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.

ANAHEIM, CA - Honeybear is kicking off the new season with the fresh harvest of its exclusive apple varieties, including the ruby red, sweet-and-tangy Pazazz® and the crisp, sweet-flavored JUICI® brand apple. Both varieties are now shipping to retailers nationwide and are featured at the IFPA Global Produce Show in Booth #1539.

JUICI® is the company’s newest varietal addition, strengthened by Honeybear’s packing partnership with Starr Ranch Growers announced earlier this year. Together, Pazazz and JUICI® are delivering for consumers who are increasingly seeking apples with exceptional flavor, crunch, and value.

“Honeybear Brands has been focused on expanding our footprint so we can distribute the best apple varieties grown ‘close to home,’” said Chuck Sinks, President of Sales and Marketing, Honeybear Brands, in the recent release. “We’re able to provide great eating varieties at peak-of-season flavor, ensuring our retailers can deliver an exceptional eating experience during the big fall apple sales season and beyond. At Honeybear Brands, we take pride in helping retailers grow the apple category — both conventional and organic — while exceeding expectations in fruit quality, customer service, and supply assurance.”

Supporting Communities: ICE OUT HUNGER

In addition to bringing new-season fruit to market, Honeybear Brands is proud to once again support Second Harvest Heartland through its ICE OUT HUNGER program. Tied to a NIL sponsorship with the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team, the campaign donates fresh apples to the food bank every time a Gopher player tallies an assist — also known in hockey lingo as an “apple.”

Last year, ICE OUT HUNGER resulted in 12,000 pounds of fresh apples donated to community members experiencing food insecurity. Honeybear Brands looks forward to building on that impact this season.

A Year-Round Commitment to Flavor and Supply

With orchards and production facilities across Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York, as well as Southern Hemisphere programs in Chile and Argentina, Honeybear Brands is uniquely positioned to provide year-round supply of premium apples, pears, and cherries.

Retailers and industry partners are invited to taste the new season’s fruit including Pazazz, Juici and Honeymoon™ varieties and connect with the Honeybear team at Booth #1539 during the IFPA Global Show.

THERMAL, CA - North Shore Living Herbs + Greens, the original creator of the living herb category and the number one selling potted herb brand in the Pacific Division, is proud to announce the launch of its newest innovation: the Potted Basil Duo. This breakthrough product brings unmatched freshness and convenience to consumers while creating new opportunities for retailers to grow their fresh category sales.

Beginning in January, the Potted Basil Duo will be available for limited preorders, with shipments starting in April. Each package contains two living basil plants in a state-of-the-art container designed exclusively for North Shore. With just a few simple steps—open the top, tear away the sides, and place the base on a windowsill or countertop—shoppers gain their own mini herb garden. This unique format extends shelf life, encourages full product use, and delivers a fresher, more abundant way to enjoy basil at home.

The Potted Basil Duo also reflects North Shore’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and innovation. The package is made from 30% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Plastic, reducing waste and conserving resources while still delivering the premium quality consumers expect.

For retailers, the benefits go beyond freshness. The duo pack ships in custom-designed pallet trays, stacked three high and five wide, creating a visually compelling, space-efficient display that maximizes floor impact. With North Shore’s proven category leadership and consumer loyalty—built over 25 years of innovation in living herbs—the Potted Basil Duo is set to drive incremental sales and shopper excitement.

“As the original pioneers of the living herb category, we’ve always been about more than just herbs—we’re about creating experiences that connect people to freshness,” said Brittney Bubb, Creative Director at North Shore Greenhouses, Inc., in the recent release. “The Potted Basil Duo is the next step in that journey: sustainable, convenient, and rooted in the same quality our shoppers know and love.”

North Shore Living Herbs will showcase the Potted Basil Duo alongside its upcoming PCR clamshell packaging innovation at the Global Produce and Floral Show in Booth #B4057.

COLOMBIA - As the Global Produce & Floral Show kicks off in Anaheim this week, companies are laying out their value propositions to the industry. With a dedicated network and a new brand campaign, the Colombia Avocado Board (CAB) has plenty to offer. I spoke with Manuel Michel, Managing Director, to learn more.

“Colombia's become a powerhouse in the U.S. avocado market because we've combined natural advantages with intentional strategy,” Manuel begins. “What sets us apart is our complete focus on East Coast markets—99% of our volume goes there. That’s intentional.”

Recognizing the need for East Coast buyers to have a closer, more reliable source, CAB built the entire operation to serve that need. The naturally creamy nature of Colombian avocados combines compellingly with proximity.

