WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - In 2015, Chelsea Minor, now Chelsea Carbahal, joined Raley’s and quickly became an integral part of the executive leadership team. As the senior leader of Public Relations, Government Affairs, and Community Impact, Carbahal helped shape the company’s growth strategy. She guided strategic communications during a period of significant transformation when Raley’s doubled in size through acquisitions and strategic divestitures. Throughout this process, she advanced the organizational vision of “changing the way the world eats, one plate at a time.”

“Chelsea was instrumental in communicating our transformation, including introducing a healthier assortment and exiting products and categories no longer aligned with our brand and vision,” said Keith Knopf, president & CEO, The Raley’s Companies, in the recent release. “We relied on her expertise during the challenges of the pandemic and trusted her ability to anticipate and shape our response to regulatory changes and evolving consumer sentiment. Chelsea’s leadership was central to these pivotal moments and so much more.”

In 2020, Carbahal’s role expanded to The Raley’s Companies, a multifaceted, multi-state organization. She skillfully navigated complex state landscapes, building strong relationships with government leaders at the local and state levels, as well as Tribal Nations. She also served as the Executive Director of Raley’s charitable foundation, Food For Families. In partnership with Foundation President Julie Teel, Carbahal broadened the program’s reach, diversifying donations to increase revenue and deepen its impact across food banks in Northern California and Nevada.

“Chelsea has been a vital contributor to the strategic and operational success and expansion of Raley’s Food For Families,” said Julie Teel, president of Food For Families Board of Directors. “I am forever grateful for her compassionate, empathetic, and courageous leadership in our shared mission to help those who are food insecure.”

Beyond her contributions to The Raley’s Companies, Carbahal worked closely with Owner and Chairman Mike Teel to advance the vitality of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council (GSEC) and engage on statewide issues critical to the business. She built a high-performing governmental affairs strategy that played a central role in legislative and regulatory efforts, including the passage of Proposition 36 related to retail theft.

“Chelsea’s impact, both internally and externally, has been substantial. Her insight, expertise, and steady guidance helped drive meaningful progress for the communities we serve,” said Mike Teel, owner and chairman, The Raley’s Companies. “With her leadership, Raley’s engaged in critical conversations, advanced key projects, and contributed to important regional and statewide growth.”

After a decade of dedicated service, Carbahal is embarking on a new chapter, both professionally and personally. In July 2025, she and her husband welcomed twins into their family. Following maternity leave, she returned this fall and, in partnership with Raley’s leadership, began planning her next steps. Effective January 16, she will launch her own strategic advisory firm, CMC Strategies, with Raley’s as its inaugural client under a retainer agreement.

“Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside an exceptional team and contributing to a company whose mission has always inspired me. Together, we navigated transformative growth, embraced bold changes, and strengthened our commitment to the communities we serve,” said Chelsea Carbahal. “I am deeply grateful for the trust, collaboration, and friendships that have shaped my journey at Raley’s and the greater community. As I begin this next chapter with CMC Strategies, I look forward to continuing our partnership and supporting the company’s vision in new and meaningful ways.”

“Chelsea has been an important and transformative leader for The Raley’s Companies. Her impact on our team, our brand, and our leaders is indelible. While we will miss working with Chelsea day-to-day, we look forward to continuing our partnership through CMC Strategies,” said Knopf.

The company has a succession plan in place for an incumbent executive leader to assume these responsibilities as well as a capable team that will carry on the important and critical work. An announcement will be forthcoming.

FOWLER, CA - Bee Sweet Citrus is partnering with NBCUniversal for a new recruitment campaign. Now through April, two commercials will air on Telemundo in local Central Valley markets, highlighting generational leadership and management opportunities at Bee Sweet Citrus.

“A lot of things have changed at Bee Sweet Citrus since we opened our doors in 1987, but there will always be two constants here: the importance of family values and growth opportunities for our entire workforce,” stated Bee Sweet Citrus Director of Communications, Monique Mueller, in the recent release. “This new campaign captures the essence of Bee Sweet Citrus in two 30-second segments, and we’re so excited to showcase it to our Central Valley community.”

For the remainder of the season, Spanish-speaking families can view the commercial while watching their favorite shows on Telemundo. The commercials highlight the success stories of Bee Sweet’s Laura Torres and Francisco Robles Avalos.

“Francisco has been working at Bee Sweet Citrus for over 30 years, met his wife here, and we’ve also just hired his son as a mechanic,” stated Bee Sweet Citrus Director of Human Resources, Jasmine Reynozo. “Laura started her journey as an intern and now helps to run our Mandarin line as one of our leading production managers. These are the experiences that so many of our employees share and represent Bee Sweet Citrus as a whole.”

