SALINAS, CA - Naturipe Farms, a leader in berry innovation, is turning up the flavor this Halloween with Berry Scary, a limited-edition 12 oz. package of fresh blueberries and blackberries in spook-tacular, seasonal packaging. Shipping now and creeping into Kroger and select Wakefern stores by mid-October, this scarily-delicious offering is the perfect combination of convenience, taste, and festive fun.

October is the ideal time to showcase berries as a sweet, healthy snacking option, and combining blueberries and blackberries in one package makes it easier than ever for snack monsters of all ages to enjoy both.

“Berry Scary is fun, convenient, and appealing to families looking for healthier treats this season,” said John Johnston, Director of Premium Products at Naturipe Farms, in the recent release. “Retailers who embrace seasonal packaging see a measurable boost in sales, and this launch is designed to do just that. We’re really excited about this project – it’s a great way to lean into the season while continuously putting excellent quality products on the shelves.”

The limited-edition packaging is decorated with a monster mascot and a vertical design; Berry Scary won’t be found hiding in the shadows. The split clamshell keeps the berries separate from shipping to shopping – staying perfectly fresh for all your spooky snacking needs.

While the packaging is limited-time, Naturipe’s delicious and dependable berries aren’t. Thanks to our growing partners throughout North and South America, our berries keep their spellbinding flavor and frightful freshness year-round. As a leader in berry innovation, Naturipe Farms continues to focus on products that delight consumers while supporting retailers’ seasonal promotions. Berry Scary is available for a limited time, so don’t miss the chance to bring these spooky, delicious berries to your store shelves.

AUSTIN, TX - Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council unveiled their top food trends for 2026 in the retailer’s annual Trends predictions report. Whole Foods Market predicts 2026 the year of fiber frenzy, fine-dining freezer finds, and an uptick in tallow. These and more are set to influence the food landscape in the coming year.

The Whole Foods Market Trends Council – a collective of Whole Foods Market team members ranging from foragers and buyers to culinary experts – develop these trend predictions each year through a combination of deep industry experience, keen observation of consumer preferences and collaborative sessions with emerging and established brands.

“Each year, our Trends report captures the pulse of what’s next in food, and 2026 is no exception,” said Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at Whole Foods Market, in the recent release. “This year’s trends highlight how curiosity, creativity and conscious choices are shaping the way people eat and shop. We’re inspired by the innovation we’re seeing across the food landscape and can’t wait to watch these ideas come to life in our aisles and beyond.”

“Our trends predictions are inspired by the council’s deep expertise and boots-on-the-ground discovery – at farmer’s markets, industry trade shows, local restaurants and more,” said Cathy Strange, Ambassador of Food Culture for Whole Foods Market and member of the Trends Council. “The 2026 list reflects how quickly ideas can move from emerging concepts to everyday favorites. It’s exciting to see how these trends will shape conversations in kitchens, communities and the broader food culture in the year ahead.”

Whole Foods Market’s top food trend predictions for 2026 include:

Year of the Female Farmer

With multigenerational farms dwindling and fewer young people choosing careers in farming, it’s more important than ever to celebrate changemakers in the industry. Consumers may have already started to notice an increase of women in agriculture highlighted in media, event panels, and on brand websites and packaging. Organizations like the National Young Farmers Coalition offer funding opportunities through their Young Farmer Grant program which donates 50% of its grants to female-identifying, nonbinary and trans farmers, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

Brands are taking part, too. Lotus Foods provides support to women on the farms they source from by providing premium wages and funding improvement in their local communities, and Kvarøy Arctic has an international scholarship and internship program specifically for women focused on aquaculture. True Moringa supports women tree crop farmers in Ghana, allotting them a plot of land and providing training and access to irrigation, organic certification, childcare, health insurance and more.

Try the Trend: Acure + Apricot Lane Farms Avocado Oil & Lavender Hand Wash, Cowgirl Creamery Mt Tam, Damya Extra Virgin Olive Oil (available in select stores), Diestel Family Ranch Regeneratively Raised Ground Turkey (launching March 2026 in select stores), Fable Fish Co. Wild Alaskan Salmon Jerky (part of Whole Foods Market’s 2025 LEAP Early Growth Cohort), Kvaroy Arctic Salmon Nuggets, Lotus Foods’ Organic White Jasmine & Forbidden® Rice, Painterland Sisters Vanilla Bean Organic Skyr Yogurt, Rancho Durazno Certified Organic Yellow Peaches (available in select stores), Tomatero Farm Organic Early Girl Dry Farmed Tomatoes, True Moringa Simplicity Pure Moringa Oil, Van Hoekelen Greenhouses Potted Plants and Cut Flowers Cooking Spray

Focus on Fiber

Protein continues to be king, but fiber is gaining traction as consumers seek gut health, holistic digestive wellness and natural ways to feel fuller longer. Brands are getting on board with more fiber-forward callouts on packaging, and increasingly, we’re seeing products with added fiber hitting the shelves, like pastas, breads, crackers and bars. Roots like cassava and chicory are regulars on ingredient panels of prebiotic beverages, and konjac is a fibrous favorite in plant-based, ready-to-eat meals. Meanwhile, pantry staples like oats are the star of up-and-coming products, which tout the ingredient for being rich in prebiotic fiber and easy on the gut. It’s safe to say these fiber finds are not just for your grandparents anymore!

