OTTAWA, ON - The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) and the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) held their annual joint-advocacy event, Fall Harvest 2025, this week in Ottawa. The event, held every November, brings together produce industry leaders, Parliamentarians and government officials to discuss critical issues impacting the produce supply chain and Canadians’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

This year’s edition kicked off on Monday, November 24, with a panel moderated by David Coletto of Abacus Data, featuring Members of Parliament Dave Epp, Yves Perron, Gord Johns, and Kody Blois (CPMA 2023 Produce Champion), who discussed fresh produce policy priorities on Parliament Hill. Following the panel, David Coletto provided an overview of Canada’s current political landscape, and Steve Verheul, Principal, GT & Company Executive Advisors, and Canada's former chief negotiator of the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), addressed industry members on Canada in the evolving trade environment.

Fall Harvest 2025 included meetings with Parliamentarians and government officials focused on addressing three challenges impacting the produce supply chain:

• Trade and investment to fuel the Canadian produce supply chain: As part of a highly integrated North American produce supply chain, the Canadian fruit and vegetable sector is impacted by the ongoing volatility caused by tariff threats. Industry representatives emphasized the importance of making agriculture and food production a national priority by advocating for a North American free trade agreement, accelerating market diversification, and making strategic investments in trade, transportation, and food-system infrastructure.
• Building a workforce that works from farm to plate: The produce industry relies on workers who come to Canada through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). CPMA and FVGC representatives called on the Government to ease the administrative burden of these programs by preserving the SAWP as a distinct labor stream and streamlining government processes for compliant TFWP employers.
• Reducing red tape for a competitive Canadian produce supply chain: To enhance the competitiveness of Canada’s fresh produce industry in the global marketplace, the industry urged the government to reduce red tape through measures such as addressing audit burden across programs, creating an enabling regulatory environment for new products, and eliminating duplicative reporting requirements under the Federal Plastics Registry.

“Canada’s fresh produce industry is one of the most competitive sectors globally and a significant driver of Canada’s economy,” said Steve Bamford, CPMA Chair, in the recent release. “According to the Conference Board of Canada, the industry contributed $18.6 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2024 and supported more than 187,400 jobs across the country. As we face growing challenges across the supply chain, collaboration with the Government is essential to implement policies that advance and strengthen our industry.”

FVGC President Marcus Janzen stated, “Canadians’ access to food remains vulnerable in the face of ongoing tariff threats, labor shortages and regulatory measures that are trade barriers. Our meetings with Parliamentarians and government officials this week gave us an opportunity to address these key issues and highlight concrete actions that the government can take to view policy through a food lens and prioritize food security across the country.”

As part of the advocacy effort, CPMA and FVGC hosted a reception for Parliamentarians and their staff, attended by over 200 people.CPMA and FVGC thank all sponsors, Parliamentarians, and participants for making Fall Harvest 2025 a success. For further information, please visit our website.

MUSKEGO, WI - Snack time is in session! As consumers flock to the grocery store in search of better-for-you options, Jackson’s Food Company is ensuring retailers have what they need to meet demand. With two delicious lineups—Super Veggie Straws and Sweet Potato Chips—the brand is rapidly gaining momentum in the snacking space while keeping veggies at the forefront of all snacking occasions.

“Since the beginning, Jackson’s has always cooked our snacks in better-for-you avocado oil and never industrialized seed oils. Avocado oil provides a fresh taste and superior crunch to all our snacks,” shares James Marino, Chief Executive Officer. “Both product lines are crafted with non-GMO, gluten-free, and plant-based ingredients, appealing to health-focused consumers and those looking to indulge in tasty snacks without compromise.”

