BLANDON, PA - Giorgio Fresh Co., a leader in mushroom production and value-added produce solutions, is proud to announce its recognition by Agri Business Review as the “Mushroom Growing Company of the Year 2025.”

With a heritage spanning over a century, Giorgio Fresh continues to transform mushrooms from a simple staple into a standout ingredient. Under the leadership of Bryan Shelton, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, the company has developed an expansive portfolio that includes fresh, canned, organic, exotic, dried, and ready-to-serve mushroom formats. Signature innovations include Grill Packs and Savory Sauté Kits, alongside stuffed mushrooms in flavors such as Spinach & Artichoke and Garlic Parmesan.

As a 100% vertically integrated company, Giorgio Fresh maintains full ownership and control of its production process, ensuring unmatched supply chain stability and consistent quality. This integration enables the company to bridge consumer uncertainty through recipe inspiration, culinary education, and approachable product formats that make mushrooms more accessible and appealing.

“We honor traditional growing methods while pairing them with modern packaging, food safety technology, and culinary-forward techniques,” said Shelton in the recent release. “We grow mushrooms and create possibilities.”

Looking ahead, Giorgio Fresh is expanding its value-added offerings both within and beyond the mushroom category. The upcoming launch of the Vita Sana Sol line, featuring Persian limes grown on family-owned farms in Colombia, marks the company’s first step into new fresh produce segments.

“We’re proud of the legacy built over the past 100 years, but even more excited about what’s ahead,” adds Shelton. This recognition by Agri Business Review highlights Giorgio Fresh’s continued commitment to innovation, sustainability, and category growth - delivering fresh solutions that resonate with today’s consumers.

MONTEREY, CA - Dole Fresh Vegetables/Bud Antle, manufacturer of DOLE®-branded packaged salads, is making it easy for Americans to upgrade their holiday tables with one of its most popular family-sized salad kits.

Reflecting the trend of more Americans eating salad for Thanksgiving and Christmas, the produce leader is teaming with Instacart to offer special savings on its best-selling DOLE® Family-Size Ultimate Caesar Kit.

Starting Nov. 17, 2025, salad-loving Instacart shoppers can save $1 for every $8 they spend on the DOLE® Family-Size Ultimate Caesar and 70 other DOLE® salad offerings, including 31 separate salad kits. The full-flavored salad kit combines shaved Parmesan and Romano cheeses, garlic herb seasoning, and artisan-style croutons with crisp romaine lettuce and Dole’s Ultimate Caesar Dressing.

According to David Austin, vice president of marketing and innovation at Dole Fresh Vegetables/Bud Antle, the offer is consistent with trends showing that more Americans are embracing salad for the holidays. “Surveys suggest that close to one-third of families in the U.S. now serve a green salad for Thanksgiving and almost one-in-ten serve a Ceasar salad – with West Coast residents the most likely to add fresh greens to their holiday menus.” (Source).

“With its robust taste and wholesome ingredients, our Family-Size Ultimate Caesar Kit represents the ultimate upgrade to your holiday table and a great way to balance-out the rest of the meal with a lighter, refreshing option,” said Austin.

Dole Fresh Vegetables introduced its first packaged salad in 1993. The company’s salad business, now part of Bud Antle, LLC, was instrumental in the launch and growth of new salad varieties, such as its DOLE® Chopped Salad Kits line, and the overall salad segment.

The company recently completed a bold new packaging refresh of its DOLE® Salad Kit line to make it easier for salad lovers to choose, shop and enjoy their favorite all-inclusive salad experiences. The new look includes compelling new colors, photography, ingredient iconography and callouts, and represents an intentional nod to the growing number of Millennial and Gen Z shoppers buying packaged salads for the first time.

The refresh was unveiled in August on the company’s 31 Chopped, Premium and Classic salad kits at supermarkets throughout North America.

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NatureSweet®, North America's largest vertically integrated controlled environment agriculture company announced the appointment of Paul Bonvehi as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). A seasoned global finance leader, Bonvehi will play a pivotal role in advancing NatureSweet’s long-term strategy and strengthening the company’s operational and financial performance.

With more than 25 years of international financial leadership experience across the United States, Latin America, and Europe, Bonvehi brings a proven track record of driving transformation and growth within the agriculture and food industries.

Most recently, he served as Chief Financial Officer at Martori Farms, where he led the modernization of financial operations to support the company’s rapid expansion and acquisitions. Prior to that, he held senior leadership positions at Driscoll’s and Reiter, where he advanced to Vice President and Controller for North American Operations.

“Paul’s deep expertise in vertically integrated agricultural operations, operating with strong brands, and financial mastery make him an exceptional addition to our leadership team,” said Rodolfo Spielmann, President & CEO of NatureSweet, in the recent release. “His experience in guiding growth-oriented agricultural businesses will be instrumental as we continue to scale our operations, strengthen our financial discipline, and invest strategically in our people and future.”

Bonvehi holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and is recognized for his ability to develop high-performing teams, implement effective management systems, and drive strategic planning and forecasting initiatives.