COCHISE, AZ - The Plant Grow Harvest (PGH) team took home the Best First-Time Exhibitor Booth Award at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show, earning standout recognition for its engaging booth experience, product innovation and cohesive brand approach that unites both baby and big-sized potatoes under one bold identity.

IFPA marked the official launch of Big! Digs, PGH’s new line of full-sized potatoes designed to complement Tasty Little Digs mini potatoes. Together, the two products represent a streamlined approach to the potato category, reducing label pollution on the shelf with consistent and instantly recognizable branding. The combined lineup gives retailers and consumers a clear, connected choice of sizes, simplifying the shopping experience and strengthening shelf impact.

The booth invited attendees into a full sensory experience, illustrating PGH’s story across five vibrant quadrants:

• A mini greenhouse, highlighting Plant Grow Harvest’s seed-breeding expertise
• Lush potato foliage to represent its growing operations
• A display of potatoes being harvested straight from the soil, capturing the freshness of the field
• Back-to-back Euro tables anchored the display—Big! Digs on one side and Tasty Little Digs on the other demonstrating the company’s full product lineup and cohesive category approach
• Cooking and serving delicious creamer potatoes - A depiction of mini potatoes in home, at the table, emphasizing how the brand connects farm to family

For a brand making its first appearance at the IFPA show, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Throughout the event, the booth drew a steady stream of visitors eager to sample freshly cooked potatoes and explore PGH’s full array of eye-catching products. Attendees commended PGH for “cleaning up the shelf” with its modern, colorful packaging, vibrant visual identity and engaging in-booth sampling experience. The approachable brand tone and consumer-first messaging helped bring the Digs story to life and set it apart from more traditional displays.

“We’re deeply honored to receive the Best First-Time Exhibitor Award at IFPA,” said Dave Yeager, chief sales officer at Plant Grow Harvest, in the recent release. “This recognition reflects the collective dedication of our team throughout the launch of Digs and reinforces our mission to elevate the potato category through innovation, quality and consistency. We’re excited by the momentum this brings and are proud to be part of such a collaborative and forward-thinking industry that continues to champion progress and partnership across the supply chain.

“For Tasty Little Digs, and Big! Digs that made its first debut, being a first-time exhibitor was all about visibility—getting out there, showcasing the look and feel of the brand and making connections,” Yeager said. “The energy and feedback we received validated everything we set out to do. We are excited for everything that follows.”

The show provided an opportunity for the team to establish connections within the produce community. Interactions with retailers and other growers at IFPA resulted in discussions and potential partnerships that may contribute to future expansion and collaboration as the brand grows in the coming months.

EDMONTON, CANADA - The Little Potato Company, the number one little potato brand in North America, is celebrating the holidays with its third annual A Little Holiday Happiness Is… campaign and sweepstakes. During the busy holiday season, the company continues to bring Little Moments of Happiness and relief to families with its popular line of easy to prepare Little Potatoes. Running through early January 2025, the annual digital brand campaign and in-store POS and online sweepstakes offer families several chances to win grocery prizes and bring a little ease and happiness to the busyness of the holidays.

“This campaign has become a beloved annual tradition that our consumers and retail partners look forward to, and we truly love spreading holiday happiness every year,” says Angela Santiago, CEO and co-founder of The Little Potato Company, in the recent release. “As a family-fun business, we know the holiday season can be busy, and time with loved ones matters. Our campaign and sweepstakes aim to make getting dinner on the table during the holiday season easier to create more little moments of happiness for families.”

Families also have the chance to win $1,000 in groceries from a choice of retailers by simply entering online at www.thelittleholidayhappiness.com or in-store by scanning the QR code on the Little Holiday Happiness point of sale materials. From now until January 7, 2026, 15 consumers in the U.S. and 15 in Canada will win. In addition to the sweepstakes, the integrated brand campaign will run across all owned, third-party digital channels, and media via PR activities.

A year-round staple, The Little Potato Company’s line of easy to prep, ready-to-cook bagged Little Potatoes and Microwave Ready Little Potato kits bring a smile to families around the dinner table, especially for convenient and delicious weeknight meals during the holiday season. Little Potatoes come pre-washed, require no peeling, and are small enough that they don’t need to be cut – meaning less time in the kitchen, and more time enjoying mealtimes and the holidays with family.

To learn more about The Little Potato Company and the A Little Holiday Happiness Is… Campaign, please visit www.thelittleholidayhappiness.com or follow @LittlePotatoCo on social media for updates and inspiration to add a little happiness to the holiday season.

