UNITED STATES - Forecast guidance suggests that a late-December storm system could influence the likelihood of a white Christmas across parts of the United States, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast.

AccuWeather meteorologists note that areas with the highest confidence for snow on the ground by Dec. 25 remain consistent with historical patterns. The central and northern Rockies are expected to maintain snow cover, while lake-effect regions near the Great Lakes and higher elevations of the interior Northeast and Appalachians also show favorable conditions.

However, a warming trend is forecast to develop across the Plains and advance eastward in the days leading up to Christmas. This shift could reduce existing snow cover in portions of the central and eastern U.S., particularly where recent snowfall has been lighter.

Attention is now focused on a potential storm system forecast to move through between Dec. 23 and 25. While the system’s exact track remains uncertain, it could introduce snow to some northern areas while bringing rain to regions farther south. In some locations, precipitation may transition to snow late in the event or be followed by light flurries.

Forecasters emphasize that small changes in storm timing and temperature profiles will determine whether snowfall is sufficient to meet the traditional definition of a white Christmas, which requires at least one inch of snow on the ground.

Keep checking ANUK as we track evolving weather patterns that could influence holiday conditions across growing regions.

PALMETTO, FL - SiCar Farms is transitioning into its winter lime crop, complementing its year-round supply and supporting retailer citrus promotions focused on health and wellness at the start of the new year. A recognized leader among lime growers, packers, and distributors serving the United States and Canada, SiCar Farms brings more than 40 years of experience across three generations and remains committed to delivering premium-quality limes through responsible and sustainable farming practices.

“Our limes deliver exceptional nutrition and flavor. Citrus is naturally rich in vitamin C, which supports immunity, skin health, and energy. At the same time, our farming practices ensure we grow high-quality fruit with respect for the environment,” said Luis Gudino, CEO of SiCar Farms.

According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, limes are an excellent source of vitamin C—an essential nutrient for immune function—while being low in calories and fat and providing a modest amount of protein. Vitamin C also plays a vital role in skin health and energy levels, making limes an important choice for today’s health-conscious consumers.

“Today’s consumers want more than great flavor—they’re looking for foods and beverages that support overall wellness and help boost their vitamin C intake,” Gudino added in the recent release.

As part of its continued growth, SiCar Farms has expanded operations into Florida, strengthening its ability to serve consumers across the Northeast quickly and efficiently. This strategic expansion significantly reduces transit times, allowing limes to reach retail and foodservice partners quicker resulting in improved freshness, extended shelf life, and superior overall quality for consumers.

SiCar Farms sources its limes from regions with favorable climates that naturally support strong yields and superior fruit quality, reducing the need for excessive agricultural inputs. This approach reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainability while consistently delivering fresh, flavorful limes to market.

As a dedicated grower, packer, and distributor, SiCar Farms continues to expand its mission of providing responsibly grown produce to families across North America.

For more information about SiCar Farms’ sustainability initiatives and full produce portfolio, visit www.sicarfarms.com.

BLANDON, PA - Giorgi Mushroom Company, a leader in fresh produce innovation since 1928, announced a landmark investment in Modern Soils, previously a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Mushroom Farms. Modern Soils is a regenerative agriculture company pioneering sustainable soil solutions. This strategic investment reinforces Giorgi’s long-standing commitment to restoring the planet’s natural balance through smarter, circular agriculture.

Modern Soils transforms mushroom compost, an abundant byproduct of mushroom cultivation, into high-performance, eco-friendly products, including premium potting soils, land remediation blends, sustainable crop substrates, and peat-free casing for mushroom farms. By replacing traditional peat, Modern Soils is reshaping the soil industry and setting a new benchmark for low-impact growth.

“This isn’t just an investment, it’s a responsibility,” said Mark Currie, CEO of Giorgi Mushroom Company, in the recent release. “For nearly a century, Giorgi has fed communities across the nation. Now, we’re feeding the very foundation of life itself- the soil. Partnering with Modern Soils allows us to drive real, measurable change in how agriculture gives back to the planet.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Giorgi Mushroom Company as a strategic partner,” said Chuck Ciarrocchi, CEO and President of Modern Mushroom Farms and Modern Soils. “Their unwavering commitment to regenerative agriculture and sustainable innovation aligns perfectly with our vision for a healthier planet.”

