REEDLEY, CA - Sunny Cal Farms, the renowned grower of specialty heirloom and gourmet grapes, announces that organic Niabel Concord and Kyoho grapes will be available for the first time during the summer 2026 season, adding to its already popular Organic Thomcords, known for their flavor, as well as grower CJ Buxman's personal texts to end customers who want to reach out directly to the farmer.

“When we first introduced our conventional Niabel Concord and Kyoho grapes, consumers responded extremely favorably to their fragrance and flavor,” said CJ Buxman, owner of Sunny Cal Farms and a third-generation San Joaquin Valley grower, in the recent release. “That demand encouraged us to plant for the organic market four years ago, and 2026 will mark our first organic harvest.”

Niabel Concord and Kyoho are heirloom-seeded grape varieties known for their distinctive sweet flavor profiles balanced with pronounced tannins. Demand for the conventional versions has been driven by their intense aroma, rich flavor, and the growing consumer interest in polyphenol-rich foods.

“Every grape variety we grow is selected for flavor and fragrance,” Buxman said. “Many modern table grape varieties have been bred primarily for size, sweetness and shipping durability. Our Niabel Concord and Kyoho grapes deliver the full, classic ‘grapey’ flavor profile that many consumers remember and increasingly seek out.”

Niabel Concord grapes offer a rich sweetness balanced with bright acidity and a flavor reminiscent of fresh grape juice. Kyoho grapes are intensely aromatic and sweet with a subtle tart edge.

Both varieties are traditional slip-skin grapes, allowing consumers to pop the pulp from the skin for a sweeter taste or eat the whole grape for a more complex flavor experience. The varieties also contain seeds, which contribute to the robust flavor profile valued by many consumers.

Organic Niabel Concord and Kyoho grapes will be packed primarily in 2-pound paper totes, with clamshells and loose pack options also available. Production will be limited in 2026, with approximately 3,000 boxes of each variety expected.

“Our grapes are picked and packed to order,” Buxman said. “With limited organic volume this season, we encourage retailers and distributors to contact us early to secure program availability," said Buxman.

Sunny Cal Farms also expects a strong season for its organic Thomcord grapes, shipping in mid-July. Conventional and organic Kyoho grapes are expected to begin shipping in early August, followed by Niabel grapes in mid-August. CJ will also be expanding his very popular text cards to the Organic Niabel Concord and Kyoho grape packs.

“Consumers are blown away when I personally respond to their texts. Their connection to the farmer has them search for Sunny Cal grapes at retail, and keeps them buying throughout the season, even at a premium price,” he concluded.

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - Thanks to Raley’s and Captain Planet Foundation, Florence Markofer Elementary School in Elk Grove will soon be growing its expansive school garden with additional raised beds, a cooking cart, and curriculum. At 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, representatives from Captain Planet Foundation and the California-based grocery chain will join teachers and students to install five new raised garden beds.

Residents in California were invited to nominate a local school to win or expand a Learning Garden. According to the recent release, schools had to be located within 10 miles of a Raley’s grocery store. Florence Markofer Elementary School, located five miles from the Raley’s City at Elk Grove and Franklin Boulevards in Elk Grove, was selected.

The comprehensive Captain Planet Foundation Project Learning Garden expansion package, a $6,000 value, comes with five raised bed gardens, lesson kits, schoolyard garden supplies, a fully equipped mobile garden cooking cart, and strategies for garden maintenance.

The Project Learning Garden program provides a dynamic, hands-on context for multidisciplinary learning, integrating nutrition, science, social studies, math, and language arts. Students expand their palates through healthy food tastings and lessons about food origins; conduct authentic science investigations; apply math concepts through real-world environmental design; explore historical agricultural practices; and strengthen writing skills across disciplines.

