MILLEN, GA - You don’t need to knock, you’re already home.

This is the feeling that informs and inspires each task, event, and program undertaken by the Southeast Produce Council (SEPC).

“We are a council that wants to wrap its arms around its members as a whole. A family is what we are; it’s not a small group or a statement. We are welcoming to all because we are all living our lives together—produce is a small world. We love what happens to our events, but don’t want to have a monopoly on that feeling because it is throughout our industry,” David Sherrod reflects.

What he means, the council President clarifies, is that you don’t have to be from the region to be a part of the family that is fresh produce. A key component that differentiates SEPC from other associations is the desire to see the beauty in the whole organism while recognizing the special space it can hold by being uniquely itself. But there is more to it than that.

It is an open-door policy you would expect from a longtime friend, but an association?

Yet can’t you see David and any member of the SEPC Board welcoming you into the family room, where their sofa is your sofa, and you don’t need to ask before checking the fridge, so long as you bring him something back, too.

There is a joy and enrichment the entire SEPC family—yes, family—gains by and shares through their roles in the produce industry.

“If you approach our industry more as a value system than a job, then you will be enriched by it. We on the council all feel like our only competition is us—we try to do better every time. If we do better than last time, it can only go up. Then you’re doing right by all, which is better for the whole industry,” he reflects.

Those who make up the council want everyone they host to feel as if they are being welcomed into a home—one that already has a special place for them. “Southern hospitality for the produce industry” is so much more than a phrase for the stewards of the SEPC.

“We hope it’s more than a feeling; that every time someone attends, they want to be at our events. Not just for work, but because they are something to look forward to and reunite with people at,” David tells me. “The day doesn’t end when you go home in this business, so you'd best make sure you get nourishment and engagement in more than just the job. There are good people in produce—it takes a special group to pull off what these people do, nourishing the world and, hopefully, ourselves.”

At the end of the day, David and the team feel they are a blessed council because of the commitment to the unique space it holds in the produce industry.

“We don’t ever want to be stale or copy others—if we are doing something only because someone else is, we are doing it wrong. Let anyone who does something well get the credit for what they are doing, we’ll learn from it and do something all our own,” he states.

I wholeheartedly encourage this when I recall a mishap at one SEPC-hosted event that turned into one of the best interactive sessions of my year. To this, David tells me that nothing ever goes right in produce, so why not embrace it?

“That’s fine as long as you learn from it, and that’s what we do,” David concludes. “Like everyone we represent in this beautiful industry, we are planting a lot of seeds, nurturing them and hoping to see them grow.”

From STARS and STEP-UPP to Southern Roots and scholarship, to so many other branches and programs, that growth continues to embrace the industry beyond southeastern borders.

The thought David leaves me with is of asking not what we can gain, but where we can uniquely give. Because of the nature of our industry, the efforts of a few provide for so many.

Stay tuned as we continue to dive into the ley lines that make for unbreakable connections through this industry advocate that is the SEPC.

MISSION, TX - The Texas International Fresh Produce Association (TIPA) announced that Hunter Pinke will serve as the 2026 keynote speaker at the Viva Fresh Expo, bringing a timely message of resilience, adaptability, and perspective to the Tex-Mex produce community.

In an industry shaped by weather, markets, labor challenges, and constant change, Pinke’s keynote will focus on how leaders respond when plans shift and why mindset matters as much as strategy. His “no bad days” philosophy offers a practical framework for navigating uncertainty while staying focused on purpose and progress.

“Hunter’s message resonates deeply with agriculture,” said Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Fresh Produce Association, in the recent release. “Our industry understands long days, unpredictability, and the need to pivot when conditions change. Hunter doesn’t just inspire; he gives audiences a way to reframe challenges and move forward with resolve.”

Born and raised in rural North Dakota, Pinke’s perspective was forged through a life-altering spinal cord injury at age 22 that forced him to redefine success and leadership. A former Division I football captain and collegiate wheelchair basketball team leader, he understands firsthand how to adapt when circumstances change and how to lead through adversity. Now active in construction and family farming, Pinke speaks across North America about resilience, perspective, and building momentum in hard seasons; lessons that translate powerfully to today’s produce industry.

Pinke’s keynote will be a defining moment of the 2026 Viva Fresh Expo, setting the tone for an event built on regional leadership, cross-border collaboration, and the relationships that keep the Tex-Mex produce corridor moving. Because fresh produce is a high-pressure, perishable business—where timing is tight, conditions change fast, and decisions carry real consequences—his “no bad days” mindset mirrors the resilience it takes to deliver product from field to market every day. With attendees spanning growers, shippers, distributors, retailers, and foodservice leaders, the session will offer more than inspiration: practical perspective and actionable takeaways teams can apply immediately to navigate uncertainty and lead with clarity.

