SALINAS, CA - Taylor Farms announced its new double dip vegetable tray. As North America’s leading producer of ready-to-eat salads and healthy fresh foods, Taylor Farms will continue serving premium vegetable trays and Buttermilk Ranch — now with the addition of either Chipotle Bitchin’ Sauce or Bacon Ranch.

As a gluten-free, almond-based vegan dip with no added sugar, the Chipotle Bitchin’ Sauce provides a non-dairy dip to accompany the Buttermilk Ranch, helping ensure no one is excluded from visiting the veggie tray. Meanwhile, the Bacon Ranch paired with the classic Buttermilk Ranch contains delicious bacon bits that will have consumers returning for seconds.

“These trays are first of their kind,” said Brian Riordan, Product Director, in the recent release. “Combining the familiarity of ranch with the booming flavors of Bacon Ranch or Chipotle Bitchin’ Sauce, we are giving the consumers what they are looking for. It is a win-win for our customers and consumers.”

“The Double Dip vegetable trays are a breath of fresh air,” said Bryan Jaynes, Senior Vice President of Product. “The Party Tray segment has been stagnant over the last couple of years, and this innovation is exactly what the category needs.”

“This collaboration celebrates the flexibility and fun of fresh snacking,” said Starr Edwards, Founder and CEO of Bitchin’ Sauce. “Whether you’re vegan, dairy-free, or just love great flavor, this tray has something for everyone. We’re thrilled to team up with Taylor Farms to make healthy snacking even more Bitchin’.”

The new Taylor Farms double dip vegetable trays are available nationwide at Sprouts Farmers Market and H-E-B.

KEASBEY, NJ - Price Rite Marketplace is making it easier for families to prepare meals for the holiday season with budget-friendly shopping lists. The retailer has developed two suggested guides showing how customers can serve a complete festive meal for 8–10 people for around $40 — using regularly priced items available in stores.

The lists feature ingredients for two types of holiday meals:

• Ham Dinner Meal: Spiral Ham; B&B Russet Potatoes 5lbs; B&B Heavy Cream (16oz); Brown Gravy Mix; Cranberry Sauce; Libby’s Pineapple Canned; Dinner Rolls; B&B Frozen Brussel Sprouts (12oz); Bacon; Steve & Ed's Honey (12oz); 8in Pie and Shells & Cheese (x2)
• Latino-Inspired Holiday Meal: Picnic (Pork Shoulder); Bowl & Basket Rice (2lb Bag); Pigeon Peas (15oz); Goya Sazon; Goya Yucca Fresh; Green Bananas; Russet Potatoes (5lbs); Elbows; Shredded Carrots; Mayo; Eggs; Evaporated Milk; Condensed Milk and Vanilla Extract

“The holidays are a time to celebrate with the people who matter most, and we’re committed to making those celebrations easier and more affordable,” said Kevin McDonnell, President of Price Rite Marketplace, in the recent release. “Our holiday meal guides feature the seasonal favorites our customers love, paired with the value and convenience Price Rite is known for. This season, we want families to spend less time worrying about costs and more time enjoying meaningful moments together.”

Price Rite Marketplace remains committed to its founding values: offering customers an easy and affordable shopping experience, delivering top national brands and fresh produce at exceptional prices and strengthening local communities through hands-on service and support.

UNITED STATES - This winter began with an unexpected push of moisture from the Southeast into the mid-Atlantic—a setup that led to two snow events in Virginia and North Carolina before December reached its second week. That early activity helped boost national snow coverage to 45% on December 5, the highest early-December value in 20 years, before it eased to 34.9% days later.

From there, the divide becomes clear. Snowfall totals across the Midwest and parts of the Northeast are far above seasonal norms. Some locations in the Ohio Valley and New England sit at up to 500% of typical early-December snowfall. South Bend, Indiana, has already recorded 23.5 inches, nearly two feet above average, while Chicago has reached 17.1 inches, marking its snowiest start since 1978.

According to AccuWeather, higher elevations are seeing similar trends. Vermont’s Jay Peak reports 12 feet of season-to-date snowfall, the highest on record for this point in the year, and Mount Mansfield measured a 50-inch snow depth on Saturday, more than double its average. Mount Washington stands at 82.2 inches so far, compared to a typical 67.9 inches.

But the story shifts west. Much of the Rockies remains below historical snowfall levels, including deficits of 21.5 inches in Lander, 14.9 inches in Casper, and 9.9 inches in Ely. The I-95 corridor is also running lean, with Boston, New York, and Philadelphia still below 2 inches, which is near normal for early December but contrasts sharply with the surpluses farther inland.

