BAKERSFIELD, CA - For Bolthouse Fresh Foods™, innovation in the carrot category is about finding new possibilities—in how we grow and utilize the crop and how we bring it to market. That starts in the field, where our agricultural expertise allows us to continually evolve growing practices and explore new technologies and efficiencies. 

Here’s What’s in Store.

We’ve introduced new cuts, formats, flavors, and eating occasions through innovations like Carrot Shakers®, Carrot Fries, and Side Dish Sizzlers.

Bolthouse’s deep understanding of the crop gives us a strong foundation to experiment with carrots beyond tradition, including sustainable innovation - using 100% of the carrot! Our expertise allows us to think about innovation holistically, from what works with the carrot itself to what addresses evolving consumer and customer needs.

We aim to expand how consumers think about and eat carrots, looking beyond the traditional role and finding ways to make them more relevant to modern eating habits. Innovation helps drive excitement while also creating incremental opportunities for retail and foodservice partners

Our latest innovation is Carrot Shakers® Tajín® flavor, bringing a well-known flavor profile to the fresh carrot category and demonstrating how we can create new excitement around a familiar product. Innovation continues to be an ongoing focus for us as we explore new ways to bring carrots into different formats, and occasions.  

Thank you for watching What’s in Store.

DENVER, CO - Shoppers who purchase fresh potatoes spend nearly twice as much per trip as shoppers who don't, according to retail data analyzed by Potatoes USA. To help retailers capitalize on that opportunity, Potatoes USA is launching a new retail marketing campaign, The Potato Domino Effect, designed to demonstrate how a single potato purchase can drive sales throughout the store.

Launching this week, the retailer-focused campaign uses the visual of fresh potatoes as tipping dominoes to illustrate how potatoes influence purchases across complementary categories. The campaign is built around a new digital retailer playbook that provides merchandising strategies, sales insights, customizable promotional assets, and cross-merchandising tools designed to help retailers increase basket size and encourage additional purchases.

The Potato Domino Effect downloadable digital retailer playbook includes:

• Research highlighting potatoes’ contribution to overall basket value
• Cross-merchandising ideas and signage for multiple store departments
• Data-driven merchandising recommendations retailers can implement immediately
• Customizable recipes and instructional video content
• Social media assets retailers can personalize for their channels

Download the playbook here.

“When shoppers add fresh potatoes to their cart, the impact is immediate and measurable,” said Nick Bartelme, global retail development manager at Potatoes USA. “According to our data, baskets with potatoes average $99 compared to $50 without potatoes. The Potato Domino Effect campaign presents this fact in a way retailers can’t forget, and we look forward to working with them to set that first potato purchase in motion.”

Potatoes are one of the most versatile items in the produce department and pair naturally with products throughout the store, creating opportunities for retailers to encourage complementary purchases and increase overall basket value. The Potato Domino Effect campaign translates that insight into actionable merchandising strategies retailers can use to support sales across departments.

Potatoes USA will promote the playbook through direct retailer outreach, trade events, social media, digital ads, and email marketing.

Retailers can also access additional merchandising resources, signage, and category management tools at PotatoRetailer.com.

SALISBURY, NC - Food Lion Feeds and the Carolina Hurricanes are bringing hockey and hunger relief together to help nourish children and families in towns and cities across North Carolina through Stick It To Hunger. Through the partnership, Food Lion’s hunger-relief platform will help provide the equivalent of 50 meals* for every Hurricanes shot on goal during the 2026-27 regular season, up to 150,000 meals.

“Food is at the center of so many moments that matter, from breakfast before school to catching up around the dinner table,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion. “At Food Lion, we want our neighbors to know they can count on us every day – in our stores and in the towns and cities we serve. Partnering with the Hurricanes is another way we can help families put nourishing food on the table and enjoy those everyday moments together.”

Donations will benefit the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation’s efforts to support children’s health by increasing access to nourishing food and nutritional education for families across North Carolina, a press release stated.

"We’re proud to partner with Food Lion/Food Lion Feeds, who shares our commitment to making a meaningful difference across North Carolina. By working together, we can expand our reach and ensure more children and families have access to the food and support they need to thrive,” said Amy Daniels, Executive Director, Carolina Hurricanes Foundation.

Stick It To Hunger builds on Food Lion Feeds’ commitment to working alongside local organizations across Food Lion’s 10-state operating area to nourish families. Its sports partnerships bring fans and athletes together around a shared purpose – celebrating their teams while caring for the communities they call home.

Through initiatives including Sack To Give Back® and Score to Give More®, Food Lion Feeds connects competition with hunger relief across football, basketball, baseball and soccer. These efforts include partnerships with the Atlantic Coast Conference, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Carolina Ascent Football Club, Lionsbridge Football Club and the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers.

Established in 2014, Food Lion Feeds is committed to helping provide 3 billion meals by 2032. For more information about its work to end hunger, visit foodlion.com/feeds.