As the signature event representing the Tex-Mex fresh produce corridor, Viva Fresh Expo connects the people and organizations that move fresh produce from field to market across North America. The event has continued to grow year over year, welcoming nearly 3000 registered participants, including 400+ buyers.

To register or learn more visit www.vivafreshexpo.com.

CALABASAS, CA - The United States National Technical Working Group (NTWG) for GLOBALG.A.P. announces the appointment of Marianna Solorio, Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance at Bonipak Produce, as its new chairperson.

US NTWG shapes the GLOBALG.A.P. certification system in the US

GLOBALG.A.P. national technical working groups (NTWGs) provide opportunities for producers, retailers, certification bodies, food safety and sustainability experts, and other stakeholders to support the GLOBALG.A.P. certification system.

The US NTWG ensures audit efficiency, compliance accuracy, and the local relevance of GLOBALG.A.P. farm assurance solutions. A major focus area is supporting the adaptation of GLOBALG.A.P. standards in a US context through the development of national interpretation guidelines. These guidelines align GLOBALG.A.P. requirements with local regulations and structural conditions in the United States, helping producers and certification bodies implement and audit GLOBALG.A.P. standards.

Leadership transition for ongoing alignment in an evolving market

Marianna Solorio assumed the role of Chairperson on January 22, 2026. She is Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance at Bonipak Produce, a seed-to-sale agriculture company based in California. She has played a pivotal role in Bonipak’s engagement with GLOBALG.A.P. Under her leadership, the company has managed GLOBALG.A.P. certifications across thousands of acres, demonstrating commitments to food safety, traceability, environmental responsibility, and workers’ well-being. With extensive experience in ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and managing quality assurance, Solorio brings both technical expertise and leadership commitment to the role.

“My aim is to guide and channel the contributions of this incredibly talented and diverse working group to enhance national guidelines, expand on producer guidance, and foster a resilient, compliant, and quality-driven agriculture sector,” commented Solorio in the recent release. “Together we will bridge global standards with US farming practices and markets.”

Solorio succeeds long-standing chairperson Walter Ram of The Giumarra Companies who notably led the NTWG for over a decade – steering contributions to the development of multiple versions of the flagship GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard, the GLOBALG.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practice (GRASP) add-on, the Produce Handling Assurance standard and the integration of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) add-on into the GLOBALG.A.P. framework. Solorio will lead the NTWG’s ongoing work on these standards as well as GLOBALG.A.P. standards under development covering social and environmental topics.

Support from Bonipak and GLOBALG.A.P.

As a fully integrated operation supplying vegetables across North America, Bonipak understands the importance of globally respected farm assurance programs. Their membership in the GLOBALG.A.P. community, and contributions to its NTWG, showcases the value it places on industry collaboration to drive practical, scalable improvements in agriculture. “Marianna’s appointment reflects the confidence Bonipak has in her thoughtful, steady leadership,” said Ryan Reed, EVP and General Counsel of Bonipak. “She brings exceptional organizational discipline, a grounded and practical approach to problem‑solving, and a genuine commitment to developing the people around her. These qualities have strengthened Bonipak’s food‑safety programs, and will serve the National Technical Working Group well.”

“We are delighted for Marianna to step into this leadership role for the US NTWG after having actively engaged with us for many years” stated Roberta Anderson, President of GLOBALG.A.P. North America. “She takes the reins at an important time when GLOBALG.A.P. assurance solutions are embracing more environmental and social responsibility topics in addition to food safety - supporting our changing industry with streamlined and farmer-focused solutions.”

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Basin Gold Cooperative, Masser Family of Companies, and Michael Family Farms invite retail buyers to Booth #123 at SEPC Southern Exposure 2026 (February 26–March 1, Orlando World Center Marriott) to experience the official launch of Flavorables®, a value-added potato innovation built to drive trade-up, shopper trial, and repeat purchase. Flavorables will also be featured in the show’s Bright Ideas Fresh Arrivals Showcase.

Flavorables pairs premium petite yellow potatoes with pre-portioned, chef-crafted Spiceology seasoning blends. The blends amplify the natural flavor of petite potatoes while leveraging popular foodservice-inspired flavor profiles that resonate with today’s shoppers: Butter-licious, Garlic Parmesan, Cheese Pizza, and Greek Freak. Made with premium-grade spices and real ingredients — nothing artificial — the seasonings bring contemporary, chef-driven taste directly into the produce department.

