VALENCIA, CA - Sunkist Growers Inc., the longest-standing citrus cooperative in the nation, returns to IFPA 2025 in Anaheim with a bold message: Welcome to the Co-Op—Powered by Growers, Driven by Purpose. With two engaging booths spotlighting category-driving citrus programs, the cooperative is celebrating the return of the California citrus season while showcasing a lineup of merchandising tools, shopper insights, and purpose-led activations that bridge the gap from grove to shelf.

Sunny Days Ahead: Caras with a Cause, Holiday Nostalgia, and Purposeful Citrus Promotions

At Booth 3039, Sunkist is putting purpose front and center with the return of its Power with the Pink Orange™ campaign, created in proud partnership with National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). The Cara–focused initiative pairs standout specialty citrus with a shared mission to support those impacted by breast cancer—evolving into a platform for awareness, education, and impact. This season’s program includes limited-edition pink ribbon packaging, new educational resources, and retail storytelling tools that deepen shopper connections and drive discovery. This season also introduces a new optional match program for retailers to further amplify the program and cause.

“Purpose is at the core of everything we do, and flavor is what brings people to the table,” said Cassie Howard, Senior Director of Category Management and Marketing at Sunkist Growers, in the recent release. “We’re proud to showcase the impact of our growers, our community partnerships, and of course—our Caras, just in time for the peak of the California citrus season.”

Cara volume sales are up 29 percent compared to a year ago, with the 3lb Cara bag growing 12 percent versus YAGO. Sunkist remains the top brand for both total Cara volume and 3lb Cara sales—underscoring the strength of the variety and the trust retailers and shoppers place in the brand.

Visitors can also enjoy citrus-infused recipes curated by Anaheim-based foodservice partners, highlighting the versatility and flavor-forward appeal of Sunkist citrus.

The booth also features Sunkist’s expanded Holiday Citrus toolkit—including reimagined 10lb Navel cartons, nostalgic display features, and merchandising tools designed to help retailers activate the season with ease and emotional resonance. From holiday storytelling to impulse-driven displays, Sunkist is making it easier than ever to bring tradition back to the produce aisle.
Shine Bright with Sunkist Cali™ Mandarins

At Booth 2097, Sunkist Cali™ Mandarins take center stage. Grown only in California, these peak-season mandarins are back with their signature ease, snackable size, and trusted quality—traits that continue to resonate with families and on-the-go shoppers looking for simple, healthy options.

According to a recent Sunkist-commissioned study, consumers overwhelmingly praised Sunkist Cali™ Mandarins as sweet, easy to peel, and perfect for on-the-go snacking. Nearly 90 percent said Sunkist Cali™ Mandarins were better than the brands they usually buy, and 93 percent reported they want to purchase them again. Shoppers also noted the packaging design stood out on the shelf and was easy to find, boosting discovery.

Retailers will experience the launch of the new Seasonal Star campaign, which features kid-friendly POS, playful branding, and flexible merchandising designed to spark discovery and build repeat purchases.

“Our Seasonal Star campaign for mandarins was built to meet shoppers where they are—driving trial through in-store activations and turning that into repeat purchases with a great-tasting product. We are excited to bring our Sunkist Cali™ Mandarin character to life with our retailers and our consumers,” added Howard.

Contact your Sunkist sales rep to learn more about merchandising and seasonal opportunities designed to connect with today’s shoppers and bring our grower stories to life in-store.

OVIEDO, FL - Duda Farm Fresh Foods, a leading grower and processor of fresh vegetables, is proud to announce the addition of Laura Lutjen as Midwest Regional Sales Manager. This strategic hire further reinforces Duda’s commitment to building a best-in-class sales team as the company approaches its centennial in 2026.

Laura brings nearly 30 years of experience in the food industry, with a proven track record of driving growth, building customer relationships, and leading high-performing teams. Most recently, she served in Sales and Business Development at Index Fresh, where she worked with major retail accounts across the United States.