• WHEN: This Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• WHERE: Florence Markofer Elementary School, 9759 Tralee Way, Elk Grove, CA 95624
• WHO: Diedre Wood, Principal, Florence Markofer Elementary School
  • Zoe Edwards, Food for Families Operations Manager, Raley’s
  • Leesa Carter, President & CEO, Captain Planet Foundation
  • Pat Hume, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, District 5
  • David Reilly, Elk Grove Unified School District Superintendent
  • Jenifer Avey, Elk Grove Unified School District Assistant Superintendent
• VISUALS: Students will take part in the full installation process, building five raised garden beds from cedar planks, filling them with organic soil, and planting vegetables and herbs.
• MEDIA: To RSVP to attend the event and to coordinate interviews, contact: Kristy Jozwiak, [email protected] or (602) 741-5161 (mobile/text)
• WHY: Raley’s donated the Learning Garden as part of its ongoing commitment to helping children develop lifelong healthy habits and increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Research and more than 25 years of classroom experience show that early exposure to fresh produce increases children’s willingness to try and regularly eat those foods. Daily, hands-on access to gardening helps shape behaviors far beyond the school lunch line, empowering students to make informed choices that support a lifetime of healthy meals.

TAIWAN - T&G Global’s premium branded apples portfolio has started 2026 strongly, with solid sales for Northern Hemisphere fruit across domestic and export markets, and an excellent crop of great-tasting Aotearoa New Zealand fruit being harvested and exported to key international markets.

With the New Zealand JAZZ™ apple harvest nearing completion, the first of T&G’s New Zealand ENVY™ apples are now being picked in Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and Nelson.

T&G Chief Operating Officer Apples, Shane Kingston, said in the recent release that favourable weather across the growing season has supported the development of a high-quality crop of T&G’s premium JAZZ™ and ENVY™ apples, perfectly timed to meet customer and consumer demand in Asia and North America.

“Growing conditions through the season have been positive, with hot sunny days and cool nights. This has helped colour and brix develop exceptionally well, resulting in sweet, crisp fruit and one of the best premium branded crops we’ve seen in recent years,” says Shane.

“The JAZZ™ harvest started in early March, with the first shipment departing late last week from Nelson Port, bound for China. And for New Zealanders, this much-loved brand is already available nationwide in supermarkets and retail outlets.

“Our ENVY™ harvest is expected to conclude by mid-April, and while it’s a dynamic geopolitical environment, we’ve secured vessels and containers to ensure we can deliver our fruit early to market, seamlessly transitioning to our Aotearoa New Zealand-grown crop and helping maximise grower returns.

“Over the last five months, we’ve been selling our Northern Hemisphere-grown ENVY™ apples across Asia and North America, and the fruit has performed solidly in all key markets. This has set the market up strongly for the arrival of our Aotearoa New Zealand fruit in the coming months.

“In Asia, sales of our premium ENVY™ brand are performing strongly, in both value and volume, and in North America, ENVY™ continues to experience year-on-year growth,” says Shane.

The positive start to the 2026 season builds on a strong 2025 performance for T&G and its grower network.

Last year, T&G delivered total returns of $172 million to its network of independent Aotearoa New Zealand growers; an increase of $34 million, or 25%, on the previous season. ENVY™ apple returns improved by $0.70 per average tray carton equivalent (TCE), while JAZZ™ apple returns rose by $4.24 per average TCE.

“Delivering strong value and returns for our growers remains a key priority,” Shane commented.

“We’re pleased with the uplift achieved in 2025 and are focused on continuing that momentum into the 2026 season.”

NEW HAMBURG, ON, CANADA - If I were to sum up what I understand buyers want, it would be control, consistency, and commitment. This is also how I would sum up Pfenning's Organic Farms.

Pfenning's is not only a symbol of Ontario organic, but also a vehicle for creating social impact through consumers’ food purchases. Growing organically in Canada since 1981, the company even played a role in the early development of organic standards and certification in Ontario.

“This history places the farm among the pioneers of the organic movement in the province, and that legacy continues to shape how we approach farming and our role in the food system today,” Lauren Stallard Wedderburn, Sales and Marketing Manager, shared. “Today, every purchase of a Pfenning’s product supports a system built around stewardship of the land and respect for the people who grow and harvest food.”

That work includes:

• Protecting soil health
• Safeguarding surrounding ecosystems and wildlife
• Advocating for migrant workers’ rights
• Supporting the preservation of precious farmland

These are the stories consumers connect with, empowering their choices with an understanding of where their support goes in the vast supply chain.

