TRACY, CA - QDC Fresh, Inc., a grower-direct distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables serving retail customers across North America, is taking its Street Corn Sides program to the next level at the upcoming International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show taking place October 15-17, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. The company will debut the evolution of its Street Corn packaging at Booth #900, introducing a bold new “street” look designed to command attention on retail shelves while making it immediately clear to shoppers that each package contains a complete sauce and seasoning kit.

The show will also mark the industry debut of Nashville Zest, the newest flavor in the Street Corn lineup. Featuring a zesty chili, garlic, and onion infused sauce with Parmesan cheese and a seasoning, Nashville Zest delivers a bold, craveable flavor experience with everything consumers need conveniently included in the package. Attendees can sample Nashville Zest alongside the already-launched California Style Street Corn, as well as get an early taste of two flavors slated to launch in 2027: Creamy Pesto and Texas BBQ. Together, the four varieties bring a range of on-trend regional flavor profiles to a category ready for new ideas.

Street Corn was created to bring fresh energy to a packaged sweet corn category that has remained relatively stagnant, transforming an everyday produce staple into a restaurant-inspired side dish in minutes. Each kit combines fresh sweet corn with chef-inspired sauces and seasonings, delivering convenience, flavor, and an elevated eating experience in a simple, value-added format. The kits can be prepared on the grill, in the oven, on the stovetop, or in an air fryer, giving consumers flexibility while creating retailers an opportunity to add incremental value and excitement to the produce department.

“Our Street Corn lineup gives retailers a way to move beyond selling another package of corn and instead offer shoppers a complete, value-added experience,” said Marvin Quebec, President of QDC Fresh, in the recent release. “Consumers are looking for convenience, bold flavor and easy meal solutions, and this program delivers all three while keeping fresh produce at the center of the plate. For our retail partners, it creates an opportunity to differentiate the corn set, encourage incremental and cross-merchandising opportunities, and bring new excitement to a familiar category.”

The new packaging was developed with the retail shelf and the shopper experience in mind. Bold graphics and a distinctive street-inspired design are intended to differentiate Street Corn from traditional packaged corn offerings, while prominent messaging clearly communicates that the package contains the complete sauce and seasoning kit. The result is a package designed to catch the shopper’s eye and answer an important question before they even pick it up: everything you need for the flavor is already inside. The packaging also highlights the easy preparation experience, including the brand’s EZ Prep Video, helping eliminate guesswork and make the path from the produce department to a finished side dish even simpler.

“We wanted the new packaging to have the same personality as the product itself—bold, fun and impossible to overlook,” said Rachelle Schulken, Director of Marketing at QDC Fresh. “But the design isn’t just about standing out. We wanted to make the value proposition crystal clear. When shoppers see that it’s a complete sauce and seasoning kit, they immediately understand that they don’t need to buy a handful of additional ingredients to create something delicious at home in minutes. It’s fresh corn, big flavor, and everything you need—all in one package.”

QDC Fresh invites attendees of the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show to stop by Booth #900 October 16th & 17th to experience the complete Street Corn lineup and sample all four flavors. And because no street is complete without a little personality, the brand’s Street Corn mascot will also be hitting the show floor to help hand out samples. Come hit the streets with QDC Fresh, taste what’s next for sweet corn, and discover how Street Corn kits can bring fresh innovation, convenience, and excitement to the produce department.

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - From football weekends and Halloween parties to Friendsgiving and holiday entertaining, fall gives retailers more reasons to put potatoes at the center of the plate — and the center of the produce department.

As consumers look for affordable ways to entertain, the growing “appetizer economy” is creating new opportunities for one of America’s favorite and most versatile vegetables. Younger consumers are helping drive the trend: according to Datassential, 40% of Gen Z and 26% of Millennials report eating more appetizers than they did a year ago.

For retailers, that creates an opportunity to merchandise Side Delights® potatoes as more than a traditional dinner side. Petite, fingerling, Russet, red, yellow, and white potatoes can become crispy bites, smashed potatoes, skewers, potato skins, and shareable platters — giving shoppers an economical foundation for fall entertaining.