For generations, Giorgi Mushroom Company has combined responsible farming with technological progress to deliver sustainable, high-quality produce. The partnership with Modern Soils expands Giorgi’s regenerative agriculture portfolio, offering both consumers and commercial growers regenerative products that enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce carbon footprints.

“Sustainability isn’t a buzzword, it’s a mandate,” Currie added. “The health of our soil determines the health of our future. By investing in regenerative systems like Modern Soils, we’re ensuring that growth doesn’t come at the planet’s expense, but in its service.”

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, announced that it is the first grocery partner to launch an app on ChatGPT and the first to offer an embedded, end-to-end shopping and Instant Checkout – all within the context of a ChatGPT conversation. This new integration makes it easier than ever for people to go from meal inspiration to doorstep delivery, using Instacart's real-time grocery network and fulfillment capabilities with the help of OpenAI frontier model capabilities.

"Instacart and ChatGPT are redefining what's possible in AI-powered shopping," said Anirban Kundu, Chief Technology Officer at Instacart, in the recent release. "Built on Agentic Commerce Protocol, this experience brings intelligent, real-time support to one of the most essential parts of daily life: getting groceries to feed your family. Together, we're creating a seamless and secure way for people to turn simple conversations into real-world action — helping customers go from inspiration to a full cart delivered from the store to their door with ease."

"With the Instacart app directly in ChatGPT, users can go from meal planning to checkout in a single, seamless conversation," said Nick Turley, VP, Head of ChatGPT. "It's another step toward bringing our vision to life—where AI delivers helpful suggestions and connects directly to real-world services, saving people time and effort in their everyday lives."

The Instacart ChatGPT app experience with Instant Checkout is currently available on desktop and mobile web; the Instacart ChatGPT app is available on iOS and Android, with Instant Checkout rolling out to these native platforms in the coming weeks. ChatGPT can surface the Instacart ChatGPT app when a user asks for it by starting a prompt with Instacart, such as "Instacart, can you help me shop for apple pie ingredients?" During their first use, users install the app by signing into their Instacart account. To enable Instant Checkout on iOS, users should ensure they have updated to the latest version of ChatGPT in the iOS App store.

Once the Instacart app is opened and the user is signed in, the app will help you find what you need from your local retailers and present a ready-to-review cart with the help of OpenAI models. Once you're satisfied with your selections, you can securely pay directly in the Instacart app right in ChatGPT with Instant Checkout, with no need to switch tabs. Your items will then be shopped and delivered through Instacart's trusted platform.

Instacart is the first app within ChatGPT's app ecosystem to offer checkout directly within ChatGPT, powered by the Agentic Commerce Protocol. Through this first-of-its-kind implementation, ChatGPT and Instacart are enabling a fast, secure, and familiar credit card payment flow; digital wallets, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, will be supported in the coming weeks. Powered by Stripe, transactions run smoothly and safely within the conversation.

See the full release here.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - Dole plc has announced that certain of its subsidiaries have entered into several agreements that when completed will result in the sale of Dole’s port and port operations in Guayaquil, Ecuador to Terminal Investment Limited Holding S.A.

Post completion, Dole will continue to utilize the port pursuant to an agreement with the Buyer to provide port terminal services, including the loading and discharging of containers, according to the recent release.

The sale is subject to regulatory clearance in Ecuador. The estimated net proceeds from the sale will be approximately $75 million in cash, after costs and customary transaction completion adjustments.

ANAHEIM, CA - As retailers work to drive repeat customer visits and build baskets this holiday season, Frieda’s is encouraging partners to look closely at growing opportunities within multicultural produce.

Christmas is a key moment when Hispanic shoppers seek out the ingredients for meaningful family traditions, including classic dishes such as Ponche Navideño. When these items are merchandised with intention and with an eye toward shopper convenience, retailers let customers know that they understand what matters most to the communities they serve.

However, effective multicultural strategies go far beyond seasonal displays. Shopper behavior research shows that success starts with the everyday assortment: tropical roots, leafy greens, citrus varieties and the full pepper spectrum that Hispanic households rely on throughout the year. These items are not niche or occasional purchases for many families. They are staples.

“The retailers who grow with Hispanic shoppers are the ones who commit to a thoughtful everyday assortment and inspiring in-store experiences,” said Alex Jackson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Frieda’s, in the recent release. “Holiday meals are one thing. Helping every shopper feel seen and supported in their weekly trips is a sure path to long-term trust.”