The imbalance traces back to a combination of 5–12°F below-average early-December temperatures in the Midwest and Northeast paired with unusually warm Great Lakes waters in October; a setup that strengthened lake-effect production and helped fuel the Midwest-to-New England snow corridor.

Looking ahead, meteorologists note that the jet stream is poised to push additional waves of snow farther south than recent systems, raising the potential for renewed accumulation in regions that have already exceeded early-season expectations.

Keep checking ANUK for the latest.

SALINAS, CA - Markon Cooperative proudly commemorated a landmark year in 2025, celebrating three significant anniversaries that reflect the company’s enduring commitment to quality, education, and industry partnership.

Founded in 1985, Markon was created to elevate the fresh produce experience for foodservice operators by establishing specifications and standards tailored to their unique needs. Over four decades later, Markon continues to drive innovation and deliver the highest quality produce to its five cooperative member companies and their customers across North America.

“In 1985, our founders set out with a clear mission to raise the bar for fresh produce in foodservice,” said Andy Hamilton, CEO of Markon Cooperative, in the recent release. “Forty years later, that focus remains unchanged. We are incredibly proud of our role in driving quality, consistency, and value on behalf of our members and the foodservice operators they support. This milestone year reflects both our history and our strong future ahead.”

In August, the excitement continued with the 20th anniversary of the Markon Summit. Launched to support member sales teams with deeper product knowledge and stronger tools to grow fresh produce sales, the Summit has evolved into a dynamic learning and relationship-building event. This year’s program demonstrated the powerful value of collaboration among members, suppliers, and Markon staff.

“We measure success by our ability to strengthen the entire supply chain,” said Mark Shaw, Vice President of Operations. “The Markon events embody the collaboration, transparency, and innovation that make Markon unique. Working hand-in-hand with members, customers, and grower-shippers truly elevates the experience behind every case of produce.”

The milestone year concluded with the 10th Annual Chef Summit in October. Designed for immersive culinary education, the three-day event brought member and operator chefs into the fields and facilities where Markon produce is grown and processed. The program culminated with a Taste of Markon, a farm-to-table dinner at Rancho Cielo, raising more than $35,000 to help support future culinary leaders and marking the highest fundraising total in the event’s history.

A highlight video capturing the spirit of Markon’s 40th anniversary celebration is available to share the organization’s legacy of leadership in food safety, product differentiation, and supply chain excellence.

Markon extends sincere appreciation to its members, supplier partners, customers, and culinary community for their continued support. The cooperative looks ahead with enthusiasm as it continues to evolve and deliver exceptional produce solutions for decades to come.

For more information on Markon, please visit www.markon.com.

BLANDON, PA - There is a special fun-gi ready to help consumers celebrate this holiday season, and a company tapping into its full entertainment potential. I speak of Giorgio Fresh Co. and what the company is doing to make mushrooms a festivities favorite.

“As holiday cooking and entertaining peak, we expect our stuffed mushrooms, grill packs, and other value-added offerings to play a larger role than ever in meal planning,” Bryan Shelton, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, shares. “We remain dedicated to delivering quality, consistency, and innovative solutions that help shoppers feel confident in the kitchen while helping retailers grow their baskets. Above all, we’re grateful for the strong partnerships that allow us to keep advancing the category and bringing new ideas to market.”

Giorgio Fresh is leaning into its innovation-driven Grill Packs in three bold flavors that bring effortless preparation to holiday entertaining: Steak Seasoning, Smokey Honey Habanero, and Brown Sugar Bourbon.

“We’re proud to be expanding beyond traditional mushrooms into fresh, ready-to-entertain items like stuffed peppers and fresh limes, giving retailers more ways to differentiate,” Bryan says. “With our retail partners, we’re focused on strong seasonal merchandising and cross-category placement to help capture holiday demand.”

That demand continues to rise, Bryan tells me, as consumers seek bold flavors, convenience, and restaurant-quality meals at home. Likewise, volume is strong and Giorgio is well-positioned to meet any increased seasonal needs. Quality remains excellent across the board, reflecting Giorgio’s nine decades of growing expertise and commitment to delivering consistent, fresh products throughout the holiday period.

In addition to exploring new categories, Giorgio is launching a major influencer initiative designed to meet consumers where they already spend their time throughout the holiday season. The team is partnering with more than 20 influencers across the food, health, lifestyle, and beauty spaces to stay present in the digital moments that shape holiday planning and inspiration. By showing up in the places where consumers browse recipes, wellness content, and look for hosting ideas, Giorgio aims to keep pace with demand and remain top-of-mind as shoppers prepare for their celebrations.

