SAN ANTONIO, TX - NatureSweet®, North America’s largest vertically integrated controlled environment agriculture company recognized for its commitment to workforce well-being, announced significant progress and expansion within its long-standing adult education initiative for its agricultural workforce. Nearly twenty years after the program began in Zapotlán, Mexico in 2005, NatureSweet has reached record graduation numbers, launched new university cohorts, and continues to demonstrate the transformational power of education in advancing its workforce’s lives.

What began with just 26 graduates in 2005 has grown into one of the most impactful education programs in the agricultural industry, a press release stated. As of December 2025, NatureSweet has celebrated:

• 431 associates graduating in 2025 alone — the highest number in the program’s 20-year history
• 2,846 total graduates across all education levels since the program began
• 539 Associates completing literacy training
• 471 completing elementary school
• 1,072 completing middle school
• 759 completing high school, including the oldest graduate at 59 years old
• 5 university graduates to date, with enrollment rapidly growing

Currently, 179 Associates are actively pursuing diplomas, 20 in high school and 159 at the university level. Among those pursuing higher education, the youngest is 22 years old and the oldest is 55, underscoring the program’s accessibility and life-changing potential at any age.

Bachelor’s Program Expansion

In 2023, NatureSweet introduced the “Unleashing Your Power” bachelor’s program to provide NatureSweet Associates with the opportunity to pursue a university degree—an unprecedented offering in the agricultural industry. With expanded support from Fair-Trade Committees, which voted to direct resources toward educational advancement, NatureSweet established three new university groups in 2025 at its Colima, San Isidro, and Zapotlán locations. These new cohorts provided 102 additional associates with the opportunity to begin a university degree. Today:

• 129 associates are pursuing a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Engineering
• 30 associates are pursuing a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering

“Our mission has always been to elevate the lives of the people who grow our food,” said Rodolfo Spielmann, President and CEO of NatureSweet. “When agricultural workers gain access to education, they gain the power to transform their families’ futures, power to lead, and power to dream bigger than the circumstances around them. These milestones prove what is possible when a company invests in its people with trust, respect, and long-term commitment. We’re incredibly proud of every Associate who has stepped forward to pursue their education, and we remain dedicated to expanding this opportunity even further.”

A Model for Responsible Agriculture

NatureSweet, a Fair Trade and EFI-certified company, continues to set industry standards for worker well-being, sustainability, and long-term economic mobility. The company’s education program, now in its twentieth year, remains one of the most comprehensive initiatives in the agricultural sector, offering literacy courses through bachelor’s-level degrees, all designed to expand opportunity and build multi-generational impact.

MONTEREY, CA - The Organic Grower Summit (OGS) 2025 concluded its two-day event at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa, leaving attendees inspired by cutting-edge advancements, impactful networking opportunities and a shared vision for the future of organic farming. The summit brought together industry leaders, growers and innovators from 30 U.S. states to explore the latest trends and technologies shaping the organic agriculture landscape, according to a press release.

Expert Speakers Share Knowledge

The summit kicked off with an inspiring keynote by Sylvia Tawse, founder and chief fresh officer at the Fresh Ideas Group. Her address, “Unsung Heroes in Organic — How to Apply Their Legacies to Your Organic Success,” set the tone for the event by highlighting the challenges and triumphs that have shaped the $71 billion organic industry.

Wednesday featured a dozen seminars that sparked conversations throughout the event, tackling critical topics such as labor shortages, sustainability and the integration of advanced technologies in organic farming.

The summit concluded with a data-driven keynote by Walt Duflock, senior vice president of technology at Western Growers, which showcased future-focused solutions to the industry's pressing challenges.

Industry-Leading Innovations Take Center Stage

The Ag Tech Networking Presentations and Reception on Dec. 3 showcased groundbreaking solutions from leading exhibitors, including Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness, Mahindra Ag North America, Carbon Robotics, Niqo Robotics and Titan and Goodyear Farm Tires. Attendees were introduced to advancements in AI, robotics, sustainable farming practices and equipment technologies.

A live demonstration of the CDFA California Dog Teams, presented by Western Growers, captivated audiences with their innovative role in agricultural safety and compliance.

