SALINAS, CA - Ippolito International is pleased to announce the addition of Heather Fuller to its Sales team as Vice President of Business Development. With over twenty years in the fresh produce business, Heather began her industry work as a field inspector in the Salinas Valley, earning her way to a commodity crop manager’s role and then into a sales management position, most recently at Braga Fresh growing the organic category in both commodity and value-added sales. She is a graduate of the United Leadership Class 24 and has held numerous volunteer positions at the IFPA on the Grower Shipper and Fresh Cut councils.

Heather has a deep appreciation for the produce business and what it takes to get fresh vegetables from the farm to the shelf. "I am passionate about working with our partners to develop programs, find solutions and grow their business, and I am thrilled to be joining this incredible company and talented team,” Heather said.

“Heather has a skill set that truly fits our sales bench. Her strength in the value-added side will play well with our strategy to grow our value-added business,” said Dan Canales, Sr. Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Processing.

“Heather’s focus on customer development fills a need on our sales team,” said Ron Mondo, President, in the recent release. “With her on board, we will expand our overall customer reach, especially in the retail segment. We look forward to working with her!”

Ippolito International is excited to announce the promotion of one of its established leaders, Michele McNeece, to the role of Vice President, New Business Development. Michele has over four decades in the fresh produce industry, including 12 years with Growers Express in Salinas, California, and most recently as the National Director of Business Development at Ippolito International. While at Ippolito International, she has played a key role in developing and expanding the company’s value-added program and core commodity lines. In her role as Vice President, New Business Development, she will continue to focus on new account development across both retail and foodservice channels while continuing to strengthen existing partnerships nationwide. “Michele has a strong reputation for collaboration and integrity, and she is well-regarded for the energy and drive she brings to the business,” said Ron Mondo, President.

“Her commitment to building long-term customer partnerships has been a key part of Ippolito’s success, and her promotion is well-deserved.” Mondo added, “In our industry, there is always something new to learn – and I mean that both on the grower/shipper side of things, as well as with customers. I’m excited to continue working with our team to build and strengthen our customer relationships along the way."  

ANAHEIM, CA - Following up from a commitment made a year ago to Fight for Fresh on behalf of its members and the worldwide fruit, vegetable, and floral community, International Fresh Produce Association CEO Cathy Burns shared how the organization delivered on that promise in the 12 months since the last Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show by highlighting how IFPA’s beliefs drove how it delivered value and results via advocacy, innovation, sustainability, labor issues, technology adoption, and nutrition.

“Last October, I said we would increase our advocacy investment here and around the world by ‘fighting for fresh’ when our future was threatened,” Burns commented in the release. “I believe it has never been more important to be clear on what you stand for, who you stand for, and what you believe in. It's in those beliefs, and our work together in acting on them, that we can navigate the storms around us.”

Trade and Tariffs

Noting that tariffs were the “biggest impact facing us this year has been tariffs and their impact on global trade,” Burns shared how IFPA advocates for science-based, transparent trade policies and has successfully engaged with high-level U.S. government officials to represent industry perspectives. In addition, the IFPA Board of Directors met with the U.S. Trade Representative and the National Economic Council in March to provide industry perspective and advocate for exemption of our products.

One innovation in the trade sector was the creation of Stanford's AI-driven Geoeconomic Monitor, which is being utilized to analyze the tariff impacts. Consumer behavior is also adapting, with consumers focused on reducing their food waste and purchasing essential-only items. A bright spot: IFPA Global Insights research finds fresh produce remains least affected by changing purchasing behaviors.

The health benefits of food trade were highlighted by research linking fruit and vegetable imports to reduced mortality from non-communicable diseases globally. “The bottom line is our products matter and save lives,” Burns noted.

To help future proof the industry and build resiliency, IFPA launched the Supply Chain of the Future initiative to address rising costs and inefficiencies in the supply chain. This initiative involves collaborative workstreams focusing on shelf-life predictability, dynamic incentives, harmonized standards, and smart data escrow. Member engagement in this initiative has been consistently strong and continues to grow.

See the full release here.

UNITED STATES - Reports indicate a storm system may develop and strengthen over the Mississippi Valley this weekend, bringing the potential for thunderstorms, gusty winds, and isolated tornado activity on Saturday. According to AccuWeather, the system is expected to move northeast toward the Great Lakes, with the most active weather possible from northeastern Texas and northern Louisiana to parts of Illinois and Indiana.

