NOVI, MI - Lineage, Inc., the world’s largest global temperature-controlled warehouse REIT, broke ground recently on its newest automated cold storage facility in the Dallas Metroplex. The project is part of Lineage’s previous announcement to design, build and operate two next-generation cold storage warehouses that expand automation capabilities in key U.S. markets for a long-time customer.

Lineage’s facility is strategically located in Hutchins, Texas, to support the needs of food and beverage producers, retailers and distributors. With its central position in the continental U.S. and combination of major highways, airports and rail lines, the Dallas area can reach a significant majority of the U.S. population and international markets like Mexico quickly and efficiently.

“Dallas has long been a key market for Lineage, serving as a critical connecting point between food producers and the global food supply chain,” said Tim Smith, Chief Commercial Officer of Lineage, in the recent release. “The groundbreaking of our newest automated facility underscores our commitment to improving and expanding capabilities for our customers, utilizing advanced technologies to reimagine how the cold chain operates and feeds the world.”

The facility is located in Dallas County’s Prime Pointe Park, which sits adjacent to Union Pacific Railroad’s Dallas Intermodal Terminal. Lineage celebrated the groundbreaking alongside officials from the City of Hutchins, Texas, and representatives from Prime Pointe Park and Union Pacific.

“The groundbreaking for this new cold storage facility marks an exciting day for our community,” said Mario Vasquez, Mayor of Hutchins. “It demonstrates that we are committed to attracting top-tier businesses and supporting supply chains that enhance our regional economy.”

“We’re excited to welcome Lineage, a long-time partner of Union Pacific, to Prime Pointe, one of our premier Focus Sites,” said Kenny Rocker, Union Pacific Railroad Executive Vice President - Marketing and Sales. “Focus Sites like this make it easier and faster for businesses to connect to our 23-state network and tap into the efficiencies of rail."

The facility is expected to begin operating in late 2027 and will feature advanced automation including Lineage’s proprietary LinOS warehouse execution system. The project builds on Lineage’s existing footprint in Texas, where the company operates 18 facilities that offer temperature-controlled warehousing, blast freezing, case picking, USDA and FDA inspections, integrated transportation solutions and more.

To learn more about Lineage and its global facility network, visit onelineage.com.

YAKIMA, WA - For over a century, the Liberty Bell has symbolized the independent spirit and commitment to quality behind Washington Fruit Growers. Today, that same spirit continues with the launch of a new PLU sticker designed to connect shoppers directly to the story and values behind every piece of fruit the company grows.

The updated sticker features a QR code that gives consumers instant access to information about:

• The health benefits of apples, pears, and cherries
• Washington Fruit’s organic program, sustainability efforts, and food safety initiatives
• The company’s long-standing dedication to quality

“As more consumers—especially younger generations—want to know where their food comes from and how it’s grown, we saw an opportunity to make that information easily accessible,” said Tommy Hanses, Chief Executive Officer, in the recent release. “By simply scanning the QR code, shoppers can learn about the health benefits of our fruit, the sustainable practices we use, and the steps we take to ensure quality and safety every step of the way.”

The bell shape of the new sticker pays tribute to Washington Fruit Growers’ long-time logo, the Liberty Bell — a symbol of the company’s roots and commitment to excellence. Family-owned and now led by the third and fourth generations, Washington Fruit continues its legacy of premium-quality fruit and dedication to hard work, integrity, and innovation. The refreshed design makes it easier for shoppers to recognize the fruit they’ve trusted for generations while highlighting the company’s ongoing focus on quality and transparency.

“This update connects our past and future in a meaningful way,” added Hanses. “We’re proud to offer not only premium-quality fruit, but also a simple way for shoppers to see the care and responsibility behind everything we grow.”

The new PLU stickers will begin appearing on Washington Fruit Growers’ conventional and organic apples in produce departments nationwide this season.

For more information, visit www.washfruitgrowers.com or scan the QR code on Washington Fruit Growers’ fresh fruit in stores.