The Carolina Hurricanes will open the 2026-27 regular season at home on Sept. 29, against the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., with puck drop at 5 p.m.

^{*Food Lion Feeds helps address food insecurity by providing product, financial and equipment donations; disaster relief and recovery efforts; investing in capital campaign support for feeding agencies; and volunteer hours by associates. These investments are converted to a meal equivalent based on various meal equivalent formulas.} 

ORLANDO, FL - Avocados From Peru is bringing its 2026 sports and retail campaign to the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show next month. Spanning FIFA World Cup broadcasts, the Cincinnati Reds and the Indianapolis Colts, the campaign connects national sports audiences with retailer promotions and fan experiences across the United States. The Peruvian Avocado Commission (PAC) will share the program with industry partners ahead of its football finale at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“We’re connecting our brand with sports, healthy living and community engagement while helping our retail partners increase avocado sales,” said Xavier Equihua, PAC president and CEO, in the recent release. “The sports moments create excitement. Our retailer partnerships give shoppers a way to bring that excitement home.”

World Cup and Retail Reach

During the World Cup, participating retailers received custom-tagged television spots on select local FOX stations, linking broadcasts to stores in their markets. PAC also offered retailer-tagged spots during the MLB All-Star Game and MasterChef. Digital coupons, instant rebates, retail media, social promotions and in-store displays carried the campaign through to the point of purchase, a press release stated.

On the East Coast, Avocados From Peru hosted a Superfood Breakfast aboard the USS Arlington during America’s 250th anniversary maritime celebration in New York Harbor. On the West Coast, its Guac Off Challenge at SeaWorld San Diego brought local personalities together to showcase avocado recipes. Both events complemented PAC’s national media and retail program.

MLB With the Cincinnati Reds

In June, the Cincinnati Reds named Avocados From Peru their Official Avocado and Official Superfood. The partnership included stadium branding, social content, avocado-inspired concessions and a sweepstakes featuring a custom co-branded Toyota Tacoma. Fans could see the truck at Great American Ball Park and community events, while a Reds Guacamole Challenge made avocados part of the game-day experience.

The Midwest was a key focus of the national campaign. Its 12 states are home to nearly 70 million people, compared with approximately 58 million in the Northeast and 80 million in the West, according to U.S. Census Bureau 2025 estimates. PAC sees significant opportunity to grow avocado consumption in the Midwest while continuing to support retail partners nationwide.

NFL Finale With the Colts and Meijer

For its NFL finale, PAC teamed up with the Indianapolis Colts and Meijer for the AVO-Colts Sweepstakes. Entries close October 5.

On October 18, when the Colts host the Tennessee Titans, three semifinalists will compete at halftime in a Price Is Right–style challenge for a custom 2026 AVO-Colts Toyota Tacoma. The winner will be revealed live at Lucas Oil Stadium, which seats more than 60,000 fans.

Sweepstakes prizes also include a $2,000 Meijer gift card and a Colts VIP experience.
Colts mascot Blue has helped promote the sweepstakes through fan content featuring the Colts, Meijer and Avocados From Peru. The halftime contest will bring the promotion from fans’ screens to the stadium.

“Together, we can make avocados, and especially guacamole, an even bigger part of the Midwest’s football tradition,” Equihua said.

Promoting Through a Challenging Season

The campaign unfolded during a challenging avocado season. Abundant supplies from multiple origins pressured prices and reduced some retailers’ advance commitments. In response, Peru shipped less fruit to the United States than originally projected. PAC now estimates approximately 140 million pounds of Peruvian avocados for the 2026 U.S. season, underscoring the importance of aligning promotions with fruit available at retail.

Meet Avocados From Peru in Orlando

PAC will welcome retailers, industry partners and friends to Avocados From Peru booth No. 2289 at the Global Produce & Floral Show, October 14–16 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The booth is among the show’s larger exhibits.

“We invite everyone to stop by our booth for Peruvian tapas, a glass of wine, other refreshments and a chance to win prizes,” Equihua said. “It’s an opportunity to reconnect with our retail partners and friends, celebrate the season’s accomplishments and talk about what comes next.”

KANSAS CITY, MO - The Fresh Industry is igniting over the “Fresh Takes Blog” by Empower Fresh and it’s at the center of conversations across the industry. Weekly content from some of the industry’s leading subject matter experts with powerful data stories, sharp retail analytics and innovating focused commentary.

"Although I started very young at the age of 12 or 13 working in a Produce warehouse and then ultimately an IGA Produce Department, in the 90s, I have been working primarily in my own Saas/Cloud Technologies until 2022. One thing that I saw stepping back into the produce department was the same, dilapidated technologies, if any. Still a clipboard, pen, and scan gun. Today’s technologies, especially Operational AI tools are poised to bolster their operations, solve some of their most difficult challenges, and increase their advantages in fresh." – Rob Austin, CEO, Empower Fresh

“Fresh Takes Blog” explores challenges and opportunities facing the fresh departments today, offering the fresh supply chain practical guidance rooted in real-time market intelligence.