In addition to the commercials, Bee Sweet’s Wellness Program with United Health Centers and involvement in the creation of the Central Valley’s first Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) chapter will be highlighted on Telemundo’s Acceso Total show. The segments showcase the company’s social sustainability initiative and highlight how FAME interns can succeed at Bee Sweet Citrus.

To learn more about Bee Sweet’s new campaign, or for more information on the company’s partnership with United Health Centers and FAME, please email [email protected] or call 559-834-5345.

PRODUCE INDUSTRY - At the beginning of every year, a familiar set of challenges arrives: remembering to write 2026 on the page, easing into the pull of the next 12 months while carrying lessons from the last, and balancing a full calendar without letting the unknown feel too heavy. Fortunately, in this industry, we’re almost always getting ready to get ready.

These moments are often accompanied by warm calls from industry friends, emails resurfacing after the holiday rush, and tradeshows already appearing on the horizon. That shared sense of gratitude—rising alongside the challenges—is a gift, and one we know is felt throughout the year. We invite you to take a moment to reflect on the words of some of our industry friends as we continue stepping into 2026.

Harold Paivarinta, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Red Sun Farms™

“2025 tested the food industry in new ways, making it a uniquely challenging year. Tectonic shifts in consumer spending, the rapid rise of GLP-1 usage, and the accelerating influence of social media have created dramatic and often unpredictable swings in demand. As we enter 2026, there is a shared desire for greater patience and a return to steadier rhythms as we collectively navigate toward a new normal. Yet, in doing so, it is essential that we do not abandon the core attributes that have long defined our industry – relationships built on trust, collaboration, innovation, and transparency. Looking ahead, my pledge is simple and unwavering: to remain poised, prepared, and fully engaged in supporting our retail partners through whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead in 2026.”

Rannel Santiago, Director of Produce, Sysco

“As we enter 2026, my resolution is to raise the bar—prioritizing health, strengthening family connections, and embracing change and progress. By exploring new culinary traditions and innovative approaches, I aim to grow as a leader in the industry while continuing to deliver meaningful solutions for our customers. This year is about collaboration, progress, and honoring the stories behind every ingredient to create offerings that reflect care, creativity, and purpose.”

Mike Roberts, Vice President of Produce Operations, Harps Food Stores

“Grateful for another year in the produce industry—working alongside truly wonderful people, helping teach and inspire the next generation, and doing what matters most: feeding our communities fresh fruits and vegetables. Here’s to the work, the growth, and another awesome year ahead in produce and all it has to offer in 2026.”

Angela Hernandez, Vice President of Marketing, Trinity Fruit Company

“When I reflect on this New Year—how I closed out 2025 and stepped into 2026—the words that come to mind are intentional, airy, and peaceful. As 2025 came to an end, I was deliberate about cleaning every nook and cranny, purging what no longer needed to be there. I donated so many bags of things—things that perhaps someone else needed more than I did. In the process, I was reminded of the way a harvest is prepared. A farmer tends the field before the crop ever grows—removing what doesn’t belong, readying the land so it can best serve the season ahead. That is exactly what I did, and exactly how I wanted to begin this year: fresh, light, and at peace. May we all experience a fruitful season and live fully in the blessing that each breath gives us.”

Krista Beckstead, Director of Marketing, Mountain View Fruit Sales

"A new year means another chance to shine a little brighter than last year—to grow with intention, be thankful for the opportunities and partnerships in the past year, and look forward to new sparkly ones in the future. Cheers to a fresh year ahead filled with PEACHY moments that add sparkle to everyday life!"

Please stay tuned as we bring you more words from our industry friends and those who make the produce world go round. Happy New Year!

LUBBOCK, TX & NEW YORK, NY - United Supermarkets is bringing back its 28-Day Challenge campaign to the United Supermarkets, Albertsons Market, Market Street, and Amigos banners starting January 1, 2026. The program, first launched in January 2023 and repeated in 2025, features a series of interactive games and actions linked to customers’ Rewards! loyalty accounts. The program, which is much loved by shoppers, was designed by United’s health-and-wellness team to help users meet their wellness goals. The program was developed in partnership with TCC Global, a leading loyalty solution provider.

“The 2026 28-Day Challenge creates incentives for our guests to make better health and wellness decisions during the campaign and throughout the year, because we want each of them to shop with us for many years to come. We’ve added a few elements to the program to help participants reach their goals while rewarding them for achieving their milestones,” said Tony Crumpton, CMO, VP at United Supermarkets, in the recent release.

In 2025, the 28-Day Challenge saw significant increases in shopper participation, with 40% more users and more than three times the number of challenges completed than in the previous year.

The 2026 Campaign, which includes even more new challenges to promote exercise and healthy eating, also has an AI component for task tracking. United Supermarkets guests can upload an image for proof of action, like an image of an exercise duration tracker. Participants can also upload images of meals when they are adding different colored vegetables to their diet. Each activity rewards United guests with valuable discounts or sweepstakes entries. In the stores, customers in certain markets are even able to meet with one of the retailer’s registered dietitians.

