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.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Generous Brands, a leader in premium refrigerated beverages offering Bolthouse Farms, Health-Ade, Evolution Fresh, and SAMBAZON branded beverages, will be showcasing their suite of innovation at the 2025 International Floral and Produce Association conference in Anaheim. Since launching in spring 2024, Generous Brands has built a nearly $1 billion retail sales portfolio that spans across categories, including juice, smoothies, kombucha, cold-pressed drinks, protein, coffee drinks, and alternative soda. The innovation offerings demonstrate Generous Brands' commitment to bringing growth and excitement to the produce section.

“Generous Brands' upcoming innovation demonstrates our commitment to act as a leader in premium chilled beverage innovation and insights for our valued customers,” said Phil Kooy, Chief Revenue Officer of Generous Brands. “We have an incredible line-up of delicious new offerings that meet consumers’ desire for convenient beverage options that deliver both value and function.”

According to a press release, new offerings available to taste at the Generous Brands IFPA booth #1815 include:

1. Bolthouse Farms MAX Protein

Bolthouse Farms, the #1 player in refrigerated proteins (source: Circana Total US Multi Outlet Retail Sales latest 52 weeks through 10/5/25), is launching a new line of MAX Protein Shakes which offer 38g of protein with only 5 grams of sugar responding to growing demand for high protein products.

“We’ve seen growth across the market in dairy-based proteins popularity as consumers see this form of protein as more efficacious and tastier. Our new MAX Protein innovation will fulfill the current white space in the refrigerated set for a low-sugar dairy-based protein shake. Plus, our shakes deliver the creamy, rich taste they expect from the Bolthouse brand,” says Molly White, Chief Marketing Officer at Generous Brands.

Bolthouse Farms MAX Protein shakes also carry a GLP-Friendly badge with 38 grams of protein to support muscle strength and 5 grams of fiber to support digestive health.

At 38 grams of protein per 12oz bottle, Bolthouse Farms MAX Protein will be the highest protein offering in the chilled produce beverage set. MAX will be available this spring in Vanilla and Chocolate varieties.

2. Evolution Fresh Organic Soda Relaunch and New Flavors

Evolution Fresh, a leading producer of organic, cold-pressed, premium juice products, expanded into the prebiotic soda segment with the Real Fruit Soda launch in May 2024. Building on its position as the #1 refrigerated organic soda brand (source: SPINS MULO + NEC L24 w/e 5.18.25), Real Fruit Soda will relaunch as Evolution Fresh Organic Soda in Spring 2026. The updated line will feature the same delicious, vibrant, fruit-forward taste consumers love, now sweetened with organic monk fruit and agave instead of stevia, reflecting feedback from fans. USDA Organic Certified and made with real fruit juice (never from concentrate), 5g of fiber, and only 7g of sugar, Evolution Fresh Organic Soda delivers the refreshing, lower-sugar, gut-healthy soda consumers are looking for.

To complement the refreshed name and new sweetener, Generous Brands is launching two new fruit-forward flavors: Watermelon Raspberry and Passion Orange Guava.

Evolution Fresh Organic Tea

Evolution Fresh is debuting its new line of refrigerated, USDA Certified Organic Teas. Evolution Fresh Organic Teas harness the natural function consumers know and love from the bagged tea aisle and bring the breadth of functionality to ready-to-drink. These are the only RTD teas on the market that blend brewed tea with cold-pressed juice (never from concentrate) for a burst of real fruit flavor.

Each of the four SKUs highlights a different tea varietal, offering functional benefits that meet consumers across multiple need states.

• Energize: An invigorating Raspberry Passionfruit Black Tea that leaves the body feeling revitalized with naturally occurring caffeine.
• Focus: A stimulating Mango Peach Green Tea with naturally occurring caffeine and l-theanine that keeps the mind concentrated.
• Hydrate: A refreshing Triple Citrus Hibiscus Tea that quenches thirst. • Relax: A calming Berry Lavender Chamomile Tea that soothes the soul.

“The RTD tea aisle has gone flat, and we’re here to freshen it up,” said Molly White, Chief Marketing Officer at Generous Brands. “We successfully shook up the modern soda category last year and now we’re leveraging our cold-pressed expertise to disrupt the tea space. Consumers have been craving real, RTD tea options that deliver on both function and taste, minus all the sugar and fake ingredients. We’re looking forward to having attendees try our delicious Organic Teas and are excited to see their initial reactions.”

Evolution Fresh Organic Teas set a new standard in RTD tea, delivering pure ingredients, along with functional benefits in every rejuvenating sip. Each SKU is also Non-GMO Project Verified.

4. SAMBAZON Açaí Passion Fruit Antioxidant Superfruit Blend

In the Summer of 2024, Generous Brands launched its Integrated Partnership Model, and the company became the exclusive distributor of the #1 açaí consumer brand, SAMBAZON, with agreements to distribute throughout North America. Looking ahead to Spring of 2026, Generous Brand will expand on the beverage offerings with the launch of a 12oz single-serve SAMBAZON Açai Passion Fruit Antioxidant Superfruit Blend. This item provides immunity benefits from an excellent source of Vitamin C, containing both Acai & Acerola Super Fruits from the Amazon. The Antioxidant Super Fruit Blend is Organic, Dairy Free, Vegan, and Kosher.