YAKIMA, WA - FirstFruits Farms, the exclusive grower of Opal apples, is excited to announce the kickoff of the highly anticipated Opal season. Known for its signature bright yellow skin, naturally non-browning flesh, and tangy yet sweet flavor, Opal continues to deliver an eating experience unlike any other apple.

This season, shoppers will see new packaging that highlights Opal’s bright color and crisp, sweet flavor, while making it pop out on the shelf. The refreshed design reflects FirstFruits’ focus on giving consumers a fresh look and a high-quality experience.

Adding to the excitement, Opal is partnering with a leading nutritionist to debut a new collection of recipes that showcase Opal’s versatility in everyday meals and snacks. This collaboration reinforces Opal’s position as both a delicious and health-forward choice for families.

Opal has several exciting plans to connect with consumers throughout the season. From celebrating National Opal Apple Day on December 9th to launching a nationwide social media and Hulu campaign, the brand is bringing more visibility and fun to the Opal experience. Opal will also host an influencer brand trip designed to share the story behind the apple and highlight what makes it one of a kind

As the #3 top-selling club variety in the U.S., Opal continues to capture strong consumer demand. This season, FirstFruits is anticipating excellent quality across the crop, backed by a forecast showing significant production growth: conventional volumes up 69% and organic volumes up 121% compared to last year.

“Opal Apples represent more than just a snack; they’re an experience,” said Emily Cox, Marketing Manager at FirstFruits Farms, in the recent release. “This season, we’re not only bringing consumers high-quality fruit but also fresh ways to enjoy it, from new packaging to nutritionist-driven recipes. With strong production and growing demand, Opal is positioned to shine brighter than ever in produce aisles across the country.”

As Opal returns to stores nationwide, FirstFruits Farms continues its mission to provide fruit that delivers both great taste and a healthier choice for families. Consumers can expect to see Opal apples back in grocery stores nationwide in the coming weeks. For more information about availability or to connect with the team, please reach out to a FirstFruits representative.

REIDSVILLE, GA - Lowes Foods and Healthy Family Project are once again joining forces for the annual Season of Sharing campaign, an inspiring initiative that celebrates better-for-you brands and supports local families facing food insecurity. This year’s campaign will help provide 780,000 meals* to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, and Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. This year’s contribution brings the total donation to more than 1.9 million meals.

Now in its third year, Season of Sharing unites top health-conscious brands to make a meaningful impact while encouraging shoppers to make wholesome choices during the holiday season. From November 5 through December 16, guests at more than 83 Lowes Foods stores will discover Season of Sharing signage throughout the aisles, highlighting participating brands and a QR code leading to dietitian-approved recipes for the season.

“The Season of Sharing campaign provides a fantastic platform to showcase our sponsors’ fresh produce across every channel, print, online, and in-store. We’re especially proud of the opportunity to give back in a meaningful way during the holiday season, and we owe that to our sponsor partners’ generous support,” said Patrick Eisinger, Produce Category Manager at Lowes Foods, in the recent release. “We tailor our in-store merchandising to highlight their fresh items. Additionally, the Healthy Family Project does a tremendous job pairing our fresh sponsors products with complementary items from other partners, creating ideal cross-merchandising opportunities that add value for our shoppers.”

The featured products will be highlighted in Season of Sharing-themed weekly ads, and Lowes Foods is encouraging customers to explore new, nutritious meal ideas while supporting a good cause. This campaign builds on Lowes Foods' commitment to being a positive force in local communities and helping families access healthier food options.

The health-conscious food brands supporting the 2025 Season of Sharing campaign include: Chobani®, Campbell’s Soup Company, Crispy Green, Fresh Express®, Generous Brands, HORMEL®, Litehouse®, GT’s Living Foods, Little Potato Co., McCormick®, nasoya®, NY Apple Association, Natural Delights®, Serenity Kids®, Shuman Farms, Health-Aide, So Good So You, Southmill Champs, Sunkist, Sunset®,Teddie All-Natural Peanut Butter, Uncle Matts Organics, Wholly Guacamole, POM Wonderful, Wonderful Halos and SellEthics.

These brands will be featured in a special Instagram Live event on Giving Tuesday, December 2, at 4 PM ET. Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity, and A Season of Sharing perfectly aligns with this spirit of giving back.

“Our brand partners play such a vital role in bringing this campaign to life,” said Aimee Smith, Director of Partnerships at Healthy Family Project. “Together, we’re nourishing families, supporting local food banks, and showing how small choices can make a big difference.”

For more information about the Season of Sharing campaign visit www.lowesfoods.com or visit any Lowes Foods location.

