HOUSTON, TX - Sysco Corporation, the leading global foodservice distribution company, is excited to share that nearly 10,000 colleagues around the world volunteered every day in November, making the company’s 3rd annual Purpose Month its most successful yet.

Thousands of colleagues from 339 sites in 9 countries participated in Sysco’s Purpose Month, impacting over 1,700 individual charities in an annual quest to ease global food insecurity.

“Sysco’s Purpose Month is further evidence of our commitment to helping to ease food insecurity, to supporting the communities we serve, and to living our Purpose of Connecting the World to Share Food and Care for One Another,” said Devin Graves, Sysco’s director of community impact.

Sysco’s Purpose Month originated in Canada in November 2022, when colleagues from across that country’s 16 sites rallied together against a common goal to combat hunger in local communities and to boost their volunteering and donation efforts ahead of the holiday season.

That effort was so successful that Sysco decided to expand that program globally in 2023. Since then, Sysco colleagues have donated more of their time and product each year, for a total of over 80,000 volunteer hours in three years.

“I know this is only the beginning of what we can do to make a global impact in the communities where we work and live,” Graves said in the recent release. “Our colleagues across the world are passionate about helping our communities and will continue to step up to show their support.”

WATSONVILLE, CA - Sambrailo Packaging is expanding its Readycycle® sustainable packaging line into berries, positioning the category as a prime opportunity to reduce plastic while responding to evolving consumer expectations around sustainability.

Sara Lozano, Sambrailo Packaging's Director of Marketing and Product Development, provides the details. "We're super excited to continue expansion in several categories, including berries, for our sustainable packaging line, Readycycle," Lozano says in the video.

"The expansion comes from more consumer minds, driving sustainable packaging, reducing plastic in the produce section in general. Berries can be a very special category to do that with, so I think there's always excitement around that category, and it's exciting to see the change.”

The Readycycle platform is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing operations, allowing packers and retailers to adopt paperboard formats without disrupting established logistics or merchandising systems.

The line is built to mirror the sizes and logistics of traditional PET clamshells, allowing packers and retailers to transition to paperboard without changing master trays or palletization. The familiarity is intentional, designed to remove friction from adoption while improving end-of-life outcomes for packaging in the produce aisle.

“With our Readycycle Packaging, what we did is we took existing sizes of classic PET clamshells that we've been in forever. It's in the same master tray. It palletizes the same,” Lozano said.

Beyond operational consistency, the paperboard format is meant to be intuitive for shoppers, clearly signaling how the package should be handled after use and reinforcing the broader sustainability message.

“With paperboard, it's an intuitive product that people know what to do with at the end of its life,” she added, noting that the material avoids the long-term persistence associated with plastic, “whether it gets recycled and turned into a new product or if it gets landfilled.”

By maintaining familiar sizes and palletization while transitioning to paperboard, the provider is positioning Readycycle as an accessible path toward more sustainable berry packaging.

Watch the full video to hear more from Sara Lozano on how Readycycle is reshaping sustainable berry packaging.

BOISE, ID - Washington State defeated Utah State 34-21 in the 29th Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, the Idaho Potato Commission’s title-sponsored college football event, earning the program its first bowl victory since 2018. The win culminated in the fan-favorite French fry dump and presentation of the iconic potato trophy, as fans packed the stands and tuned in nationwide for one of college football’s most recognizable post-game moments.

The matchup featured two teams set to compete in the Pac-12 next season, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the game. Washington State controlled the game from start to finish, securing a 34-21 win and celebrating on Boise State’s iconic blue turf as French fries rained down on interim head coach Jesse Bobbit and players during the post-game tradition.

Game-day festivities began with IPC President and CEO Jamey Higham and Chairman Darren Bitter leading the ceremonial coin toss. From kickoff through the final whistle, the Idaho Potato Commission maintained a strong on-site and broadcast presence, using the nationally televised bowl as a platform to spotlight Idaho® potatoes, Idaho growers, and the Commission’s long-standing role in college football.

“This is our 29th Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, and each year it gives us a powerful opportunity to put Idaho potatoes and our growers front and center on a national stage,” said Jamey Higham, President and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission, in the recent release. “There are few events out there that allow us to combine college football, fan tradition, and agricultural storytelling at this scale, and we’re proud of the success this bowl has been year over year.”

IPC Sponsorship Highlights Included:

• Community impact initiative, bringing together both teams and coaches for a friendly meal-packing competition that resulted in 40,000 meals packed for the Idaho Foodbank, supporting families facing food insecurity across the state.
• Charitable contribution, with IPC presenting a check to Idaho Diabetes Youth Programs.
• The Big Idaho Truck anchored pre-game tailgating outside the stadium, while large crowds gathered for free fries ahead of kickoff.
• Spuddy Buddy, IPC’s mascot, delivered a continuous on-field and sideline presence, supported by the giant baked potato logo featured prominently throughout the game.
• National ESPN broadcast exposure, featuring six television commercials, including IPC’s newest spot, “The Astronaut,” supported by four radio placements reaching audiences nationwide.
• High-frequency in-stadium messaging, including eight video board advertisements and eight public address announcements highlighting Idaho potatoes.
• Signature fan favorite post-game traditions, the legendary French fry bath and the crystal bowl trophy presentation filled with Idaho potatoes, celebrate both the winning team and Idaho’s agricultural legacy.

The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl once again underscored IPC’s ability to drive sustained national visibility for Idaho potatoes and Idaho growers through sports sponsorship.

CHELAN, WA - Registered Dietitian Annessa Chumbley brings her perspective to the apple category through a new collaboration, sharing how Chelan Fresh varieties align with flavor exploration, family-friendly eating, and practical wellness habits.

“SugarBees® are my favorite. I remember the very first time I bit into it. I'm from the Midwest, so it did remind me of walking through some of the smaller, teeny Midwest orchards. It's got the smell and the taste of honey, caramel, and molasses. But I love the SugarBee story."

She goes on to describe the variety as one that emerged naturally when a bee crossed a Honeycrisp with an unknown variety, a happy accident she’s genuinely grateful for.

Chumbley also points to the visual appeal and balanced flavor profile of Lucy Rose® and Lucy Glo®, as well as the portability and crunch of Rockit™—a favorite among her children.

“I have lots of littles, and they happen to love the Rockit apples. They're super relatable because of their small size, but they have a sweet taste and a perfect crunch.”

Whether at home or in store, she underscores the value of visibility and simple education. “The best Apple really is the one eaten…as long as you eat it. It's going to give you good benefits and taste amazing.”

Her broader message centers on shaping approachable wellness routines. “We want to make America healthy. Everybody eat an apple a day… I call it the push habit because once you do that, it's like you're training your taste buds to want healthier and healthier food that comes straight out of the earth.”

Watch the full video above for Annessa’s complete insights.