NEW YORK CITY, NY - When I first visited the SunOpta website to be greeted by a stock market-style ticker, I thought it was a clever tribute to the company’s ringing the opening bell in the Big Apple to kick off 2026.

In fact, with a significant portion of the company’s products focused on plant-based foods and beverages, the ticker is counting estimated global average water savings of plant-based milk when compared to equivalent production of dairy milk, based on SunOpta’s annual plant-based milk production volume (consisting of almond, oat, soy, rice, and coconut milks) which represent over 99 percent of SunOpta plant-based milk production.

With sustainability playing such an integral part of the company’s business, it was that much more exciting to note SunOpta just celebrated 40 years as a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

“This anniversary isn’t just about longevity, it’s about growth. Our categories are thriving and our customers are choosing us with confidence. SunOpta’s mission is clear: to deliver customized food and beverage supply chain solutions that fuel and sustain our customers’ success. And our vision is bold: to be North America’s leading solutions provider of innovative, sustainable, better-for-you beverages, broths, and snacks,” Brian Kocher, Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement.

Kocher, alongside members of the company’s senior leadership team, led the bell-ringing ceremony the morning of January 8, direct from Nasdaq MarketSite based in Times Square.

It’s a significant testament to the company’s success in delivering customized supply chain solutions for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers.

Congratulations to the SunOpta team for not just the four decades on the Nasdaq Stock Market, but over 50 years of expertise and success as a whole!

MONTRÉAL - METRO INC. announced its results for the first quarter of Fiscal 2026 ended December 20, 2025.

2026 FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

• Sales of $5,285.8 million, up 3.3%
• Food same-store sales(1) up 1.6% and up 1.9% when adjusting for the Christmas shift(3)
• Pharmacy same-store sales(1) up 3.9%
• Net earnings of $226.3 million, down 12.8% and adjusted net earnings(1) of $248.7 million, up 1.3%
• Fully diluted net earnings per share of $1.05, down 9.5% and adjusted fully diluted net earnings per share(1) of $1.16, up 5.5%
• Earnings adjusted for the negative impact of $15.9 million ($21.6 million before taxes) for the direct costs related to the temporary shutdown of our frozen food distribution centre in Toronto
• Declared dividend of $0.4075 per share, up 10.1% versus last year

President's Message

"We delivered sales and earnings per share growth in a challenging operating environment, marked by the temporary closure of our freezer in Toronto and persistent food inflation. We are pleased with our new discount store openings and our growing market share in a very competitive market. Our teams are committed to provide the best value possible to our customers and we are confident that our diversified business model, sustained investments in our retail networks and strong execution will continue to deliver long term growth for our shareholders," declared Eric La Flèche, President and Chief Executive Officer, in the recent release.

See the full release here.

KINGSVILLE, ON - Who’s ready for Southern Exposure 2026? The Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) event will be taking place from February 26 to March 1 this year, welcoming suppliers and buyers alike to make new connections. I got in touch with Red Sun Farms™ ahead of the show to hear what the team has in store.

“The Red Sun Farms family will be welcoming customers with the latest developments on our Chef Collection relaunch, and our Strawberry genetics research,” Harold Paivarinta, Senior Director of Sales and Business Development, began telling me. “Customers will be able to see how their favorite varieties have evolved since we last met at Southern Innovations, as well as varietal development across the tomato category. From Seed to Plate, we remain committed to delivering great produce with honesty, integrity, and transparency.”

Harold relayed that the team is very excited to share its recent developments in the tomato snacking category, as well as share updates on its strawberry research project.

“Through this ever-changing climate, we remain focused on our customers and working closely to ensure our strategies align with their objectives and support their success in a rapidly changing marketplace,” Harold explained. “Southern Exposure is an important gathering for the fresh produce community, bringing together partners and peers to strengthen relationships that support lasting growth and collaboration. The event offers a valuable opportunity to explore emerging innovations, exchange ideas with customers and industry colleagues, and gain insights through educational sessions.”