Frieda’s also emphasizes the role of inspiration at the shelf. Rather than focusing solely on traditional recipes, effective POS prompts curiosity and exploration for shoppers. Simple guidance can spark trial when encountering an item for the first time. It also creates a more welcoming experience for all shoppers, regardless of their familiarity with a specific cuisine.

An omnichannel presence plays a crucial role. Shoppers want consistency between what they see online and what they find in store. This leads to new opportunities for retailers to deepen trust and expand engagement.

As the most experienced specialty produce company and one of the fastest-selling brands in the category, Frieda’s continues to invest in programs that help retailers meet evolving shopper expectations. New initiatives launched in 2026 are designed to support both multicultural strategy and broader category growth with practical guidance and merchandising support.

“Retailers do not have to choose between cultural relevance and their business goals,” Jackson said. “When the assortment is right and the inspiration is clear, you build loyalty that lasts long after the holidays.”

PROVIDENCE, RI - United Natural Foods, Inc. hosted its 2025 Investor Day in New York City. At the event, the Company will highlight its strategic priorities, operating focus, and long-term financial algorithm.

“We are advancing our strategy and building unique capabilities to help our customers and suppliers more effectively differentiate and compete in the marketplace,” said Sandy Douglas, UNFI’s Chief Executive Officer. “We have been successfully executing the strategy we introduced over a year ago, and we are continuing to pursue our aspiration to become the food retail industry’s most valued partner. With our improved financial position and scaled network, we are poised for continued profitable growth and value creation.”

Investor Day Highlights

• Creating new capabilities to add value for retailers and suppliers, including in customer stewardship, merchandising and supplier support, professional and digital services, and private brands
• Developing technology and innovation to drive a step-change in digital capabilities by focusing on improving simplicity, performance, and efficiency
• Investing in a next generation supply chain by methodically deploying advanced technologies and expanding Lean Daily Management processes across our network
• Maximizing productivity by streamlining SG&A, working to eliminate waste in our operations, and using our value delivery office to lead strategic transformation initiatives

UNFI is also updating its long-term financial algorithm to reflect these initiatives and will provide further insights into these updated targets at today’s event.

Value Creation Framework: Fiscal 2025 – Fiscal 2028

Net sales: Low-single digit average annual growth, ~$33 billion target for fiscal 2028

Adjusted EBITDA: Low-double digit average annual growth, ~$800 million target for fiscal 2028

Free cash flow: Approximately $300 million annually from fiscal 2026 to fiscal 2028

Matteo Tarditi, President and Chief Financial Officer, commented in the recent release, “UNFI is taking action to help our customers and suppliers succeed while continuing to generate strong free cash flow that we can invest back into strengthening our network, operating capabilities and balance sheet. We are executing and have a high confidence plan to achieve our objectives and create sustained shareholder value.”

SAN FRANCISCO - Taking a dynamic process and simplifying it into an intuitive, streamlined approach is something Afresh does well. As the company continues to revolutionize production planning, buying, and the overall fresh supply chain, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Matt Schwartz took some time to discuss the strategic advantages sparked by the company’s innovative offerings.

“Fresh food is how people choose where to shop, and from a strategic perspective for grocers, it's how they differentiate. Despite the importance of the fresh food industry, we observed that most of the technology built for grocery and food retail was designed for center store, non-perishable goods,” Matt explains to me. “The result of that is all of the mission-critical functions within the fresh supply chain have been incredibly underserved by technology. So, the simple thesis that we had in starting the company was, ‘The future of food is fresh. Technology is stuck in the past.’ If we could build a fresh-food-first solution, we could massively reduce food waste and multiply the profitability of retailers and other food companies.”

Since its 2017 launch, Afresh has expanded its portfolio to include a full Fresh Store Suite, which has drastically improved partners’ store replenishment inventory management and production planning. The company also recently announced the launch of its innovative, distribution-level Fresh Buying solution.

“The new Fresh Buying solution is an intelligent, AI-native solution that allows for optimized chain-wide purchasing of produce, meat, seafood, deli, and bakery items while accounting for all of the special situations items encounter, such as quality rejections, promotion opportunities, split trucks, etc. No technology does that today,” Matt shares. “By connecting store ordering, store production, inventory management, and distribution center-level buying, we've created an end-to-end supply chain tailor-made for the idiosyncrasies and complexity of fresh food.”

