TEXAS - Joining much of the Southwest corridor at the end of last week in Tucson, Arizona, for the 2026 SWIPE, there was one topic outside the agenda that had attendees buzzing: the outlook for traveling home.

With many in attendance from Texas and the East Coast, there was a lot of well-wishing for safe and timely flights ahead of the big storms anticipated in the regions—just one impact of the looming snow and ice.

The Hort Americas team, promising to continue to respond to orders, emails, and phone calls as quickly as possible, asked customers to “please be aware Texas is expected to experience inclement weather over the next couple of days. Shipping delays, due to ice, are a possibility.”

Further east, the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market closed Sunday due to the incoming weather and its potential impact on market operations.

“Because conditions may still change, weather and site conditions will be reassessed no later than Sunday evening to determine whether the market can safely reopen on Monday,” the company said in a statement.

On the ground in Texas, Tony Incaviglia of GR Fresh gave me more insight into what could be expected.

“The primary impact will be logistically, as ice and severe weather up and down the Midwest and all states east of the Mississippi, limiting truck movement. Supply seems to remain healthy, although we just received word that some wet weather in western Mexico growing regions will slow production, but transportation will be the main challenge over the next week or so here in the U.S….Once conditions improve, we anticipate a window to fill supply pipelines caused by shipping delays and we are preparing for that increase in demand,” the Vice President of Sales and Marketing shared.

As one SWIPE panel discussed produce strategies amid unprecedented situations, Kristi Novak, Produce Buyer for H-E-B, emphasized the importance of relationships and connections amid challenges like the inclement weather currently facing the Lone Star State.

“You align in communication, there is a lot coming from all sides. We at H-E-B have a team specifically to handle emergency events. It is just about communication and navigating expectations,” she explained.

Maintaining that open line as the buy-side and supply-side work together to meet the demands for what consumers need, she continued, especially at such a time, stands out as warehouses and retailers navigate what is available.

“Thankfully, we have strong connections with our suppliers, so there is that trust to meet needs as we see this through,” Kristi observed.

Business Insider reported that at least 800,000 people are enduring freezing weather without power as storms sweep the U.S. Spread more than 2,000 miles from New Mexico to Maine, the system hit the south-central U.S. on Friday night and is now impacting the Northeast.

Fox 4 reported Sunday that Dallas County officials were working to get the ice and snow off the roadway. An Ice Storm Warning was in effect for parts of North Texas through Sunday at noon, with a Winter Storm Warning in effect for North and Central Texas through noon Sunday, followed by an Extreme Cold Warning through noon Tuesday.

AndNowUKnow will continue to report on any effects throughout the industry and those who make it possible to bring fresh produce to market. In the meantime, we hope everyone stays safe and well amid these extreme weather conditions.

OXNARD, CA - As our industry front line continues to build programs driven by high-quality and high-value partners, companies like Freska Produce International are meeting the needs of today’s consumer and customer with strategies built to last. At this year’s SEPC Southern Exposure, slated for February 26 to March 1, Freska will showcase its passion and commitment to its partners and reinforce the future of its supply.

“At Southern Exposure, Freska will be spotlighting our full mango program across seasons and origins, with a strong focus on our Mexican Honey Mango (Ataulfo) deal as Southern Mexico comes on, along with our transition from Peru Kents through the late-winter window,” Gary Clevenger, Managing Member, Freska Produce International, shares. “SEPC is the perfect place to show buyers how we keep mangos covered all year with multiple origins, multiple shipping points, and the market knowledge to help customers time promotions and stay in stock, along with our dried mangos, avocados, and dragonfruit.”

Freska shares that we can expect Mexican Honey Mangos to hold with strong availability in both large and small sizes as the season starts.

Peru Kents will have continued arrivals during the transition window (late winter). In addition, Mexico Tommy Atkins (Reds) will have limited availability starting early February, building into mid-to-late March, with sizing expected to peak large to medium. Gary emphasizes that many factors can impact the current state of the market, but this is how the category currently stands for Freska.

“We also have the added value of shipping flexibility with multiple shipping points to keep customers covered and freight-efficient,” Gary informs me, for example, Mexico through Nogales, Arizona, and McAllen, Texas; and Peru Reds through Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Oxnard, California.