On a final note, Harold pointed out how SEPC’s Southern Exposure has built a culture around networking and relationship-building.

“SEPC provides a valuable platform that unites the produce community, facilitating the renewal of existing connections, the establishment of new partnerships, educational advancements, and industry collaboration,” he noted. “We hope our team walks away with stronger customer relationships and a clearer understanding of their business needs, enabling us to be the supplier of choice.”

We still have plenty of time to prepare for Southern Exposure 2026, so be sure to include Red Sun Farms in your show floor plans!

SALINAS, CA - Retailers and consumers can look forward to avocados that deliver quality and confidence in how they are grown. Naturipe Farms, a long-time sustainability leader in the produce industry, earns Pro-Forest certification for its avocados, meeting a voluntary, third-party standard that verifies deforestation-free production practices in Mexico.

The Pro-Forest program was developed in response to growing retailer and consumer expectations around responsible sourcing and forest protection. Today, it is increasingly requested by major U.S. retailers, like Costco, as part of broader sustainability commitments.

Through its Baika Mexico operations, Naturipe Farms was an early adopter of the Pro-Forest program, becoming one of the first avocado packing houses in Mexico to earn the certification. The achievement reinforces Naturipe’s ability to provide full traceability and transparency across its avocado supply chain while supporting responsible land management.

“Pro-Forest certification reflects our long-standing commitment to sustainable avocado production,” said Andy Bruno, president of Naturipe Avocado Farms, in the recent release. “Being one of the first packing houses in Mexico to earn this certification allows us to give our retailers confidence in where their avocados come from and how they are produced.”

The Pro-Forest system uses satellite mapping to monitor land and fire activity dating back to 2018, helping ensure avocados are sourced from land free of deforestation. The program’s rollout coincided with a record year for avocados in the U.S., with more than three billion pounds sold. According to Bruno, the milestone underscores the industry’s ability to meet strong demand while complying with rigorous sustainability standards.

The certification complements Naturipe's broader sustainability efforts, including the introduction of compostable Price Look-Up (PLU) stickers. With U.S. avocado volumes expected to remain strong through 2026, Naturipe continues to invest in practices that support both environmental responsibility and a reliable, high-quality supply for retailers.

For more information about Naturipe Farms and its sustainability initiatives, visit naturipefarms.com.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - Legend Produce, in partnership with premier Honduran grower-exporter Agrolibano and Kiss Melons, is proud to announce the launch of its 2026 winter specialty melon program.

Beginning in February and running through May, the program will deliver the iconic Sugar Kiss (orange-flesh) and Summer Kiss (green-flesh) melons grown in the prime melon regions of southern Honduras. Weekly shipments will arrive at Miami, Florida, and Port Hueneme, California, ensuring consistent supply of exceptionally sweet, high-brix melons to the North American market during the offshore season. A limited volume of containers will also be shipped directly to select partners in Asia and Europe.

Legend and Agrolibano have partnered for over 25 years to provide winter melons to the domestic markets. "This is a great opportunity to build upon our relationship with Agrolibano and expand the seasonality of the Kiss program,” said Marco Ochoa, Chief Financial Officer at Legend Produce.

"This winter program is a game-changer for the Kiss Melons brand and a testament to the strength of our partnership,” said Milas Russell, III, Managing Director of Kiss Melons, LLC, in the recent release. “Working with Agrolibano’s over 40 years of knowledge, world-class growing and harvesting teams and Legend Produce’s seamless import and distribution network allows us to extend the unmistakable Sugar Kiss and Summer Kiss eating experience to consumers in North America and Asia and, for the first time in limited quantities, to key markets in Europe.”

The 2026 winter program will feature the signature Sugar Kiss and Summer Kiss varieties under the iconic Kiss Melons labels.

Retailers and foodservice buyers interested in securing volume for January–March 2026 are encouraged to contact their Legend Produce sales representative.