WENATCHEE, WA - Green means go for Stemilt’s Granny Smith apple season, with increased volumes positioning it for backing strong promotions this fall and throughout the entire season. Nielsen data reveals November as a critical opportunity for promotion, where retailers can capitalize on Granny Smith during a sales spike to keep momentum up throughout the holiday timeframe.

“November is Granny Smith’s time to shine,” said Stemilt’s Marketing Director, Brianna Shales, in the recent release. “With all varieties coming back into stock, it’s important to recognize which ones can be a boost to the category during key times of the year. Fall and winter are when Granny Smith stands out. It makes up 12% of apple volumes, except for the November holiday period, when it spikes to 13.8% of apple volumes. With our larger crop this year, we can support aggressive, multi-ad promotions that carry momentum well into next year.”

Regionally, the West and South surpassed the U.S. average with Granny Smith, making up 14-15% of apple volumes in November. In the Midwest and Northeast, the apple makes up 10.6-11.9% of volumes, coming in lower than the total U.S. and presenting promotion opportunities to uplift the variety in these regions.

“There are many ways to sell Granny Smith this season,” said Shales. “Bulk and bag preferences are nearly split down the middle, with 53% of shoppers choosing bulk and 47% purchasing bags. Stemilt also offers a sustainable four-pack for Artisan Organics® apples that can be used to build enticing displays and call attention to the variety. Whether in a package or showcased on the shelf, Granny Smith has great potential!”

Granny Smith is the #3 apple in the U.S. and gives retailers a chance to see strong sales beyond the holiday season through promotions early on. Traditionally, Granny Smith is a versatile apple in the kitchen, sought after for its crisp texture that holds well during baking, and tart flavor that balances baked goods.

“Our increased volumes this year mean retailers don’t have to hold back,” said Shales. “There’s ample opportunity to build multi-ad campaigns that highlight Granny Smith’s baking appeal and boost overall category performance. This is the time to capitalize on consumer demand and set the tone for the entire season.”

FIREBAUGH, CA & BUFFALO, NY - The 2025 Allen Family melon harvest has started strong, and after two weeks in the fields, JA17 Allen Family Farms melons are already making their mark in stores. Aligning with the start of football season, demand for the limited-edition melon label has surged, especially in Western New York, with melon sales at the retail level increasing. While the JA17 label will be here for a few more weeks, buyers are being urged to secure this special label while they last.

This update builds on the initial launch of the JA17 label, a collaboration between Westside Produce/Classic Fruit and the Allen Family that honors the agricultural roots of professional quarterback, Josh Allen. The program not only brings cantaloupes and honeydews to market during peak season but also supports the Patricia Allen Fund at Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY, giving back to the community.

The families behind the label say the program is more than just produce - it’s a story of tradition, teamwork, and giving back. “We’ve been aligned as partners for many years, not just in business but as families in business,” said Garrett Patricio, President of Westside Produce. “The Allens are first class, and this label is about celebrating that partnership and sharing it with the broader community.” For Joel Allen, seeing the JA17 boxes hit stores during football season has been emotional. “It gives me a great sense of pride knowing fans can enjoy melons grown on our farm while also helping the children of Oishei Hospital in Buffalo,” he said in the recent release. “To me, that’s a win-win.”

When asked about the promotion, Garrett has been excited about its success. “We’ve had great support from the beginning,” he adds.

“We don’t normally see much excitement around melons, so having a new label that customers are excited about is rewarding to me, the entire Allen Family, and our team.”

With boxes moving quickly and football season already in full swing, the JA17 label is proving to be a fan favorite both in produce aisles and in the community it supports. Patricio hopes this continues to be a success for the commodity in whole. “I hope this label can be a reminder to everyone that family farms are the centerpiece of our food production system.” He continues, “obviously we are dealing with a global icon who just happened to grow up on a melon farm, so I really hope the label can raise awareness of a healthy and nutritious product that some might otherwise pass by in the produce aisle.”

For the overall melon season, it has presented challenges with cooler summer weather slowing crop maturity and producing slightly smaller fruit. The Westside Produce/Classic Fruit team continues to adapt in stride. “The season has been cooler than normal, which resulted in smaller sizing, but that’s farming - you don’t get to control the play clock. Our job is to adjust to the conditions, make the right calls, and get the fruit across the goal line for our customers,” comments Patricio.

Joel Allen, who has been walking the fields daily, echoed that sentiment with optimism. “It’s been a later maturing crop, but I feel good about the fruit and confident we’re going to have a solid season,” he said. “It’s a lot like football - sometimes you have to grind it out, but when the team works together, you can still deliver a win.”

Supplies are limited, and with harvest already in full swing, the message is clear: get them while you can!

REIDSVILLE, GA - The Healthy Family Project’s fall Publix Produce for Kids cause marketing campaign is now underway, running through November 5. In partnership with 17 produce companies, this year’s campaign will help provide 875,000 meals* to 35 Feeding America® partner food banks across Publix’s market area. Since its launch in 2002, the bi-annual campaign has raised more than $4.2 million to support causes benefiting families and children, while providing over 18 million meals to local Feeding America food banks.

