KINGSVILLE, ON - Relationships drive the fresh produce industry, and nowhere is this more apparent than at trade shows. The upcoming Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Convention and Trade Show, held in Toronto from April 28–30, offers Del Fresco Pure® a chance to connect with longstanding partners who’ve grown with the company and create new partnerships with others who share a passion for great produce.

“As we celebrate 70 years of greenhouse growing, we’re proud of the journey, but we’re also looking ahead—highlighting innovation, category growth, and exciting new products," shared Sonia Klinger, Marketing Manager. "This year, we’re launching our 3-pack ‘King Pack’ of Organic English seedless cucumbers and a sustainable top-seal for ‘The Original Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine’, both designed to bring convenience, flavor, and freshness to consumers. It’s all part of our ongoing commitment to delivering the quality and taste that shoppers expect from Del Fresco Pure.”

Sonia notes that Del Fresco Pure’s main focus begins with flavor.

“Our portfolio of greenhouse-grown tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers is built around varieties that deliver on taste, quality, and consistency,” she explains. “We’re continuing to invest in innovation, packaging, and brand storytelling to help retailers create excitement in the produce aisle. When consumers experience great flavor and freshness, it naturally drives repeat purchases and long-term category growth.”

This year, the company’s booth reflects what has always been at the heart of its story: great produce brings people together.

“Our booth is inspired by ‘Welcome to Nonna’s House.’ The concept reflects that warm, family-style feeling where fresh ingredients, simple cooking, and great company come together. With our Italian roots, it felt like the perfect way to celebrate 70 years of greenhouse growing,” Sonia adds. “We want visitors to feel like they’re stepping into a welcoming kitchen—where the tomatoes are fresh, the conversation is lively, and everyone has a seat at the table.”

Stop by booth #1631 to learn more about the company’s legacy of greenhouse growing—and be sure to snag a bite of something delicious from Nonna’s kitchen.

HOUSTON, TX & WHITESTONE, NY - Sysco and Jetro Restaurant Depot, the nation’s premier Cash & Carry food wholesaler, jointly announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Sysco will acquire Jetro Restaurant Depot in a transformative transaction that allows Sysco to enter the high-margin, growing, and resilient Cash & Carry channel. Under the terms of the agreement, Jetro Restaurant Depot shareholders will receive $21.6 billion in cash proceeds and 91.5 million Sysco shares. Based on Sysco’s closing share price of $81.80 as of March 27, 2026, this represents a total enterprise value of approximately $29.1 billion, or 14.6x Jetro Restaurant Depot’s Operating Income.¹

Jetro Restaurant Depot is a leading U.S. wholesale Cash & Carry foodservice provider serving smaller, independent restaurants and businesses seeking high-quality food at low prices. Jetro Restaurant Depot’s customer group is complementary to Sysco’s higher-volume customers seeking delivery and white glove service. A purpose-built one-stop-shop model for chefs and restaurant owners, Jetro Restaurant Depot operates 166 large-format warehouse stores across 35 states that serve more than 725,000 independent restaurants and foodservice operators with a broad assortment of fresh and low-priced products. For calendar year 2025, Jetro Restaurant Depot generated approximately $16 billion in revenue, approximately $2.1 billion in EBITDA, and approximately $1.9 billion in free cash flow, and has maintained a 30-year track record of EBITDA growth.

The Cash & Carry channel is a $60-70 billion addressable market² and is the primary source of supply for many smaller independent restaurants and foodservice operators, providing them everyday low prices, seven days a week, with on-demand access to a full selection of fresh, ambient, and frozen foodservice products, and a convenient in-store shopping experience. Cash & Carry is a growing channel that benefits across economic cycles.

“We’re thrilled to combine two industry leaders to create a preeminent multi-channel foodservice distribution platform,” said Kevin Hourican, Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Sysco, in the recent release. “Together, Sysco and Jetro Restaurant Depot will enhance value for small independent restaurants and the consumers they serve by expanding access to more affordable, fresh food products and delivering more choice and convenience. Jetro Restaurant Depot will benefit from access to Sysco’s best-in-class foodservice supply chain and logistics capabilities and Sysco will benefit from new ways to serve local customers. The combined company will have increased purchasing efficiencies, enabling lower prices for more customers. Even more importantly, we see a long runway of opening new Jetro Restaurant Depot warehouses, bringing the industry leader in affordability to hundreds of new communities and creating thousands of new jobs. This will allow us to create significant value for our company, our customers, and our shareholders.”

