WASHINGTON, DC - Four major banana importers have announced the formation of a new not-for-profit trade association to support the banana category in North America. The Banana Association of North America (BANA) will be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of executives of its member companies including Chiquita, Dole Food Company, Fresh Del Monte and Fyffes North America.

“Bananas have long been North America’s favorite fruit, valued for their taste, versatility and year-round availability,” said Juan Alarcon, CEO of Fyffes North America and Chairman of BANA, in the recent release. “By coming together, we aim to remind consumers of bananas’ many benefits and help inspire the next generation of banana lovers through education, awareness and collaboration.”

By joining forces, BANA will focus on reinvigorating category awareness and expanding consumer engagement, communicating the nutritional and economic value of bananas to retail, foodservice and consumer audiences. Initiatives will highlight the significant social and economic impact throughout the supply chain, from providing a healthy, affordable fruit to North American consumers, to creating jobs and improving livelihoods in the Latin American and Central American communities where bananas are grown.

BANA’s daily operations will be led by Tom Stenzel, Principal of The Stenzel Group LLC, and former President and CEO of United Fresh Produce Association, and former Co-CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association.

“The banana industry plays an essential role in feeding millions every day,” said Stenzel. “Yet the industry also faces many challenges, including climate change, disease pressures and regulatory burdens. The creation of BANA is about optimism and collaboration essential to moving our industry forward. By working together, BANA members will engage with our customers and consumers to better understand challenges facing the category, and ensure that bananas continue to be a vital, accessible fruit for generations to come.”

ALTADENA, CA - Months after the Eaton Fire scorched its way through parts of Southern California, a restaurant in Altadena has quietly reopened its doors, and in doing so, offered its community more than just a menu. It’s serving hope, plated and warm.

The newly renamed Betsy has risen from the ashes of Bernee, holding its place on Mariposa Street as a symbol of resilience. A glowing hearth now anchors the minimalist space, where diners gather shoulder to shoulder, finding something familiar and comforting in shared food after a season of fear and loss.

According to the Los Angeles Daily News, food critic Merrill Shindler calls it “a phoenix of a destination,” where every bite feels like a small victory. From Little Gem Caesar salad to hearth-baked focaccia, the dishes are simple but deeply intentional, reminders that nourishment is as much about spirit as it is about sustenance.

This quiet moment of recovery mirrors broader efforts across the food industry, like those seen in our earlier coverage of Westfalia Fruit’s recovery initiatives. Whether through a shared meal or large-scale community programs, food remains a powerful bridge between loss and renewal.

Keep checking ANUK for coverage of how fresh food builds community.

FRESNO, CA - California table grape growers are doubling the impact of each gift made to the Central California Food Bank between October 20-31 to help provide meals for families facing hunger across the Central Valley.

October is California Farmer and Farmworker Month, a month-long acknowledgement of California’s hardworking farmers and farmworkers. In celebration of the hands that help feed us, every dollar donated during the two-week campaign, up to $15,000, will be matched by California table grape growers. The campaign is designed to raise awareness and provide essential support to sustain food distributions in the San Joaquin Valley. Specifically, funds raised will help strengthen Central California Food Bank’s Farmworker Community Partnership Program across Fresno, Kern, and Tulare Counties.

Central California Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in Central California, serving Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, and Tulare counties. In Central California, 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 3 children face food insecurity, which is the limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Through a network of more than 260-member partner agencies, Central California Food Bank distributes nutritious foods to over 320,000 people each month, including more than 100,000 children.

The campaign is a demonstration of California table grape growers’ collective commitment to building thriving communities in the table grape growing regions. “The commission is a service-based organization, and this initiative is a reflection of the commitment of California table grape growers to the communities they live and work in,” said Ian LeMay, commission president.

For more information about the campaign, please visit give.ccfoodbank.org/calgrapes.

MODESTO, CA - The Save Mart Companies, one of the West Coast’s largest regional, full-service grocery chains, celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new 52,000-square-foot Save Mart store at Sequoia Marketplace, located at the northeast corner of Bardsley Avenue and Mooney Boulevard in Tulare, California. The store is slated to open in the third quarter of 2027.

