PORTLAND, OR - Bee Better Certified, a third-party verified eco-label by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation that certifies farms for pollinator and biodiversity conservation, announced that licensing for the Bee Better seal on product packaging is now managed directly by the Bee Better team. Effective January 1, 2026, the licensing program has officially been brought in-house, creating a more streamlined, cost-effective process for certified growers and the brands that source from them.

By eliminating the need for a third-party licensing partner, Bee Better Certified is able to offer reduced licensing fees and a simpler licensing experience for growers and brands. Licensees will now work directly with the Bee Better team, ensuring clearer guidance, faster communication, and a more efficient path from certification to on-pack use—while increasing the visibility of verified pollinator-friendly practices at the shelf.

“This change reflects our commitment to making pollinator protection more accessible and more visible across the food system,” said Cameron Newell, Program Manager for Bee Better Certified, in the recent release. “Using the Bee Better seal on packaging is a powerful way for growers and brands to show their commitment to pollinator-friendly farming. When shoppers see the seal, they know the product supports healthy ecosystems and responsible agricultural practices.”

As retailers continue to adopt and strengthen pollinator and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) sourcing requirements, the Bee Better seal offers a credible, third-party verified way for brands to communicate their commitment at the point of purchase. On-pack use of the seal helps reinforce trust, supports retailer compliance, and connects shoppers with farms that are actively protecting pollinators and biodiversity.

Growers and brands interested in licensing the Bee Better seal or learning more about the updated process are encouraged to contact the Bee Better Certified team directly at [email protected].

CASTROVILLE, CA - In a post-SEPC perspective, Ocean Mist Farms CEO Chris Drew shares his thoughts on evolving consumer needs and the growing role of convenience in fresh.

At this year’s SEPC show, the theme “From Fields to Families” underscores a growing reality in today’s marketplace: consumers want fresh, wholesome meals – but they are more time-starved than ever. Ocean Mist Farms was excited to showcase how its premium, convenience-driven vegetable offerings are helping retailers meet the demands of today’s busy shoppers.

For modern families, dinnertime doesn’t happen in isolation. It comes after long workdays, school pickups, sports practices, and packed calendars. While parents are committed to serving nutritious, flavorful meals, limited time often makes scratch preparation unrealistic. Ocean Mist Farms is focused on closing that gap.

By growing premium-quality vegetables and transforming them into ready-to-use meal solutions, the company removes the most common barrier to fresh cooking: prep time. Its convenience portfolio includes their award-winning Roastables line – oven-ready vegetable kits designed to go straight from package to pan – as well as their new first-to-market Heartichokes line, offering simplified, approachable artichoke options tailored for today’s consumer.

These solutions are specifically designed for on-the-go consumers who are seeking:

• Fresh options without lengthy or messy prep
• Convenient shortcuts they can feel good about
• Flavor-forward vegetables that feel homemade
• Easy ways to incorporate more produce into weekly meals

For retailers, this represents a meaningful growth opportunity. Shoppers increasingly gravitate toward value-added produce that simplifies mealtime while maintaining premium quality and taste. Ocean Mist Farms’ Roastables and Heartichokes lines deliver on that expectation, helping retailers capture incremental sales while reinforcing fresh department relevance.

As growers, innovators, and busy families ourselves, we understand that convenience is no longer optional – it’s essential. Our Roastables and new Heartichokes products are designed to help retailers serve today’s time-pressed consumers with premium vegetables that save time without sacrificing quality.

With more than 100 years of family farming expertise, Ocean Mist Farms continues to evolve its offerings to reflect how families actually live and cook today. By handling the washing, trimming, and flavor development, the company gives consumers valuable time back – making it easier to choose fresh over takeout or heavily processed alternatives.

Ocean Mist Farms’ message is clear: it’s not just about vegetables — it’s about helping families gather around the table – even on their busiest nights – while empowering retailers with solutions that reflect the realities of everyday life.

