WASHINGTON, DC - On Feb. 21, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) filed an administrative complaint alleging that James Corrado Inc (Corrado), of Clinton, N.J., doing business as Corrado Specialty Goods, failed to make full payment promptly in the amount of $1,101,728.90 to 12 sellers for multiple lots of produce purchased, received and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce, in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The complaint also alleged Corrado, doing business as Corrado’s Wine Grapes, Inc, failed to make full payment promptly in the amount of $515,561.30 to three sellers for multiple lots of produce.

USDA and Corrado entered into a Consent Decision and Order in which Corrado agreed to pay the unpaid produce sellers listed in Appendices A and B to the complaint and to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $50,000. Corrado has satisfied the terms of the Consent Decision and Order, and the finding that it committed repeated and flagrant PACA violations has been permanently abated without further process. The case has been closed.

For further information, contact the PACA Investigative Enforcement Branch, at (202) 720-6873 or [email protected].

ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - Ahold Delhaize has signed another Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) in Europe, marking a next step in the company’s efforts to reduce emissions associated with electricity consumption to zero by 2035. The VPPA supports the development of two onshore wind farms in Finland.

The two new-to-be-built onshore wind farms will be situated in Salo-Ylikoski and Korkeamaa in Western Finland. Together, the wind farms will span more than 2,400 hectares and include 24 wind turbines. Both projects are being developed by OX2 AB, a Sweden-based renewable energy company. The VPPA is expected to become operational in 2028.

Contributing to Ahold Delhaize’s renewable electricity ambitions

The wind farms are projected to generate around 472 GWh of renewable energy annually, equivalent to the annual electricity usage of approximately 94,000 Finnish households. Ahold Delhaize will contract approximately 70% of the wind farms’ output and will receive Guarantees of Origin for a period of ten years. It brings Ahold Delhaize’s future renewable electricity coverage in Europe from 56% to 76%, based on projected consumption across its European brands.

Frank Sluis, CFO Ahold Delhaize Europe & Indonesia said in the recent release: “This VPPA marks another important milestone in our ambition to fully match the electricity consumption in our European operations with renewable energy by 2035. Through strategic partnerships and long-term agreements like this, we are proud to support the continued growth of renewable energy infrastructure across Europe.”

WASHINGTON, DC - The International Fresh Produce Association released a statement outlining a schedule change for the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show following sustained member feedback.

We are excited to share a major update driven directly by member feedback: beginning in 2026, the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show will no longer take place over the weekend.

This change reflects one of the most consistent requests we’ve heard across the industry and we’re thrilled to deliver on it. With a move to mid-week dates, we expect to see a full show floor through the end of the event, and more value in the experience for everyone.

Here are the upcoming show dates: 

• Orlando | October 14–16, 2026
• Atlanta | October 20–22, 2027
• Anaheim | October 18–20, 2028
• Orlando | October 31–November 2, 2029 

We will share more details in the new year about schedules, programming, and what this shift means for planning ahead. For now, mark your calendars and get ready for an even stronger Global Show experience.

We can’t wait to see you there. 

TUCSON, AZ - Attendees at the Southwest International Produce Expo (SWIPE) will learn from the industry’s best and brightest at its educational session programming.

SWIPE educational sessions tackle some of the most important topics affecting the global produce supply chain today, including preparation for black-swan events, harnessing new technologies, and navigating trade disruptions. Held on Friday, January 23, participants will hear from leaders with hands-on experience addressing the future of fresh produce.

The FPAA SWIPE Committee worked to create panels that bring together perspectives representing many aspects of the buyer experience in the supply chain. Panelists include major retailers, wholesale legends, and well-known strategic minds from Wakefern Food Corp, Markon, Charlie’s Produce, H-E-B, Associated Wholesale Grocers, and more. These panels are designed to give real, actionable information to suppliers and others in the industry.

Panels will be led by skilled moderators, including Matt Mandel from SunFed Produce, Ron Lemaire of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, and Tony Mitchell of Indianapolis Fruit.

Panels include:

• 10:00—10:45 am
  • Black Swan Event: Preparing for the Unpredictable
  • The day’s first panel is prepared for a thought-provoking discussion on crisis management, planning and recovery on Friday morning. Moderator Matt Mandel of SunFed and panelists will share strategies for insulating businesses from the effects of a “black swan” scenario, such as another global pandemic.
• 10:45—11:30 am
  • AI in Grocery: Easing Shrink and Other Common Challenges
  • Tony Mitchell, President of Indianapolis Fruit, is moderating a panel of AI experts and retailers who will speak about the ways that AI is changing grocery operations and inventory management. They’ll also discuss AI’s applications for common challenges such as food waste, shrink and rising operational costs.
• 12:45—1:30 pm
  • Duties & Tariffs: How Retail is Navigating the Impact of an Unstable Supply Chain
  • Ron Lemaire, President of Canadian Produce Marketing Association, will moderate a discussion on trade disruption and cross-border complexity while exploring how to weather supply chain turbulence and keep loyal shoppers.

“SWIPE education sessions are designed to get beyond surface-level chatter,” said Lance Jungmeyer, President of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, in the recent release. “Our panelists have faced the challenges, solved real-world problems in our sector and done the work. It’s a fun and enlightening day for anyone connected to the fresh produce industry.”

SWIPE 2026 takes place January 22–24, at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa. Education sessions are held on Friday, January 23, from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. Register and see the full agenda at www.swipeexpo.com.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Premier grower, producer, sales, marketing and distribution company Oppy is pleased to announce the launch of its new Florida strawberry program, marking the company’s inaugural offering under the DOLE® label since its integration with Dole Diversified North America (DDNA) in October. Production is underway, with promotable volumes expected from late January through early February.

Grown on more than 300 acres in Frostproof, Zolfo Springs, Dover and Plant City, Florida, the program features a strong lineup of premium conventional varieties in 1-lb and 2-lb packs. Favorable weather conditions to date have supported excellent fruit development and quality.

“This Florida production completes Oppy’s year-round supply of strawberries, which also includes central and Baja, Mexico and production up and down the California coast,” said Tony Colonna, senior berry category manager, in the recent release. “It allows us to diversify our supply with multiple regions simultaneously and keep customers’ shelves filled regardless of any weather interruptions in one of the major growing regions.”

With availability through March, Florida strawberry production provides an important strategic advantage through winter, providing reliable supply during a critical demand period and ensuring retailers can maintain strong category performance. Oppy’s business development representatives are actively setting up ads and providing promotional tools to drive sales at retail.

“The new volume expands the strength of our year-round berry portfolio under the widely recognized DOLE® brand,” Colonna said, citing a recent IPSOS survey that revealed a 54% unaided recognition of the popular fresh fruit label. “It’s exciting to bring this first large-scale DOLE branded strawberry offering to the marketplace through Oppy.”

In addition to its strawberry program, Oppy delivers depth and breadth across the entire berry category, with year-round volumes of high-quality fruit in all key items.