“We’re excited to bring a modern shopping experience to Tulare that reflects what our customers have told us they value most—fresh, local products, great service, and a store that feels like part of the community,” said Jim Perkins, president of The Save Mart Companies. “The new Save Mart store in Tulare represents not just growth, but our continued commitment to serving Central Valley families with the care and connection that have defined us for more than 70 years.”

The new location will offer a fresh-forward design with full-service produce, meat, deli, bakery, and floral departments. Shoppers will find a wide selection of fresh, locally harvested produce, quality meats from nearby ranches, and everyday essentials that reflect the flavors, tastes, and values of the Central Valley. Customers will also experience an expanded deli with comfortable bar-style seating where they can dine on local favorites and enjoy wine and beer alongside their shopping experience. Through partnerships with Instacart and Amazon, Save Mart shoppers will have options for same-day grocery delivery and pickup services.

The ceremonial groundbreaking brought together representatives from the City of Tulare, community members, partners and The Save Mart Companies leadership to celebrate the beginning of construction on the new Save Mart store and the collective effort to bring new resources, jobs, and fresh food options to local families. Celebrations included remarks from Tulare Mayor, Patrick Isherwood, and performances by the Tulare Union High School Band.

“The City of Tulare is thrilled to have Save Mart coming to our community as the anchor tenant in the new Sequoia Marketplace shopping center,” said Marc Mondell, Tulare city manager. “There has been much anticipation and excitement amongst our residents in having a new ‘state of the art’ Save Mart grocery store, and the City is grateful to The Save Mart Companies and all of those that have worked so hard to make this project a reality.”

NFDI, the real estate development and investment company owned by the Nunley Family, is proud to bring this new Save Mart-anchored shopping center to Tulare. The project reflects NFDI’s commitment to Tulare and the Central Valley.

“We’re excited to partner with The Save Mart Companies to deliver a high-quality shopping experience for Tulare families,” said Greg Nunley, partner at Nunley Family Development and Investment. “The Nunley Family extends their gratitude to everyone for their dedication and collaboration in making this project possible.”

For more information about The Save Mart Companies and its family of stores, please visit www.thesavemartcompanies.com.

WASHINGTON, DC - The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) submitted comments to the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the development of a definition for “ultra-processed foods” (UPFs). IFPA emphasized that this effort is an important opportunity to improve the overall nutritional quality of the U.S. food supply while ensuring that fresh fruits and vegetables remain central to public health and nutrition strategies.

“To truly improve Americans’ diets, we need a coordinated effort that makes it easier to eat more fruits and vegetables while also raising the overall nutritional quality of foods available,” said Mollie Van Lieu, IFPA’s vice president of nutrition and health. “Eating fruits and vegetables is proven to support heart health, lower blood pressure, and help prevent chronic disease yet most Americans still fall short, even when they understand the benefits.”

While dietary guidance recommends that fruits and vegetables make up half the plate, only one in ten U.S. adults meet this goal. At the same time, six in ten adults have at least one chronic condition, many of which are linked to poor nutrition.

In its comments, IFPA urged USDA and HHS to:

1. Explicitly exempt raw fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts from any definition of ultra-processed foods.
2. Recognize that convenience and perishability are key barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption, and that minimal processing can improve access and intake. “Value-added fruits and vegetables, like bagged lettuce, baby carrots and sliced apples, and others, should not be classified as processed simply because they undergo minimal handling that can improve fruit and vegetable consumption,” IFPA noted.
3. Prioritize policies that increase fruit and vegetable consumption as part of the national strategy to reduce diet-related chronic disease.

Beyond addressing UPFs, IFPA’s recommendations encourage USDA and HHS to strengthen federal nutrition programs and policies proven to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, including:

• Produce prescription programs, which have lowered healthcare costs and improved outcomes for patients with chronic conditions;
• Front-of-package nutrition labeling, to better inform consumers and prevent misleading “fruit and vegetable” claims on products with little or no real produce;
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nutrition incentives and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Cash Value Benefits, which improve affordability and access to produce; and
• School meal and snack programs, including the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP), which have shown lasting benefits in improving children’s eating habits and health.

“As the administration shapes its food and nutrition agenda, we urge that fruits and vegetables be at the heart of all federal health efforts,” Van Lieu said in the recent release. “Simply put, we will not achieve our mutual goal to improve the nation’s diet without Americans increasing their fruit and vegetable consumption.”