walmart Canada
• Michelle Loucks, Whole Foods Market
• Justin McGregor, Save-On-Foods
• Ezio Bondi, Bondi Produce & Specialty Foods
• Kendra Mills, PEI Potato Board
• Jennie Coleman, Equifruit Inc.
• Jennifer Harris, Island Growers Cooperative
• Domenico Procopio, Courchesne Larose
• Chris Sarantis, Canadawide Fruit Wholesalers Inc.
• Michael Catalano, POM Wonderful
• Amanda Knauff, Taylor Farms
• Jeff Madu, Windset Farms

CPMA extends its congratulations to the newly elected Directors and thanks all candidates who put their names forward in support of the association and the industry.

AMSTERDAM - Source.ag, the data and AI platform for professional greenhouse horticulture, announced the commercial launch of Harvest Forecast for pepper cultivations. The AI-powered forecasting model, already trusted by tomato growers worldwide, now extends to peppers for the first time, with additional varieties expected in the coming weeks.

Harvest Forecast replaces the manual yield forecast calculator for peppers that growers have relied on within the Source Platform to estimate weekly harvest volumes. Instead of building forecasts by hand, pepper growers now get an automated, data-driven weekly prediction built from their cultivation data.

Results from pilot growers

Early results from pilot growers at Harvest House and Jansen Paprika’s show the AI model cut average forecast error at the three-week horizon by more than 40%. Outlier weeks, where forecasts missed by a wide margin, dropped 28%. On certain varieties, accuracy improved even further.

“With Source's Harvest Forecast AI, we can better align the expected supply from our growers with the demand from our retail customers," says Marco Hanemaaijer, Strategic Supply Chain Manager at Harvest House, in the recent release. "In the tomato segment, the tool is already proving its value: an accurate harvest forecast gives us control over the entire supply chain. We see strong potential for its application in bell pepper cultivation. Two of our bell pepper growers are now piloting it, actively sharing their experiences and contributing to its further development so that Source.ag can deliver a robust and practical solution."

"What used to be done manually in Excel — counting, entering data, making forecasts — now happens automatically with Harvest Forecast from Source," says Gerard Kremer, Cultivation Manager at Jansen Paprika. "In pepper growing, you always want to know what's coming. If you can predict that accurately, you can manage more effectively and efficiently, and align better with sales and planning. With labor costs continuing to rise, more efficient planning is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity. Source helps us do exactly that. Harvest Forecast for peppers has only just launched, but we already see a lot of potential in how it will develop."

Why the three-week horizon matters

For pepper sales and planning teams, the three- to four-week forecast window drives the most important decisions: supply commitments to retailers and cooperatives, labor scheduling, and logistics. Growers submit weekly harvest forecasts to their cooperatives and trading partners, a process that has historically been manual and error-prone.

Source's model updates the forecast automatically any time new information is available, combining plant data, greenhouse climate, and cultivation strategy. Head Growers enter rounds and percentage colored data weekly. The model handles the rest.

Availability and scope

Harvest Forecast for pepper launches with support for six varieties: Alzamora, Gina, Cadalora, Yedda, Frazier, and Silverstone, covering a significant share of the block pepper customer base. Additional varieties are available in the coming weeks.

Building AI forecasting across crops

The pepper launch follows Source's recent announcement of Harvest Forecast for tomato to a next-generation AI model, which reduced forecast error by 25% across cultivations.

”Pepper growers have been asking us for this for a while”, says Lotte Adema VP of Product at Source.ag. “We had the forecasting foundation from tomato, but pepper is a fundamentally different crop. Getting the model to perform at this level took serious effort from our Data Science and Plant Science teams. Now pepper growers finally have a forecast they can share with their Sales teams and stand behind.”

Are you growing peppers and want to see Source Harvest Forecast in action? Request a demo at source.ag/request-demo.

ROSEMONT, IL - US Foods Holding Corp., one of America’s largest foodservice distributors, announced that applications for the 2026 US Foods Scholars program are now being accepted through May 11. The company’s signature scholarship program offers 20 need-based scholarships of $20,000 each to students pursuing degrees in Culinary Arts or a related discipline, including Culinary Science, Baking and Pastry Arts, Nutrition, Food Business Management, and Hospitality Management.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of chefs and head cooks will grow 7% between 2024 and 2034, with about 24,400 openings per year throughout the decade. US Foods Scholars provides an avenue for aspiring young talent to pursue a career in this growing and exciting field. Since its launch, the program has awarded nearly $2.5 million in scholarships to more than 120 students. Program alums have propelled their careers by starting their own businesses, joining prestigious restaurant groups, building successful baking and pastry professions, and receiving mentorship from leading chefs throughout the industry.

“To support the next generation of culinary talent in their pursuit of a foodservice career, it is an honor to officially open applications for the 2026 class of US Foods Scholars – our largest annual scholarship offering to date,” said Lisa Whitson, vice president of corporate communications, US Foods, in the recent release. “As we support culinary students nationwide with the financial support to fulfill their culinary dreams, we know we are helping to fuel the foodservice talent pipeline with motivated and worthy students.”

The US Foods Scholars program is open to all U.S. culinary or hospitality students pursuing a two- or four-year postsecondary degree. The program’s scholarships enable recipients to manage education-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, and room and board, and provide access to exclusive professional development opportunities, including learning engagements with US Foods experts and participation in customer-facing events.

US Foods, in partnership with Scholarship America, is accepting applications through an online application portal, available on the company’s website at usfoods.com/scholars. The deadline to apply is May 11, 2026, at 3:00 pm CT.