KINGSVILLE, ON - The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Convention and Trade Show will be taking place April 28–30 this year, and industry members are ready to showcase all they have to offer. Peppe Bonfiglio, Vice President of Sales at Mastronardi Produce®, shared what the greenhouse grower has in store.

“SUNSET® is bringing some seriously exciting innovations to CPMA this year! First up is Pop Its™ snack cucumbers, and yes, they're just as fun as they sound. These tiny cucumbers measure up to two inches, making them the smallest cucumbers SUNSET has brought to market. Sweet, crunchy, and refreshing, they're designed to make healthy snacking and lunch packing as effortless as their tagline promises: Pop It, Dip It, Love It™. With a higher Brix level than conventional cucumbers, they deliver a noticeably sweeter, crisper bite, and since they're greenhouse-grown and non-GMO, consumers can feel good about every snack,” Peppe told me. “The brand-new oval carrier is a clever touch, designed to slip right into most car cupholders, while new top seal technology helps keep produce fresher for longer.”

Pop Its have already launched in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and they've also been submitted for this year's CPMA Best Snackable Product Showcase.

“Also turning heads will be the SUNSET Tomato Branch, a stunning on-the-vine presentation of vibrant red micro-grape tomatoes, delicately packaged in a distinctive new triangle package. Submitted for this year's CPMA Packaging Innovation Showcase, this product is a true reflection of the Mastronardi family's legacy of pairing an obsession for flavor with greenhouse innovation and a commitment to quality,” Peppe continued. “The packaging goes far beyond aesthetics; it integrates seamlessly into existing retail systems and signals luxury through high-end finishes and materials, all while remaining recyclable and consumer-friendly. It's the kind of packaging that doesn't just hold a product—it tells a story and sets a new industry standard.”

Peppe pointed out that CPMA always brings incredible energy, and this year is no different. The Mastronardi Produce team is genuinely excited to reconnect with retail partners and industry professionals; there's nothing quite like the face-to-face conversations that happen on a show floor.

“Beyond the relationship-building, we're eager to get real-time reactions to our latest innovations and give attendees a firsthand look at what's on the horizon,” he added. “There's something special about being able to share the story behind a product with the people who will ultimately bring it to consumers. On top of that, the team is looking forward to seeing what's new and trending in the Canadian produce market. CPMA is always a pulse check on where the industry is heading. And with this year's show taking place in Toronto, we're anticipating a fantastic industry turnout and a real buzz on the floor.”

Above all, the Mastronardi Produce team hopes visitors leave the booth inspired, and maybe a little hungry. Flavor is at the heart of everything the brand does, and the booth experience is designed to drive that message home in the most delicious way possible.

“Attendees will have the chance to taste the difference firsthand, with our talented chefs on hand to prepare fresh, creative recipes that showcase just how versatile and vibrant the products can be,” Peppe explained. “Beyond flavor, we also hope to spark some fresh thinking around produce packaging, demonstrating that packaging can be as innovative, intentional, and premium as the product inside. Whether it's the sleek new triangle Tomato Branch package or the cupholder-ready oval Pop Its carrier, the goal is to leave the industry thinking differently about what's possible on the retail shelf.”

Peppe continued, “The countdown is on, and the team simply cannot wait to welcome everyone to booth #521 in Toronto! Whether you're a longtime partner, a curious industry newcomer, or simply someone who loves great-tasting produce, this is one booth you won't want to miss. Come for the innovations, stay for the recipes, and leave with a whole new perspective on what fresh produce can be. See you there!”

Flavor and function will be in the limelight during CPMA, and the Mastronardi Produce booth is certainly not to be missed.

MONTEREY, CA - Organic Produce Summit returns to the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, California, July 14-16 for its 10^th anniversary year! Now boasting a 3^rd day of organic excellence!

For 10 years, visionaries and forward-thinkers have gathered in Monterey, California to nurture not just crops, but to cultivate relationships within the organic produce industry.

This isn't just an event—it's a movement where seeds of innovation blossom into industry transformation, handshake agreements grow into life-changing partnerships, and the future of fresh, organic abundance takes root.

As we celebrate this remarkable 10^th anniversary milestone, join a community united by the belief that fresh, organic produce can heal our planet and nourish our souls. Experience enhanced education that ignites inspiration, an expanded trade show floor dedicated to the best of the entire organic produce industry, and connections that will flourish long after the event ends.

