WENATCHEE, WA - CMI Orchards announced the launch of CMI SOARS: Sustainable Orchards and Regenerative Solutions, a bold, impact-oriented program designed to advance sustainability and regenerative agriculture across the tree fruit industry.

“At CMI, sustainability isn’t an add-on, it’s at the core of how we grow, operate, and collaborate,” said Bob Mast, President of CMI Orchards, in the recent release. “CMI SOARS represents our commitment to measurable change, ensuring our orchards, partners, and communities can thrive for generations to come.”

The CMI SOARS program is built around measurable action. It includes a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory and annual sustainability report, the development and implementation of regenerative products and solutions, and transparent storytelling to empower both retailers and consumers with authentic information about CMI’s environmental efforts. The program also emphasizes continuous innovation to address the evolving needs of the fresh produce industry.

In the months ahead, CMI will begin sharing the projects developed under SOARS, highlighting the practical ways regenerative practices are improving orchard health, boosting yields, and delivering nutrient-rich fruit to market, alongside an aggressive action plan with sustainable goals and emission-reduction targets.

For retail partners, SOARS creates direct business value while supporting global sustainability goals. By sourcing regeneratively grown fruit, retailers can strengthen their supply chains through verified carbon credit inset purchases, reduce emissions throughout distribution networks, and engage environmentally conscious consumers with a compelling narrative.

“Transparency is critical. We know ‘regenerative’ can mean many things to many people, which is why we’re committed to sharing real data and clear goals that reflect the scope and depth of the work underway,” said Rochelle Bohm, Vice President of Marketing at CMI Orchards. “By working together with our retail partners, we can align with their own sustainability goals while delivering a story that resonates with today’s shoppers. One of the most exciting things we’ll be sharing soon is results of our extensive nutrient testing comparing traditionally grown fruit to those produced in our regeneratively enriched orchards. We know that environmental health is a tougher sell compared to human health – and we’re confident we’ll be able to share some highly marketable developments in this space very soon.”

“With SOARS, we’re opening clear retail pathways for regeneratively grown products,” Mast added. “We’re not just growing fruit, we’re sharing the full story of how it’s grown, how it helps the planet, and why it matters. That’s where true change happens.”

To further support transparency and education, CMI Orchards has launched a dedicated landing page for the SOARS initiative. The site offers resources, updates, and insights into CMI’s regenerative projects and sustainability commitments.

Visit www.cmisoars.com to explore the program and learn more about how CMI is building a sustainable future rooted in regeneration.

UNITED STATES - Throughout 2025, progress has been made in replacing non-recyclable wax coatings with new materials that can be readily recycled, helping improve packaging sustainability for commodities that require moisture protection or ship on ice.

Think lots of fresh produce!

Alongside the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), the Fibre Box Association (FBA) has released a new repulpability standard for testing wax alternatives to ensure their acceptance in the recycling stream at the end of life.

“The repulpability and recyclability test procedures in the revised Voluntary Standard deliver results that are valid, reliable, and repeatable,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fibre Box Association, Bob McIlvaine, in a press release earlier this year. “This Voluntary Standard ensures our industry can repulp that packaging and turn it into other products.”

This update, which was the result of a joint committee of AF&PA and FBA members, provides an industry-supported set of test protocols that evaluate whether products such as coated or treated cardboard packaging are repulpable and recyclable.

According to the associations, coated or treated cardboard packaging is a practical and cost-effective method for shipping products such as produce, meat, or seafood.

For more information, click here.

ANUK will continue to cover the latest across technology and manufacturing, so stay tuned!

NEWARK, DE - The Foundation for Fresh Produce, an extension of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), is thrilled to announce its 2026 Board of Directors. The Foundation exists to grow a healthier world by changing the trajectory of human health through increased fruit and vegetable consumption, uniting partners across the supply chain to drive measurable outcomes for lifelong health.