Hourican continued, “Jetro Restaurant Depot is a best-in-class operator with a differentiated value proposition that is highly complementary and synergistic with Sysco. We have high conviction in Jetro Restaurant Depot’s proven model and talented leadership team and look forward to partnering with them to better serve local businesses and restaurants across the country. We are also pleased that Sysco is on track to deliver our 2026 guidance and build on our steady business momentum, including through local performance where we expect to deliver over 3% of local case growth in Q3 2026. I am excited to work with Richard and the talented team at Jetro Restaurant Depot to profitably grow the business.”

“Today’s announcement is an exciting moment for Jetro Restaurant Depot and a clear recognition of the strength of our business model, and the teams who have built it over the past 50 years,” said Stanley Fleishman, Executive Chairman of Jetro Restaurant Depot. “From the start, our focus has been simple and straightforward, in line with the vision of our founder, Nathan Kirsh: to support independent shopkeepers, restaurant owners, and people running independent food businesses who depend on one-stop food service shopping at low prices seven, days a week. Sysco is the best possible partner for our next chapter because they share our growth mindset and bring the systems and national and international supply logistic capabilities to help us grow across the U.S. and beyond. We are extremely excited to be able to offer our full range of low-cost, high-quality, dry and perishable foodservice products to more customers in more markets. We look forward to increasing opportunities for our team, all while staying focused on supporting independent foodservice businesses and the families who run them. Additionally, I look forward to joining Sysco’s Board and have tremendous confidence in the long-term growth potential of the combined company.”

Read the full release here.

^{1 Based on calendar year 2025.
2 Third party consultant market study.}

DELTA, BC - New products incoming! For those who will be in attendance at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Convention and Trade Show, you will get an exclusive look at the latest innovations in produce, including those from WINDSET FARMS®. Here to discuss is Randi Church, Marketing Manager.

“First, ARIA™ Grape Tomatoes, a premium grape tomato that offers vibrant flavor, a radiant red finish, and refined sweetness. Each bite delivers a sweet, refreshing taste—pure Sweet Brilliance. This exclusive grape tomato won the International Taste Institute Award for its notable sweetness in taste tests!” Randi began. “Attendees can also join the flavor festivities with FESTIVA™ Cherry Tomato Medley. This cherry tomato medley features six captivating cherry colors that will light up taste buds with each sweet, juicy bite! Make every day worth celebrating with FESTIVA Cherry Tomato Medley.”

SNAP™ Stir Fry Cucumbers—another new product ready to take the CPMA stage—are crisp, tender, and wonderfully versatile. Consumers can enjoy raw or slice into thin rounds or batons, Randi explained. For a quick and flavorful dish, think Snap, Stir, Serve—lightly sauté, stir-fry or grill until just tender, then finish with garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce or a splash of rice vinegar for a fresh, savory twist.

“Living DELICATO® Lettuce is growing with new additions added to the line! DELICATO® Green Batavia Lettuce is fresh and crisp, while DELICATO® Red Batavia Lettuce brings robust flavor, and DELICATO® Trio Lettuce combines three classics, red leaf, green leaf, and crisp leaf. Windset’s Living lettuce line is greenhouse-grown in BC for year-round freshness!” Randi continued.

By trialing different varieties, working closely with seed suppliers, and listening to feedback, Windset Farms has created a unique assortment that meets consumer preferences. The team looks forward to bringing these offerings to the CPMA floor.

“We’re also proud that a member of our team is joining the Passion for Produce program. Rae-Anne McCarthy, our Sales Coordinator Lead, will work alongside other up-and-coming professionals to learn more about the fresh produce supply chain, from the field all the way to the table,” Randi added. “Our whole team is eager to hear what she learns from the experience.”

As Randi pointed out, CPMA always does a great job bringing people together and creating chances to connect. Windset Farms always leaves these events feeling inspired and full of new ideas and lasting connections.

“Aside from our new products, we’re looking forward to continuing to share the news of our expansion in Delta, BC. We’re currently completing construction on another 38 acres of ultra-lit LED production, which will be planted this summer. This expansion brings our total lit vegetable cultivation in Delta to 86 acres, enabling us to grow year-round using the latest sustainable growing techniques,” Randi outlined. “For customers, this means fewer food miles, fresher product, and year-round availability. Another key takeaway is the wide range of products we are growing. From snacking tomatoes to LE cucumbers, Windset’s a one-stop shop for Canadian-grown produce every day of the year.”

