MISSION, TX - Every great harvest begins with a seed, and for Texas growers, October 15 marked the day it all began. The South Texas Onion Committee (STOC) celebrated TX1015 Sweet Onion Day, honoring the date that gave Texas' most famous sweet onion both its name and its legacy.

Recognized as the Official State Vegetable of Texas, the TX1015 Sweet Onion has become a symbol of the state's agricultural heritage and innovation. Known for its signature sweetness, low pungency, and Texas-grown roots, it was developed specifically for South Texas growing conditions. The TX1015 Sweet Onion has since earned a loyal following among home cooks, chefs, and retailers.

"The story of the TX1015 Sweet Onion starts in the field every October," said Dante Galeazzi, President of the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA), in the recent release. "TX1015 Sweet Onion Day recognizes the growers whose work begins months before consumers ever see the first sweet onions on grocery store shelves. It's a celebration of Texas agriculture and the commitment that goes into producing one of our state's most iconic crops."

The name "1015" traces back to the recommended planting date of October 15, established through research led by Texas A&M University horticulturists Dr. Leonard Pike and Dr. Paul Leeper, whose work developed the sweet onion varieties that would become synonymous with Texas quality. Planted during the mild South Texas fall, the onions slowly mature through the winter before reaching peak harvest beginning each March.

Today, TX1015 Sweet Onions are grown throughout the Rio Grande Valley and the Winter Garden (Uvalde) regions, where generations of growers continue the tradition of producing the first domestically grown sweet onions of the season. Their naturally low pungency, exceptional sweetness, and limited seasonal availability make them a favorite among consumers, retailers, and chefs alike.

The South Texas Onion Committee reminds consumers to celebrate TX1015 Sweet Onion Day by learning more about the history of Texas sweet onions and following along as the next crop begins its journey from seed to harvest. Seasonal updates, grower stories, recipes, and educational content will be shared throughout the growing season at TX1015.com and on social media at @TX1015Onions.

WASHINGTON, DC - The Ethical Charter Implementation Program, administered by Equitable Food Initiative with generous support from the Walmart Foundation, celebrated 51 fresh produce suppliers that met ECIP Leadership Circle criteria early in this year’s engagement cycle during a reception at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show. This year’s cohort is 40% larger than last year’s and has nearly doubled since the Leadership Circle debuted in 2024, even as the criteria have become more demanding each year.

ECIP, introduced in 2023, helps the fresh produce and floral industry put the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices into action across the supply chain. The Leadership Circle was formed in 2024 to recognize suppliers that meet the program’s criteria early in each engagement cycle. Each new cycle raises the bar, so the cohort’s growth reflects both broader industry adoption and deeper commitment from participating suppliers.

This year, earning a place in the Leadership Circle requires all four green stars in a supplier’s engagement profile, a substantial undertaking. To earn the stars, suppliers had to assess their own labor management practices, build and submit a continuous improvement action plan, accurately account for and verify the full scope of their grower network, and bring a majority of those growers into active engagement with the program. Together, the stars show that a supplier is examining its own operations and driving responsible labor practices across its supply chain.

"ECIP is an important program to Walmart and Sam’s Club and the momentum the program has seen in just a few short years is promising,” said Laura Himes, vice president, produce sourcing for Walmart. “The suppliers recognized in the 2027 Leadership Circle have shown a real commitment to continuous improvement, and we're proud to celebrate the work they're doing."

Also noteworthy is that most Leadership Circle suppliers went beyond the required criteria and earned the gold star for ethical recruitment leadership. This star is earned when a significant majority of growers in the supplier’s network demonstrate their active engagement in ethical recruitment practices.

The event held during the Global Show brought together nearly 200 suppliers, retailers and industry stakeholders and was co-presented by Stemilt Growers and Windset Farms®, with supporting sponsors GLC Cerritos, GoodFarms, Tanimura & Antle and Topline Farms. During the celebration, representatives from Costco, Kroger, Walmart and Sam’s Club spoke about why the program matters to their businesses and celebrated the work of the 2027 Leadership Circle suppliers.

Companies that have already earned a spot in the 2027 Leadership Circle include:

• AMFRESH North America
• Bay Baby Produce
• Bee Sweet Citrus
• Blue River Legacy Farms
• Bobalu Berry Farms
• Bonipak
• Bridges Organic Produce
• Cal Fresco
• California Giant Berry Farms
• Dibanisa Fruit
• Divine Flavor
• Dole South Africa
• Equifruit
• FirstFruits Farms
• Four Star Fruit
• Fowler Packing Company
• Fresh Express
• Fresh Flavor International
• Freshway Produce
• Frieda's
• GLC Cerritos
• Gold Cup Fresh
• GoodFarms
• Kingsburg Orchards
• Mastronardi Produce
• Meena Farms Marketing
• Misionero
• Mucci Farms
• New York Apple Sales
• Oppy
• Pacific Produce
• Pacific Trellis Fruit
• Pandol
• Pure Hothouse Foods
• Rainier Fruit Company
• Regatta Tropicals
• State Garden
• Stemilt Growers
• Subsole
• Sundale Sales
• Sunridge Farms
• Superfresh Growers
• Tanimura & Antle
• The Giumarra Companies
• Titan Farms
• Townsend Farms
• Trinity Fruit
• UP Vertical Farms
• Veg-Fresh Farms
• Westmoreland Sales - Topline Farms
• William H. Kopke Jr.

