GLENNVILLE, GA - When Bland Farms transitions from Vidalia® onions to Peruvian Sweet onions, the move is from one home to another. Sitting down with Troy Bland, Chief Executive Officer, he knows the Peruvian soil as well as if he’d walked out of his own Georgia backyard.

“We’ve been farming in Peru for close to three decades now, and that kind of long-term commitment makes all the difference. Today, we’ve got over 1,000 acres there, and unlike a lot of companies that just contract fields, we grow and manage our own crops. My dad, Delbert, our agronomist, Omar Cruz, and I spend time there ourselves, making sure things are done the right way. That level of direct involvement means we can guarantee consistency and quality, season after season,” Troy shares. “Because we’ve worked the same fields for so many years, there’s no guessing game—we know the land, the climate, and the people who farm it with us. That stability is a big reason retailers can count on us for a reliable, premium sweet onion program year-round, both organic and conventional.”

But it’s about more than onions. Those who have followed Bland Farms knows that the company’s incredibly aware of the soil its roots are so deeply embedded in.

“We care about the land and the people. In Peru, as in Georgia and Mexico, we see farming as a responsibility. We invest in the communities we serve, create steady jobs, and do our best to farm in a way that leaves the soil and environment better for the next generation,” Troy explains.

It is why the company is continuously innovating in the field and in its facilities. Appreciation for the land they farm is a Bland family signature.

“What really makes Peru special is the climate,” Troy says with enthusiasm. “Down there, it’s sunny, dry, and consistent—very little rainfall. In Georgia, we deal with about 60 inches of rain a year, which brings disease pressure and makes it harder to manage the crop. In Peru, we can spoon-feed the onions exactly what they need through drip irrigation. That control gives us a reliable, clean, sweet onion year after year. It’s as close as you can get to a Vidalia without being in Vidalia country.”

Traveling back up to the U.S., specifically to North Carolina, Troy tells me that alongside Bland’s premium sweet onions, the company is also digging into its Sand Candy^® Sweet Potatoes in time for autumn demand.

“At the heart of Sand Candy is the Covington sweet potato, which has become the gold standard in the category. Covingtons check every box for buyers: they’re consistent, versatile, and proven sellers. Shoppers already trust them for their uniform size and shape, rich orange flesh, and natural sweetness. They also ship well, store well, and perform across everything from retail displays to foodservice kitchens,” Troy shares.

And there’s more behind that success. Developed by North Carolina State University, Covingtons—named after Henry M. Covington—now make up the majority of sweet potato production in the region thanks to high yields, long storage life, and resistance to common diseases.

“When you combine those strengths with Sand Candy’s multi-state footprint, you’ve got a reliable year-round program that delivers exactly what retailers and consumers are looking for,” he concludes.

All in all, it makes for a very sweet one-two combo for the southern grower. And perfectly timed with holiday prep as the industry gears up to meet at IFPA in Anaheim, California, come October. Meet with Troy and the team when you swing by booth #1226 October 16–18.

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - The Allen Lund Company is pleased to announce the promotions of two ALC General Managers, Matt Gronostaj and Ben Batten, to Vice Presidents of Sales and Operations. They will transition into their new roles on October 1, 2025.

Matt Gronostaj joined the Allen Lund Company in 2005 as a Transportation Broker for ALC Memphis, working his way up to become the General Manager of the office.

Reflecting on his new role, Matt Gronostaj said in the recent release, “I am so grateful and excited for the opportunity to move further into leadership. I am thankful for the executive team, the Lund family, and my peers that have put their trust in me. Looking forward to collaborating with the best minds in the business and bringing new and fresh ideas to further the success of Allen Lund Company.”

Eddie Lund, Chief Executive Officer, shared, “Matt started as a Transportation Broker, and through grit, hard work, and an ability to lead, he became one of our top GMs. For 20 years, Matt has consistently improved his ability to influence his peers and those who work for him positively. We are excited to see how he performs as a VP and know that he will help any offices that he serves. Congratulations, Matt, this promotion is well deserved.”

Ben Batten joined the Allen Lund Company in 2020 with the acquisition of Des Moines Truck Brokers. He served as the Assistant General Manager for the ALC Des Moines branch until he was promoted in 2022 to become the General Manager of the office.