Her career spans leadership roles at organicgirl, PepsiCo, and Campbell Sales Company, where she consistently delivered results across retail, foodservice, and wholesale channels. Laura’s deep understanding of the Midwest market and her ability to develop strategic partnerships make her a valuable asset to Duda’s expanding sales organization.

“Laura’s extensive experience and customer-first approach align perfectly with our mission to deliver fresh, flavorful produce and exceptional service,” said Alan Ediger, Vice President of Sales at Duda Farm Fresh Foods, in the recent release. “Her leadership will be instrumental as we continue to grow our presence in the Midwest and beyond.”

“I’m excited to join Duda Farm Fresh Foods and contribute to a company that values innovation, quality, and long-term relationships,” said Laura Lutjen. “I look forward to helping drive growth and delivering value to our customers.”

This latest hire reflects Duda’s ongoing investment in talent and innovation, ensuring the company remains a trusted partner in fresh produce for generations to come.

For more information and to stay up-to-date on additional news and product launches, please visit trade.dudafresh.com or follow Dandy Fresh Produce social media platforms for daily inspiration at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

CHICAGO, IL - Red Arts Capital, a leading investment firm specializing in supply chain-related and logistics businesses, announced its acquisition of Forestwood Farm, a premier, family-owned produce distributor based in Birmingham, Alabama. With the acquisition, Red Arts continues to expand its produce distribution footprint in the Southeastern United States and represents the firm’s second investment in the sector within the market.

Forestwood now joins Freshway Foods—a leading fresh-cut processor based in Sidney, Ohio, serving customers across the Eastern United States—in Red Arts’ produce processing and logistics portfolio. Together, Forestwood and Freshway build a complementary platform that broadens Red Arts’ geographic reach and enhances its ability to serve a diverse customer base across the fresh food supply chain.

Forestwood’s story began in 1970, when Everett Scott Sr. and his wife Hazel started selling eggs out of their home. Over the decades, the company has grown into one of the largest produce distributors in Alabama, serving restaurants, schools, and military facilities across the Southeastern United States. Today, Forestwood operates out of three locations in Birmingham, Alabama, Huntsville, Alabama, and Jackson, Tennessee under the leadership of second-generation owners Randy Scott, who will remain President, and Everett Scott Jr., who will continue to serve the company in a senior advisory capacity.

“The Forestwood team has built a remarkable business grounded in service, reliability, and community,” said Nick Antoine, Co-CEO and Managing Partner at Red Arts Capital, in the recent release. “Their strong market position and values-driven leadership align perfectly with our investment approach. We’re excited to bring them into the Red Arts family as we accelerate our growth across the region.”

“This investment allows us to continue serving our customers with care, consistency, and pride, while gaining the resources to strengthen our operations and expand our reach,” said Randy Scott, President of Forestwood Farm. “Red Arts understands what makes family businesses like ours special. Their support will help ensure that Forestwood continues to grow for the next generation.”

G2 Capital Advisors served as the exclusive buy-side advisor to Red Arts on the transaction.

ISSAQUAH, WA - Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $26.58 billion for the retail month of September, the five weeks ended October 5, 2025, an increase of 8.0 percent from $24.62 billion last year.

Starting with this sales release, we changed our Ecommerce comparable sales metric to “digitally-enabled” comparable sales. This metric now includes all sales delivered to members that are initiated through a digital device, whether fulfilled through a warehouse or a distribution center, and Costco-Travel.

Last year’s total and comparable sales benefitted by approximately two percent in the U.S. and one and one-half percent worldwide as a result of the increased sales due to abnormal consumer activity associated with Hurricane Helene and port strikes.

Additional discussion of these results is available in a pre-recorded message. It can be accessed by visiting investor.costco.com (click on “Events & Presentations”). This message will be available through 4:00 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Costco currently operates 914 warehouses, including 629 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 110 in Canada, 42 in Mexico, 37 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 20 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, two in France, two in Sweden, and one each in Iceland, and New Zealand. We also operate e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.

See the full release here.

