YERINGTON, NV - Even when they are eating healthy, consumers want their food to be flavorful. As Teri Gibson, Director of Marketing and Customer Relations, explains, while Peri & Sons Farms® may not be able to dial in the recipe of produce in the same way manufactured foods can, the company does many things to help ensure each crop is delicious.

“Better ingredients make a better product. On our family farms, we use the best ‘ingredients,’ such as top-quality seeds, healthy, nutrient-rich soil, and well-prepared beds. They get lots of fresh air, clean water that’s properly administered, and they’re fed a well-balanced diet of specialized fertilizers,” Teri begins.

Because Peri & Sons ships directly from the farm, the supplier can monitor its onions closely, giving them the time they need to naturally mature and develop their rich flavor.

“We hand-harvest our onions into ventilated bins to minimize bruising, damage, and stress that machine harvesting can cause, then they cure in a food-safe, climate-controlled environment,” Teri continues.

Flavor development is not just about taste; it also involves aroma, texture, and even visual appeal, creating a holistic food experience, Teri notes. Tasteless produce can be due to agriculture practices that prioritize appearance and transportability, leading to harvesting unripe, undeveloped products.

“There’s a reason Peri & Sons Farms claims to have the most consistently flavorful premium and organic onions on the market. It’s not a boast, it’s a strategy,” she concludes.

As flavor continues to drive purchases in the produce aisle, stay up to date on the latest with AndNowUKnow.

FOWLER, CA - Bee Sweet Citrus has launched a new, immersive website for its digital audience. The launch of the site coincides with the start of California’s 2025-2026 citrus season and aims to celebrate the company’s brand, values, and culture.

“This season, our team is thrilled to launch a brand-new website that beautifully represents our brand,” stated Bee Sweet Citrus Director of Communications Monique Mueller in the recent release. “After months of planning, we’re excited to showcase a site that’s vibrant, informative, and user-friendly.”

Bee Sweet Citrus’ new website highlights elements of its packaging throughout the entire site and presents information in a way that’s instantly memorable for online users. The site’s brand colors and bold fonts instantly draw in the users’ eye, and the use of vibrant photography encourages users to learn more.

“One of the elements we’re most excited to highlight throughout the website is the use of Billy the Bee, our official mascot,” continued Mueller. “While Billy has always been a huge attraction to our customers, we wanted to make sure his image was front and center on the home page. Users will also notice that a bee trail follows your mouse as you navigate the site on a desktop 
device.”

In addition to the company mascot, the website also highlights Bee Sweet Citrus’ internal social sustainability initiatives, including its ongoing Wellness Partnership with United Health Centers. It also features information regarding the company’s history, safety practices, variety availability, and more.

All information is strategically organized for ease of use, and the site is mobile-friendly. For more information, please visit www.beesweetcitrus.com or call 559-834-5345.

WENATCHEE, WA - National Pear Month is right around the corner, and the opportunity for retailers to make category gains this pear season is here. With volumes bouncing back from last year’s down crop year, Stemilt’s Marketing Director, Brianna Shales, shares recent Nielsen data from September 1, 2024, to October 18, 2025, to identify areas of growth in the early season and beyond.

“This year’s pear crop is on a positive trajectory in comparison to last season, but with the volume that the industry has now, we should be seeing double-digit sales gains in the U.S.,” explained Shales in the recent release. “Bag retail is what’s going to drive volumes, but we’re not capitalizing on it as well as we could. The price per pound is lower this year, at $2.12 compared to $2.16 last year. The supply is here to promote pears, especially varieties like Bosc and Red Pears that are in great quality, ripe and ready to delight consumers this winter.”

Shales continued to say that the pear category is up 7% in pounds sold for the total U.S. compared to last year. She called out the Midwest as an example of a region that has reacted to the realities of the crop and is keeping pace with the volume increase.