This focus on fresh—backed by years of experience in the food industry—makes Afresh an ideal partner for those looking to streamline their fresh operations, increase profitability, and reduce food waste. At the heart of these updates is the company’s data capabilities, which include several patent-pending AI and deep learning data models that elegantly interpret complex fresh data. This is also supported by Afresh’s user-centered design, crafted to fit the ideal workflow of today’s fresh buyer.

“We've applied deep learning to the traditional use cases of demand forecasting and ordering in fresh. When we started the company in 2017, grocers always told us the dream is to connect their intelligence from farm to fork,” Matt continues. “Grocers want to make sure they're ordering the right amount at the store, buying the right amount at the DC, merchandising it in exciting and compelling ways for consumers, to build a profitable, agile supply chain. For the first time, there’s a fresh-first system that goes from end-to-end, making all of that possible.”

Afresh’s fresh solutions span the entire produce department, as well as the deli, bakery, and meat departments. The fresh innovator integrates with a grocer's core systems, which then deploy its software into stores for employees to use on handheld devices. At the distribution level, fresh buyers can log on through a web application to navigate their workflow.

While experienced buyers can do a good job of managing their items using their intuition and tracking historical data from several sources, they often get stuck fighting fires of late trucks, quality rejections, and more. Afresh provides an easy-to-use system that can examine years of data and identify how different scenarios have played out in the past and provide buyers with a recommendation to keep shelves stocked.

“You can't take an AI system that's made for dry grocery and ship it into fresh. It has to be purpose-built,” Matt emphasizes. “Fresh is so dynamic and has so much real-time judgment involved that it is critical not to replace people and their expertise, but to augment and assist them.”

Afresh’s cutting-edge solutions are already being optimized by grocery chains such as Wakefern Food Corp., Morton Williams Supermarket, Albertsons, and more.

As the industry innovator continues to enhance fresh operations with its state-of-the-art portfolio, ANUK will be here to report on the latest.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Produce Moms® is thrilled to announce Angela Hernandez of Trinity Fruit as the recipient of The Produce Moms Trailblazer Award for 2025.

The award, presented annually, honors individuals “doing work that matters the most,” as described by Lori Taylor, CEO and Founder of The Produce Moms, in the recent release.

Hernandez’s leadership and creative vision at Trinity Fruit have helped diversify grower income, expand consumer access to fresh produce and better-for-you beverages, and build direct connections between shoppers and the orchards where their food is grown. She has been instrumental in the development and success of The Fruitful Market, Trinity Fruit’s direct-to-consumer fresh produce subscription and gift box program, and Squeezed Juice®, a line of all‑natural juices that align with her passion for wellness and clean ingredients.

“Angela’s a brilliant marketer,” said Taylor, “she has been a true champion for bringing in different revenue streams for Trinity Fruit Company and drawing a closer connection to the consumer in the process. Recently, she had a very serious and fragile battle with breast cancer. She stepped away from work completely, yet the company and her department didn’t falter, largely due to Angela’s mentorship skills and empowering leadership style. Her journey has inspired many to live and work with greater purpose.”

Hernandez’s battle with breast cancer made a deep impact across the produce industry. Following her diagnosis with stage one estrogen‑positive breast cancer in April 2023, she underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 25 rounds of radiation, and six surgeries, all while staying closely connected to her team and the work she loves.

Today, she is cancer‑free and has emerged with a renewed sense of purpose, a stronger commitment to authentic wellness storytelling, and a powerful testimony that is inspiring colleagues, customers, and communities.

“I will say it allowed me to be a little more intentional and aware of what I'm doing and how I'm doing it,” said Hernandez. “We work with fruits and vegetables. I was always passionate, but now I am even more passionate about the things we consume, how we're selling it, and how we're talking about the things we grow. Not just to sell it, but how we are using it to sell the wellness aspect and have it be genuine and authentic.”

Hernandez was honored on a special episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, where she joined Lori Taylor to discuss her wellness journey, her work at Trinity Fruit, and how faith, family, and fresh produce have shaped her approach to leadership and life.

For more information about The Produce Moms and the Trailblazer Award, visit theproducemoms.com.