GENEVA & SCOTTSDALE - Fyffes, the global banana and fruit producers and distributors, has released recent European-wide consumer research which confirms the popularity of bananas as the consumer’s No. 1 favorite fruit.

The research, undertaken by NielsenIQ with over 7000 consumers across Europe, shows that bananas continue to be the public’s favourite fruit with a massive 89% of consumers confirming that they have eaten bananas ‘within the previous four weeks’.

Second favourite at 75% are apples, followed in third place by oranges at 56% and in fourth place, grapes at 44%.

Speaking about the research, Adriano Di Dia, Chief Marketing Officer for Fyffes says in the recent release: “We are thrilled that bananas are the favourite fruit of consumers with the highest household penetration across Europe. It is testament to a fruit that is tasty, nutritious, convenient and sustainable. The research not only confirms banana popularity but also gives us very valuable insights that guide us in the development of marketing strategies and market expansion plans. We’re delighted to share it with the sector and our retail partners.”

Another measure in which bananas outranked all other fruits surveyed was under the heading of ‘Consumption Frequency’. In this, bananas returned the highest position, out-placing all others under every heading with an ‘at least’ weekly (72%), monthly (95%) and quarterly (98%) consumption figure.

Viewed from a different perspective, this shows that 3 out of 4 consumers profess to eating bananas weekly (at least) with 9 out of 10 doing so monthly.

Another feature revealed in the survey shows that a significant 59% of consumers admitted to ‘not remembering’ the price they had paid for their most recent banana purchase, reducing to 27% who ‘roughly remembered’ and 14% who recalled the ‘exact price’ they had paid.

In all, 13 fruits were surveyed ranked in descending order of consumer choice for consumption in the past six months as follows: banana (95%), apple (89%), oranges (74%), grapes (74%), berries (71%), pear (64%), melon (60%), lemon (60%), avocado (58%), pineapple (57%), peach (45%), mango (43%), and papaya (10%).

Asked ‘why?’ they consume bananas, survey respondents ranked ’to satisfy my appetite’ highest at 34%, followed by ‘to have a convenient and quick snack’ at 27% and ‘to support my healthy diet’ in third place at 24%.

Other points of interest revealed in the survey show that, for the majority of consumers bananas are a ‘planned in advance’ purchase at 65% upwards. While a majority of those surveyed prefers to eat their banana when fully ‘ripe yellow’ skinned, a significant number (22%) preferred bananas that are ’more green than yellow’ at the time of purchase.

Conducted in March 2025, this survey is part of Fyffes ongoing market research program.

Recent marketing initiatives from Fyffes include their ongoing Eat’em, Like’em, Love’em marketing campaign launched in Ireland in September 2025 and due to launch soon in the UK. Trudi’s, the “banana brand that gives back” of the Fyffes group, launched in Norway in June 2025 with its new campaign “Little Voices” in out of home and social media, showcasing the impact of banana in the communities where the fruit is grown.

LOS ALAMITOS, CA - Among the beloved cranberries and green beans is a fresh produce display that will surprise and delight holiday shoppers. In the specialty produce set, consumers will find an array of unique fruits and vegetables from Frieda’s Branded Produce. Alex Jackson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, is here to share more.

“All year long, we lead with color, creativity, and a question: ‘Wait…what is that?’ That’s the reaction we’re after. Thanksgiving is no exception,” Alex began. “Adding an element of surprise to table-tested traditions helps to make the day memorable. This is why our Organic Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes lead our Thanksgiving lineup. Their vibrant purple flesh and mildly sweet flavor have made them a consumer favorite. They’re the fastest-selling and growing variety on the market, available exclusively from Frieda’s. These sweet potatoes make holiday casseroles, sides, and pies look (and taste) better than ever.”

Alex pointed out that the ube, a purple yam native to the Philippines, has been sweeping social media and dessert menus this year. Fresh ube, however, is not available in the United States. Stokes Purple gives retailers an easy way to add some purple power to their produce array.