“The Midwest is up 27% in volume and 21% in sales,” said Shales. “This is what you want to see at the start of a larger crop year. Their retail price on pears is $1.98 a pound, 10 cents down from last year. Their dollar gains are in the double digits, and their bag sales are up 46% YOY because they’re using lower retails to drive volume as a means for improved category performance.”

The Northeast, South, and West are trailing behind the U.S. in percentage of bags sold in the category and could be taking advantage of volume and dollar opportunities, stated Shales. Looking ahead, she points out National Pear Month as a natural tie-in for pear promotions. Stemilt items such as conventional and organic Lil Snappers® kids’ size fruit and mixed variety Prism Pear bags are also available now as vehicles to encourage movement.

“The performance of pears this season is positive, but there’s still room for growth because of the drastic difference in the size of the crop versus last year,” said Shales. “Quite literally, there’s room for pears to grow. We compared last September to this year and found that we’ve increased the number of stores selling pears by the week. The #1 variety, conventional Bartlett, was selling around 26,300 stores last year. This year, they sell in 27,600 stores. We have grown distribution for pears, and with a larger crop, that’s a bright spot for the season ahead!”

AZUSA, CA - Vallarta Supermarkets, California's beloved family-owned grocery chain, celebrated for its authentic Mexican and Latin American flavors, will officially open its newest location at 273 E. Gladstone St., Azusa, CA 91702 on Wednesday, December 10th. The grand opening celebration will feature exciting community giveaways, delicious fresh food, and festive entertainment.

The first 300 customers to walk through the doors on grand opening day will receive a free reusable grocery bag filled with groceries. Vallarta Supermarkets is also giving back to the Azusa community by donating $7,500 to benefit five local schools and charitable organizations.

"Community has always been at the core of who we are," said Lizette Gomez, Vallarta's Director of Marketing, in the recent release. "Our Azusa store represents our continued commitment to providing quality products, exceptional service, and meaningful support to the neighborhoods we call home."

With this new location, Vallarta will bring 120 new job opportunities and a larger, 39,295 sf, modernized space. It will feature Vallarta's signature and fan-favorite departments, as well as the key highlights the brand is best known for, including:

• Made-Fresh Daily Foods: From warm corn and flour tortillas crafted in-house, to hand-decorated cakes and pan dulce in the Panadería, and fresh ceviches prepared in small batches throughout the day, Vallarta's signature freshness is front and center.
• Authentic Flavors at the Heart of the Store: The Carnicería, home of Vallarta's famous Original Carne Asada™, offers premium cuts of meat marinated in signature spices. Guests can also experience the Cremería, which showcases traditional cheeses like queso fresco and cotija, while the Pescadería and in-house Cevichería deliver ocean-fresh seafood, aquachiles, and more.
• Grab-and-Go With a Cultural Twist: Shoppers can stop at La Cocina for hot, ready-to-eat meals inspired by Mexico and Central America, sip aguas frescas straight from traditional vitroleros at the Juice Bar, or personalize their guacamole at the made-to-order station. For a sweet finish, the Dulcería offers candies, piñatas, and celebration essentials.
• Global Meets Local: Alongside staples of Latin American cuisine, Vallarta brings variety with hand-rolled sushi, fresh-pressed juices, fruit bowls topped with Tajín and chamoy, and a wide selection of organic produce sourced both locally and worldwide.
• More Than Groceries: The Florería brightens every occasion with vibrant flower arrangements and potted plants, rounding out the store as a true community destination.

Located in the Edgewood Shopping Center, the Azusa store will proudly serve local families and food lovers with the vibrant flavors and welcoming atmosphere Vallarta is known for.

Vallarta Supermarkets is just a few taps away! Get your favorite grocery essentials and La Cocina hot, ready-to-eat meals delivered straight to your door through all major delivery services, including DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart. From fresh produce to delicious carnitas tacos, enjoy the best of Vallarta anytime, anywhere.

For more information about Vallarta Supermarkets and the grand opening of its Azusa, Calif., location, visit vallartasupermarkets.com or follow @vallarta.supermarkets on Instagram.