WEST GROVE, PA - The I Love Produce family is proud to announce the acquisition of Garlic King and Canada Garlic, marking another important milestone in the company’s “Growing Together” journey. These acquisitions represent the successful outcome of a thoughtful and strategic process focused on long-term stability, operational strength, human capital, and sustainable growth.

With this expansion, Garlic King and Canada Garlic will operate under the I Love Produce Growing Together philosophy, creating new opportunities for collaboration and a more integrated approach to serving wholesale, retail, foodservice, ingredients, and industrial customers. This partnership strengthens capabilities across the platform while preserving the values, high service standards, and trusted relationships that have defined both companies for decades.

Garlic King and Canada Garlic join Gourmet Specialty Imports, now known as I Love Shallots, which merged with I Love Produce in 2024—further reinforcing the company’s commitment to building a best-in-class international specialty produce platform.

“I am honored to continue leading this incredible team as President and to partner closely with Adrian Almeida, CEO of I Love Produce,” said Jeff Crace, President of Garlic King, in a press release. “Our shared commitment to transparency, communication, growth, and—most importantly—our people will guide us as we enter this exciting next chapter together.”

With the continued support of I Love Produce founders Jim Provost and Neil Millman, CEO Adrian Almeida is expanding the executive leadership team to support the company’s accelerating growth. Julieta LaMalfa has joined as Chief Financial Officer, and Humberto Garcia has been appointed Managing Director of Canada Garlic, and Chief Operating Officer of I Love Produce, working closely across the organization to enhance operational excellence, talent, culture, and elevate the customer experience.

The acquisitions position Garlic King and Canada Garlic to further strengthen operations, improve internal and external communication, and invest in customer satisfaction, talent development, and growth. Day-to-day operations, customer relationships, and service standards will continue without interruption. Most importantly, this partnership provides added stability and long-term support for the co-workers of Garlic King and Canada Garlic—the heart of each organization.

Later this year, I Love Produce also plans to expand its product portfolio, introducing new offerings designed to meet evolving customer and consumer needs.

“We’re excited about the future and grateful for the trust and dedication of our customers, partners, and co-workers who made this milestone possible,” added Crace. “The future of Garlic King has never been brighter.”

EDMONTON, CANADA - The Little Potato Company, the number one little potato brand in North America, is kicking off a year-long 30^th anniversary celebration with the unveiling of a new anniversary logo. The visual mark reflects the company’s growth over three decades and its ongoing mission to Feed the World, Better.

Since 1996, The Little Potato Company has purposefully grown little potatoes with big flavor and made them easier to prepare and enjoy, so families can spend less time in the kitchen and more time around the table creating little moments of happiness together. What started as a father-and-daughter operation on a one-acre plot of land in Edmonton, has grown into a trusted North American brand, known for innovation, quality, long-standing relationships with family farmers, and a commitment to sustainability.

“When I started The Little Potato Company nearly 30 years ago, I had more curiosity than certainty,” said Angela Santiago, CEO and Co-Founder of The Little Potato Company Co-Founder and CEO, in the recent release. “As the company grew, I grew alongside it, learning what it means to lead with patience, resilience, and respect for the people and the land behind our food. Reaching this milestone is incredibly humbling, and I’m grateful to the growers, partners, and team members who helped build what we have today. As we look ahead, our roots are deep, our vision is clear, and the journey continues.”

Throughout 2026, the new 30^th anniversary logo will appear across company materials, marketing, and select touchpoints as a visual marker of the milestone year. Additional activations are planned for later in the year, including social and email campaigns, employee events, and celebrations with partners.

Over the past three decades, The Little Potato Company has continued to grow the category through industry-leading processes, innovative new varietals, value-added options, and flavor-forward offerings. Today, the company remains focused on thoughtful growth and innovation while staying true to its family values, agricultural roots and commitment to Feed the World, Better.

To learn more about The Little Potato Company, please visit www.littlepotatoes.com/our-story/our-journey/ or follow @LittlePotatoCo on social media for updates.

MONTREAL, QC - Equifruit, North America’s market leader in Fairtrade-certified bananas, is heading back to SEPC’s Southern Exposure 2026 and celebrating twenty years of Banana Badassery. To mark this milestone of impact for banana farmers, Equifruit is inviting attendees to stop by booth #500 and unleash their inner Banana Badass.

Since 2006, Equifruit, a women-owned B Corp with a 100% Fairtrade promise, has been on a mission to improve the lives and communities of banana farmers and workers. For retailers and consumers, choosing Equifruit Fairtrade bananas means choosing fairer pay and safer working conditions for banana farmers, as well as an additional Fairtrade Premium that goes directly to farmers to invest in their business and community. To date, Equifruit has generated more than $5.5 million US in Fairtrade Premiums paid to growers.

This year, Equifruit is returning to SEPC Southern Exposure with significant momentum in the North American market. Since last year’s show, Equifruit has continued to grow its footprint with new partnerships, most recently in Western Canada, widening access to Fairtrade organic bananas in North America. With growing consumer demand for ethically sourced produce, Equifruit is coming to Southern Exposure ready to talk about how switching to a Fairtrade banana program benefits retailers, shoppers and banana farming communities.

“We’re declaring 2026 officially the Year of the Banana Badass”, said Kim Chackal, VP of Sales and Marketing and Co-owner of Equifruit, in a press release. “For twenty years, Equifruit has been challenging the status quo in the banana industry, and we’re just getting started. If you’re Banana Badass-curious, swing by our booth and let’s talk about why it’s time to switch to Equifruit.”

Find out why Equifruit is The Only Banana You Should Buy™.

OXNARD, CA - Westfalia Fruit continues to advance the future of the sector industry through a long-standing commitment to sustainability, innovation and full crop utilisation.

Through its ‘Whole Tree’ approach, Westfalia Fruit aims to maximise value from every part of the avocado tree and every grade of fruit. At a time when the fresh produce industry is increasingly challenged by climate volatility, disruptions across the entire supply chain, and rising costs, this holistic strategy supports resilience, operational efficiency, and minimal waste across the value chain, a press release stated.

Westfalia Fruit operates across the full avocado category, supplying fresh whole fruit across multiple quality tiers, including good, better, best and organic, alongside a broad portfolio of convenience and processed products such as guacamole, smashed avocado, pulp, oil, dried, frozen and IQF formats. Fruit that does not meet fresh market specifications is redirected into high-value processing, ensuring consistent utilisation and reliable supply while supporting sustainability objectives.

Building on this foundation, Westfalia Fruit is striving towards its zero-waste, total crop use ambition. Whereby innovative workstreams convert avocado by-products into commercially valuable materials. These initiatives focus on transforming byproducts such as avocado skins and stones into wide-ranging applications, including use in cosmetics, natural pigment extracts and colourants, and fibre and starch extraction to convert into sustainable packaging materials.

Building on research and development started over 7 years ago, Westfalia Fruit is now working towards a fully integrated process to extract these valuable compounds from what would otherwise be classified as ‘waste’, with low value as compost material or use in anaerobic digesters, unlocking value in the supply chain.

By applying a full-crop approach, Westfalia Fruit delivers minimal waste, maximum efficiency and integrated category solutions that benefit growers, customers and consumers alike. Future projects are already under evaluation to unlock the incredible value of this amazing fruit, strengthening Westfalia Fruit’s position as an innovation leader in circular agriculture.