BAKERSFIELD, CA - As the number one brand in sweet potatoes, Bako Sweet ® is strengthening its team with new hires in sales and marketing to support the existing sales and supply chain team. The additional staff reinforces Bako Sweet’s focus on delivering strong customer partnerships, category expertise, and supply chain management for retail and foodservice partners nationwide.

“Bako Sweet continues to grow, and building the right team is essential to delivering on our promise to customers and consumers,” explains Susan Noritake, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Bako Sweet®, in the recent release. “Each of our talented professionals brings unique strengths that will help us continue to drive category growth and provide our retail partners with the unmatched customer service they’ve come to expect from us.”

Joining the Bako Sweet team are Brian Porter, Business Development Manager; Katie Vierra, Marketing Specialist; and Zachary Wakefield, Sales Account Manager. The existing team includes Bailey Reyneveld and Hannah Rocha.

Reyneveld started at Bako Sweet as a sales associate and has since been promoted to the position of sales account manager, successfully establishing her role over the past few years. Rocha is the replenishment analyst for the team, effectively optimizing the supply chain efficiency for over four years.

Brian Porter joins Bako Sweet as the business development manager. He brings extensive experience in the produce industry with a proven track record of driving sales growth and operational performance. He previously worked at Safeway for nearly 40 years in a variety of positions, with the most recent being Regional Director of Corporate Produce. In this position, Porter generated double-digit annual sales and volume growth. He substantially increased department sales and profits by collaborating with senior management to develop and execute innovative programs and enhance policies.

Zachary Wakefield will focus on developing and strengthening relationships with retail and foodservice partners while identifying opportunities to expand sales for the Bako Sweet brand in his new role as a sales account manager. He previously spent over four years as an account executive for Wonderful Citrus, and prior to that, as a field representative for Kern County. Wakefield graduated from California State University, Bakersfield.

On the marketing side, Katie Vierra joins Bako Sweet as the marketing specialist. She will support brand initiatives, retail marketing programs, and consumer engagement campaigns, including social media and influencer strategies. Prior to joining Bako Sweet, Vierra worked at Harris Ranch and Beef Company as a social media manager. Prior to that, Vierra was a social media director at Central Valley Meat Company and a sales and marketing specialist at Soil Basics Corporation. She also worked as a digital media specialist at Mendez Media Marketing, Inc. She is a graduate of California State University, Fresno, with a degree in agriculture communications/journalism.

Rounding out the new hires, two established team members deserve recognition for their continued efforts and support of the successful Bako Sweet brand.

Bailey Reyneveld is the sales account manager, and she has been working closely with retail partners to develop promotional programs, merchandising strategies, and category insights for over five years. Prior to joining Bako Sweet, she worked as a ranch supervisor for North Coast Vineyard Management, Inc., and as an intern for E & J Gallo Winery. Reyneveld graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, in Agricultural Business and Management.

Hannah Rocha is the replenishment analyst for Bako Sweet. She has been in this position for over four years managing inventory levels, forecasting demand, and ensuring the supply chain provides timely deliveries. She will continue focusing on optimizing inventory management and demand planning to ensure consistent supply to retail partners nationwide. Before joining Bako Sweet, she worked as an export sales associate at Fiesta Fruit Inc. Rocha is a graduate of California State University, Fresno with an Agriculture Business degree.

“As the sweet potato category continues to grow, having a strong team in place allows us to deliver our premium quality Bako Sweet brand that sweetens your everyday,®” says Noritake. “I am excited to work with our three new team members who will complement the ongoing success with Bailey and Hannah.”

DELTA, BC - As a BC Hydro Power Smart Champion, WINDSET FARMS® is featured in the Power Smart Champions Mini-Doc Series airing on Global TV this March. In 2025, Windset Farms received the Power Smart Champion Award for its commitment to energy conservation and innovation. In conjunction, BC Hydro released a doc-series showcasing innovative B.C. businesses advancing energy efficiency and sustainability.

Windset’s episode highlights its commitment to growing fresh, local greenhouse vegetables year-round in B.C. using renewable electricity, a press release stated. Through its BC Hydro partnership, Windset invested in advanced LED technology, allowing year round local production of greenhouse vegetables with major energy savings across its 48 acres of lit greenhouse space.

This investment transformed the Delta operation into Western North America’s largest LED-lit greenhouse facility. Building on this success, Windset Farms is expanding further by adding 38 acres of ultra lit production at the facility, to be planted summer 2026.

Windset Farms values its partnership with BC Hydro and its shared commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainable growth. Together, they show how clean energy and agriculture can set new standards for local food production and inspire a sustainable future.