Made from only four real ingredients—yellow peas, brown rice, cassava, and sweet potato—Jackson’s Super Veggie Straws offer an irresistible snack that satisfies kids and adults alike. Available in 5 oz bags at retail, the real-veggie veggie straws are fried in premium avocado oil and seasoned to perfection. The brand’s collection of flavor-forward varieties includes:

• Sea Salt
• Cheddar
• Ranch

Also increasing opportunities in the snacking space is Jackson’s Sweet Potato Chips, which are made from premium sweet potatoes and are offered in classic Sea Salt, spicy, and lightly seasoned varieties, including:

• Carolina BBQ: Made with tasty vinegar and Carolina mop sauce seasoning, these sweet and tangy chips cure BBQ cravings
• Spicy Jalapeño: An irresistible mix of real jalapeño and savory hints of onion and garlic
• Farmhouse Ranch: A better-tasting and dairy-free version of a classic. The perfect complement to our crispy, crunchy sweet potato chips
• Cheddar & Sour Cream Wavy Cut: Infused with the bold essence of Cheddar and the creamy tang of sour cream, this flavor redefines snacking as a super experience

Jackson’s offers a wide variety of sizes to meet the needs of shoppers and various merchandising needs. This includes:

• 1 oz multipacks of single-serve bags
• 2.5 oz shareable bags for retail check out and convenience store applications
• 5 oz traditional snack aisle size
• 16 oz club-size bags

Helping lead the charge for veggie-forward snacking options, both Jackson’s Sweet Potato Chips and Super Veggie Straws can be merchandised in the perimeter of the produce department, keeping health-conscious snacking top of mind for consumers.

“Our chips and straws are cooked in premium avocado oil and seasoned to perfection, offering an exceptional taste experience that stands out from conventional snacks,” James adds. “All our products are non-GMO, vegan, kosher, and free from top 9 major allergens, expanding the customer base to include those with dietary restrictions.”

Rounding out the brand’s comprehensive snacking portfolio are its crave-worthy Kettle Potato Chips, which are also cooked to crunchy perfection in avocado oil. The lineup is currently available in flavors such as Sea Salt, Barbecue, Sea Salt + Vinegar, and the newest addition, Dill Pickle.

Snacking is one space that will continue to see strong demand, no matter the season. Broaden your assortment and meet those better-for-you needs with these enticing snack lineups!

PEMBINA VALLEY, MB - A generational moment is taking shape at Kroeker Farms as the company prepares for a major leadership shift effective December 1, 2025. According to Pembina Valley Online, after more than two decades at the helm, long-serving Chief Executive Officer Wayne Rempel will transition into the role of Advisor, with current Chief Operating Officer Harwin Bouwman stepping in as CEO.

Wayne’s tenure marked a period of considerable expansion for the organization, advancing irrigation, tile drainage, soil health, storage systems, and facility development, including state-of-the-art washing and packing infrastructure. His appointment in 2002 made him the first non-family member to lead the company, continuing the legacy of founder Abram Kroeker and strengthening the operation’s standing in premium table potatoes, seed potatoes, and organic onions across North America.

Harwin, who has held multiple leadership roles since joining the farm, enters the position following a succession process that identified him as the strongest candidate to guide the next chapter. His background in agronomy and extensive involvement in operational design, growth initiatives, and strategic development helped shape major facility expansions and long-range planning.

As the new CEO prepares to take the reins, both leaders emphasize a continued commitment to Immer Besser—"Always Better”—a mindset that has shaped the company’s values, stewardship practices, and approach to innovation for decades.

CHELAN, WA - The start of December also marks the start of National Pear Month, bringing unique seasonal opportunities to retail and foodservice. To hear what Chelan Fresh has in store this month, I got in touch with Mac Riggan, Vice President of Sales and Business Development.

“We are incentivizing retailers to build large Bosc pear displays to reflect the promotable volume of the variety this season. Large store displays draw consumers to the product, and sales follow,” Mac began telling me.

Chelan Fresh sets its pear program apart by offering unique varieties like Concorde, Taylors Gold, and nine varieties of organic Asian pears. All of the pears are sold under the Joyfully Grown™ brand that gives consumers a connection to the multi-generational growers who are passionate about the planet, the people, and the food they produce.

“Pears of all varieties are so versatile for more than just eating out of hand. They are great for holiday charcuterie boards, salads, and desserts,” Mac explained. “Foodservice operators can diversify their menus, while retailers can employ cross-merchandising strategies that make pears shine.”

The Joyfully Grown website offers a wonderful assortment of recipes and uses for pears, providing inspiration for buyers and consumers alike.

As National Pear Month gets underway, ANUK will be here with more insights.