The line simplifies meal prep while elevating everyday sides, giving retailers a clear point of differentiation and a strong value-per-unit advantage versus commodity potato offerings.

Retailers receive a complete turnkey marketing and merchandising program built to drive in-store and digital engagement. In-store support includes branded floor merchandisers, high-graphic display-ready cartons, and POS materials that build awareness, encourage trial, and support repeat purchase.

The marketing program also delivers a robust suite of digital assets designed to create shopper pull. These include social media posts, social-first videos introducing the line and each flavor, and instructional content showing how to prepare Flavorables in the microwave and air fryer — including the pros and benefits of each method. Additional “secondary use” videos inspire flavor-seeking home cooks with creative meal ideas that extend usage beyond the initial purchase, supporting repeat sales and basket growth.

“Flavorables give retailers a clear path to differentiate their assortment and grow value in the category,” said Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network, in the recent release. “By pairing premium petite potatoes with chef-crafted seasonings, we deliver a convenient, elevated solution shoppers are actively seeking.”

Fresh Solutions Network will be represented by Basin Gold Cooperative (Pasco, WA), Michael Family Farms (Urbana, OH), and Masser Family of Companies (Sacramento, PA).

Retail buyers are encouraged to stop by Booth #123 to see how Flavorables can bring flavor innovation, convenience, and incremental growth to the potato category.

For more information on Side Delights® and its Network of farms, visit FreshSolutionsNet.com, SideDelights.com, and GrownWhereItMatters.com.

CORAL GABLES, FL - Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court has approved the Company as the purchaser of select assets of California-based Del Monte Foods Corporation II Inc. and its affiliates through a court-supervised sale under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

The Court’s decision represents a decisive legal milestone that clears the Transaction to advance into the pre-closing phase. With this approval in place, a key procedural step has been achieved, providing increased certainty as Fresh Del Monte completes customary regulatory reviews, including Hart-Scott-Rodino clearance, and satisfies remaining closing conditions.

As previously disclosed, the purchase price is $285 million, plus the assumption of certain liabilities. Further details on the Transaction’s strategic and financial impact will be provided following closing, consistent with standard practice.

According to the recent release, the Company expects the Transaction to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to these approvals.

Upon closing, Fresh Del Monte will acquire select prepared and packaged foods businesses, including vegetable, tomato, and refrigerated fruit assets, as well as global ownership of the Del Monte® brand, subject to existing regional licensing arrangements.

With this milestone complete, Fresh Del Monte is focused on executing the remaining steps toward closing in a disciplined manner and advancing the transaction into its next phase.

BAKERSIFIELD, CA - Sun World International, LLC has achieved a significant legal victory in the protection of its plant variety rights (PVR) in a landmark case before the IP Court of Bari, obtaining an interim vine removal order against a well-known Italian grower in Apulia who unlawfully propagated vines of the proprietary Sugrathirtyfive cultivar, marketed under the AUTUMNCRISP brand.

On Oct. 30, 2025, a collegial court ruling fully upheld the initial findings and protective measures, confirming the vine removal order and allowing it to take immediate effect to safeguard Sun World International’s plant variety rights, without waiting for a final ruling on the merits.

The measure was prompted by an ex parte drone investigation aimed at identifying the plots of land involved and was subsequently validated through DNA-based analysis using Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers. The Court explicitly recognized the genetic assessment as a reliable and scientifically sound method to determine varietal identity and identify PVR violations.

From a legal standpoint, this case represents an important precedent for breeders, and the ruling underscores the increasing relevance of advanced genetic tools and modern investigative technologies in effectively enforcing plant IP, enabling swift measures to stop unlawful propagation and safeguard agricultural innovation.

“This vine removal order emphasizes Sun World’s dedication to protecting our intellectual property and making sure our varieties are cultivated legally,” said Maanda Phosiwa, Vice President – Legal, at Sun World, in the recent release. “Vine removal is an appropriate and necessary remedy when unauthorized plantings are identified and this decision supports the rights of all breeders who depend on strong IP protection to keep innovating.”

Sun World continues to shape the PVR enforcement landscape and remains committed to leading global efforts against counterfeiting and unauthorized use of its proprietary cultivars. With additional legal actions underway in Italy and other jurisdictions, the company focuses on protecting its valuable genetics worldwide while partnering with growers who respect intellectual property—ensuring consumers enjoy safe, authentic, high-quality fruit developed through decades of innovation.