With top stories such as “Do Independent Retailers Deserve to Survive?” by Jesse Himango and "What Retailers Get Wrong About Bringing AI Into Fresh" by Matt White. The Fresh Produce Supply Chain is evolving, Empower Fresh continues to push boundaries, helping independents and major chains alike navigate the future with confidence, clarity, and actionable intelligence.

During my years in retail, I couldn’t relate most articles as they didn’t pertain to fresh or weren’t written by people with a realistic understanding of retail. Fresh takes has both. Created by retailers with fresh in mind. No “Duckies and Bunnies” just real topics and insights. – Jesse Himango, CFO Empower Fresh

“Since bringing on Empower Fresh in produce over the last year, we’ve seen a real drop in shrink and far fewer out-of-stocks on the floor. The results have been strong enough that we’re rolling out the other departments as quick as we can.” — Jordan White, Whites Foodliner

If you would like to take advantage and join the fresh Revolution either visit our website or join our newsletter today! It will be the best decision you make this year! Sign up for our Fresh Takes Blog Newsletter or check out https://empowerfresh.com/fresh-takes to get caught up on all the Fresh Stories that are hot right now in our industry.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Grimmway Produce Group® is bringing some of today’s leading food and consumer trends into the fresh produce aisle with new offerings across carrots, organic vegetables, and potatoes at the International Fresh Produce Association’s 2026 Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando.

From functional snacking and convenient meal solutions to the growing demand for crispy, air-fryer-ready foods, Grimmway Produce Group® is translating how consumers eat, snack, and cook into new opportunities across the produce department.

“Our focus is on staying ahead of how consumers are changing the way they eat, snack, and cook, and translating those shifts into meaningful innovation across our categories. The Global Produce & Floral Show gives us the opportunity to bring that thinking to life and share how we’re shaping what’s next in fresh.” — Ken Silveira, CEO, Grimmway Produce Group®

Fresh Snacking for Every Lifestyle

Grimmway Produce Group® is bringing more flavor, functionality and convenience to carrot snacking with a lineup built around crisp carrot chips, flavorful dips and easy-to-enjoy formats. Leading the lineup is Grimmway Farms® Protein Snackers™, with select offerings delivering up to 10 grams of protein per serving. Grimmway Farms® Carrot Dunkables™ pairs crisp carrot chips with flavors kids love in a convenient, lunchbox-ready format featuring playful character graphics, while Cal-Organic Farms® extends the platform into organic with an organic carrot chip and dip tray.

Together, the lineup brings more variety to the way consumers snack on carrots, with options spanning protein and functionality, kid-friendly snacking and organic choices.

“Snacking has become an integral part of how consumers eat throughout the day, increasingly serving as a mini-meal occasion and creating demand for options that deliver more than convenience alone. From protein and functionality to kid-friendly and organic choices, our focus is on delivering fresh snacking for every lifestyle.” — Eric Proffitt, Chief Commercial Officer, Grimmway Produce Group®

Bringing Global Flavors Home and New Possibilities to Everyday Meals

Beyond snacking, Cal-Organic Farms® will showcase new offerings that bring global flavors home and create new possibilities for everyday meals. Featured innovations include Veggie Crunch, Coleslaw and Shredded Watermelon Radish, giving consumers versatile new ways to bring texture, color and variety to everyday meals.

The lineup builds on Cal-Organic Farms®’ leadership in organic vegetables while making it easier for consumers to explore new preparations, flavors and meal occasions at home.

Bringing the Air Fryer Occasion to Fresh Produce

In potatoes, Tasteful Selections® will showcase Crispy Potato Bites, an air-fryer-ready offering that brings the crispy potato experience into the fresh produce department. Featured flavors include Garlic Herb, Buffalo Ranch and Sweet Onion Asiago.
Combining fresh potatoes, bold flavors and air fryer convenience, the platform brings the crispiness and craveability consumers associate with fries and other crispy potato favorites into a fresh format for today’s cooking habits.

“Air fryers continue to change how consumers prepare potatoes at home and raise expectations for crispy texture. Tasteful Selections® is bringing that experience into the produce department with fresh solutions that deliver convenience, bold flavor and satisfying crispiness.” — Ross Verner, President, RPE LLC

A Broader View of What Fresh Can Be

Across carrots, organic vegetables and potatoes, the innovations on display at the Global Produce & Floral Show demonstrate how Grimmway Produce Group® is looking beyond individual products to build platforms around where consumers are headed. From functional snacking and kid-friendly solutions to global flavors, meal convenience and air fryer preparation, the portfolio reflects new possibilities for how fresh can fit into everyday life.

The featured concepts are part of a broader innovation pipeline focused on expanding usage occasions and creating new opportunities across the produce department.

Attendees can explore the full Grimmway Produce Group® innovation portfolio at Booth 1229 during the 2026 Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, Florida.