WENATCHEE, WA - Today’s shoppers don’t just speak with words—they speak in swipes. Over half of consumers are fluent in Digital Interaction, their true second language. Now, an innovation looks to make an expert match between consumers and their new favorite apples.

CMI Orchards’ Rochelle Bohm, Vice President of Marketing, broke the numbers down for me on how roughly 56 percent of today’s marketplace was born after 1980, growing up alongside the normalization of computers and in-home internet access:

• Millennials: 21.71 percent of the market
• Gen Z: 20.69 percent of the market
• Gen Alpha: 12.76 percent of the market

And now, CMI is stepping up with a breakthrough solution that allows retailers to turn industry expertise into consumer connection, spoken fluently in the language today’s shoppers know best.

“Retailers are serving a consumer base that is digitally fluent, social-media driven, and eager for personalization. These generations care deeply about brand values and prefer experiences that feel tailored to them,” Rochelle said. “Apple Crush® is a first-of-its-kind digital engagement tool built to help retailers attract, educate, and excite today’s younger shoppers. We’ve all heard of dating apps where you swipe left, swipe right—so we created a matchmaking platform that pairs consumers with the perfect apple variety based on their personal flavor and texture preferences.”

An interactive platform, Apple Crush curates apple recommendations, with fun facts, flavor notes, personality match highlights, and suggested best uses for each variety the same way many fashion, exercise, and dating applications have begun to dominate the buying experience. Asking a few quick questions to personalize the experience, it’s a playful, low-effort way for consumers to engage with apples, discover something new, increase category confidence, and drive trial varietal trial and trade-ups.

“For retailers, Apple Crush offers customization opportunities that align the platform with their specific category set, branding, and promotional priorities. Even more valuable, the tool can capture real-time consumer preference data, helping retailers understand which attributes resonate most with their audience, informing smarter assortment, merchandising, and promotional decisions,” Rochelle pointed out.

The demand behind Apple Crush, she shared, is rooted in a simple but powerful consumer truth: shoppers are faced with an ever-expanding, even overwhelming, range of apple choices.

“The platform features high-flavor, premium varieties, like Cosmic Crisp®, Ambrosia Gold®, Kanzi®, KIKU®, EverCrisp®, Jazz™, Envy™, and SugarBee®, as well as beloved category staples such as Fuji, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Pink Lady®, Gala, and Honeycrisp. This balanced approach ensures that every shopper, from adventurous foodies to traditionalists, can find their perfect match,” Rochelle said.

Meanwhile, the grower is supporting adoption with a suite of in-store and online activation components. CMI’s retail partners can leverage display bins, QR codes, and digital assets to seamlessly guide shoppers into the experience at the point of purchase or through their ecommerce and social platforms.

Fun identifiers like Star Gazer (Cosmic Crisp®), Vibe Seeker (Kanzi®), Original Gangster (Red Delicious), and more, make variety assignments a personality trait consumers can wear proudly in their fresh foodie journey. And retailers can have confidence in Apple Crush not just as a standalone tech offering, but a natural next step in CMI’s long-standing commitment to building excitement in the apple category while educating consumers.

“An extension of CMI’s proprietary flavor tool, Flavogram®, Apple Crush helps shoppers visualize and compare apple flavor profiles, from sweet to tart and across flavor nuances, throughout every stage of the eating experience. Building on the same concepts, data, and decision trees that power Flavogram, we’ve created a platform that flips the script. Instead of simply showing consumers where each apple sits on the flavor spectrum, Apple Crush invites consumers to share personal preferences before matching them with the variety that best fits their taste, texture, and usage needs,” Rochelle concluded.

Personalization, a fun quiz, and easy features that lay an established map of digital success across the fresh produce landscape. I, for one, cannot wait to see what direction Apple Crush points me toward!

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Vanguard Food LP, a newly formed holding company anchored by Village Fresh Greenhouse Grown and backed by Sweat Equities and Kennedy Lewis Investment Management, announced the appointment of Frank Padilla to its Board of Managers. A 35-year veteran of Costco Wholesale, Padilla brings unmatched experience in global produce sourcing, brand development, and large-scale food retail operations to Vanguard’s growing leadership team.