Speaking about his promotion, Ben declared, “I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and for the continued support of my colleagues and leadership team. I've been fortunate to work alongside a fantastic team in Des Moines for many years, and my success would not be possible without them. I look forward to this next chapter and contributing to Allen Lund Company's growth and success.”

Regarding Ben Batten's promotion, Eddie Lund stated, “When we purchased DMTB in 2020, we quickly realized how capable Ben was as an Assistant Manager. When he took over as GM of Des Moines, we knew that he would take them to the next level. Through ingenuity, intelligence, and hustle, Ben's leadership continued to flourish. That is why he is being promoted to Vice President. We know that he will serve his offices well, and we look forward to watching Ben perform at a high level with this next step in his career. Congratulations, Ben!”

FRESNO, CA - Trinity Fruit Company is excited to announce the new look of its Buddy’s brand, debuting mandarins and full citrus line with a new logo and all-new packaging this November.

“We are really excited as a company to continue to grow our citrus program and to showcase our new look for our brand and packaging,” explains Gunner White, Vice President of Trinity Fruit.

“This was a very fun project that we worked on collectively as a team,” says Angela Hernandez, Vice President of Marketing, in the recent release. “So much thought went into the brand and gave Buddy’s more of a personality as the consumers’ ‘snack-time sidekick.’ Our goal for this refresh was to create something that resonates with all shoppers including moms, college students, wellness enthusiasts, and even children, and to bring fun and bold colors to produce departments to entice shoppers to grab that snack-time sidekick.”

Trinity Fruit Company is a premium citrus grower/packer/shipper featuring conventional and organic easy peel mandarin varieties, specialty mandarins like page, dekopon, and gold nugget varieties, lemons, cara cara navels, blood oranges, navel oranges, minneolas, and more. Trinity is also offering support for Buddy’s promotional efforts including digital campaigns, in-store demos, display bins, and giveaways. Custom POS is also available.

Trinity Fruit Company is a family-owned grower, packer, and shipper of fresh, dried, and frozen fruits, as well as premium refrigerated juices, delivering Fruit for Every Season™. The company is renowned for its dedication to quality, innovation, and sustainability, ensuring its customers enjoy the best nature has to offer. For more information about Trinity Fruit Company and its full commodity portfolio, visit www.trinityfruit.com.

HALF MOON BAY, CA - Rocket Farms, one of the nation’s largest grower-shippers of potted plants, fresh herbs, and specialty produce, will highlight its unique ability to serve both the floral and produce departments at the upcoming IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, October 17–18, 2025.

The company will debut two new organic product lines at the show:

• Organic Living Clamshell Herbs – rooted, organic herbs in a convenient clamshell that deliver freshness, sustainability, and longer shelf life compared to traditional cut herbs.
• Organic Microgreens Line – five vibrant varieties of nutrient-dense microgreens designed to meet consumer demand for health-forward eating.

Attendees can visit Rocket Farms at Floral Booth #5706 and Produce Booth #4297.

A Unique Advantage: One Supplier, Two Departments

Rocket Farms stands out as one of the few companies that provides a seamless supply solution for both floral and produce buyers. This dual capability allows retailers to streamline procurement, reduce logistics costs, and unlock cross-merchandising opportunities.

“Retailers are looking for efficiency and innovation, and Rocket Farms delivers both,” said Indiana Fischer, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Rocket Farms, in the recent release. “Our ability to serve the floral and produce departments through one streamlined supply chain means less complexity for our customers — and by continually adding to our portfolio with innovations like organic living clamshell herbs and microgreens, we expand those opportunities even further.”

Driving Competitiveness Through Automation

Rocket Farms has invested heavily in automation on its potted herb and mini rose production lines, ensuring consistent quality, cost competitiveness, and scalability. These efficiencies allow the company to bring innovative products like organic living herbs and microgreens to market while remaining price-competitive in an increasingly challenging retail landscape.

Sustainability and Category Growth

The new organic lines are rooted in Rocket Farms’ long-standing commitment to sustainability and category innovation:

• Living herbs reduce shrink and offer consumers longer-lasting freshness.
• Recyclable packaging and organic certification align with consumer values.
• Rocket Farms’ track record includes creating new growth opportunities in both floral (mini roses, self-watering hydrangeas) and produce (living clamshell herbs, microgreens).