POMPANO BEACH, FL - A key collaboration has come to light in the melon arena. Two prominent category players—Ayco Farms and Fisher Ranch—have forged an alliance aimed at supplying a year-round assortment of top-quality melons.

“The creation of this program with Fisher Ranch marks a significant milestone for Ayco," said Avi Nir, Chief Executive Officer and President of Ayco. "It represents our promise to provide our customers with top-quality melons all year round. We're excited about the opportunities for this alliance and the benefits it will offer our customers."

With a heightened focus on the retail, foodservice, and fresh-cut segments, this alliance aims to guarantee the companies’ clientele a steady provision of premium-quality melons. As a press release detailed, both Ayco and Fisher Ranch are renowned for their stringent control over every stage of their operations, from cultivation and harvesting to packaging, quality control, and distribution. Both companies’ meticulous attention to detail ensures only the finest melons reach their customers.

Fisher Ranch supplies melons throughout North America and is known for its sweet and flavorful vine-ripe melons. The producer operates in Arizona and California, bringing domestic operational support and more than six decades of expertise and dedication to the industry.

This complements the operations of Ayco Farms, which supplies various offshore fruits and vegetables, including cantaloupes, watermelons, honeydews, pineapples, and asparagus across Central and South America and Mexico.

“This alliance is a natural progression for Fisher and our growth strategy. We bring a combined legacy of quality, innovation, and customer-focused operations,” added Bart Fisher, Principal Shareholder of Fisher Ranch, highlighting the synergistic potential of this initiative with Ayco. “This new venture is more than just a business arrangement; it's a commitment to excellence."

As part of this collaboration, Ayco will transition to Fisher Ranch, with melon production in Arizona and California beginning in late May and continuing through October. As the release assured, the collaboration will leverage Guatemalan melons from November to June, guaranteeing a year-round supply.

As always, leave a tab open as ANUK covers the latest industry news.

LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO, CANADA - Are the wheels of your plane lifting off, or are you touching down in Florida in anticipation of Southern Exposure? Wherever you are, you’ll want to mark down the Pure Flavor® booth for a visit, as the greenhouse grower recently announced the launch of OMG Tomatoes™.

“As research and development is key to growing categories, we are determined yearly to push the boundaries of flavor, and with this being our third tomato in less than three years receiving global recognition from ITI in Brussels, we are extremely proud of our team in bringing new products to the North American market that will enhance eating expectations,” remarks Matt Mastronardi, Executive Vice President.

As Matt alludes to, the OMG Tomatoes offering was recently awarded the Superior Taste Award from the International Taste Institute (ITI) in Brussels, Belgium. This prestigious award was the result of 200 jury members comprised of head-Sommeliers and Chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants conducted through blind sensory testing.

OMG Tomatoes offer a sweet and tangy flavor profile with a golden hue that seems to raise the question: “Are these Orange? ..Maybe Gold?” inspiring the name OMG Tomatoes, as a press release explained.

“We are extremely excited to bring our customers another award-winning tomato to their stores and restaurants across North America that will help differentiate and grow business. OMG snacking tomatoes will continue to broaden our lineup of unique flavors we can offer our industry partners, as well as brighten up the tomato display so that consumers are able to enjoy a tomato that truly will make them say O-M-G after they eat it for the first time,” adds Tiffany Sabelli, Senior Director of Sales.

With the perfect balance of crispness and juiciness, these tomatoes elevate the snacking experience to new heights. As Pure Flavor noted, their distinctive golden hue distinguishes them from traditional tomatoes, adding a visual allure to culinary creations and ensuring they stand out as a striking feature on any plate.

Looking to see these tomatoes for yourself? Be sure to stop by booth #601 to learn more!

BERLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE - North Country Growers is laying down the groundwork for its upcoming grand opening in May 2024, starting with the launch of a new website. The newly debuted site offers a unique glimpse into the world of premium, greenhouse-grown lettuce, with an emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly practices.

"Our new website is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality greens while championing sustainability,” said Jake Rupert, Director of Sales and Marketing. “We are thrilled to welcome visitors to explore our range of products and delve into the intricacies of our production process."

The new website clearly showcases North Country Growers’ ambitious sustainability initiatives, demonstrating the company’s commitment to eco-friendly practices in greenhouse farming. As a press release detailed, visitors are invited to embark on a journey through the virtual greenhouse, where they can discover the diverse array of premium lettuce varieties meticulously cultivated by the North Country Growers team. Each of these varieties is developed with care and precision, promising a heightened freshness and flavor experience.

The website also provides visitors with exclusive insights into those driving North Country Growers' success. The section titled "The People Behind Our Products" grants website visitors a deeper understanding of the dedicated farmers, technicians, and experts whose passion and hard work drive the company forward.

North Country Growers is dedicated to harnessing cutting-edge technologies and the expertise of its team to deliver fresh, healthy, and top-quality greens at an accessible price point.

ANUK will continue to report as this greenhouse force prepares for its grand opening.

NEWARK, DE & WASHINGTON, DC - Foodservice is the name of the game, and fresh produce is winning. As we prepare for the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Foodservice Conference, a host of exciting opportunities has been revealed.

“We know how important this conference is to our members and our industry,” said IFPA Vice President Joe Watson. “We continue to look for ways to refresh the experience to provide the insights and networking they depend on.”

Welcoming attendees to a conference designed exclusively for produce in foodservice, IFPA’s Foodservice Conference features the newest foodservice research and insights, an amped-up women’s event, and an eventful expo.

The show boasts a 1:1 buyer-supplier ratio, ensuring plenty of business-building connections, a press release explained.

As the release noted, the schedule also features:

• Research presentation by Technomic
• Foodservice Produce Expo
• Education sessions
• Women’s Fresh Perspectives general session and breakfast
• Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards, recognizing the best of the best in nine categories
• Networking reception at Custom House Plaza
• K-12 School Forum (invitation only)
• Buyer Sourcing Meetings (separate registration required)

“This is the only conference that brings the who’s who of produce and foodservice together,” Watson added. “More than 2,000 people attend—half of them buyers—to connect, learn, and do business. If you’re in produce and foodservice, you need to be here.”

The show will take place from July 25–26 in Monterey, California. Registration for The Foodservice Conference is open, and hotel reservations open March 21. Don’t miss more trade show updates from us here at ANUK!