FOLSOM, CA - How are those New Year’s resolutions coming along? As we kicked off 2026, shoppers across the country renewed their commitment to health and wellness, with this increased focus on nutrition leading them right to the produce department. As health and wellness continue to be key guiding factors in today’s shopper behaviors, Robert Verloop, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the California Walnut Board and Commission, shared a look at how California walnuts fit into retailers’ growth blueprints.

What current trends are positioning California walnuts for growth at retail?

“When we look at what is driving shoppers’ behavior today, health and wellness are at the very center. Shoppers are embracing a more holistic view on health and wellness, looking for foods to incorporate into their lives that make them feel good, that are satisfying, and not too complicated to incorporate into their daily lives.

Walnuts check all those boxes. Walnuts provide a unique nutrient package—they are the only nut, and one of the few whole foods, that are a rich source of plant-based omega-3 ALA (2.5 grams per ounce). In addition, one serving of walnuts also adds 4 grams of plant protein and 2 grams of fiber to any meal or snack occasion.¹ That same serving contains 18 grams of total fat, including “good fats” (2.5 grams of monounsaturated fat and 13 grams of polyunsaturated fat, including the 2.5 grams of omega3 ALA) and 1.5 grams of saturated fat. Health and nutrition research is now exploring how walnut consumption can impact sleep, gut health, cognitive performance, and weight management—all trending topics with today’s shoppers.

At the same time, shoppers are moving away from ultra-processed foods and increasingly looking for whole, natural, and minimally processed foods—consumption of which is emphasized in the new 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans—and California walnuts fit perfectly through this lens. This insight fuels our efforts to position walnuts as produce. Younger shoppers naturally associate the produce department with wellness, freshness, and nutritious options, so merchandising and promoting walnuts there reinforces one of their core strengths as a fresh, natural whole food.

Lastly, we continue to see interest in convenience, and the industry is focused on innovation, including new pack formats such as single-serve and resealable options and pre-portioned mixes, and we expect to see more innovation coming out of the California walnut industry in the years to come.”

How can retailers lean into these trends to capitalize on rising demand?

“As shoppers seek out whole, natural foods, they go straight to the produce section, which provides a huge opportunity for retailers to highlight nutritional benefits near the point of sale.

The California walnut industry has translated decades of health research into shopper messaging that raises awareness of walnuts’ potential benefits, including heart, metabolic, and emerging areas such as cognitive health, and resources are available for retailers. Cross-merchandising is also an important strategy, and one of the best ways to inspire new usage ideas and increase basket size. In fact, research shows that 76 percent of shoppers are more likely to purchase walnuts when displayed alongside fresh produce.²”

How does the industry’s ‘Feel Good’ effort give California walnuts modern relevance to younger demographics?

“First, it breaks from traditional commodity marketing playbooks that rely primarily on the functional benefits of products. Instead, we are positioning California walnuts as a lifestyle brand, brought to life by a fresh, energetic visual identity communicated across the full shopper journey, from discovery to purchase. It’s a repositioning of California walnuts for shoppers who prioritize both nutrition and versatility and are looking to align their shopping habits with their lifestyle.

While not forgetting our existing customers, the messaging also reaches new, younger audiences where they are: on digital and social media, where dozens of influencers are talking about the feel-good power of California walnuts.

Beyond digital, the effort includes experiential marketing with sampling at wellness events nationwide, allowing potential shoppers to taste and experience the convenience and versatility of California walnuts in environments that reflect their values and lifestyles.”

How does this repositioning benefit California walnuts, the produce department, and the supply chain as a whole?

“Repositioning California walnuts as a lifestyle brand and fresh produce item creates value at every level of the supply chain. For the California walnut industry, we’re building affinity with the next generation of walnut shoppers, supporting steadier demand and improved year-round sales. For the retailer and produce department, we’re opening opportunities for cross merchandising, sampling, and seasonal promotions that boost basket size and shopper engagement, while driving category interest and shoppers to seek California walnuts.”

For more exclusive insights from across the fresh produce industry, leave a tab open to AndNowUKnow.

<sup>1. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. Fdc
2. Source: Circana, 52 weeks ending 12-31-2023 vs. Prior Year</sup>