Expect to experience Fair Trade options, organic offerings, and Freska’s dried mango line that's 100 percent organic with no additives—just natural organic mango slices. The company’s Mexican avocado program will also be a strategic focus, executing on steady availability and consistent quality.

“For our California avocado program, we bring our partners the market insight that helps growers and buyers plan with confidence,” Gary explains. “And we are very excited about our dragonfruit program, featuring reliable supply and specifications built for retail and foodservice.”

“We want buyers to walk away with one clear message: Freska is built to be a year-round, solutions-first partner—backed by supply continuity, logistics coverage, and real market intelligence,” Gary describes. “A year-round availability mindset that plans transitions early ensures customers are not scrambling between seasons. Freska helps customers make smarter buying decisions with real-time market feel—timing, sizing, and promotion windows. When you work with Freska, you are not just buying fruit, you are gaining a partner that helps you manage the category all year.”

The Southeast Produce Council has been a relationship-builder for Freska, creating a place where conversations turn into long-term partnerships.

Stop by booth #718 at SEPC Southern Exposure and meet Tom Hall, Freska’s Sales Director, and learn more about the amazing program behind the team.

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC, CANADA - Sollum Technologies, an expert in dynamic LED lighting for controlled environment agriculture, recently published a blog post highlighting the most important LED lighting qualities for system adaptability and operational performance.

“Choosing lighting based solely on efficiency numbers or price per micromole is an outdated approach,” Abhay Thosar, Chief Horticultural Specialist, shared with AndNowUKnow. “The right LED solution evolves with your greenhouse. It’s not about having the most powerful fixture—it’s about having a system that supports changing light conditions, crop cycles, and operational goals without locking you into outdated technology.”

The article, How to Choose the Best Commercial Greenhouse LED System, highlights some of the key capabilities that set effective greenhouse lighting systems apart from less dynamic systems. This includes the ability to:

• precisely adjust spectrum, intensity, and Daily Light Integral (DLI) in real time so lighting responds to crop needs and external conditions
• manage lighting by zone to reflect differences across a greenhouse floor
• integrate seamlessly with existing control systems instead of requiring costly overhauls
• support the ongoing evolution of greenhouse operations without constant hardware replacement

The insights revealed in Sollum’s latest blog post are backed by the company’s experience deploying dynamic LED systems that help growers achieve consistent output and energy efficiency across seasons. “As greenhouse growers continue to navigate rising energy costs, seasonal light variability, and expectations for year-round quality production, the question of which LED lighting system is truly ‘best’ has become more complex—and more important—than ever,” the company stated in a recent release.

Sollum’s LED systems adapt as conditions change—from natural light shifts to crop cycles and market pressures—providing a solution as dynamic as the industry it was made for.

For more industry news, leave a tab open to ANUK.

ORLANDO, FL - The National Mango Board launches its search for nominees to fill six (6) open board member positions for the term of 2027-2029. The board's primary goal is to raise awareness and drive the consumption of fresh mangos in the United States while educating consumers about the culture, flavor, and nutritional benefits of this versatile superfruit. The board also serves as a unifying force within the mango industry.

Members of the mango industry are invited to submit nomination applications for the following available seats, with the final deadline set for February 27, 2026, at 6 P.M (EST):

• Two (2) Foreign Producers
• Three (3) District II Importers
• One (1) Domestic Producer

The National Mango Board comprises a total of 18 members, including importers, domestic producers, foreign producers, and a first handler, according to the recent release. Appointed to a three-year term, board members collaborate closely with the National Mango Board staff to implement Marketing, Research, and Industry Relations programs that benefit the mango industry.

Nomination applications can be accessed at www.mango.org/nominations or by contacting National Mango Board Director of Operations, Rolff Vladimir Mitton at [email protected] or Operations Manager, Gabriela Rocha at [email protected]. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture makes the final decisions on all board member appointments.

The National Mango Board is dedicated to fostering diversity within the mango community, including growers, importers, shippers, distributors, marketers, and partners. The board encourages industry members to apply without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, protected genetic information, or reprisal.