"Every year ECIP raises the bar on what it takes to qualify, and every year more companies meet that bar," said Kenton Harmer, director of market-based impact for EFI. "This cohort shows that suppliers and growers are working together in a shared commitment to responsible labor practices across the supply chain."

Suppliers can qualify for the Leadership Circle on a rolling basis throughout the 2027 engagement period. To learn more, visit ethicalcharterprogram.org/LC.

SALINAS, CA - The holidays are coming to the berry aisle. Naturipe Farms, a leading global producer of healthy berries, is bringing a fun new look to the category with Berry and Bright, a limited-edition holiday packaging campaign designed to make berries feel right at home on the winter table.

The packaging features berries wearing holiday sweaters, with bilingual labeling that allows the seasonal packs to be shipped to Canada. Berry and Bright is designed to catch attention in a crowded produce section while bringing a little joy and familiarity to a product people already love.

The seasonal packs will be available from mid-November through late December and include blueberries in pint and 18-ounce clamshells, blackberries in 6-ounce and 12-ounce containers, and raspberries in 6-ounce and 12-ounce containers.

“Berries have always had a place at the holiday table, but there’s an opportunity to make that connection even more visible in the produce aisle,” said Jim Roberts, president of Naturipe Farms. “Berry and Bright is playful, colorful and seasonal, but it also gives our retail partners something important: a reliable berry program they can count on during a busy time of year.”

Naturipe unveiled Berry and Bright as a spotlight item at this year’s International Fresh Produce Association Global Produce & Floral Show (IFPA), giving retailers and industry partners a first look at the new holiday packaging.

“Holiday merchandising is about giving shoppers something that catches their eye and makes the shopping experience a little more fun,” said Ashley Finster, vice president of marketing at Naturipe Farms. “We wanted Berry and Bright to feel festive without overcomplicating the product. The sweaters, bright colors and playful design do the work of getting shoppers to pause, while the bilingual labels help the packaging connect with even more customers.”

Berry and Bright packs will be available in limited quantities beginning in mid-November and continuing through late December. Retailers interested in bringing the seasonal program to their stores are encouraged to place orders early. Contact sales at [email protected].

ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - Ahold Delhaize announced that future President and CEO Thierry Garnier will join the company on January 11, 2027 as EVP Ahold Delhaize. He will start as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a member of the Management Board of Ahold Delhaize at close of business on March 3, 2027. 

The Supervisory Board nominated Thierry in May 2026 to succeed Frans Muller. His appointment was approved by shareholders at the recent Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (EGM) on October 13, 2026. Thierry’s appointment as a member of the Management Board is for a four-year term, ending at the close of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) to be held in 2031.

Thierry will spend significant time in Ahold Delhaize’s markets with our brands to get to know our business, customers, and people as part of his onboarding before his tenure as President and CEO begins.

Frans will retire from Ahold Delhaize and step down as President and CEO and as a member of the Management Board at close of business on March 3, 2027. He will remain fully responsible for leading the company until that date and will work with Thierry and the Supervisory Board to support a smooth and orderly transition. 

HOUSTON, TX - Brighter Bites announces a leadership transition on its Board of Directors as founder Lisa Helfman steps down as Board Chair, and co-founder Dr. Shreela Sharma assumes the role. The transition marks a new chapter for the organization, reinforcing its vision and deepening its commitment to growth and meaningful impact. Lisa will continue to remain actively involved with the organization, hold a seat on the board, and support its mission.

“It has been an honor to serve as board chair for the past 14 years. What began as a vision and a commitment to creating healthier communities has grown into a mission powered by the passion, dedication, and generosity of so many. As I step down from this role, I do so with gratitude and confidence in the future of this organization. While my time as chair is coming to a close, my belief in our mission and the impact we can make together remains as strong as ever,” said Lisa Helfman in the recent release.

Dr. Shreela Sharma, who helped establish Brighter Bites in 2012 alongside Lisa Helfman, brings a deep understanding of the organization’s mission, programs, and community to the Board Chair role.

“Stepping into the role of Board Chair is both a privilege and a profound responsibility, and I’m honored to help guide the organization into its next chapter. I’m deeply grateful for the foundation we’ve built together and excited to work alongside our dedicated board, leadership, and supporters to strengthen our impact and advance the mission of creating healthier communities,” said Dr. Shreela Sharma.

Fiscal Year Transition Report Highlights New Fiscal Year

Alongside the leadership transition, Brighter Bites is pleased to release its Fiscal Year Transition Report, highlighting a significant organizational change: the transition to a new fiscal year that aligns with the organization’s programming and school-year calendar.

The new fiscal-year structure is designed to better reflect the rhythm of Brighter Bites’ work, providing a clearer connection between financial reporting, program delivery, and the communities and students the organization serves. The Fiscal Year Transition Report documents this shift and provides stakeholders with insight into the organization’s work during this period of transition.

“This transition gives us an opportunity to more closely connect how we measure and communicate our work with the experiences of the students, families, educators, and communities we serve,” said Rich Dachman, CEO.

The release of the Fiscal Year Transition Report and Board leadership transition represent two important steps in Brighter Bites’ ongoing growth, while reinforcing the organization’s commitment to transparency, continuity, and long-term impact.

To view the Fiscal Year Transition Report, visit www.brighterbites.org/our-impact.