Try the Trend: 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Caramelized Pineapple Prebiotic Soda, Bio.me Daily Prebiotic Fiber, Halfday Iced Tea Prebiotic Half & Half, Happy Family Organics Happy Tot Fiber & Protein Pouches, Olyra Blueberry Soft Baked Bites, Sola Everything and Blu-Berry Bagels, Three Farm Daughters Cavatappi Pasta with Prebiotic Fiber (available in select stores).

See the full report here.

ITASCA, IL - The Corrugated Packaging Alliance (CPA) released a new comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of corrugated packaging versus reusable plastic containers (RPCs). The study reveals significant environmental differences between packaging systems. The research by Anthesis Group, an independent sustainability consultant, found:

• Corrugated outperforms RPCs in four of the eight environmental impact categories measured. Most notably, corrugated shows 57 to 110 percent better performance in global warming, respiratory health, and non-renewable energy use.
• The study confirms previous research findings that neither packaging type yields a significant environmental advantage across all categories. RPCs do show advantages in areas such as water use and acidification.
• Container weight significantly affects sustainability performance and cost-effectiveness. RPCs weigh up to four times more than corrugated, which increases freight costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Transportation impacts both systems but corrugated has an edge. Local sourcing and shorter supply chains reduce emissions and costs while increasing the number of pallets per truckload.

“Corrugated packaging doesn’t just deliver environmental benefits, it drives efficiency, reduces costs, and supports more sustainable supply chains,” said Bob McIlvaine, President of the Fibre Box Association and Executive Director of the Corrugated Packaging Alliance, in the recent release. “These advantages matter to our members’ customers—retailers, grocers, and e-commerce companies committed to reducing emissions, streamlining logistics, and achieving sustainability goals. The data confirms corrugated as a smart, responsible choice for performance-driven businesses.”

In recent years, consumers have become increasingly aware of the need to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. In response, retailers and consumer packaged goods companies are turning to life cycle assessments to quantify impacts and guide improvements. While both packaging systems have room for improvement in sustainability, the corrugated industry continues to make measurable progress. A 2020 LCA revealed the industry has reduced its environmental footprint by cutting ozone depletion by 13 percent, water use by 18 percent, acidification by 41 percent, and smog formation by 44 percent.

"The U.S. pulp and paper industry has a long track record of responsible resource use, circular systems and fiber innovation," said Heidi Brock, AF&PA President and CEO. "Through our voluntary industry sustainability initiative, Better Practices, Better Planet 2030, we are furthering efforts to strengthen this vital U.S. manufacturing sector that supports the more than 925,000 people who produce the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day."

The LCA compares the cradle-to-grave circular life cycle of an average corrugated cardboard box to that of RPCs based upon publicly available information. The research adheres to ISO 14040/14044 international standards for life cycle assessment, ensuring scientific rigor and transparency. Additionally, an independent external review by Alan Engineering validated the study to ensure it meets all requirements for public environmental claims.

For more information on the CPA Life Cycle Assessment, visit: hbps://www.fibrebox.org/life-cycle-assessments

SAN VICENTE, COLOMBIA - Hass Express, a leading Colombian avocado exporter, has appointed Robb Bertels as Vice President of Business Development. Bertels brings over 30 years of produce industry experience and will spearhead the company’s expansion into the North American market.

“Robb’s strategic insight and deep industry relationships are a strong match for our growth goals,” said CEO Samuel Chio.

COO Ahmed Attia added, “His leadership will help us strengthen our export programs and deepen connections across the supply chain.”

Chio and Attia founded Hass Express in 2018 in San Vicente, Colombia. The company oversees more than 1,130 hectares of premium Hass avocado production, combining company-owned farms and a network of partner growers under its direct management.

Through this integrated structure, Hass Express ensures consistency, traceability, and year-round availability of fruit from Colombia.

Robb Bertels said, “The avocado business is global, and Hass Express stands out. Their Colombian operations, packinghouse, and tech are impressive. As the market becomes more data-driven, Hass Express is using every tool to deliver quality to North America.”

The company operates a state-of-the-art packing facility strategically located near its growing regions, enabling efficient sourcing, packing, and export operations. With its recent expansion into the U.S. market, Hass Express now maintains full control and traceability from orchard to retail shelf, offering clients a reliable and high-quality supply of avocados supported by direct oversight of every stage of the process. Hass Express values sustainable farming and respects the link between land and produce.