“Other seasonal highlights from Frieda’s help to round out the holiday spread. Our watermelon radishes bring a peppery crunch with appetizing pale green and pink to make a beautiful garnish or pickle,” Alex explained. “Sunchokes make a nutty, sweet, and earthy alternative to potatoes. They’re great for roasting or mashing. For ornamental beauty or one-of-a-kind candied rinds, baked goods, and cocktails, the aromatic Buddha’s Hand citron is a must-have.”

There is another holiday-centric category on shoppers’ minds: onions. From stuffing to sides, onions hold it all together during the holidays:

• Frieda’s pearl onions add delicate, bite-sized charm to salads and pickles
• Boiler onions bring savory depth to roasted meats and poultry
• Cipolline onions caramelize beautifully for vinaigrettes, roasts, and soups
• Shallots bring savory sophistication to sauces, sautés, and more

“These items not only add personality to the Thanksgiving table; they also encourage discovery when consumers are out shopping for the potatoes and celery,” Alex added. “Our research shows that 56 percent of shoppers want to use produce that is more special than what they typically buy, especially when cooking for the holidays. And with Millennials and Gen Z driving 58 percent of the Thanksgiving spend, Frieda’s products fit right in with their search for new takes on holiday tradition.”

In our next article, Alex will pull back the curtain on Frieda’s holiday promotions and how retailers can be sure these specialty products stand out on the shelf.

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - The Allen Lund Company is pleased to announce that Armin Lakovic has been promoted to Operations Manager of the Des Moines office.

Armin has more than 15 years of experience in the supply chain industry. He has been with the Allen Lund Company for over five years, spending time in various roles from carrier relations to account management, establishing a background in developing relationships and efficient operations.

Ben Batten, Vice President of Sales and Operations, said in the recent release, "Throughout his career, Armin has continually demonstrated his problem-solving skills and superb customer service with shippers and carriers alike. There's no doubt his hard work and attention to detail were key to his promotion, but he really exemplifies what it means to do business the Lund Way. I'm excited to see him take on the Operations Manager role in Des Moines and wish him all the best!

Paul Nesbit, General Manager of ALC Des Moines, shared, “I am excited for Armin to move into a new chapter of his Allen Lund Company career. There is no doubt in my mind that our team will be strengthened by his passion for logistics excellence. He has a positive and humble hustle about him that has proven to satisfy both our carrier and shipper customers time and time again.”

Reflecting on his new role, Armin stated, “I’m truly honored and excited for this new opportunity. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with the most amazing team that has pushed me to continually improve. In this new position, I am looking forward to building on the foundation and tackling new challenges to continue our shared success."

FRESNO, CA - Peelz Citrus is launching Nothing Peelz Better, a national, multi-platform campaign that gives fruit advertising a burst of fresh attitude. Instead of the sing-song wholesomeness, lunchbox tropes, and farm clichés, the campaign uses humor, obsession, and a little chaos to position Peelz as a culturally relevant snack.

“Peelz isnʼt just another healthy option; it’s a fruit with a point of view. As a brand with vibrant colors and offbeat personality, we knew humor would help us stand out in a category that all looks and sounds the same,” said Kiah Ruvalcaba, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Fowler Packing Company. Nothing Peelz Better is designed to build preference before shoppers hit the aisle and establish Peelz as a true snacking icon.”

The :30 launch spot follows a protagonist who discovers the oddly satisfying joy of peeling a Peelz. One peel leads to another—and another—as she spirals into a delightfully unhinged montage of peeling anything she can find: wallpaper, tree bark, even the top of a convertible. Each failed attempt reinforces one truth: nothing “peelz” like a Peelz.

Shot with bright color and sly wit, the campaign turns a simple snack into an obsession, a press release noted.

“We partnered with Party Land, who helped us define the story and tone that bring Peelz’ personality to life, while building strategy into every laugh,” said Kiah.

Nationwide sampling events, out-of-home, social extensions, Planet Fitness activations, and omnichannel shopper programs with retail partners bring that obsession to life everywhere.

Nothing Peelz Better will appear across broadcast, digital, and social platforms beginning November 18, 2025.