Shoppers at all 1,419 Publix stores will be greeted with bright, eye-catching signage spotlighting participating produce partners. Designed to stop carts in their tracks, the displays pair fresh fruits and vegetables with simple meal solutions, inspiring families to add more produce to their baskets every day.

"Serving our communities has always been central to who we are at Publix," said Dwaine Stevens, Publix Director of Community Relations, in the recent release. "We’re honored to continue this partnership with Healthy Family Project and our produce partners to give families more access to fresh inspiration at mealtime while supporting our neighbors facing hunger."

The 2025 fall Publix partners include: Ayco Farms, Bay Food Brokerage, Chiquita, CMI Orchards, Crunch Pak®, Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc., Fresh Express®, GT’s Living Foods, Mariani Nut Company, Mission Produce, Nasoya®, Rainier Fruit Company, SUNSET®, The Wonderful Company, Village Farms Greenhouse Grown®, Watermelon Board (NWPB), and ¡Yo Quiero! Brands.

"This campaign shows the incredible impact that can happen when companies and shoppers come together," said Trish James, Vice President, Healthy Family Project. "With Publix and our produce partners, we’re helping families find fun, simple ways to eat healthier while ensuring meals reach those who need them most."

Healthy Family Project will host an Instagram Live event on Oct. 14, highlighting Halloween-themed produce snacks in collaboration with campaign partners. Throughout the fall campaign, Healthy Family Project will distribute recipe content and healthy eating tips through a comprehensive mix of email marketing, social media, and digital channels incorporating Healthy Family Project registered dietitians.

To kick off the initiative in a meaningful way, several Tampa-based produce partners will join together at Feeding Tampa Bay, volunteering their time to support families facing food insecurity.

The USDA estimates that 1 in 5 children in the United States experience hunger. The participating produce companies are helping to meet this urgent need through meals donated to local Feeding America food banks throughout the Publix footprint.

The campaign will raise funds for local Feeding America partner food banks including: Feeding Northeast Florida, Heart of Alabama Food Bank, Montgomery Area Food Bank, Inc., All Faiths Food Bank, America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Feeding America Tampa Bay, Feeding South Florida, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Feeding the Valley Food Bank, Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Dare to Care Food Bank, Freestore Foodbank, God’s Pantry Food Bank, Golden Harvest Food Bank, Middle Georgia Community Food Bank, Second Harvest of South Georgia, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Lowcountry Food Bank, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Feed More, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Food Bank of Abermarle, Fredricksburg Area Food Bank, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, MANNA Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, Second Harvest Food Bank of NE Tennessee, Second Harvest Food Bank of SE North Carolina, Treasure Coast Food Bank, and Virginia Peninsula Food bank.

For more information about the Publix Produce for Kids campaign, visit healthyfamilyproject.com.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - A letter from Suhanra Conradie, Chief Executive Officer of Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA), shared new details about the 2025 season and the complex supply chain supporting it. Included in the update was a video highlighting the dedicated service providers working throughout the logistics network; footage filmed just before increased tariffs into the U.S. took effect.

Challenging markets like the U.S., Suhanra explained, and the sophisticated supply chains that support them, take years, and in many cases, decades, to build. “We began our journey into the U.S. more than two decades ago, and so much has happened in-between,” Conradie shared.

What started as a seasonal category from June to October has grown into a full-scale commitment, establishing SCSA as a preferred citrus supplier during the summer months. Several strategic pillars have guided this evolution, from managing supply and demand and shipping only the best quality fruit, to choosing the right partners, sharing transparent real-time information, and ensuring fresh citrus reaches U.S. retailers weekly.

“These were implemented to coincide with our goal of sustaining and growing our market responsibly with our respective partners,” Conradie noted.

As the pressure built toward the beginning of August, when the increased tariffs were set to take effect, SCSA reported a few weeks of additional loadings balanced by slower weeks, particularly for Easy Peelers. “In terms of available produce now in the U.S., Easy Peelers volume is low, Navels and Star Ruby are on par with what is expected for this period of time, and Midknights will start to arrive early October to help complement the market with a solid eating Orange product,” Conradie shared.

“During the 2024 season the available product was lower due to increased rainfall, but we started 2025 with a good expectation of a healthy crop. However, the situation with the tariffs changed the playing field completely. Any tariff has an impact on any market, and the South African citrus was not spared and was hit harder than most. The dynamics have totally changed as the growers and suppliers of the fruit must find an economical, workable way forward for both parties. But in between the growers and the buyers of the fruit, there is a committed group of supply chain service providers working to execute this program with excellence,” Conradie continued.

“Please stay up-to-date during the season and reach out to our grower-exporters or importers to secure your citrus during the summer months. Proudly shipping and selling the world's finest Summer Citrus!” she concluded.

Keep clicking back to ANUK as we bring you more citrus updates.

KINGSVILLE, ON - Mastronardi Produce® is bringing Flavor Coast to Coast for the 2025 International Fresh Produce Association's Global Produce & Floral Show (GPFS) in Anaheim, CA, this October. The Flavor Coast to Coast theme celebrates the company's flavor-first approach to produce and nation-wide network of greenhouses, while also supporting Mastronardi's position as a leader in the industry.