This year, Windset Farms will also welcome Chef Dustin Gallagher to the booth. As a runner-up on Top Chef Canada All Stars, Chef Dustin will be preparing tasty bite-sized samples for everyone to try, all made with Windset’s fresh produce.

That sounds like plenty of reasons to stop by the booth to me! For more insights in the lead-up to CPMA, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - The Raley’s Companies announced the departure of President & CEO Keith Knopf, and the appointment of Owner & Chairman Mike Teel as CEO, a role he previously held prior to Knopf’s joining the company.

“After eleven fulfilling years of service, I have reached a natural inflection point, and having achieved significant milestones, chosen at this point in time to step away,” said Keith Knopf in the recent release. “Serving as President & CEO has been an immense privilege, and I remain deeply proud of what our team has accomplished together. I am grateful for the support and partnership of the Board throughout my tenure.”

During Knopf’s tenure, the organization doubled in size through multiple acquisitions, developed industry-leading eCommerce and digital capabilities, and evolved its loyalty program into a meaningful and relevant platform for customers. His leadership also brought lasting improvements to the company’s supply chain for the modern retail environment.

“Keith’s contributions over the past eleven years have left a meaningful mark on this company and the communities we serve,” said Mike Teel, Owner & Chairman of the Board. “He is leaving us with a strong, capable leadership team, and I am stepping back into this role with confidence in the people and the foundation. Our focus remains where it has always been — on our customers, our team members, and the communities we are proud to serve.”

Alongside his return as CEO, Teel has promoted two experienced leaders to support the organization through this transition. Tiffanie Burkhalter has been appointed President & Chief Financial Officer, and Jen Warner has been appointed President & Chief Operations Officer of The Raley’s Companies.

Burkhalter has served as Chief Financial Officer for The Raley's Companies since 2023. A seasoned executive, she brings deep financial expertise alongside broad operational experience to her expanded role.

Warner joined Raley’s in 2020 as Chief Administrative Officer and has been instrumental in delivering on the company’s long-range strategic plan, formerly serving as President of Raley’s operating division and most recently as Chief Growth & Transformation Officer of The Raley’s Companies. She brings a breadth of experience from senior leadership positions at several multinational public companies.

The Raley’s Companies remains committed to the customers, team members, and communities and looks forward to continuing that work with the same care and dedication that has always defined it.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Due to their consistent sweetness and flavor experience, Sweet Karoline® blackberries are growing in popularity. To account for the increase in demand, Berry Fresh continues to expand Sweet Karoline acreage and evaluate opportunities to expand production into the United States.

“The variety has been extremely well received by both retailers and consumers over the past several seasons, and that momentum has supported our production growth,” shared Laudan Chaffin, Marketing Director for Berry Fresh. “Expanding Sweet Karoline production into the U.S. is a natural next step as we continue to meet growing demand—and a key part of that expansion is our current early-stage trials in Oregon. Our focus is on building a year-round premium offering that delivers a consistent, enjoyable eating experience.”

Oregon has a history in blackberry cultivation, making it a natural place to explore opportunities. Berry Fresh’s longstanding network of farmer relationships helps, too.

“U.S. production plays an important role in providing a year-round offering, particularly during key summer months. This allows us to offer retailers a differentiated blackberry with strong flavor in a window where flavor has historically been more variable,” Laudan added. “Overall, this expansion reflects our continued investment in growing the Sweet Karoline program in a thoughtful, scalable way—with the goals of delivering consistent quality and driving long-term category growth.”

Part of Berry Fresh’s thoughtful approach is through the Sweet Karoline eating experience. Historically, consumers associate blackberries with tartness, but the Sweet Karoline variety challenges that perception with a noticeably sweeter, more balanced flavor.

“Because of that, it has proven effective at bringing new consumers into the blackberry category while also driving repeat purchases,” Laudan noted. “While a lot of effort and years of development went into bringing the variety to market, the most important differentiator is the memorable eating experience. What truly sets Sweet Karoline® apart is its consistently sweet flavor profile.”

Consistency is just as important as sweetness because it builds trust and confidence between the consumer and the retailer.

With a production strategy in place and a premium product in hand, Berry Fresh is ready to tackle summer berry demand.