FLORIDA - Several ports have temporarily suspended their operations as Hurricane Milton prepares to make landfall in the state of Florida.

According to Port Technology International, port closures have been initiated in Tampa and Sarasota in preparation for the storm. In addition, terminals in South Carolina—including the Port of Charleston—have implemented navigation limitations ahead of the hurricane.

The source also noted that Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) issued a port status ZULU, indicating the risk of gale force gusts within 12 hours as Hurricane Milton approaches. The port announced it will be closed on October 10, with inbound cargo flow to its major gates ceasing at 10 a.m. this morning. The port intends to reopen its main gates in the morning of October 11, subject to the satisfactory completion of facilities evaluations.

As it closes in on Florida’s coast, Hurricane Milton has strengthened into a Category 4 storm. The storm is expected to make landfall as “an extremely dangerous major hurricane” tonight or early Thursday, according to predictions from the National Hurricane Center.

The Washington Post reported that Milton has maximum sustained winds of nearly 155 mph with stronger gusts, posing a threat across the Tampa, Sarasota, and Fort Myers regions. The storm is also bringing what the National Hurricane Center referred to as “damaging hurricane-force winds,” with coastal communities facing the potential of a “life-threatening storm surge.”

ANUK will continue monitoring this storm’s impact on the state of Florida and its ports, and our thoughts are with those who may face the impacts of Hurricane Milton.

LOS ANGELES, CA - There will be plenty of innovations on display at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show, and one of them can be found at booth B2756. There, Wonderful® Pistachios will introduce its No Shells Unsalted variety to attendees before its official release in February 2025.

“These pistachios hold the salt, not the flavor,” said Diana Salsa, Vice President of Marketing. “Versatile and nutritious, roasted Unsalted No Shells are an excellent choice for health-conscious eaters. They make a satisfying midday snack or add a protein boost to salads, pasta dishes, and charcuterie boards.”

Launching online and at retailers nationwide in 6 oz, 12 oz, and 24 oz bags, Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Unsalted will be supported by in-store merchandising, including a 72-count low-sodium display alongside No Shells Lightly Salted. This new variety is ideal for health-conscious consumers, home chefs, and anyone looking to integrate a delicious, sodium-free snack or ingredient into their daily lives.

According to recent research conducted by The Wonderful Company, while snacking between meals remains the primary eating occasion for pistachios, more consumers are using them as an ingredient. According to a press release, the research indicated that 37 percent of pistachio consumers now use them as an ingredient—a seven-point year-over-year increase.

Wonderful Pistachios Unsalted is already available as an In-Shell variety, which is the No. 3 bestselling item for the Wonderful Pistachios In-Shell product line. The launch of No Shells Unsalted rounds out the low-sodium offerings from Wonderful Pistachios.

Wonderful Pistachios’ existing low-sodium items already boast the highest trial rates among the brand’s offerings. The low-sodium consumer is exclusive, with one in five In-Shell Unsalted buyers only purchasing Unsalted and no other variety. The No Shells variety is poised to build on this success, meeting the demand for flavorful, convenient, and health-conscious snacks.

Unsalted joins a strong lineup of Wonderful Pistachios No Shells varieties and flavors, which includes Roasted & Salted, Lightly Salted, Jalapeño Lime, Chili Roasted, Sea Salt & Vinegar, Sea Salt & Pepper, Honey Roasted, and Smoky Barbecue.

For more insights ahead of the show, stick with us at ANUK.

LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO, CANADA - Upholding its passion for sustainable greenhouse growing, Pure Flavor® has launched its new Amora™ mini melon brand and shipped its first sold-out supply, marking a significant milestone in the greenhouse melon category.

“With a number of years of experience growing greenhouse melons under our belt, we are feeling confident in this variety’s potential to be a growth driver in the melons segment,” said Tiffany Sabelli, Senior Director of Sales.

The Amora™ mini melon is a Charentais variety celebrated for its sweet, juicy flesh and intense floral aroma. It originates from the Charente region of France. This innovative greenhouse-grown melon eliminates the seasonal limitations typically associated with quality melons, providing consistent flavor and supply year-round.

According to a press release, the melons weigh approximately 850-900 grams and feature fragrant, finely netted skin, revealing vibrant orange flesh that has been a culinary delight in France for decades.

“Amora mini melons really do offer incredible flavor, and we wanted to ensure that was apparent to consumers at shelf,” said Julia Shreve, Marketing Director. The melons are packaged in one- and two-count netted bags with eye-catching graphics, emphasizing their “Super Sweet & Juicy” promise. “We know once consumers try these, they will be pleasantly surprised by how good they are. We leveraged packaging and brand design to ensure they are enticed to pick them up and try them,” continued Shreve.