“Potatoes already have tremendous household familiarity, value, and versatility. Fall gives retailers an opportunity to remind shoppers just how many occasions potatoes can serve,” said Kathleen Triou, President & CEO of Fresh Solutions Network®, in the recent release. “From game-day snacks for the family to a Friendsgiving for 50, potatoes can move from side dish to appetizer, party platter and entertaining centerpiece.”

The opportunity is already showing up in fall food inspiration. Delish’s collection of 68 fall appetizers features potato dishes prominently, including Crispy Sweet Potato Bites at No. 1 and French Onion Smashed Potatoes at No. 3, along with Melting Sweet Potatoes and Thanksgiving Potato Skins.

Side Delights offers retailers a portfolio that can translate that inspiration directly into the produce department. Fall entertaining ideas include:

• Side Delights Petite Potatoes for Lamb and Potato Skewers with Italian Salsa Verde.
• Side Delights Fingerling Potatoes for Parmesan Smashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic Aioli.
• Side Delights Russet Potatoes for Cheesy Potato Skins and other loaded, shareable appetizers.
• Side Delights Russet or White Potatoes for Sour Cream & Chive Potato Mini Buns.

Retailers can turn these ideas into purchases by giving potatoes greater visibility throughout the fall entertaining season. Secondary displays, recipe inspiration, digital promotions, and cross-merchandising with cheese, dips, bacon, sour cream, fresh herbs, and other appetizer ingredients can help shoppers see potatoes as the starting point for their next gathering — not simply tonight’s side dish.

ORLANDO, FL - The Colombia Avocado Board (CAB) is bringing the sights, flavors, and hospitality of Colombia to the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show this October. Attendees are invited to visit Booth #3585 for an immersive experience designed to bring the Avocados from Colombia story to life while creating a welcoming space for conversation and connection.

“We wanted our booth to feel like more than a meeting space,” said Manuel Michel, Managing Director of the Colombia Avocado Board, in the recent release. “We want it to feel like stepping into Colombia. From the culture and flavors to the people behind the fruit. We want attendees to experience the warmth and hospitality of Colombia while having meaningful conversations about how we can work together.”

Marking CAB’s fifth consecutive year at IFPA Global, the new booth experience reflects the Board’s broader approach to the U.S. market: listen, find shared opportunity, and collaborate. CAB recognizes that every retailer has different shoppers, sourcing strategies, and business objectives, and its goal is to understand those individual needs and identify where Colombian avocados can complement category goals.

“There isn’t one avocado program that works for every retailer, and we don’t approach the market as though there is,” Michel said. “We want to understand what our partners are trying to accomplish and determine where Colombia can add value. We’re proud of what our industry has to offer, but we also believe the strongest partnerships start with listening and being flexible.”

That collaborative approach extends beyond supply. CAB is developing a new Retail Dietitian Toolkit, designed as a turnkey resource to help retailers and dietitians find fresh, creative ways to inspire consumers to enjoy more avocados. The resource will live within a dedicated section of the CAB website for retailers and will provide practical tools and inspiration that can be incorporated into consumer education and engagement efforts.

“Supporting our partners means thinking beyond getting fruit onto the shelf,” Michel said. “We want to provide resources that retailers and dietitians can easily put to work, helping them connect with consumers and give shoppers even more reasons and ideas to love avocados.”

At Booth #3585, attendees will also have an opportunity to experience another celebrated Colombian export: coffee. Colombian coffee will be served at the booth, giving visitors a place to recharge, meet the CAB team, and learn more about the people and growing regions behind Avocados from Colombia. Those who stop by between 4–5 p.m. may also find that CAB has a special surprise brewing.

CAB’s presence at IFPA will also mark an important moment for the organization as it debuts its newest campaign video and brings industry members together for its Annual Meeting. During the meeting, CAB will share updates with members and elect its Board and officers for the 2026–2027 term, setting the stage for another year of collaboration and growth.

IFPA Global attendees are invited to visit the Colombia Avocado Board at Booth #3585 to meet the team, experience a taste of Colombia, and discover new opportunities to collaborate.