LEAMINGTON, ON - Pure Flavor®, a trusted provider of fresh, flavorful greenhouse fruits and vegetables, proudly announces the launch of Cherry Picked™, an exclusive medley of three signature tomato varieties: Azuca, Tiki Tomatoes™, and OMG Tomatoes™. Cherry Picked™ was developed to fill a specific gap in the marketplace for a medley pack that is consistent every time.

“While medley tomatoes continue to be a large segment within snacking tomatoes, we’ve seen medley sales in the industry struggle over recent years,” says Matt Mastronardi, Executive Vice President for Pure Flavor®, in the recent release. “We believe this is because medley packs have been treated as a supply outlet, with inconsistent varieties, quality and flavor being put into these packs. The result is an inconsistent experience for consumers, which has them turning to other more reliable options, or worse, leaving the category altogether.”

Cherry Picked™ stands apart as a carefully curated medley of three hand-selected tomato varieties, chosen for their complementary flavor, texture, and visual appeal. Unlike many other packs, which mix tomatoes without intention, Cherry Picked™ demonstrates a true commitment to quality, ensuring that every pack offers the same varieties consistently, and that every tomato is picked at peak ripeness to deliver the best flavors and a consistently premium experience.

Azuca Red Cherry Tomatoes burst with juicy, garden-fresh flavor, making them perfect for snacking or salads. Tiki Tomatoes™ are tropically sweet with a striking cosmic-inspired appearance, ideal for creating visually exciting platters, enhancing appetizers, or adding a bold twist to everyday dishes. OMG Tomatoes™ offer a golden blush and a citrusy crunch, bringing unique texture and bright flavor that complements salads, gourmet recipes, or entertaining spreads. Together, these hand-selected tomatoes form a vibrant, flavorful, and visually stunning medley that elevates snacking, salads, and meals, providing convenience, variety, and exceptional flavor in every pack.

Each hand-selected tomato reflects Pure Flavor’s ongoing dedication to growing better for people and delivering produce that shoppers can trust. From greenhouse to table, Cherry Picked™ exemplifies care, consistency, and attention to detail, offering a solution that is as simple as it is satisfying. With the same three stand-out varieties mixed together in every pack, Cherry Picked also offers consumers a lower-risk format to try new flavors and find new favorites.

“This medley provides retailers with a product that elevates the produce category and meets the expectations of today’s shoppers,” said Matt. “Cherry Picked™ is a premium, visually engaging, and most importantly, reliable product that delivers flavor and quality in every pack, helping retailers attract customers and grow sales.”

Join Pure Flavor® at Booth #3091 during the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show to taste Cherry Picked™ and experience the premium tomato medley elevating flavor, color, and convenience in one package.

FOLSOM, CA - Joe Produce, a leading job marketing and executive search firm serving the fresh produce industry, has announced key leadership transitions as the company enters a new chapter of growth. Julie Marcik has been appointed President, and Amy Lawrence has been promoted to Director of Search.

Building on a strong foundation, Joe Produce continues to evolve its mission of connecting great people with great companies across the produce supply chain, a press release stated.

Marcik, who has been instrumental in developing the firm’s client partnerships and search operations, will oversee company strategy and continued expansion.

“I’m excited and honored to help lead Joe Produce into this next chapter,” said Marcik. “Our company has always been about people—our clients, our candidates, and our team. As we move forward, we’re focused on strengthening relationships, delivering exceptional service, and continuing to make a positive impact across the produce industry."

Lawrence, previously Senior Executive Search Consultant, will now guide executive search operations and team development.

“I’m thrilled to continue helping move Joe Produce forward,” said Lawrence. “We have the privilege of working with such incredible client partners, and it’s truly rewarding to support their success while helping talented professionals grow and thrive across the fresh produce industry.”

Since its founding, Joe Produce has become the go-to resource for career opportunities and executive search in fresh produce, trusted by growers, shippers, distributors, and retailers nationwide.

For more information about JoeProduce and its executive search and job marketing services, visit www.joeproduce.com or contact [email protected].