For more information about the Lowes Foods Season of Sharing campaign, visit healthyfamilyproject.com.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - At the most recent Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, California, numerous new product launches were announced. Among these heavy hitters was Bolthouse Fresh Foods™, which deployed several strategic launches to its advantage. To learn more about how retailers can tap into the buying power of these products, I turned to Karen White, Vice President of Marketing.

“Retail execution starts with connection and engagement. Merchandising that highlights real-life occasions—snacking, cooking, air frying, or seasonal entertaining—helps shoppers see how carrots fit naturally into everyday meals,” Karen explained. “Creating destination sets such as soup starter kits, air-fry sections, or busy-night meal solutions—both in-store and online—builds inspiration and ease.”

The company’s strategy on making carrots a versatile product is apparent in its latest launches. Take, for example, Soup N’ Stewin’ carrots, which simplify meal prep, or Carrot Fries, which turn the notion of fries on its head.

“Our innovation pipeline is the strongest we’ve ever brought to market—grounded in insights and built with purpose,” Karen emphasized. “Retailers recognize how we’re reshaping the carrot category by aligning innovation with modern lifestyles and meal occasions. Our purpose is to redefine the category through creativity, relevance, and a long-term vision that keeps fresh carrots dynamic, inspiring, and central to everyday eating.”

As many consumers lean on fresh produce to help them achieve the goal of eating well affordably, Bolthouse Fresh Foods hopes to be the supplier they can lean on.

“There are trends, most notable among younger shoppers embracing organics and simple, real foods, and the growing popularity of air fry cooking as a quick, flavorful way to enjoy vegetables,” Karen noted. “For retailers, the key is turning these behaviors into habit—creating displays and cross-promotions that show versatility, encourage new meal ideas, and keep carrots top of mind. Inspiring usage builds repeat purchases and long-term shopper loyalty.”

Bolthouse Fresh Foods is far from done experimenting with new formats and usage for carrots.

“We see carrots playing a broader role as a catalyst for growth within the produce department,” Karen said. “Carrots are among the most versatile vegetables—anchoring snacking, cooking, and seasonal meal occasions—yet still offer untapped potential. Our approach goes beyond product; it’s about partnership. By aligning with each retailer’s unique goals, shopper insights, and merchandising strategies, we create tailored programs that drive engagement, differentiation, and category growth while keeping fresh produce dynamic and relevant year-round.”

AndNowUKnow will continue to cover the latest from Bolthouse Fresh Foods, so stay tuned!

SAN FRANCISCO, CA & CHICO, CA - Silo Technologies announced its acquisition of Pet Tiger, a Fresno, Ca -based agricultural software company specializing in labor and field-cost tracking for growers and packer-shippers. The partnership expands Silo’s long-term vision to deliver an integrated, cloud-based platform that unites ERP, payments, and workforce management for the agriculture supply chain.

“Pet Tiger has built a strong reputation for helping agricultural businesses manage their workforce and field operations with precision,” said Amy Gates, CEO of Silo. “By bringing Pet Tiger’s capabilities together with Silo’s ERP and payments platform, we can help customers simplify operations, reduce manual work, and improve profitability across their entire supply chain.

Udi Sosnik, Co-founder of Pet Tiger, added: “Joining Silo allows us to accelerate our roadmap and bring cloud-based, mobile, and AI-driven features to customers faster. Our shared goal is to make the complex simple — and to bring modern, connected tools to every size of grower, packer/shipper, labor contractor, distributor, and all other agriculture segments.” Sosnik also noted his appreciation to David Jacobs of David Jacobs Business Broker for helping facilitate the connection between Pet Tiger, Banneker Partners, and Silo.

“Banneker has committed very deeply to understanding vertical software markets in the agriculture sector,” said Steven Ballantyne, Operating Partner at Banneker Partners. “We believe Silo’s acquisition of Pet Tiger brings together two strong capabilities — labor and workforce management with ERP and payments — to create meaningful competitive advantage and deliver lasting value to the ag-tech industry.”

In the coming months, Silo will begin introducing cloud functionality to select Pet Tiger customers while expanding Pet Tiger’s labor management tools for Silo ERP users. During this rollout, both systems will continue to operate as usual to ensure uninterrupted service and meet all customers’ needs. The immediate focus for both teams will be on onboarding, joint training, and a seamless integration—before moving forward with any commercial cross-sell initiatives.

Pet Tiger will continue operating under its current name during the integration period. Customers will retain the same product access and support contacts while gaining additional training, resources, and support from Silo.