A concentrated zone of stronger storms could emerge between central Arkansas, southeastern Missouri, and southwestern Illinois. Cities such as St. Louis, Little Rock, and Memphis fall within the moderate risk area, where lightning and passing storms may cause delays at outdoor events, including football games and festivals.

As the system shifts east on Sunday, the risk for scattered storms and blustery conditions may extend toward the southern Appalachians, with some impacts possible around Atlanta and Charlotte. Even north of the main storm track, strong wind gusts could occur in spots without thunder or lightning.

While the most intense weather may be short-lived, forecasters suggest keeping an eye on changing conditions as the weekend approaches.

For ongoing updates on weekend weather and potential impacts across key growing regions, keep checking ANUK.

BOISE, ID - Albertsons® Companies, Inc. reported results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, which ended September 6, 2025.

Second Quarter of Fiscal 2025 Highlights

• Identical sales increased 2.2%, as adjusted (1)
• Digital sales increased 23%
• Loyalty members increased 13% to 48.7 million
• Net income of $169 million, or $0.30 per share
• Adjusted net income of $248 million, or $0.44 per share
• Adjusted EBITDA of $848 million

To provide a more accurate reflection of underlying performance, identical sales were adjusted to exclude the stores impacted by the three-week Colorado labor strikes. On an unadjusted basis, identical sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 increased 2.1%.

"In the second quarter, we delivered solid operating and financial results while continuing to invest in our core business and elevate the customer experience," said Susan Morris, Chief Executive Officer, in the recent release. "Strong performance against our strategic priorities fueled deeper engagement across our digital platforms, resulting in outsized growth in digital sales, pharmacy, and loyalty membership. Our productivity engine continued to offset inflationary pressures and fund investments in areas that matter most to our customers, including fresh categories and omnichannel convenience."

Morris added, "As we look ahead to the balance of fiscal 2025 and beyond, it is a new day at Albertsons. We're operating from a position of strength, taking bold action, and leading transformative change with confidence. We're investing with purpose, modernizing capabilities through scalable technology, and advancing ongoing productivity initiatives to fuel long-term growth. The $750 million accelerated share repurchase we announced today underscores our conviction in the value of our business and our commitment to delivering shareholder returns."

Second Quarter of Fiscal 2025 Results

Net sales and other revenue increased 2.0% to $18,915.8 million for the 12 weeks ended September 6, 2025 ("second quarter of fiscal 2025") from $18,551.5 million during the 12 weeks ended September 7, 2024 ("second quarter of fiscal 2024"). This increase was driven by a 2.2% increase in identical sales, with strong growth in pharmacy sales being the primary driver of the identical sales increase. We also continued to grow our digital sales with a 23% increase during the second quarter of fiscal 2025. These increases in Net sales and other revenue were partially offset by lower fuel sales.

See the full report here.

DINUBA, CA - King Fresh Produce LLC is proud to announce the promotion of Brock Wilson to the position of Sales Manager.

Brock Wilson, son of company founders Keith and Lisa Wilson, has been involved in the family business from an early age. Growing up within the King Fresh and Wilson Farming Co. operations, he spent summers working on the farm and in the packing house, gaining hands-on experience with every aspect of the business — from sweeping floors to maintaining packing equipment.

After graduating from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Brock joined King Fresh full-time in 2020 as a member of the sales and marketing department.

Since then, he has taken on increasing leadership responsibilities and has been actively involved in day-to-day management and strategic planning efforts.

“We’re excited to see Brock take this next step in his career,” said Keith Wilson, Co-Owner of King Fresh, in the recent release. “His deep understanding of our operations and commitment to the company’s values make him well-suited for this role. We are confident that under his leadership, our sales team will continue to thrive and our presence in the produce industry will expand.”

FOLSOM, CA - The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is proud to announce the graduation of the third class of fellows in its Blueberry Industry Leadership Program. The graduation took place today at The Blueberry Convention in Seattle.

The event marks the culmination of one year of hands-on learning, immersive industry experiences and professional development designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the blueberry industry.

“The Blueberry Industry Leadership Program is more than a year of training — it’s an investment in the future of our industry. By equipping emerging leaders with the skills, experiences and networks they need to succeed, we’re ensuring that blueberries remain at the forefront of agriculture, innovation and global growth for generations to come,” said Amanda Griffin, vice president of engagement and education for the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), in the recent release.

As part of their graduation, Class 3 fellows presented their capstone project — a comprehensive educational toolkit for schools designed to teach children about blueberries. This robust resource includes a 16-page activity book, a memory card game, lifecycle videos, kid-friendly recipes, and engaging lessons on how blueberries grow and their health benefits. The toolkit equips teachers and parents with a one-stop shop for blueberry education and reflects the fellows’ shared commitment to growing the next generation of blueberry lovers.