“This initiative lets us broaden our reach and step into new spaces,” Bryan shares. “It’s not just about food; it’s about meeting consumers where they’re looking for ideas, creativity, and convenience.”

Giorgio is driving category growth through chef-inspired flavor innovation, ready-to-cook formats, and products that make fresh mushrooms and peppers easier and more inspiring to use in everyday meals.

“Our fresh Stuffed Jalapeños in Bacon & Cheddar and Triple Cheese with Diced Jalapeños; and our Hot ’n Spicy Stuffed Mushrooms featuring Fiery Sriracha, Nashville Hot, Jalapeño, and Hatch Chile. These offerings make fresh entertaining easier, more exciting, and full of flavor,” Bryan concludes.

As we continue to report how to maximize fresh items amid consumer festivities, keep an eye on AndNowUKnow for all the latest.

CASTROVILLE, CA - Ocean Mist Farms, North America’s leading grower/shipper of fresh artichokes, unveiled its latest innovation—Heartichokes—at the New York Produce Show last week to tremendous anticipation and acclaim.

“We were thrilled to launch our first-of-its-kind ‘Heartichokes’ at the New York Produce Show,” said Ocean Mist Farms President and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Drew, in the recent release. “Inspired by our ‘No Shame in a Shortcut’ rebranded Roastables line, these tender baby artichoke quarters are ready to cook right out of the package and are sure to elevate any meal.”

The exciting new value-added line features three items: two varieties with chef-crafted seasoning packets – Lemon Butter and Savory Parm – and one unseasoned option for artichoke fans who prefer their own signature spices. Versatile and convenient, Heartichokes can be roasted, sautéed, added to soups, stews, or stir-fries – and even grilled for an effortless, crowd-pleasing dish. “Each package contains about five trimmed artichokes for easy dishes requiring minimal prep, mess, or cleanup,” Drew noted.

Emphasizing how Heartichokes reflect Ocean Mist Farms’ commitment to evolving with consumer needs, Drew mentioned, “Commodities will always be central to our business, but we also recognize the growing consumer demand for value-added convenience items in fresh produce.” Continuing, “Remaining strong in the marketplace requires adaptation, and throughout our 100+ year history, we’ve continually evolved in response to shifting consumer needs and industry trends. Understanding how to transform traditional commodities into innovative, value-added meal solutions – while maintaining the right balance between the two – is essential.”

With a continued focus on product development and value-added innovations, Ocean Mist is building on its legacy of premium fresh vegetables while responding thoughtfully to consumer demand for convenience. By pairing its deep agricultural expertise with data-driven insights, the company is expanding into new formats, flavors, and meal-solution concepts that make fresh vegetables easier and more accessible for today’s consumers.

With the rebranded Roastables line rolling out in stores this month, Ocean Mist further strengthens its position as a category innovator and trusted partner. “We’ve invested significant energy and resources into understanding evolving consumer needs,” said Jeff Fulton, vice president sales & product management. “That insight fuels our development process and ensures we’re delivering on-trend, solution-driven innovations that both delight consumers and drive sales growth for our retail partners – all while honoring our century-old heritage.”

“As the largest grower-shipper of artichokes in North America, we are, after all, known for these coveted thistles,” Drew added. “Being able to evolve our flagship item into a first-to-market line of distinctive, time-saving products that we believe consumers will truly enjoy is very gratifying for our team.”

Heartichokes will be available in stores in early 2026.

RIO RICO, AZ - From zucchini to eggplant, bell peppers, and beyond, promotional opportunities are on the horizon as SunFed continues to wield the strength of its dynamic portfolio. The supplier is currently helping retailers meet multi-category demand with its lineup of zucchini, calabacita, yellow squash, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, and tomatoes, along with a full lineup of organic offerings.

“Mother Nature wasn’t too kind to us in early October, but since mid-November, it’s been steady supplies of SunFed Perfect Produce,” shared JC Myers, SunFed’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. ”There are going to be excellent promotional opportunities for zucchini, eggplant, slicing cucumbers, and green bell peppers from December to March.”

This time of year, SunFed’s production comes from Sonora, Sinaloa, and Central Mexico.

As promotional opportunities rise across these categories, JC advises retailers to take advantage of industry messaging, such as the Foundation for Fresh Produce’s Have A Plant® and USDA’s My Plate, which promote increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

“Build big colorful displays—old school stack it high, and watch it fly!” JC advises.

As 2026 nears, SunFed is excited to be a Platinum Sponsor for the Southwest International Produce Expo (SWIPE) in January, connecting with industry members from across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

For more of the latest category updates, leave a tab open to AndNowUKnow.