Beginning this month, Amora™ mini melons are now shipping their first sold-out crop, with additional plantings scheduled. Retailers can expect to see these gourmet melons showcased at booth B3879 at the upcoming Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 17-19. As Pure Flavor continues to help redefine the melon category, the Amora™ brand stands to capture the attention of both consumers and retailers alike.

Continue reading ANUK as we explore the melon category, where every update celebrates freshness and vibrancy!

YUMA, AZ - Shoppers have already started planning ahead for the holiday season, and ready to meet customer demand is Bard Valley Natural Delights®. In this exclusive look at the grower’s operation, we will hear about how dates are harvested, the company’s farming practices, as well as marketing and merchandising strategies.

David Baxter, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Bard Valley Natural Delights®

"This, right here, next to me is how a date tree starts. This tree will grow about a foot a year, and in about 7 years, it'll start producing fruit, and it'll look like one of these trees behind me here. So this is a very special area for growing dates because of the location; dates need a lot of water, they need very high heat, but they also need it to be very dry. This area is special because of the high water table, so the roots of these trees will actually reach down and siphon water off of the water table, and then we also have these micro sprayers here on the trees to give them that little added boost from the surface."

"Each tree will produce around 250 lbs of fruit, and we have around 7,000 to 10,000 acres in our association. So we'll harvest for about three weeks every year, and those are the dates that we'll sell throughout the year. That's why we have year-round supply dates that have a natural long shelf-life—they last a long time."

Edgar Calaviz, Quality Compliance, Bard Valley Natural Delights®

"Through sustainability, we try to enhance the quality of the soil because we want this business to continue for generations to come. There are a lot of organic practices that are in place and also regenerative farming practices. The intention is to protect the environment. By implementing these practices, we greatly minimize the amount of chemicals and also the amount of purchased fertilizers that we employ in our farming operations, and this enhances the quality of the soil; it promotes a lot more water retention allowing us to produce great quality product that can be sold anywhere in the world so they can keep enjoying the fruits of our labor."

Bridgette Weber, Sales and Marketing Manager, Bard Valley Natural Delights®

"We do a lot of different things to connect with our consumers. We stay active on social media to inspire them with new date recipes and give them behind-the-scenes looks at how dates are grown. We also partner with registered dietitians to help people learn more about the health benefits of dates. We also help educate our retailers so that they know the optimal times to promote and merchandise dates."

"Ramadan and the holidays are really important for our category so, we're making sure our retailers are equipped with all the information and support they need during those times. We also invest in data to provide category insights for our retail partners and help them optimize in their specific markets."

Dates have diverse applications, making them a perfect counterpart for an array of fresh produce and exciting seasonal promotions.

Keep checking back to ANUK for more insightful videos!

KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA - Get ready to enter the dream world! Mastronardi Produce® is bringing its WOW® Utopia™ Strawberries to the 2024 Global Produce & Floral Show, showing off another exciting innovation from the SUNSET® brand.

“Our team continues to innovate in the berry category and redefine consumer flavor experiences,” said Paul Mastronardi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mastronardi Produce. “All the unique elements of our WOW Utopia berries, from the taste to the packaging, each element harmoniously joins together to bring our vision of the finest strawberry experience to life. We are excited to see these elevated strawberries on the shelves.”

Offering a premium consumer experience, WOW Utopia Strawberries have brought innovation and intrigue to the berry aisle through their enhanced flavor profile, uniform shape and size, and elegant packaging, explained a release. The greenhouse-grown, non-GMO berries were developed through advanced breeding and growing techniques, designed to offer distinct sweetness and juiciness with fragrant aroma and balanced acidity.

As the release went on to note, each WOW Utopia berry is hand-picked and packed in a modern two-piece carrier built to precisely fit the berry’s signature proportions. The packaging calls to consumers with a sleek matte-black labeling band featuring reflective gold foil embellishments that emphasize the high-end nature of the product.

Food lovers and culinary aficionados will be drawn to the enhanced flavor and presentation of these greenhouse-grown berries, which deliver exceptional freshness and visual appeal. This enticing berry innovation is another step in Mastronardi Produce’s mission to deliver WOW flavor experiences to consumers.

Eager to experience the dream-like “WOW” for yourself? Make sure to stop by booth #1639 during the 2024 Global Produce & Floral Show!

For more show updates, stay tuned to ANUK.

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - The Allen Lund Company is getting ready to impress show attendees with logistics and transportation solutions. Its cutting-edge AlchemyTMS service is sure to be a talking point as the team continues to receive accolades for its service to top produce industry players. Isabella Silva gave a preview of what can be expected in this recent video release.

