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.

CARLISLE, PA - The GIANT Company, known locally as GIANT and MARTIN’S, announced the return of its annual Feeding School Kids initiative. Marking its sixth year, customers at GIANT, MARTIN’S and GIANT Heirloom Market stores are invited to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar or convert their CHOICE points into a donation for their local public school districts’ food programs now through March 31.

“Through our Feeding School Kids initiative, we are directly impacting school food programs in the communities we serve, and ensuring children can remain focused on their academics, and not where their next meal may come from,” said Courtney Hopcraft, manager, community relations and strategic partnerships, The GIANT Company, in the recent release. “Together with our customers and team members, we have donated more than $8.5 million to date to help schools earn critical funds to address food insecurity among their students.”

To launch the program, The GIANT Company will donate $100,000. Through Feeding School Kids, public school districts have been able to support meal programs and address food insecurity from supplying backpacks with weekend food to clearing outstanding student lunch debt to building on-campus food pantries and establishing garden programs.

In 2025, for example, the Central Bucks School District (Pa.) used funds to support its student-managed Farmers Market, which serves 200 families each month, by purchasing vertical hydroponic gardening equipment; the Frederick County School District (Md.) put funds toward food costs for its Bright Futures weekend food pack program that feeds 1,500 kids each week; the State College School District (Pa.) directed funding to cover student lunch debt and to rent a mobile refrigeration unit for its Summer Lunch program, serving nearly 7,000 meals; and the York Suburban School District (Pa.) used funds to cover food expenses for its Impact Pantry for one year, serving 70 families twice a month.

"We are so incredibly grateful for the donation from The GIANT Company,” said Elise Stine Dolinar, Bright Futures coordinator, Frederick County School District. “It is our single largest gift we receive each year. Without their support, we could not do our work of feeding 1,500 kids a week.”

EUGENE, OR - Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Inc.’s PeachyBlue ‘ZF08-029’ blueberry variety has delivered outstanding retail results at Sprouts Farmers Market stores nationwide, driving a 6% increase in total blueberry category sales during the summer promotion and ranking among the top 1% in sales dollars compared to other niche and innovative items at Sprouts this year. This achievement highlights the impact of a direct partnership between Fall Creek, Twin River Berries, and Sprouts, demonstrating how close collaboration from breeding to shelf can deliver measurable returns for growers, retailers, and consumers alike.

The PeachyBlue program, which began with a pilot in Northern California in summer 2024, quickly expanded nationwide in response to strong consumer demand. In 2025, PeachyBlue was promoted in more than 400 Sprouts stores, featuring front-door merchandising and active sampling. The variety’s total sell-through rates matched the entire berry category, underscoring its appeal and commercial success.

“This ‘seed to shelf’ collaboration is a first for us in the berries category,” said Jason Glunt, senior category manager at Sprouts, in the recent release. “Working directly with the breeder has inspired new ideas for finding unique, first-to-market products.”

The journey began in 2023 when Sprouts team members visited Fall Creek’s trial site during the annual Field & Forum event, where PeachyBlue’s distinct white peach flavor caught their attention. This meeting led to a direct collaboration with Twin River Berries, a vertically integrated grower-marketer known for quality and sustainability. Twin River was among the first to trial PeachyBlue on a commercial scale, supplying Sprouts with berries from Oregon Berry Packing and a Washington grower partner. For East Coast stores, introductory volumes were provided by Consalo Family Farms.

Key factors in PeachyBlue’s retail success included effective communication across the supply chain, a clear understanding of each participant’s role, and a focus on flavor. The partnership has evolved beyond a single promotion, with ongoing efforts to support year-round supply, improved merchandising, and future plans to further grow PeachyBlue’s presence at retail.

For growers, the collaboration highlights the value of partnering directly with breeders and retailers to bring innovative varieties to market. “PeachyBlue’s commercial success has helped reopen discussions about investing in new genetics, showing that the right variety, backed by retail partnership, can deliver measurable returns,” said Ben Escoe, CEO of Twin River Berries.

Looking ahead, Fall Creek is prioritizing breeding for traits that balance on-farm economics with consumer preferences, aiming to create a feedback loop that benefits growers, retailers, and shoppers alike.

"PeachyBlue’s success at Sprouts demonstrates how close collaboration between breeders, growers, and retailers can deliver real advantages for consumers," said Val Shepler, commercial manager for the U.S. and Canada at Fall Creek. "By prioritizing flavor and quality alongside grower economics, we’re able to introduce varieties that offer shoppers a truly unique eating experience."

MISSION, TX - The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) is proud to announce the 2026 inductees into the Texas Produce Hall of Fame, one of the most prestigious honors recognizing leaders whose vision, service, and commitment have shaped the Texas produce industry. The celebration will take place on Monday, January 19th, at the Mission Events Center in Mission, Texas, with festivities beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Established in 1988, the Texas Produce Hall of Fame acknowledges individuals who have made profound and lasting contributions to the growth and success of the produce trade throughout Texas. The event brings together growers, shippers, importers, and allied industry members to honor both the pioneers and the rising leaders driving the industry forward.

2026 Texas Produce Hall of Fame Inductees

TIPA is honored to welcome the following distinguished individuals into the Texas Produce Hall of Fame:

• Steve Cargil, Cargil Farms Produce: Steve Cargil has spent more than five decades championing Texas agriculture and leading his family’s multigenerational farming operation. His commitment to growers, water stewardship, and industry advocacy has strengthened agricultural policy and elevated South Texas produce on a national stage. He is widely respected for his integrity, leadership, and service.
• Marvin Davis†, Tex-Mex Sales: Marvin Davis built a distinguished produce career over four decades, evolving from buyer to respected business owner and mentor. His partnership with his son at Tex-Mex Sales and his dedication to guiding future leaders—including his granddaughter—left a lasting influence across the industry. He is remembered for his leadership, work ethic, and deep commitment to family and agriculture.
• James Peterson†, Starr Produce: James Peterson spent nearly 40 years advancing South Texas agriculture through innovation and dedicated service. A pioneering grower and community leader, he played key roles in early drip irrigation adoption and supported the development of the famed 1015Y onion. His legacy lives on through his family and the many agricultural organizations he helped lead.
• Tommy Wilkins, Horton Fruit Co.: With 50 years in the produce industry, Tommy Wilkins is known for bridging production and retail and for championing grower–retailer partnerships built on trust. His hands-on experience—from working the fields to leading procurement and serving in national industry roles—has made him a respected voice for growers and fresh food access. His passion and integrity continue to guide the future of Texas produce.

Special Awards Honoring Excellence Across the Industry

In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, TIPA will present several special recognitions celebrating remarkable achievements and emerging leadership:

• Scott Toothaker Award
  • Craig Fox†, Fox Packaging
• Rising Star Awards
  • Will Beckwith, Beckwith Produce
  • Jose Bernal, Sweet Seasons
  • Kristen Davis, Tex-Mex Sales
  • Johnny Garcia, The Veg Depot

Join Us in Celebrating Industry Leaders

TIPA invites industry members, community partners, and supporters of Texas agriculture to join us for this memorable evening of recognition, fellowship, and celebration.

• Event Details
  • Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
  • Time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Location: Mission Events Center, Mission, TX

For ticket information, table reservations, and sponsorship opportunities, please click here.