“We can get avocados to Florida in three days and Philadelphia in five. For retailers, that speed translates directly to fresher fruit on shelves and longer shelf-life for consumers,” Manuel tells me. “When you're competing on quality in produce, those extra days make a real difference. For foodservice operators and suppliers, it's about reliability and consistency. We maintain a minimum 23% dry matter standard, ensuring consistent quality and superior taste, which is crucial when building a menu or promotional program around avocados. You need to know what you're getting, every time.”

There’s infrastructure backing this strategic growth, too. With 620 authorized orchards spanning over 40,200 certified acres, the producer can provide a consistent, year-round supply.

“We’ve increased our U.S. certified orchards by 42% and our certified acreage by 37% in just the past year; we can support retailers during seasonal gaps when other origins might be in shorter supply,” Manuel notes. “That supply security is increasingly valuable in today's competitive retail environment.

“That reliability is what makes us strategic,” Manuel emphasizes. “We’re not just filling gaps; we're becoming a dependable partner for retailers and foodservice operators who need quality fruit they can count on. While other origins primarily serve West Coast markets, 99% of our volume is directed to the East Coast. That means we're not just a backup option—we're building dedicated supply chains and partnerships specifically for these markets.”

The association offers not only a reliable network but also a brand-new campaign to spread awareness and promote avocados.

“The Raised by Colombia campaign is about moving beyond commodity marketing. For too long, avocados have just been avocados. We wanted to tell the authentic story of where ours come from—and more importantly, how they're raised,” Manuel says. “We chose IFPA for the launch because it's where our key partners are—the buyers, importers, and foodservice operators who make decisions about their avocado programs.”

With an immersive experience waiting for attendees, the Colombia Avocado Board brings this story to life by premiering a 90-second hero video that shows the journey from Colombian farms to U.S. tables.

“Timing matters too. We're in this incredible growth phase—heading toward our goal of 330 million pounds by 2029—and we needed a brand platform that could support that expansion while differentiating us in an increasingly crowded market,” Manuel says.

To learn more from Manuel himself, stop by booth #2583!

CHICAGO, IL - Western Growers Association, the trade association representing farmers in the West and Southwest regions of the United States, has joined the U.S. Food Waste Pact (Pact), a joint initiative led by nonprofits ReFED and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to reduce food waste throughout the supply chain. Western Growers becomes the first Pact signatory to represent growers and farmers, with the association joining 24 other food businesses and organizations participating in the collaborative food waste reduction effort.

According to ReFED, 31% of the food supply goes unsold or uneaten in the United States each year, and the majority of that surplus food is sent to waste destinations like landfills, incinerators, and sewer systems. Wasted food generates 10% of the United States’ methane emissions, and it accounts for 16% of freshwater use and 16% of land use. Over 17 million tons of food loss is reported annually, just in the agricultural production phase, which requires water, land, and energy to grow, process, and transport fresh produce crops. This surplus equates to nearly 30 billion meals per year, valued at over $13 billion.

“We’re proud to sign onto the U.S. Food Waste Pact,” said Jeana Cadby, Environment and Climate Director at Western Growers Association, in the recent release. “Food waste touches so much of what the farmers in Western Growers care about—from efficient and sustainable resource use to developing new markets for otherwise unmarketable produce. Collaborating with Pact signatories in other sectors will help maximize our impact and bolster our sustainability work, and we are eager to bring that growers’ perspective to the table.”

Through initiatives like the Global Farm Loss Tool, the Sustainable Produce Packaging Alignment (SPPA), and WG food safety programs, Western Growers is committed to supporting growers to increase profitability, reduce environmental impact, and ensure more fresh produce reaches consumers rather than going to waste. Joining the Pact amplifies the work of its members and the fresh produce industry to build a healthy, sustainable, and profitable future.

“We’re so pleased to welcome Western Growers into the Pact,” said Jackie Suggitt, vice president of business initiatives & community engagement at ReFED. “We’ve had the pleasure of working with them already on one of our whole chain projects, and it’s great to officially have them in the Pact. We look forward to the supply chain perspective they bring as an organization that works with growers.”

Western Growers Association is the twenty-fifth business to join the U.S. Food Waste Pact, which uses the “Target, Measure, Act” framework to make meaningful progress on food waste reduction. Other current signatories are retailers Ahold Delhaize USA, Albertsons Companies, ALDI US, Amazon Fresh, Kroger, Raley’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, Walmart Inc., and Whole Foods Market; manufacturers Bob’s Red Mill, Del Monte Fresh Produce Company, and Lamb Weston, Inc.; coalition signatories FMI—The Food Industry Association, Health Care Without Harm, and the R&DE Stanford Food Institute; foodservice signatories Aramark, Compass Group USA, ISS Guckenheimer, and Sodexo USA; quick-service restaurants Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, and Wawa; hospitality signatory Hilton; and distributor Organically Grown Company.