“It’s gratifying to work with a retailer so dedicated to the well-being of their customers that they create and promote a marketing campaign like the 28-Day Challenge,” said Julie Lyle, President of North America for TCC Global. “TCC is committed to helping United Supermarkets build on the success of the last two challenges and ensure the 2026 program is even more impactful.”

SALINAS, CA - Stout Industrial Technology, a leader in AI-powered agricultural automation and plant data analytics, is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Bonnett as Chief Executive Officer. Bonnett brings more than 27 years of global agribusiness experience and a proven track record of driving innovation, growth, and sustainability across the agricultural technology landscape. Most recently, he led Waypoint Analytical, the largest agricultural analytical service organization in North America, through transformative growth as CEO, quadrupling revenue and tripling EBITDA while introducing groundbreaking soil DNA science platforms and AI-powered agronomy solutions.

Alongside leading Waypoint, Bonnett served in senior leadership roles at Nutrien Ag Solutions, where he spearheaded the development and adoption of state-of-the-art agronomic solutions across North America, including precision agriculture, environmental science, and innovation farm networks. Earlier in his career, he held global leadership positions at Syngenta, advancing crop protection, seed genetics, and digital technology strategies.

“Stout Industrial Technology has shown that AI and robotics have a real place in the field. I’m excited to bring my global agriculture experience to help scale this innovative platform. Together, our team is ready to tackle the toughest operational challenges facing growers and the industry today,” said Paul Bonnet, CEO of Stout Industrial Technology, in the recent release. 

Bonnett holds a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Loughborough University and a Ph.D. in Crop Protection Chemistry from Manchester University. He is widely recognized as an innovator in agricultural science and technology, credited with multiple patents and frequently invited to share his expertise at leading industry conferences and forums.

As Stout enters its next phase of growth, the company continues to build its reputation as a grower-built, field-proven technology partner delivering automation and actionable data insights to crop producers worldwide. Its flagship product, the Stout Smart Cultivator, combines rugged engineering with advanced machine vision and artificial intelligence to mechanically weed and cultivate fields with 99.99% accuracy - eliminating weeds without harming crops. Each machine replaces 25–30 hand-weeding laborers, enabling growers to reduce costs, improve precision, and operate on their own schedule. Beyond automation, Stout’s plant data analytics platform transforms field-level data into executive-ready insights, empowering growers to make smarter decisions, optimize operations, and maximize ROI. Stout delivers solutions trusted worldwide by growers and proven to perform in the toughest field conditions.

“Paul’s leadership and deep expertise in agronomy, data science, and technology make him the ideal choice to guide Stout into its next phase of growth,” said Steven Snyder, Co-Founder at Stout. “His proven ability to turn technology into measurable value for growers will strengthen Stout’s leadership in delivering actionable insights and ROI through field-proven automation and analytics solutions.”

OTTAWA, ON - Online registration for the 2026 Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s Convention and Trade Show (CPMA 2026), taking place April 28-30, in Toronto, Ontario, is now open.

The CPMA Annual Trade Show is Canada’s largest event dedicated to the fresh fruits and vegetable industry, and this year’s edition promises to be the biggest show to date. The event will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (South Building) and will feature over 700 booths representing more than 300 companies from around the world including, major growers, packers/shippers, wholesalers, retailers, brokers, importers/exporters, foodservice operators, and industry professionals throughout the whole produce supply chain.

CPMA is introducing new initiatives this year, including food stations on the trade show floor and extended show hours on opening day, April 29, to help attendees maximize their networking opportunities, build new connections, and strengthen their business relationships.

“We are delighted to once again bring the industry together in Toronto, Canada’s biggest and most diverse city,” said Ron Lemaire, CPMA President, in the recent release. “With a trade show floor featuring a record number of booths, we expect to welcome our largest group of participants yet. This year’s program is also designed to give attendees more time to expand their professional networks, explore new business opportunities, and socialize to strengthen their business relationships.”

To get the most out of this event, industry members are encouraged to secure full delegate passes, which grant access to a wide range of unique educational and networking opportunities, including the trade show floor, business sessions, and social events such as the Chair’s Welcome Reception, Awards Brunch, the Delegate Breakfast, and the Annual Banquet.

In addition, early bird full-delegate registrants have a chance of winning a Destination Toronto prize package, which includes access to Toronto’s Iconic CN Tower EdgeWalk, a $250 food and beverage gift card, and a Toronto CityPass that grants admission to Toronto's top attractions. The lucky winner of this package will be picked randomly after March 6, the early bird registration deadline.

To register and reserve accommodation for CPMA 2026, visit the CPMA Convention website.