Recognizing Excellence in Organic Farming

Arnott Duncan, founder of Duncan Family Farms, was honored as the 2025 Grower of the Year, sponsored by John Deere. Duncan’s three-decade journey from small-scale agritourism to managing 3,850 acres of organic farmland across three states was celebrated for its focus on compost-based soil health, water conservation and community impact. His farm’s contributions include donating over 10,000 pounds of fresh organic produce weekly to food banks and pioneering sustainable farming practices.

New Initiatives and Enhanced Accessibility

OGS 2025 introduced several new features to enhance the attendee experience:

• Taylor Farms Scholarship Program: Students from California Polytechnic State University and California State University, Monterey Bay, attended the summit as part of the program, gaining invaluable insights and networking opportunities to advance their academic and career aspirations.
• Live Spanish Translation Services: Powered by Wordly AI, this service ensured inclusivity for Spanish-speaking attendees during keynote addresses and seminars. Additionally, live captions were provided to enhance accessibility for attendees requiring support.
• Convenience and Comfort: Farm Credit provided charging stations, while Nunhems/BASF sponsored coffee stations. California Organic Fertilizer offered eco-friendly attendee bags, and Darling Ingredients/Nature Safe Fertilizers handled lanyards.
   

Looking Ahead

Produced by Farm Progress and presented by the Western Growers Association, OGS 2025 reaffirmed its position as the premier event for organic growers and suppliers. The summit team extends gratitude to sponsors, including John Deere, Organic Grower Magazine, Ag Life Media, True Organic Products and Engelbert Strauss Inc., for their support in creating a seamless and engaging experience.

For more information about the Organic Grower Summit and updates on future events, visit www.OrganicGrowerSummit.com.

PASADENA, CA - Cuties® was the first mandarin brand with coast-to-coast availability when it arrived in 2002. This product launch not only sparked a nationwide love affair with mandarins, but it also defined the mandarin category and introduced millions of shoppers to this sweet, seedless delight known for its taste, adorable size and convenience. Now, Sun Pacific® is launching its new “Irresistibly Cute” fully integrated marketing campaign to celebrate everything that makes Cuties a beloved, trusted staple for families.

“This season we’re launching a campaign that is unapologetically and irresistibly cute,” explains Sarah Deaton, director of marketing at Sun Pacific, in a press release. “No other brand owns cuteness like Cuties does. We’re serving up smiles with a side of vitamin C, and we’re not toning the cuteness down for anyone.”

The Cuties brand remains the clear market leader, and the “Irresistibly Cute” campaign was inspired by the belief that even in stressful times, joy can be found in life’s sweet little pleasures. “We’re on a mission to ‘cutify’ the world by inviting people to embrace positivity and playfulness every day. The brand naturally brings joy, comfort and even a bit of nostalgia for simpler, sweeter times,” says Deaton.

Cuties are uniquely positioned to continue spreading that happiness and embracing the brand’s core purpose: to nourish the child in all of us. The campaign is rolling out across digital advertising, social media, influencer marketing, and in-store activations, perfectly timed for the holiday season. Through vibrant, creative and cheerful brand voice, “Irresistibly Cute” encourages consumers to spread joy, share sweetness, and see the world through a brighter, more playful lens.

Retailers can help shoppers find their favorite Cuties mandarin brand by prominently displaying Cuties in new merchandising “Wow” displays. “It was a record year for mandarins with nearly $1.8 billion* in sales for the domestic season and we look to continue the momentum this year,” states Deaton.

According to Circana data, Cuties is the fastest growing and largest mandarin brand in dollar sales by almost 10% over competitor brands. Additionally, Cuties is the best performing brand with higher average weekly dollars per stores selling, and it has the highest repeat purchases at 61% with more new consumers purchasing Cuties than all other brands combined.**

To further support retailers, Cuties has a refreshed website that aligns with their “Irresistibly Cute” campaign. The site has wellness information, Cuties crafts, activities and content along with snacking ideas and recipes to keep shoppers engaged and to encourage new and repeat purchases at retail.

Shoppers can join the Cuties Club for coupons and more to continue driving traffic to stores. Retailers are encouraged to contact a Sun Pacific sales rep to develop a custom program tailored to their shoppers.

SANTA CLARITA, CA - Vallarta Supermarkets, one of California's leading Latino-owned grocery chains, proudly celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year. What began as a single carnicería in Van Nuys in 1985 has grown into a beloved brand with 63 locations across the state, all rooted in family, tradition, and community service.

