KINGSVILLE, ON - Del Fresco Pure®, a pioneer in premium greenhouse produce, is proud to celebrate 70 years of greenhouse growing in Canada while unveiling its new sustainable top seal packaging for The Original Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine at SEPC Southern Exposure 2026 in Orlando, Florida, on February 28, 2026.

This latest innovation reflects Del Fresco Pure®’s continued commitment to quality, sustainability, and responsible growing practices, ensuring consumers across North America can enjoy fresh, flavorful produce with reduced environmental impact.

Introducing Sustainable Top Seal Packaging

Del Fresco Pure® is excited to introduce its new sustainable top seal for The Original Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine—designed to reduce plastic usage while maintaining freshness, quality, and shelf appeal. The packaging will be 100% recyclable, with a 26 Micron Laminated top seal, featuring a PET-to-PET structure with a high transparency film barrier with anti-fog. The packaging innovation supports the company’s broader sustainability goals and responds to growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible produce solutions.

“Celebrating 70 years of greenhouse growing is an incredible milestone for our family and our team,” said Ray Mastronardi, Vice President of Sales at Del Fresco Pure®, in the recent release. “As we look to the future, innovations like our sustainable top seal packaging demonstrate our ongoing commitment to responsible agriculture, exceptional flavor, and continuous improvement for our customers and retail partners.”

70 Years of Growing Forward

For seven decades, Del Fresco Pure® has been dedicated to advancing greenhouse technology, sustainable growing methods, and premium produce quality. This anniversary marks not only a celebration of the company’s history, but also its vision for the future of controlled-environment agriculture in Canada and beyond.

Visitors can connect with the Del Fresco Pure® team at SEPC Southern Exposure 2026 in Orlando, Florida – Booth 112 – to learn more about the new sustainable packaging, explore the company’s lineup of organic and conventional greenhouse grown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and beans, and celebrate this significant milestone together.

REEDLEY, CA - Family Tree Farms is proud to announce the promotion of Jerry Guerrero to Chief Development Officer, effective January 1, 2026.

Guerrero has been part of the Family Tree Farms organization since the age of 15, growing alongside the company and gaining deep, firsthand knowledge of its operations, people, and global footprint. Most recently serving as Director of International Finance, Guerrero played a key role in supporting international expansion, financial strategy, and long-term planning across multiple global markets.

In his new role, Guerrero will focus on strategic development initiatives, operational alignment, and long-range growth planning, leveraging his deep institutional knowledge and global experience to support the continued evolution of the business.

“Family Tree Farms has been a major part of my life from the very beginning,” said Guerrero. “Stepping into this role is both a responsibility and an opportunity to help guide the company’s future, build on what’s been established, and support sustainable growth across the organization.”

Dan Clenney shared in the recent release: “Jerry’s progression within Family Tree Farms is a true testament to his work ethic, loyalty, and strategic mindset,” said Clenney. “He understands this business at every level, and his leadership will be instrumental as we continue to grow and evolve.”

Daniel Jackson, Owner of Family Tree Farms, added: “Jerry brings a rare combination of financial discipline, global perspective, and deep connection to our company’s history,” said Jackson. “His leadership as Chief Development Officer will help ensure we continue building the business thoughtfully and sustainably for the long term.”

FRESNO, CA - California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross is highlighting the International Year of the Woman Farmer during the World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA (USA); a campaign prompted by the United Nations and the CA Grown program to raise awareness and promote the essential global role women hold in the agriculture industry, from production to trade.

"Women are helping to grow the future of California Agriculture. The number of dynamic, fearless, accomplished women leading farms, driving innovation and shaping the future of food has grown more than 13 percent in the last decade,” said Karen Ross, California Secretary of Agriculture, in the recent release. “We need to celebrate their contributions to the global agricultural industry here at the World Ag Expo where we are witnessing cutting edge technology, equipment and educational opportunities, and every day.”

California is home to over 45,000 women producers who collectively steward more than 11 million acres of farmland. Women play essential roles across the food system that are critical to food security, nutrition and economic resilience. Their essential role in every facet of the food and farming system is celebrated at the World Ag Expo, where more than 100,000 visitors from 70 countries are scheduled to visit. The event hosts over 1,200 exhibitors displaying state-of-the-art technology and equipment over a three-day period, as well as educational opportunities, including seminars by agricultural experts and cooking demonstrations by California Grown.