“They become partners in this work with us, and that is something they can feel proud of. They’re investing in farms, communities, and landscapes that can thrive for generations to come,” Lauren pointed out.

On the buy-side, Lauren explained partners know they can count on high-quality certified organic produce, prompt and dependable deliveries, fair pricing, and a team that values transparency and strong relationships.

As growers, packers, importers, and distributors, Pfenning’s provides a full selection of certified organic produce year-round.

“Our team is committed to responsive customer service and open communication, helping partners meet the needs of their customers while maintaining confidence in the traceability and integrity of the food they sell,” she said.

It is no secret that trust and traceability are increasingly important in today’s marketplace, and many choose Pfenning’s because the brand is known to be a symbol of both local and organic.

“Even when a Pfenning’s branded product is imported, it still supports our Ontario organic farm. In addition, every purchase through Pfenning’s supports Ontario Organic (formerly The Organic Council of Ontario),” Lauren explained. A 0.1% fee is collected on all invoices and remitted to Ontario Organic to support the growth and development of the Ontario Organic industry.

Pfenning's is not only deeply rooted in Canadian organic farming but is also helping advance organic adoption and expansion across the country.

“Pfenning’s has always believed that a strong organic sector depends on collaboration. Alongside our own farming operations, we work with a network of organic growers across Canada! We help bring their produce to market through our packing and distribution channels, and they help us offer our clients a full assortment of certified organic fruits and vegetables that prioritizes Canadian sources, year-round,” Lauren said. “For many small organic producers, this kind of partnership can make an important difference in their ability to grow and thrive.”

It is clear as our conversation winds down that Pfenning's values guide every decision made by the business.

“Our philosophy is rooted in the idea that healthy soil grows healthy plants, and healthy plants nourish people,” Lauren stated simply. “Investing in practices like composting, crop rotation, and careful soil stewardship, while continually working to improve the sustainability of our operations has always been at the core of how we manage farm operations.”

Control, consistency, and commitment from the very first seed. But don’t just take my word for it, you can get to know Pfenning’s firsthand at this year’s Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention. Be sure to visit booth #747 while walking the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, April 29–30.

WATSONVILLE, CA - Driscoll’s, the world’s leading fresh berry company, announced Wadih J. Khayat has joined the company as chief financial officer. Reporting to Driscoll’s CEO Soren Bjorn, Khayat will oversee global finance, technology and strategy. He will work closely with regional and functional leaders to ensure disciplined capital deployment and the long-term success of the company’s global network of independent growers.

Khayat is a strategic finance executive and transformational change leader with deep global experience and a strong record of delivering results at scale. He joins Driscoll’s from The Coca-Cola Co., where he spent more than two decades leading major finance organizations worldwide.

Most recently, he served as senior vice president and CFO for Coca-Cola’s Europe business, overseeing operations across 38 countries. He previously held senior leadership roles within Coca-Cola, including CFO for the Asia Pacific Group, and CFO and head of strategy for Coca-Cola Global Ventures at the company’s global headquarters in Atlanta. He began his career in audit at Ernst & Young.

“Wadih joins Driscoll’s at an important moment for our company,” said Soren Bjorn, CEO of Driscoll’s, in the recent release. “As we prepare to launch our next long-term strategic plan, his strategic financial expertise, disciplined execution, and caring leadership will strengthen our financial foundation, support our global teams, and position us for the future.”

“Driscoll’s has a century-long legacy of exceptional berries, strong partnerships with growers and a deep commitment to the communities where we live and work,” Khayat said. “That legacy drew me to the company, and it’s a responsibility I take seriously. I was especially struck by the strength of the brand, the trust it has earned globally, and the unique network of independent growers and teams delivering berries every day. I’m excited about what lies ahead.”

Khayat was born in Lebanon and educated in France, and speaks English, French, and Arabic fluently. After relocating from Ireland, he is based at Driscoll’s global headquarters in Watsonville, California.

MITCHELL, SD - In celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) and County Fair Foods unveiled the world’s largest Idaho® potato display, built using 250,000 Idaho potatoes as a patriotic tribute to America’s agricultural heritage and community spirit.

