NORTH AMERICA - As we perused the USDA National FOB Review report issued August 25, 2026, one category that stood out was raspberries. The report included updates on multiple growing regions, with demand mostly moderate across the board.

First, out of the South and Central districts of California, the report noted that the market was trending higher. This includes palletizing and cooling, with a wide range in quality and condition. Pricing is reported as follows: flats 12 6-oz cups with lids 12.00-20.00 mostly 16.00-18.00 occasionally lower; previous commitments higher.

Out of the Mexico crossings through Arizona, California, and Texas, the market is reportedly steady, including palletizing and cooling, with a wide range in quality and condition as well. In terms of pricing, flats 12 6-oz cups with lids are ranging from 12.00-20.00, mostly 14.00-18.00 (wide range in prices), occasionally lower, and previous commitments higher.

According to an outside industry source, demand feels a bit stronger than moderate in some regions, with supplies currently tightening and markets improving compared to earlier this summer.

Movement across all categories is continuous, and ANUK has the insights to keep you up to date. Stay tuned for more category reports.

HOUSTON, TX - Brighter Bites is pleased to announce the appointment of Elton Evans, founder, executive chairman, and chief executive officer of TruSource, to its Board of Directors.

Evans brings more than three decades of executive leadership experience across food distribution, healthcare, industrial manufacturing, and building products. Throughout his career, he has led multibillion-dollar enterprises through growth, transformation, and complex operating environments, drawing on deep expertise in strategy, operations, financial leadership, mergers and acquisitions, and governance. His deep understanding of the fresh food supply chain, combined with a proven ability to scale organizations, will help advance Brighter Bites' mission of creating healthier communities by changing behavior through fresh food and nutrition education.

"As Brighter Bites continues to grow our impact, we're committed to building a Board of Directors that brings exceptional expertise and a deep passion for our mission," said Rich Dachman, CEO of Brighter Bites, in the recent release. “I have been fortunate enough to have worked with Elton in my past career. His deep knowledge of finance and the produce and food distribution industries, combined with his strategic vision and commitment to strengthening communities, make him an outstanding addition to our board. We're excited to welcome him to the Brighter Bites family."

Evans founded TruSource, a growing collective of leading regional produce companies built to create scale while preserving the local relationships and service customers trust. Before launching TruSource, he served as an executive advisor at Red Arts Capital, where he helped develop the strategy and operating model that ultimately became the foundation for the company.

Previously, Evans served as chief financial officer of foodservice operations at Sysco. His career also includes executive leadership roles at PepsiCo, Cardinal Health, Stanley Black & Decker, and US LBM, where he developed a reputation for driving growth, operational excellence, and organizational transformation.

"Access to fresh food is essential, but lasting impact comes from helping families build the knowledge and confidence to make healthier choices,” said Elton Evans. “Brighter Bites brings those elements together in a model that can reach more communities without losing the local connection that makes it effective. I am honored to join the Board and contribute my experience in food distribution, growth, and operations as the organization expands its impact."

Evans is a member of The Executive Leadership Council. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina A&T State University and an MBA from Bellarmine University. He has also completed executive education certification at Duke University and the Columbia Business School CFO Program.

His appointment reflects Brighter Bites' continued commitment to bringing together leaders from across the produce industry and business community to help ensure every family has access to fresh, healthy food and the tools to build lifelong healthy habits.

WENATCHEE, WA - Linda Fruit announced its launch as a natural extension of the fruit expertise and capabilities developed through Crunch Pak’s more than two decades in the fresh-cut fruit business.

By leveraging an established distribution network, transportation expertise, and customer reach, Linda Fruit can support efficient movement of fresh fruit to customers while complementing the sourcing, grower relationships, and value-added capabilities developed through Crunch Pak.

Based in Wenatchee, Washington, with orchards throughout Washington and grower partners in Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania, Linda Fruit extends those capabilities into the fresh whole-fruit market. The business is focused on premium quality, consistent supply, and creating additional opportunities across the crop.

As the fruit industry continues to evolve, Linda Fruit sees an opportunity to build on existing capabilities and relationships in ways that can create additional value for growers, customers, and industry partners.

Linda Fruit’s model is designed to provide growers with a clear path to market and a timely return for their crop by contracting the fruit. This provides greater certainty while allowing Linda Fruit to focus on finding the right use and value opportunity for fruit across fresh and value-added channels.

The highest-quality apples are selected for the fresh market, while fruit with less color or cosmetic imperfections may find additional opportunities through Crunch Pak in fresh slices, purée, dried, powder, and other value-added products. This whole-crop approach is designed to put more of the fruit to productive use and make thoughtful use of the land, water, energy, time, and care that went into growing it.

“We know firsthand how much work goes into growing a good crop,” said Mike Auvil, General Manager of Linda Fruit, in the recent release. “Linda Fruit gives us an opportunity to build on capabilities and relationships that already exist within the Crunch Pak business. Our focus is on being a dependable partner and finding the right opportunities for fruit while creating value for growers, customers and industry partners.”

“We believe premium should mean something,” said Catherine Gipe-Stewart, Director of Sales and Marketing for Linda Fruit. “It starts with exceptional fruit, but it also means confidence in quality, consistency and supply, and having a partner who understands your business. We want to build strong, long-term relationships with our customers and growers and continue looking for ways to create value together.”

The whole-crop approach is designed to create value across more of what growers produce while making thoughtful use of the resources that went into growing it. For growers, that can mean additional market opportunities. For customers, it means access to consistent, high-quality fruit and dependable supply. Across the broader business, it creates flexibility to match fruit with the channel where it is best suited.

“Growing fruit is a long-term business. You must take care of the land, take care of the people, and build relationships that last,” Auvil said. “That same mindset is behind Linda Fruit. We see it as a thoughtful extension of what Crunch Pak has built over many years, creating additional opportunities while respecting and complementing the relationships that already exist across the industry.”

Linda Fruit is currently focused on apples, with plans to continue building its tree fruit business and expanding relationships with growers and customers over time.