Padilla, who hails from the San Francisco Bay Area, began his career in the fresh produce industry after graduating from the University of California, Berkeley. He worked as a supplier to Costco Wholesale in the mid to late 1980s while at Richmond Produce Company, before joining Costco Wholesale in 1989 as the company’s first field buyer.

During his distinguished tenure at Costco, Padilla pioneered the development of club pack produce, building direct relationships with growers across the United States and in 28 countries worldwide. In the midstage of his career, Padilla played a key role in developing and expanding the Kirkland Signature brand, overseeing product innovation across dry grocery, frozen, chilled, and deli categories.

In his final leadership role, Padilla oversaw Costco’s fresh meat department, in-house bakeries, service delis, and the company’s iconic food courts—home of the legendary $1.50 Hot Dog & Soda. His strategic insights and deep understanding of consumer expectations helped shape Costco’s global reputation for quality, value, and consistency in food offerings.

Beyond his corporate career, Padilla has been an active leader in the produce and food industries, serving voluntarily on the United Fresh Produce Association and Produce Marketing Association boards. He has also served on the Board of Heritage University in Toppenish, Washington. Padilla retired from Costco Wholesale in 2024 and now enjoys golf and spending time with his wife Maureen, two daughters, granddaughter, and extended family.

“I am thrilled to join Vanguard Food LP on its recently announced transaction. The joint venture between Kennedy Lewis, Sweat Equities and Village Farms aligns with my lifelong passion and career in the food business. I am excited to be part of the foundation of what will be the start of many CPG branded companies in the health food business. I support the vision of Charlie Sweat to continue to build a platform of fresh food companies to the market at scale.”

Charlie Sweat, Founder and Managing Principal of Sweat Equities and Chairman of Vanguard’s Board of Managers, commented in the recent release: “Frank’s experience and perspective are invaluable as we expand Vanguard’s platform. He has spent decades driving innovation and operational excellence in food retail and produce sourcing, and his leadership will help guide our mission to build a next-generation CPG foods company focused on health, sustainability, and value creation.”

SACRAMENTO, PA - The Masser Family of Companies (MFC) will exhibit at the New York Produce Show at the Javitz Center in New York City, December 2-4, 2025.

MFC will highlight a new product line of convenience potatoes this year in addition to the full assortment of Side Delights® varietal potatoes. MFC will be joined by leading Pennsylvania value-added potato facility, Keystone Potato Products, and the Pennsylvania Co-operative, distributor of Penn’s Own® brand of fresh potatoes.

“Attendees to this year’s show can be among the first to check out the new line of Side Delights® convenience potatoes at booth #219,” said Tiffany Readinger, VP of Sales and Category Management at MPC, in the recent release. "We are proud to showcase innovative convenience-focused potato products that are designed to surprise and delight the busy, time-stressed potato consumer.”

MFC, Keystone, and PA-Cooperative represent the majority of the Pennsylvania potato industry, with the collective ability to better serve retailers and meet the foodservice and institutional needs of all package sizes in the Northeast.

Presented by the Eastern Produce Council and Produce Business magazine, the New York Produce Show and Conference is a 3-day event featuring networking opportunities, a one-day trade show with over 400 companies, educational sessions, and tours of local retailers, wholesalers, foodservice distributors, urban farms, and unique eateries.

The Side Delights® portfolio includes a variety of nutritious, convenient, and economical potato products to stock the pantry, prepare quickly, or enjoy anytime. For more information on Side Delights® and the Masser Family of Companies, visit MasserSpuds.com, FreshSolutionsNet.com, and SideDelights.com.

POMPANO BEACH, FL - Southern Specialties shares a milestone update as the company celebrates 35 years of growth, partnerships, and industry impact:

Wednesday, November 26 marks Southern Specialties' 35th anniversary. Robert Colescott founded the company with a vision to supply chefs the specialty produce they sought while helping small growers in Guatemala earn money to support their families.

The company grows, imports, processes and distributes produce grown in ten countries and is marketed by the finest retailers, foodservice distributors, club stores and wholesalers in North America. None of this would be possible without the support of an amazing team of employees and growers. Their contributions and loyalty have made the company the success it is today. Many have been part of our organization for over two decades!

We look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries while maintaining our vision of growth through dedication, integrity, innovation and sustainability.

Congratulations Robert and team!

Let’s grow something special!