Unveiled just ahead of National Tater Day on March 31, the quarter-million-spud installation highlights the role Idaho potatoes have played in feeding American families for generations, while showcasing how local retailers and agriculture partners can come together to honor a historic national milestone. The 250,000 Idaho potatoes used in the display are enough to produce nearly five million French fries, underscoring the scale and impact of America’s favorite vegetable.

“This was a fun and meaningful way to recognize America’s 250th birthday while shining a spotlight on a potato that is no stranger to the attention,” said Ross Johnson, VP of Retail and International for IPC, in the recent release. “County Fair Foods took this celebration to another level by building the world’s largest Idaho potato display!”

The event drew strong community participation, with veterans, local families, shoppers, and city leaders gathering throughout the day to experience the display firsthand and celebrate together. “We were proud to host an event that celebrates both America’s 250th birthday and the Idaho potato farmers who help feed our country,” said Mayor Jordan Hanson, City of Mitchell. “Seeing County Fair Foods build the world’s largest Idaho potato display in our community highlights the importance of agriculture, local business, and patriotism working together to honor our nation’s history.”

The celebration also supported hunger relief efforts through a partnership with Feeding South Dakota. County Fair Foods coordinated a retail-driven donation effort to help provide meals to families across the region, reinforcing the spirit of giving back during America’s milestone anniversary.

“We are grateful for partners like the Idaho Potato Commission and County Fair Foods who help make events like this possible,” said Susanne Gale, Feeding South Dakota. “When agriculture and retail come together, it helps us reach people in need and strengthens communities across South Dakota.”

GOODLETTSVILLE, TN - Dollar General is pleased to announce five leadership updates across supply chain, merchandising, real estate, and finance departments.

Kyle Gorman was promoted to vice president of distribution, where he will lead operations at facilities in Alachua, Florida; Bessemer, Alabama; Montgomery, Alabama; Orlando, Florida; and Longview, Texas. Gorman has been Serving Others since 2016, when he joined as a supervisor at DG’s Marion, Indiana, distribution center and has since served in increasing distribution leadership roles at the Company’s facilities in Janesville, Wisconsin; Westville, Indiana; Bethel, Pennsylvania; and, most recently, as senior director, continuous improvement.

Heather Land was promoted to vice president, division merchandise manager of pOpshelf, leading the merchandising strategy for its unique product assortment of home and seasonal décor, beauty essentials, and everyday value items. Land joined Dollar General in 2017 as a buyer in DG’s seasonal candy and salty snacks categories and has since held various roles of increasing responsibility within merchandising, including senior buyer in food, director of merchandising, and most recently as senior director of merchandising in DG’s food category.

Prior to joining Dollar General, she held marketing and business management roles in private brand development and wholesale food distribution. Additionally, Land was named to the Progressive Grocer’s 2025 Top Women in Grocery list.

Matt Lucas transitioned to vice president, supply chain optimization, where he will drive network design, technology advancement and product flow improvements using data and financial analysis to guide strategic priorities and investment decisions in DG’s supply chain network. Lucas most recently served as vice president of distribution center operations and joined the Company in 2013 as an operations manager. Lucas has advanced through roles of increasing scope and impact, including various senior director positions of distribution center operations, distribution center initiatives, and perishables distribution center operations.

Trent Napier was promoted to vice president, construction, leading Dollar General’s construction and store opening efforts, where he will oversee all aspects of construction delivery, refrigeration engineering, and project management activities to deliver new and remodeled stores. Serving Others since 2002, Napier began at DG as a field construction clerk and has since advanced through increasing leadership roles across the Company’s construction and real estate functions, most recently serving as senior director of field construction.

Neal Norris joined Dollar General as vice president, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), leading the Company’s global financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis teams. In this role, Norris will drive financial strategy, support data-driven decision-making, and ensure alignment with the Company’s long-term goals. According to the recent release, Norman joins Dollar General with more than two decades of experience in financial strategy, including his most recent position serving as vice president, FP&A in the transportation and logistics industry.