DANVILLE, VA - AeroFarms, an indoor vertical farming company and the leading supplier of microgreens to the U.S. retail market, today announced new third-party research validating the extraordinary nutritional value of the company’s Micro Broccoli. The study, which examined the nutritional composition of both AeroFarms Micro Broccoli and mature broccoli florets, confirmed that AeroFarms Micro Broccoli offers up to 35 times more nutrient density per ounce than mature broccoli florets for specific vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. The research underscores AeroFarms’ leadership in creating a new retail category for these tiny greens that provides consumers with easier access to the nutrients and flavors they crave. AeroFarms’ microgreens are “ready-to-eat” out of the package and do not require washing because they are sustainably grown indoors without the use of pesticides.

The study found that one ounce of AeroFarms Micro Broccoli delivers the same levels of Vitamin A and Sulforaphanes as nearly thirty-six ounces (three 12-ounce bags) of broccoli florets. Compared to mature broccoli florets, AeroFarms Micro Broccoli contains higher levels per ounce of the following nutrients:

• 35x more Sulforaphanes and 2x more Flavonoids, phytonutrients that provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and cardiovascular-protective properties;
• 34x more Vitamin A, which supports vision, immune system, skin, and cellular health;
• 6x more Calcium, essential for bone and tooth health, muscle, and heart function;
• 4x more Vitamin K, supporting bone, heart and blood vessel health, and blood sugar regulation;
• 4x more Magnesium, which supports hundreds of important bodily processes each day; and
• 3x more Iron, which is essential for oxygen transport and hormone regulation.

“The data confirms why AeroFarms’ Micro Broccoli is an incredible superfood – microgreens are not only delicious and versatile, but they are among the most nutrient-dense foods available,” said LeAnn James, Vice President of Food Safety and Quality Assurance at AeroFarms, in the recent release. “At AeroFarms, we are proud to pioneer innovation in both food safety and nutrition, delivering fresh and flavorful microgreens that meet the highest standards of quality.”

AeroFarms grows their microgreens indoors using the company’s patented aeroponics vertical farming technology, 100% renewable energy, 90% less water, and 230 times less land than traditional farming. No pesticides are used on the plants, which also eliminates the need to wash before eating. This allows consumers to easily achieve their nutrition goals and supercharge every meal with AeroFarms’ package-to-plate microgreens, whether as a garnish, primary recipe ingredient, or as a replacement for lettuce in center-of-the-plate salads.

Today, AeroFarms commands 70% of the U.S. retail market share for microgreens, with availability of the nutrient-dense greens in nearly 2,500 stores nationwide including four new retail partners and 750 new stores added this year.

“Microgreens are driving growth in the packaged salads category with flavorful, nutrient-dense options for consumers,” said James. “AeroFarms is not only expanding consumer choice, but we are redefining how fresh greens can be grown and distributed to consumers throughout the United States.”

Micro Broccoli is a key product in AeroFarms’ portfolio of seven microgreens that deliver 4-to-40x more vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients than their mature counterparts and an exciting culinary experience across a wide FlavorSpectrum™. Climate-agnostic and grown indoors, AeroFarms ensures year-round availability of clean, pesticide-free microgreens with an industry-leading shelf life of 18–23 days that allows consumers to enjoy their nutrition-packed greens in a variety of ways for days.

Learn more about at www.aerofarms.com.

LEAMINGTON, ON - Pure Flavor® is redefining convenience in the snacking produce category with an exciting packaging innovation that extends the shelf life of its Uno Bites™ Nano Cucumbers. This breakthrough delivers longer-lasting freshness while maintaining the crisp texture, vibrant color, and refreshing flavor consumers love.

Uno Bites™ Nano Cucumbers have become a favorite among families and snack lovers for their adorable size, satisfying crunch, and easy portability. Perfect for kids’ lunch boxes, snack packs, and on-the-go moments, these bite-sized cucumbers offer a fun and nutritious option that fits today’s busy lifestyles. However, their small size, the very feature that makes them unique, has also presented a challenge: smaller cucumbers tend to lose moisture faster, resulting in a shorter shelf life compared to standard-sized varieties.

Pure Flavor® has tackled this challenge head-on. Through advanced packaging technology, Uno Bites™ Nano Cucumbers now stay fresher 50% longer than before. The new design helps preserve texture and moisture, ensuring every cucumber stays crisp and flavorful from the moment it is packed to when it is enjoyed at home.

“This improvement is more than just an update; it is a true solution to a long-standing challenge,” said Tiffany Sabelli, Sr. Director of Sales, Pure Flavor®, in the recent release. “We know shoppers love the size and crunch of Uno Bites™ but have wanted them to last longer. With this advancement, consumers can enjoy the same great product for up to one week longer, and retailers can reduce shrink while maintaining quality on the shelf.”

Uno Bites™ Nano Cucumbers combine convenience, nutrition, and fun in every pack. Their naturally small size makes portioning simple, encourages healthy habits for kids, and delivers an easy snacking experience for busy families.

“Consumers want produce that keeps its promise of freshness every time they open the fridge,” said Julia Weber, Marketing Director, Pure Flavor®. “Extending the shelf life of Uno Bites™ ensures a consistent, high-quality experience for shoppers while also helping retailers reduce waste and improve profitability. It is a win-win for everyone in the supply chain.”

With this innovation, Pure Flavor® continues to lead the way in reimagining what fresh, convenient produce can be, transforming everyday snacking into something simply good. Uno Bites™ Nano Cucumbers will be showcased at Booth #3091 during the 2025 Global Produce & Floral Show, giving buyers and industry leaders the opportunity to experience firsthand how Pure Flavor® continues to transform fresh produce through innovation.