“Seeing this talented and inquisitive group of individuals continue to evolve into blueberry industry leaders over the past year has been a true privilege,” said Mandy Boarman, industry and community engagement manager for USHBC and NABC. “We have no doubt their passion and expertise will be instrumental in guiding the industry toward a successful future.”

Blueberry Leadership Program Class 3 Fellows

• Yvan Berrospi, Family Tree Farms
• Gabriel Bocock, Bumbleberry Acres
• Joshua Carlton, JLC Farms
• Sergio Carrasco, The Fruitist Company
• Jake Johnson, Fall Creek
• Stephanie Kleiner, Driscoll’s
• Peter Machala, Wakefern Food Corp.
• Brody Schropp, MBG Marketing
• Zach Semerikov, Scenic Fruit
• Jessica Silver, United Exports Sales and Marketing
• Applications Now Open for Class 4

USHBC is now accepting applications for the fourth class of fellows who will begin their leadership journey in March 2026. The program welcomes up to 10 emerging leaders from across the blueberry supply chain who demonstrate a commitment to the industry’s growth and success.

“Our goal for the upcoming year is to continue identifying and empowering future leaders of the blueberry industry,” said Griffin. “As we begin our fourth year of the program, we’re reminded that leadership in agriculture is built through education, collaboration and a commitment to constant improvement. This program helps foster those values, while creating long-lasting relationships that strengthen our industry.”

About the Program

The Blueberry Industry Leadership Program, generously sponsored by Fall Creek, is the first of its kind in the blueberry industry. It features:

• One year of in-depth leadership development.
• Exposure to key components of the produce supply chain.
• Interaction with industry veterans and stakeholders.
• A capstone project that contributes to the industry's mission.

Fellows will participate in a combination of in-person and virtual sessions between March 2026 and September 2027, including four in-person gatherings, culminating in a graduation ceremony at the 2027 Blueberry Convention. To support program costs and materials, each fellow pays a $2,500 participation fee.

How to Apply

USHBC is seeking candidates who:

• Are emerging leaders in agriculture, preferably with blueberry industry experience.
• Hold mid-level management roles.
• Have at least five years of experience in agriculture.
• Demonstrate passion, leadership potential and a commitment to the blueberry industry.

Applicants must complete an application form and submit a letter of recommendation. They will be evaluated based on leadership potential, career relevance and overall fit. Finalists will be interviewed in June and July 2026, and selections will be announced shortly after.

Application Deadline: Jan. 1, 2026

Learn more and apply at: ushbc.org/leadership

BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart is ushering in the next generation of retail by combining its huge assortment, everyday low prices and delivery speed with the power of AI. The company announced a new partnership with OpenAI that will start with allowing customers and members to soon shop Walmart through ChatGPT using Instant Checkout. Whether planning meals, restocking household essentials, or finding something new, customers can simply chat and buy, and Walmart will handle the rest.

“For many years now, eCommerce shopping experiences have consisted of a search bar and a long list of item responses. That is about to change. There is a native AI experience coming that is multi-media, personalized and contextual. We are running towards that more enjoyable and convenient future with Sparky and through partnerships including this important step with OpenAI,” said Doug McMillon, President and CEO, Walmart Inc., in the recent release.

At the center of this transformation are the everyday moments that define how people shop. This is agentic commerce in action: where AI shifts from reactive to proactive, from static to dynamic. It learns, plans and predicts, helping customers anticipate their needs before they do.

“We’re excited to partner with Walmart to make everyday purchases a little simpler. It’s just one way AI will help people every day under our work together,” said Sam Altman, cofounder and CEO of OpenAI.

Today, Walmart and Sam’s Club leverage AI across every part of the business. It's not just about moving fast; it’s about moving smarter and with purpose. From enhancing the product catalog to reducing fashion production timelines by up to 18 weeks, to ensuring a more seamless shopping journey and cutting customer care resolution times by up to 40%, the company is applying AI so every shopping experience is more convenient and more rewarding.

Walmart also is empowering its associates with AI tools and training, including promoting AI literacy across its workforce as one of the first partners to embrace OpenAI Certifications and rolling out ChatGPT Enterprise to teams across the company.

As Walmart defines what’s next for retail, its approach remains the same: people-led and tech-powered, helping people save money and live better.

The future of retail isn’t about replacing human connection with machines, it’s about using AI to remove friction and make everyday moments easier, smarter and more delightful.