Retailer and General Attendee Registration is Open! Register to attend here.

NEW opportunity to exhibit at OPS 2026:

For the first time ever, we will also have a dedicated zone for allied service providers, supply chain partners, and commodity boards/associations of the organic produce industry to exhibit at OPS, upstairs in our Steinbeck ballroom. Exhibitor registration is open! To register or for more information, please reach out to Keigan Roos [email protected].

New and Returning Favorites! What can attendees expect at OPS 2026:

• Third day devoted to networking!
• Includes: Golf tournament, Women’s Event, and partner event with CCOF.
• OPS Event App for seamless pre-show planning, wayfinding on site, making connections with other attendees, and on-demand content.

Information Classification: General

• Expanded Trade Show Floor showcasing the best in organic produce, and for the first time ever inclusion of the entire organic produce industry from growers, to allied service providers and supply chain partners.
• Special Events like Yoga on the Beach, Seed to Service volunteer program, Welcome Reception and Organic Roots Pre-Reception for buyers and those new to OPS or the industry, Keynotes and educational sessions, and Retailer and Buyer Field Tours.

This milestone event is your opportunity to connect with the organic community, discover innovative solutions, and grow your business.

Hear From Past Exhibitors: The Future of Organic Growth

Sneak peek at a few select buyers already registered for OPS 2026

Retailer Field Tours

Sign up for one of the following tours in your registration. *Please note: there is limited availability for each tour and the tours are for retailer attendees only.

Driscoll’s

• Join us for an immersive field tour beginning at a picturesque Organic Blackberry Ranch, where you’ll stroll through vibrant berry fields and learn firsthand how our fruit is grown and cared for. From there, we’ll continue the journey to our Nursery, offering a behind the scenes look at where our berries begin their life. You’ll explore our greenhouses, meet the team who nurtures each plant, and gain a deeper understanding of our growing practices. We’ll wrap up the visit with a hosted lunch at the Nursery before sending the group back to Monterey feeling inspired—and maybe even a little berry obsessed.

Earthbound Farms

• Step into the story behind the greens your shoppers love. Join us in the scenic hills of San Juan Bautista for an immersive behind the scenes experience with Earthbound Farm. We’ll start at our state-of-the-art processing facility, where you’ll suit up for a guided tour of our production line and see how we uphold the highest standards in food safety, quality, and operational precision. Then, head out to our organic fields set on legacy farmland farmed by original Earthbound Farm growers for over 30 years of innovating organic baby leaf green production in the San Juan Bautista and south end of the Santa Clara valley—where you’ll hear from our team about our sustainable farming practices, sustainability initiatives, and technology such as our FarmWise Vulcan Mechanical Weeder and Carbon Laser weeder equipment. We'll wrap the day with a delicious BBQ lunch in our barn, nestled in the heart of California’s organic farming heritage.

Nature Fresh Greenhouse New for 2026

• Discover what your shoppers really want. Get up close with greenhouse growing at Nature Fresh Farms' Greenhouse Education Center a one-of-a kind 38-foot mobile greenhouse brought directly to you — plus get a first look at proprietary consumer research and category insights exploring how today's shoppers are making decisions at the shelf.
• Access exclusive consumer insights from proprietary research designed to help you understand your organic shopper and unlock category growth. Walk around a living greenhouse featuring actively growing plants, real growing technology, and a live bumblebee ecosystem and see why controlled environment agriculture means reliability for your organic produce department. Taste the difference with a vine-to-table lunch featuring our fresh organic produce, prepared with the same intention we put into growing it.

UNITED STATES - A recent report from Weather Mission asserted that the record-setting heat wave in the San Joaquin Valley will continue throughout the week. The five-day forecast notes that high temperatures could range from the low-mid 90s, with morning lows from the mid-50s to the low 60s.

These temperatures are expected to persist through the weekend.

Onshore flow is expected to increase during that time, bringing temperatures a couple of degrees cooler, but still well above average for this time of year.

A frontal band is due to sweep through Northern California on March 24–25, which might produce a chance of rain in the San Joaquin Valley. According to graphs shared by Weather Mission, there has been no rain accumulation in major growing regions such as Bakersfield, Fresno, and Huron for several days, and these regions are not expected to see any rain accumulation in the forecast.

A series of low-pressure troughs may sweep through northern and central California to cool things down at the end of March, but the timing of these troughs is inconsistent.

For the full report, click here.