Secretary Ross is joined at the International Year of the Woman Farmer event by CDFA Undersecretary Christine Birdsong. CDFA representation at this year’s World Ag Expo also includes Deputy Secretary Arima Kozina and staff from the department’s Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) and Inspection Services Division, as well as the State Board of Food and Agriculture.

Food influencers including Alison Needham a creator for the California Grown campaign, Aida Mollenkamp the founder of Salt and Wind Travel, prune grower Hilary Porter of Erick Nielsen Enterprises, U.S. Sweet Potato Council President Sarah Alvarnaz, and many more women in agriculture are in attendance during a reception to honor their contributions.

The California Grown program brings together industry and government resources to increase the awareness, consumption and value of California agricultural products, helping consumers enjoy the best of the California lifestyle, and to recognize the Golden State’s role in food, beverage and flower production across the nation and the globe.

REEDLEY, CA - Family Tree Farms is pleased to announce the promotion of Brenton Helm to Vice President of Sales Operations, effective January 1, 2026.

Over the past 15+ years, Helm has helped shape Family Tree Farms’ sales organization, contributing significantly to international growth initiatives, including the successful development and expansion of the company’s Asia sales programs.

“I’m honored to take on this role and help strengthen the operational foundation supporting our sales organization. With the recent growth of our company—and continued growth ahead—it was the right time to strategically align our sales structure. I’m proud to be entrusted with leading the operational side of this next phase.”

David Jackson, Owner of Family Tree Farms, added in the recent release: “As our company continues to expand, it’s important that our leadership structure evolves alongside it. Brenton has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and a clear commitment to our sales organization. His ability to connect strategic vision with day-to-day execution makes him the right fit for this role, and we’re excited about the impact he’ll have across the company.”

Doug LaCroix, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, shared: “With the increasing scale and complexity of our operations, this role allows us to better support the needs of our sales team. Brenton brings a deep understanding of our business and a disciplined operational mindset, and we’re confident he will continue to elevate our sales operations and support the next phase of growth.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Smallhold, Inc., operating out of Brooklyn, N.Y., has posted a $50,000 surety bond with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The company was required under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) to post the bond following its involvement in a bankruptcy. The company posted the bond as a prerequisite for obtaining a new license to operate in the produce industry.

USDA will hold the bond for three years and nine months, providing assurance that the licensee will conduct business according to the PACA and will pay any reparation awards that may be issued against it in connection with the transactions occurring within the period the bond is held.

For further information, contact the PACA Investigative Enforcement Branch at (202) 720-6873 or [email protected].

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on two produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and for failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• Saluza Sales Inc, operating out of Nogales, Ariz., for failing to pay a $4,850 award in favor of a Missouri seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Norma Mihelish, Ramon Herrera and Antonio Garcia Valencia were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business.
• Parimar Inc, doing business as D DeFranco & Sons, operating out of Los Angeles, Calif., for failing to pay a $68,672 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Gerald S. DeFranco, Paul F. DeFranco and Richard J. DeFranco were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business.

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

For more information, contact Penny Robinson-Landrigan, Chief, Dispute Resolution Branch, at (202) 720-2890 or [email protected].

REEDLEY, CA - Family Tree Farms is pleased to announce the promotion of Ryan Howard to North American Sales Director, effective January 1, 2026.

Howard has been an integral part of the Family Tree Farms sales organization for over a decade, playing key roles in expanding customer partnerships, leading sales strategy, and supporting both stone fruit and blueberry programs across the domestic market. During his tenure, he has built strong relationships with retail partners and helped drive strategic growth in competitive produce categories through leadership and execution.

“I’m honored and excited to step into this new role,” said Howard in the recent release. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our customers and team as we build momentum across North America. I look forward to advancing our sales strategy and delivering exceptional service and results for our retail partners.”

Daniel Jackson, Owner added: “Ryan has demonstrated unwavering commitment and leadership throughout his time with Family Tree Farms. His deep experience and results-oriented mindset make him an excellent fit to lead our North American sales efforts as we continue to strengthen our market presence.”

Doug LaCroix, VP of Sales and Marketing, shared: “Ryan’s dedication and understanding of our business have been integral to our success. He consistently delivers for our customers and our team. We’re confident his leadership in this expanded role will help propel Family Tree Farms’ sales strategy forward.”