For four decades, Vallarta has been more than a grocery store—it has been a cultural hub for generations of families seeking authentic ingredients, vibrant flavors, and a warm, welcoming experience. From fresh pan dulce and handmade tortillas to hard-to-find Latin American staples, Vallarta has helped preserve culinary traditions while uplifting the communities it serves.

"We are incredibly proud to celebrate 40 years of Vallarta Supermarkets," said Lizette Gomez, Vallarta's Director of Marketing, in the recent release. "This milestone is a tribute to our loyal customers, dedicated team members, and the values instilled by the Gonzalez family, who built Vallarta with heart, hard work, and a deep respect for culture and community."

To commemorate the anniversary, Vallarta has executed a series of initiatives and celebrations throughout the summer, including:

• Maestro De La Asada – In celebration of the occasion, Vallarta invited influencers across the country to share their favorite family recipes using ingredients from Vallarta Supermarkets. Four winners were picked to showcase their skills in a live cooking competition, judged by a team of celebrity chefs and the chain's culinary team. After three 45-minute cookoffs, a winner was announced and awarded the $15,000 grand prize. To learn more about Maestro De La Asada, please visit ktla.com/la-unscripted/adding-some-spice.
• Park Renovations – Giving back to the community, Vallarta initiated various efforts to revamp the Valley Plaza Sports Complex, adding BBQ pits, new picnic tables, refreshed cementing and landscaping, as well as an ADA-compliant walking path that was not previously available. Over the course of the next year, they will be adding an overhead cover to assist in shade and comfort for groups gathering and enjoying all that the park has to offer. "Vallarta Markets have been a great asset to my District and a stalwart partner of our community," said City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian. "Vallarta's generous gift to Valley Plaza Park makes it a friendlier and more accessible place for our families to picnic, stroll, and enjoy the outdoors."
• Giving Back – As part of its ongoing commitment to philanthropy, Vallarta has donated $30,000 to 32 charities, in support of education, hunger relief, and local nonprofits across California. A representative from each charity was invited to their local Vallarta Supermarkets to ceremoniously accept the donation.

Founded by the Gonzalez family, Vallarta Supermarkets remains family-owned and operated to this day. Its mission remains the same as it was in 1985: to provide fresh, high-quality food at affordable prices while embracing and celebrating Hispanic culture.

As it looks toward the future, Vallarta is doubling down on innovation and community, with new store openings, expanded product offerings, and continued investments in local impact.

For more information about Vallarta Supermarkets and the 40^th anniversary initiatives, visit vallartasupermarkets.com or follow @vallarta.supermarkets on Instagram.

SALISBURY, NC - The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $985,000 in Nourishing our Neighbors grants to 318 feeding partners across Food Lion’s 10-state operating area. These grants help local nonprofits provide fresh, nutritious food and offer nutritional education that empowers families to thrive. View the full list of grant recipients here.

“Every community we serve is unique, but they share a common need: access to nourishing food,” said Natasha Brinegar, President, Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation and Vice President of Category Management, Meat and Seafood, Food Lion, in the recent release. “These Nourishing our Neighbors grants strengthen local organizations who know our communities best and make a meaningful difference in our neighbors’ lives each day.”

Beyond making fresh, nutritious food more accessible, the grants also promote nutritional education programs that set families up for success in life. Partner organizations provide hands-on skills like meal planning, budgeting and cooking, giving families the confidence to prepare meals at home and support their well-being in the future. These efforts are crucial to ending the cycle of hunger and align with the Foundation’s mission of helping to reduce the health risks that come with food insecurity.

The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization operated by a volunteer board of Food Lion associates from across the company. Since 2001, the Foundation has distributed more than $25 million throughout Food Lion’s 10-state operating area. The Foundation focuses on addressing the root causes of hunger and helps feeding organizations expand their capacity to provide fresh produce and other staples.

The Foundation holds two grant cycles each year. The spring/summer application deadline is March 13, 2026, and is available online. Grants will be awarded in early June. Eligible nonprofit organizations must be affiliated with Feeding America or United Way and may apply every 12 months.

For more information on Food Lion Feeds’ commitment to end hunger, visit foodlion.com/feeds.