FOWLER, CA - With a robust collection of premium specialty citrus varieties, Bee Sweet Citrus is continuously carving out new channels of demand in the produce department. Monique Mueller, Bee Sweet’s Director of Communications, recently offered us some insights into the latest developments from the citrus powerhouse.

“Right now, we’re really pushing our specialty varieties,” Monique tells me as we catch up over a look at the supplier’s robust citrus portfolio. “We have our Royal Reds, our Cara Caras, and our Minneola Tangelos—and we're so excited to debut our new Heirloom Navel packaging.”

Bee Sweet Citrus is once again elevating the citrus category through creative packaging plays, supporting its retail partners with vibrant new packaging for its Heirloom Navels, along with eye-catching display bins to capture shoppers’ attention in the produce department.

Another fresh debut is also on the horizon, bringing even more excitement to the citrus sector.

“This spring, we are also debuting our Rosy Red Valencias,” Monique shares. “They have a beautiful magenta interior, and they're great for juicing.”

Find out more in our exclusive video featured above! And stay tuned for more industry insights!

WASHINGTON STATE - The apple category remains a key driver in the fresh produce department, closely tied to perceptions of freshness, quality, and presentation. Monitoring market conditions and supply—alongside strong supplier partnerships—is critical to maintaining consistency and meeting retail demand. As spring begins, shifting supply and demand dynamics create a range of opportunities for retailers who stay informed on market movement.

Our friends in Washington took a moment to update us on what is currently taking place in the category.

Brianna Shales, Marketing Director, Stemilt

“National fresh apple holdings are down 9 percent compared to this time last year, driven by tight conditions on Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady, and Honeycrisp. In Washington, we're 48 percent shipped on the apple crop and tracking ahead of last year. Looking at Honeycrisp specifically, we are shipping ahead of last year's rate when supply became very tight. Demand is strong, and packouts are declining, causing a tighter supply of this consumer favorite. Honeycrisp has proven to sell successfully at higher prices, and that's what is needed given the crop status."

Gala is another variety in tight supply while Cosmic Crisp continues to climb its way to the top of the apple category by becoming the #3 selling apple in February."

Mac Riggan, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Chelan Fresh

“Current supply of Honeycrisp apples from all growing regions across the county are running short of demand. Washington State has 4 million boxes less to ship than 2 years ago, with strong demand driving up FOB prices—and imported Honeycrisp supply is not expected to make up the difference. 

With ample volume through September, retailers can look to emerging varieties like the Sugarbee® and Rockit™ to fill the void as both varieties are consumer favorites and command premium pricing.”

Rochelle Bohm, Vice President of Marketing, CMI Orchards

“Honeycrisp continues to anchor the premium apple category, consistently delivering strong sales even at higher price points. With tighter supply this season, retailers should expect elevated Honeycrisp pricing as demand continues to outpace available volume.

The past two seasons have reinforced how important it is to stay nimble when Honeycrisp volumes fluctuate. Varieties with Honeycrisp parentage like Cosmic Crisp, SugarBee, and EverCrisp help bridge those gaps, while other premium varieties like Envy keep shoppers trading up and dollars flowing into the apple category.”

As we launch into spring, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow for more on the categories that drive the produce department.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Meijer recently announced a spring expansion that includes two supercenters and one smaller-format grocery store. The new locations, all slated to open May 6 of this year, are located across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.

Both supercenters stand at 159,000 square feet. The supercenter in Bainbridge Township, Aurora, Ohio, brings the retailer’s store count in the state to 59.

"The feedback we've received from customers about the value and convenience we offer is consistently positive, and we are excited to bring that experience to our neighbors in Aurora and Bainbridge Township," said Todd Anderson, Vice President of the Ohio Region. "Being part of this historic redevelopment at Geauga Lake is an incredible honor, and we look forward to serving customers at this location soon."

The second supercenter in Brownsburg, Indiana, brings the retailer’s store count in the state to 44.

"We know value and convenience are key for our busy customers who are stretching their dollars, and our supercenters are a one-stop shop that delivers both every day," said Jess Murray, Vice President of the Indiana Region for Meijer. "We are excited to join the Brownsburg community and look forward to opening our doors to customers later this spring."

The smaller-format store will open in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It stands at 47,000 square feet and represents the third Meijer store in the state.

"This new Meijer Grocery location represents our continued investment in bringing value and convenience to customers right where they live and work," said Maureen Mitchell, Vice President of the East Michigan region for Meijer. "Designed for convenience, the streamlined format makes it easy for customers to quickly find the fresh food and other essentials they need at the lowest prices every day."

According to a press release, Meijer launched its grocery format in 2023 with the opening of two Meijer Grocery stores in Southeast Michigan and plans to open additional locations in the future.

For more retail news, keep turning back to ANUK!