“We are thrilled to be a part of IFPA’s Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta this year,” began Silva, Marketing Coordinator. “We can't wait to connect with you and see how we can help your business grow.”

As Corporate Sales Manager Greg Au mentioned in a previous video, AlchemyTMS has helped companies across North America make better business decisions and improve the visibility of their supply chains. This customizable system was designed by the produce industry, for the produce industry.

This year, the Allen Lund Company is also attending the event as a sponsor, so there are many reasons to catch up with the team, either at their booth or the business lounge.

“We are also proud to be sponsoring the Business Solutions Lounge, where you can relax, rechange, and meet with industry experts. We look forward to seeing you at the show! Please stop by booth C1921,” Silva closed with a smile.

Stick around for updates from the industry ahead of the big show!

NOGALES, AZ - Celebrating its 70^th anniversary, Malena Produce is unveiling a new brand, ALLDAY, at the upcoming Global Produce & Floral Show (GPFS) 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. The company's unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation takes center stage as it celebrates this significant milestone in the produce sector.

"We are immensely thankful for the continued trust and collaboration over the years. Looking ahead, we're excited about the future and remain committed to delivering the same excellence in quality and service," expressed John Davidson, Director of Sales at Malena Produce.

Over the past seven decades, Malena Produce has solidified its position as a trusted partner to customers and clients throughout the produce sector. The introduction of the ALLDAY brand, a fresh and innovative product line designed to meet evolving market demands, exemplifies the company's ongoing commitment to quality and growth.

Visitors to the International Fresh Produce Association’s GPFS 2024 are encouraged to stop by booth B3647, where Malena Produce representatives will be on hand to discuss the ALLDAY brand and the company's diverse agricultural offerings. According to a press release, the team’s space will offer an interactive experience, providing insights into the products and the story behind its newest brand.

Malena Produce's value for relationships has immensely contributed to its long-standing success, a perfect alignment with one of the industry’s biggest in-person events.

To stay informed about notable milestones within the industry, keep an eye on AndNowUKnow.

WASHINGTON - How many of us can describe our roles at work as exciting, plentiful, and joyful? Perhaps not all of us, but this is exactly how Apolinar Blanco explains his role at Chelan Fresh. The Sustainability and Social Responsibility Manager knows the produce industry well, having grown up walking through orchard fields from a young age. Apolinar explains how his start in produce naturally led him to the path he is on now.

“I am a product of my parent’s hard work and dedication to the industry. The industry that gave them a job and the opportunity to support my siblings and me,” began Apolinar. “As my knowledge in the industry grew, it only fueled my passion. I always knew I wanted to give back and honor my parents’ hard work and dedication. They were just the spark of my passion for sustainability and, over the years, I got the opportunity to learn more about agriculture and learn about the sustainable processes that can be implemented in the industry.”

Along with his vital role at Chelan, Apolinar is also attending Wenatchee Valley College and is on track to obtain a double degree in Tree Fruit Horticulture and Sustainability/Organics. He admits that his drive and passion for this thriving industry expands as he continues to educate himself and those around him.

“I believe that knowledge is power,” continues Apol. “In my role, there are a lot of opportunities for me to gain more knowledge—knowledge that I can then share with others. I currently sit on and lead various groups where I get to share my experiences and knowledge with others while also learning from their experiences and knowledge.”

It is the power of these exchanges that gets this social responsibility leader most excited, as he explains how his position at Chelan Fresh gives him the perfect opportunity to make the impact he strives for.

“I know that I want to make a positive difference in the industry. In my role, I get to do just that. My personality and my values easily fuel my passion for social responsibility. I can ensure that all the obstacles and unfair treatment my parents, workers, and I endured do not happen again. I can use my voice to make a difference, I can lead by example, and I get to help others along the way—what more can I ask for,” Apol shares.

Tying these roots back to Chelan Fresh, Apol reflects on the connection between his professional goals and Chelan Fresh’s company-wide initiatives, citing simply how he and the company strive for respect, dignity, and honor, adding that the concept of social responsibility is nothing new for Chelan Fresh.

“We have hit many milestones regarding social responsibility, and it is something that we take pride in,” he reflects. “We will continue to put others and their safety first and ensure that we do right by everyone. Like fibrous roots, always looking for the water and nutrients—I will continue to grow, share, and lead to ensure that I am doing my part in nurturing, honoring, and protecting: Our Food, Our Planet, and Our People.”

It is clear that Apolinar is walking a path in which his values, experiences, and aspirations have all coincided. And if you ask me, all that hard work while making each day more joyful than the last is the real fruit that comes with a job well done.