The 2026 Board will be chaired by Jin Ju Wilder, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, Vesta Foodservice. Dwight Ferguson, Board of Directors, Nourse Farms, will continue his service on the executive committee as Immediate Past Chair. Laura Himes, Vice President of Global Sourcing, Produce, Walmart, and former chair of IFPA’s board of directors, will serve as Chair-Elect.

“The Foundation’s role as the ‘Impactful Connector’ is about more than bringing people together, it’s about advancing real solutions that improve lives,” said Wilder in the recent release. “By uniting industry, health, and community leaders, we’re expanding access to fruits and vegetables, strengthening child nutrition, and addressing health disparities in the U.S. and beyond. I’m honored to serve on a board so deeply committed to creating lasting change.”

The Foundation’s work spans a total lifespan approach, focusing on culture shift, access and affordability, healthcare integration, policy infrastructure, and business ecosystems. This year, The Foundation is building on major momentum with the upcoming launch of the Child Nutrition Education Network – a first-of-its-kind global hub for leaders to align, share resources, and scale impact in early intervention nutrition.

“We know that dietary-related disease is the world’s leading health crisis,” said Himes. “The Foundation is uniquely positioned as a connector – bringing together industry, health leaders, and communities to break down barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption. By focusing on access, affordability, and culture, we can create meaningful, lasting change that ensures healthier lives for generations to come.”

Outgoing chair Dwight Ferguson reflected on his tenure:

“Serving as Chair has been one of the most rewarding roles of my career. Throughout the last year, I’ve seen firsthand how The Foundation has moved beyond good intentions to measurable outcomes, connecting partners and scaling what truly works,” said Ferguson. “With Jin Ju’s leadership and the continued vision of this board, The Foundation is poised to make fruits and vegetables the centerpiece of global health solutions.”

The 2026 Foundation for Fresh Produce new and returning Board of Directors includes:

Executive Committee

• Jin Ju Wilder, Vesta Foodservice – Chair
• Laura Himes, Walmart – Chair-Elect
• Dwight Ferguson, Nourse Farms – Immediate Past Chair
• April Porter, Noble Citrus and Crystal Beach Capital – Secretary/Treasurer

At-Large Members

• Stacy Bates, MS, RDN, LD, CDE, H-E-B
• Steve Brazeel, SunTerra, Elevated Foods, Project Food Box
• Imke van Gasselt, Ahold Delhaize
• Inci Dannenberg, Bayer
• Nikki Ford, PhD, Hass Avocado Board
• Eileen Hyde, Vermont Food Bank
• Leslie Wada, PhD, RD, US Highbush Blueberry Council
• Cedric Pauwels, Greenyard
• Amy Yaroch, PhD, Center for Nutrition and Impact

The Foundation also expressed deep gratitude to their retiring board members for their inspired service:

• CarrieAnn Arias, Pear Bureau Northwest
• Alex DiNovo, DNO Produce
• Bil Goldfield, Dole Food Company
• Jason Osborn, The Wonderful Company

As it looks to 2026 and beyond, The Foundation remains committed to boosting appeal, improving access, nurturing passionate professionals, and scaling industry impact – all to ensure a healthier, longer life for all people.

SALINAS, CA - Naturipe Farms, a global leader in fresh and nutritious berries, will unveil a bold vision for the future of berries at the 2025 International Fresh Produce & Floral Show. Naturipe’s new Innovation Hub will showcase the company’s proprietary breeding and genetics program that’s redefining standards for quality, flavor, and the berry-eating experience.

Naturipe has spent years investing in proprietary varieties, sustainable growing practices, and grower-led research to deliver berries that retailers can count on for flavor, consistency, and sales performance. The Innovation Hub highlights how these innovations come to life and why they give retailers a clear edge in meeting shopper demand and driving repeat purchases.

“The Innovation Hub is our way of pulling back the curtain,” said Jim Roberts, president of Naturipe Farms, in the recent release. “There’s nothing quite like a firsthand look at breeding to understand how decisions made today shape what berries will look and taste like in the next five, ten, even twenty years.”

