HOUSTON, TX - Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit committed to improving the long-term health of children and families, invites industry members to join in its latest fundraising initiative, an online silent auction that will take place December 1–5, 2025. Pre-register here brighterbites.org/silentauction25 to bid online for great items and events.

The auction will directly support Brighter Bites’ mission to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables and nutrition education to children and families in underserved communities nationwide. The event offers an engaging way for produce companies, retailers, and industry partners to demonstrate their continued commitment to improving access to fresh food.

Featured auction items include:

• Rare and collectible wines
• Exclusive restaurant and chef-led dining experiences
• Luxury suites at major sporting events
• High-end fashion and luxury accessories
• …and more!

“We’re excited to launch our virtual silent auction. We are going to have some great wines donated by industry leaders. I am most excited to have Jim Prevor’s private wine collection included. Other items like NFL and MLB suite tickets along with a great selection of dining experiences will make this a really fun time for all” said Rich Dachman, CEO of Brighter Bites, in the recent release. “We lost over 40% of our funding this year due to government cuts so this is really a critical time for us. The proceeds from this great event will help us make up for that so that we can continue to provide fresh produce and nutrition education to our families.”

The auction provides produce industry partners with a meaningful and visible way to give back, engage employees, and align with a mission that directly supports long-term consumption growth through education and access.

Pre-registration is now open! To participate or donate, visit brighterbites.org/silentauction25.

WENATCHEE, WA - Stemilt is bringing a fresh wave of innovation to its World Famous Fruit lineup at the 2025 International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Global Produce and Floral Show. From new packaging for organic and conventional pears, premium Kyle’s Pick® top seal, and “lil” additions to its Lil Snappers® apple program, Stemilt’s Marketing Director, Brianna Shales, said these new merchandising options are part of a larger mission to provide an authentic mix of offerings that provide retailers with the tools needed to find success within apples, pears, and cherries.

“As harvest continues at Stemilt, we’ve been busy finding new ways to help retailers drive incremental sales through creative packaging across our three tree fruits: apples, pears, and cherries,” said Shales in the recent release. “With an up pear crop, we are introducing a new mixed pear bag, Prism Pears, available now for conventional and coming soon for organic. We will also display a new paperboard EZ Band for conventional green d’Anjou and red pears. On the apple side, two club varieties are joining our Lil Snappers lineup, along with a new series of character bags designed to appeal to parents and kids.”

Prism Pears is a new 2 lb. and 3 lb. mixed bag featuring green, red, and brown pear varieties to drive sales and repeat purchases. The EZ Band, previously launched for apples and organic pears, is now available for conventional green d’Anjou and red pears. For younger fruit fans, Cosmic Crisp® and SweeTango®, join the Lil Snappers lineup. Rounding out apple innovations will be Aura®, SweeTango, and Kissabel® on display.

“Be sure to visit the Fresh Showcases to see our new conventional pear EZ Band and premium cherry packaging for Kyle’s Pick cherries on display,” said Shales. “We want Kyle’s Pick to stand out as the unique, and premium cherries that they are, so we have tweaked our top seal packaging. To show what makes these cherries so authentic, we are going to share a never-before-seen video featuring the creator of these cherries himself, Kyle Mathison, as part of our sponsorship of this year’s show.”

Apart from its keynote sponsorship at IFPA, Stemilt is also highlighting its partnership with the Equitable Food Initiative and membership in the Ethical Charter Implementation Program as part of its mission to cultivate people and go beyond the standards of social responsibility, transparency, and ethical recruiting measures.

“World Famous Fruit, let alone being able to innovate multiple new packages and offerings, wouldn’t be possible without our amazing team and partners, so we hope you stop by to meet our amazing team at booth #2847!” said Shales. “The Mathison family will be in attendance, along with a few new faces from food safety, including Jana Fischback, Stemilt’s new sustainability coordinator, and Kyle Johnson from our procurement department. We look forward to sharing our slice of apples, pears, and cherries with attendees this year. It is going to be a great show!”

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.