Leading up to the show, audiences can join the team through the exclusive LinkedIn mini-series Next Stop: Flavor, as they head on a road trip to GPFS booth #4157. Each episode takes viewers on a journey to explore new Mastronardi products, greenhouse growing, and the never-ending pursuit of flavor, with exclusive team interviews, personal stories, and lots of laughs along the way. Whether the destination is breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack, there’s a Mastronardi tomato, pepper, cucumber, berry, or lettuce for every occasion.

Visitors to GPFS booth #4157 can expect an exciting lineup of SUNSET® products. From new innovations in snacking, to premium organic products, to sustainable packaging, and several new brands, there's something for everyone.

This will be the first time GPFS attendees will get a look at the new Backyard Farms® Green Leaf Lettuce Paper Bag. The design uses 65% less plastic than a traditional PET tray, while keeping the lettuce crisp and delicious. Earlier this year, the design earned the Packaging Innovation Award at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Convention and Tradeshow.

Mastronardi will be showcasing two new innovations in berries. The new Summer Blast™ Blueberry Snacking Cup is a unique take on healthy snacking. Packaged in convenient grab-and-go resealable cups, these sweet-and-crisp blueberries are ideal for packing in lunches, for road trips, and more. Consumer demand for organics remains strong, and this year Mastronardi is launching the Organic WOW® Joyberry® Blueberries. These berries offer a standout flavor experience for consumers seeking something special.

GPFS visitors will also get their first glimpse at the updated Angel Sweet® brand with impactful new packaging. In addition to the exciting showcase lineup, the elegant new Mastronardi™ Tomato Branch™, perfect for adding a flourish to any charcuterie board or tablescape, will be at the booth. The recently launched Secilia® tomato will be ready to transport visitors to the Mediterranean with its sweet summer flavor, and the newest addition to the popular BOMBS® lineup - BOMBS Squad® will be on display.

“The Flavor Coast to Coast theme is more than a tagline—it’s a celebration of our journey, our people, and our commitment to delivering WOW flavor experiences. We’re excited to connect with attendees at GPFS and share the stories behind our products, innovations, and relentless pursuit of flavor,” said Geoff Kosar, VP Marketing, in the recent release.

There's so much to see, and taste, be sure to follow the journey on LinkedIn @Mastronardi-Produce and stop by booth #4157 at the GPFS October 16-18!

SALINAS, CA - Markon will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its iconic Chef Summit from October 1 to 4 in Monterey, California. This highly anticipated event brings together corporate chefs from Markon’s five member companies and their customer chefs from across the U.S. and Canada to support the fundraising efforts at The Taste of Markon. This unique dining experience benefits the company’s longtime community partner, the Drummond Culinary Academy at Rancho Cielo, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving at-risk youth in Monterey County.

This year’s milestone summit will include a week of field tours, roundtable discussions on industry trends, and direct interactions with suppliers and growers. Participants will collaborate to create innovative plant-focused dishes while mentoring young culinary students for the Taste of Markon, the cooperative’s fundraising event that will feature a strolling dinner with passed hors d’oeuvres, a charcuterie table, six fine dining courses, live music, selections from the region’s finest wineries, and a silent auction to benefit the culinary students through scholarships and kitchen equipment.

“We’re proud and excited to hold our 10th Annual Chef Summit, where chefs from across North America will present another Michelin-quality Taste of Markon. This education-focused week takes the chef group on the field-to-fork supply chain journey, giving them hands-on experience in how the fresh produce they buy reaches their restaurant kitchens, while our local culinary students gain invaluable experience working alongside seasoned chefs,” explained Andy Hamilton, Markon CEO, in the recent release. “This milestone year promises to be something truly special, bringing together the Salinas Valley community for a memorable meal created by the best in the business.”

Tickets are now available for purchase here.

For more information about Rancho Cielo and how they are building skills and transforming lives, please visit: Rancho Cielo’s Drummond Culinary Academy.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on five produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and for failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the businesses’ principal operators from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• Samra Produce & Farms Inc., operating out of Los Angeles, Calif., for failing to pay a $4,004 reparation award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Harbhajan Singh was listed as the sole officer, director, and stockholder of the business.
• Fresh Garlic & Produce Corp., operating out of Miami, Fla., for failing to pay a $14,076 reparation award in favor of a New Jersey seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Ricardo Hernandez Leon was listed as the sole officer, director, and stockholder of the business.
• Banana Bros. Produce LLC, operating out of Holly, Mich., for failing to pay a $23,033 reparation award in favor of a Michigan seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Chelsey Gelardi was listed as the sole member of the business.
• BLJR Distribution LLC, operating out of Conklin, N.Y., for failing to pay a $13,595 reparation award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Bradley Hurlburt, Leon Hurlburt, and Albert Palermo were listed as the business members.
• Fresh Market La Morenita LLC, operating out of Von Ormy, Texas, for failing to pay a $11,201 reparation award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Rocio Gonzalez was listed as the sole business member.

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

For more information, contact Penny Robinson-Landrigan, Chief, Dispute Resolution Branch, at (202) 720-2890, or [email protected].