Naturipe’s Sweet Selections™ line will be a standout at IFPA 2025—a premium collection of hand-picked, proprietary berry varieties celebrated for their exceptional flavor, size, and overall eating experience. Think super-juicy strawberries, jumbo blueberries bursting with flavor, and snack-worthy raspberries that consumers can’t get enough of.

“Sweet Selections is our way of saying: here’s the best of the best,” said Roberts. “We’ve listened to what shoppers and retailers want, and this is it. Last year, our customers came back looking specifically for our Sweet Selections™ Blackberries. They’re enjoyable, consistently sweet, and truly delightful to eat. They are berries that feel special, yet accessible, and remind people why they love blackberries in the first place.”

IFPA 2025 also marks the official launch of Naturipe’s bold brand platform: Berries Bring It. The campaign emphasizes everything Naturipe stands for, including sustainability, its grower-owned model, and a commitment to flavor, freshness, and doing things the right way.

Berries Bring It isn’t just a tagline. It’s a rally cry. Naturipe brings the science. The flavor. The packaging. The people. The values. And most importantly, the berries that deliver—season after season.

Stop by and check out the Innovation Hub at Booth # 2187. And, to meet with our sales team, reach out to [email protected].

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on four 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:

• Éclair Inc., operating out of Commerce, Calif., for failing to pay a $71,377 reparation award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Hong Chul Han and Kenny Roh were listed as the officers, directors, and major stockholders of the business.
• COOQ Merchants & Consulting Inc., operating out of Miami, Fla., for failing to pay a $35,940 reparation award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Alejandro Badilla was listed as the sole officer, director and stockholder of the business.
• SJYS Inc., operating out of Detroit, Mich., for failing to pay a $17,779 reparation award in favor of a Michigan seller. As of the issuance date of reparation order, Yousif Shamoon was listed as sole officer, director and stockholder of the business.
• Fruver Inc., operating out of Franconia, Va., for failing to pay a $19,026 reparation award in favor of Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Cesar Argueta was listed as the sole officer, director and stockholder of the business.

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].

VALENCIA, CA - Sunkist Growers is introducing a refreshed suite of merchandising tools to help retailers drive citrus sales and inspire shoppers as the cooperative prepares for peak season.

Building on the momentum of its Sunny Days brand platform, Sunkist is expanding the campaign into retail with a full creative rollout across display bins and point-of-sale materials. At the center are new grower bins, designed to highlight the stories of Sunkist’s multi-generational family growers and connect shoppers directly to the people behind their citrus. Featuring bold colors, distinct variety callouts, and authentic storytelling, the display celebrates the cooperative’s heritage while meeting today’s shopper expectations with a fresh, modern look designed to stop traffic in the produce aisle and convert brand recognition into sales.

According to a recent Sunkist-commissioned study, in-store promotions and brand familiarity remain powerful motivators for citrus purchases. New merchandising elements—including seasonal graphics, shopper-friendly messaging, and flexible display formats—aim to help retailers activate these motivators in produce departments nationwide.

“Merchandising is where brand storytelling meets the purchase decision,” said Cassie Howard, Senior Director of Category Management and Marketing at Sunkist Growers. “By combining bold creative assets with insights from our category management program, we’re making it easier for shoppers to say yes to citrus, connect with our growers, and keep the category top of mind all season long.”

The expanded merchandising suite will include tools for a range of citrus varieties—such as Navels, Lemons, Mandarins, Grapefruits, and specialty favorites like Cara Caras and Blood oranges.

Sunkist leads the industry in Blood oranges, selling more branded Blood orange volume and packaging than any other supplier. Sunkist’s 2lb Blood orange bag has proven especially successful at traditional retail, offering a strong value price point and aligning perfectly with this variety’s size and specs. Paired with the refreshed display bins, these programs give retailers flexible tools to spotlight in-season favorites and drive incremental citrus purchases in-store.

Retailers are encouraged to contact their Sunkist sales representative to learn more about the Sunny Days merchandising program and reserve materials early for the season.