REEDLEY, CA - Shoppers are becoming increasingly discerning with each passing year, and they’re putting their purchasing power behind companies that consistently impress them with their flavor. For Family Tree Farms (FTF) and its proprietary blueberry program, this has always been the focus. Before the company heads to the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show (GPFS), I spoke with Leighton Dill, Marketing Manager, to learn more about the importance of consistency in driving consumption.

“Our key message is simple: at Family Tree Farms, we grow for flavor. Every decision—from breeding to harvest to packaging—is rooted in delivering the best-tasting fruit to consumers,” Leighton tells me. “We want retailers to know they can count on us for consistent, premium-quality blueberries and a partner that’s committed to innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth.”

At the upcoming show, which takes place from October 16 to 18 in Anaheim, California, Family Tree Farms will exemplify this message.

“We continue to invest in our proprietary genetics program, with a focus on consistency across our brand and blueberry program—bringing consumers the crunch and flavor they want every time,” Leighton adds. “We are an exclusive home for Mountain Blue Orchard (MBO) genetics, which truly sets our program apart.”

Known for their superior taste, firmness, and extended shelf-life, these fruits bring excitement to the category.

“Currently, we are farming second- and third-generation MBO varieties, with an exciting wave of fourth-generation fruit on the horizon,” Leighton says. “Beyond genetics, we are expanding our global reach by bringing Family Tree Farms’ fruit to more areas around the world, ensuring more consumers can experience the difference that comes from fruit grown for flavor.”

For the company, GPFS is a vital hub of connection, where the opportunity to showcase its innovations to the industry is at an all-time high.

“A show like IFPA is invaluable because it brings together the entire produce industry under one roof,” Leighton explains. “It allows us to connect face-to-face with retailers, showcase the depth of our programs, and introduce the innovations that set us apart. More importantly, it creates space for collaboration—sparking conversations and opportunities that go far beyond the tradeshow floor.”

To speak with the team directly, please stop by booth #523.

For the latest coverage up to GPFS, you know where to find us!

BLANDON, PA - When it comes to innovation in the kitchen, Giorgio is redefining what “convenient” can mean. This year, at Booth #3281 at The International Fresh Produce Association show in Anaheim, California, Chef Mike Rolon will be turning up the heat with a live cooking showcase that brings Giorgio’s most exciting products to life.

Designed for today’s busy consumer who refuses to compromise on flavor, Giorgio’s line of convenience-driven items delivers the perfect balance of ease, versatility, and chef-inspired taste. From bold sauces and globally inspired profiles to comforting classics with a twist, Chef Rolon will demonstrate how Giorgio’s innovations make it possible to create restaurant-quality dishes in minutes. Every bite tells a story, one of creativity and an unwavering commitment to bringing mushrooms (and beyond) to the center of the plate.

Guests will have the chance to experience a delicious variety of dishes that spotlight Giorgio’s flavor-forward innovation, including:

• Nashville Hot Stuffed Mushrooms - paired with creamy ranch
• Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms - served with Alfredo
• Savory Sauté Kits – accompanied with herbed mashed potatoes

“At Giorgio, innovation starts with understanding what our customers need most, products that make life easier without sacrificing flavor,” said Bryan Shelton, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Giorgio Foods. “Chef Mike’s live cooking demos truly bring that mission to life. We’re proud to showcase how our products can transform the everyday meal experience with bold flavors, quality ingredients, and unbeatable convenience.”

“Today’s consumers are looking for more than convenience—they want experiences that deliver bold, memorable flavors without added complexity,” add Naba Bakar, Vice President of Marketing at GoldenSun Insights, Giorgio’s strategic marketing and branding partner. “Across multiple segments, we’re seeing a real convergence between culinary creativity and everyday cooking. That’s why Giorgio’s innovations focus on globally inspired flavor profiles and chef-driven simplicity that invite everyone to cook, create, and enjoy with confidence.”

All of the recipes showcase how Giorgio’s ready-to-use ingredients make culinary creativity approachable for everyone, from foodservice operators to home cooks looking to elevate their meals. Whether it’s a bold new flavor or a comforting classic, Giorgio’s products prove that quality, convenience, and creativity can truly coexist.

Chef Mike Rolon’s passion for crafting dishes that excite and inspire perfectly aligns with Giorgio’s mission: to bring innovation and inspiration to every kitchen. Visit Booth #3281 to taste the future of convenience cooking and see firsthand how Giorgio is transforming the way we think about mushrooms, flavor, and mealtime simplicity.

GENEVA & SCOTTSDALE - Fyffes and Martori Farms, a fourth generation, family-owned leader in fresh produce, are delighted to announce their agreement to sell Fyffes entire melon business to Martori, including farms in Honduras and Guatemala and the distribution business in Miami, Florida.

Martori Farms, with deep roots in Arizona and California, is well known for its signature melons: Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Traditional Honeydew, Golden Honeydew, and the innovative Kandy Lemon Drop Melon. With this acquisition, Martori Farms will offer a seamless, year-round supply of melons, strengthening its position as a leading supplier across the USA and Canada.

Sol Melons stands as the largest supplier of winter melons in North America. This integration brings Martori Farms a truly year-round business model, while enabling Fyffes to sharpen its focus on core perennial categories—bananas and pineapples—by dedicating resources and expertise to their continued growth and market leadership.

A Shared Commitment to Quality and Innovation

Martori Farms, founded in 1913, has built its reputation on innovation and stewardship. Best known for its proprietary Kandy Plus™ Cantaloupe, Martori has invested decades in refining melon genetics, enhancing flavour, and consistently delivering premium fruit to leading retailers and foodservice providers.

With SOL Group’s vertically integrated farming and distribution network, the combined company will extend these standards across a global footprint, providing continuous supply, broader varietal offerings, and enhanced service levels to customers.

“Our goal has always been to deliver melons that exceed consumer expectations—melons that delight with flavour, appearance, and reliability,” said Steve Martori III, CEO of Martori Farms, in the recent release. “The acquisition of SOL Group allows us to extend that promise across all 12 months of the year, while working with an extraordinary team of growers who share our dedication to quality and sustainability.”

Stewardship of People and the Planet

Since the appointment of new management in October 2021, Fyffes has deployed transformational practices in its melon business. This included:

• investment in community welfare projects such as medical brigades, medical clinics and healthcare staff, nutrition programmes;
• indigenous tree planting and other environmental initiatives;
• enhanced labour practices and policies, including partnerships with the Honduran unions, collective bargaining agreements and human rights assessments;
• upgraded machinery, and culture programmes to enhance health, safety and gender equality.

Commenting on this development, Helge Sparsoe, CEO of Fyffes, stated: “Over the past four years, we have made significant investments in our winter melon business—enhancing quality, championing worker health and safety, upholding human rights, supporting community wellbeing, and introducing innovative practices. The result is a business we are profoundly proud of. As we searched for a buyer, our top priority was to find a company that shares our values—especially when it comes to worker wellbeing, customer service, and uncompromising quality. We are confident that under Martori’s leadership, SOL Group’s employees, the land, and customers will benefit from this same commitment to sustainability, innovation, and excellence.”

Industry Impact and Future Growth

Martori Farms and SOL Group’s combined company’s scale will deliver transformative benefits for retail and foodservice partners:

• Largest Global Melon Platform: Farming and distribution operations across the U.S., Central America, and South America create the world’s most reliable and diversified melon supply chain.
• Consistency: Year-round cantaloupe, watermelon, and mixed melon supply from a vertically integrated platform.
• Innovation: Expanded R&D and breeding programs leveraging Martori’s flavour-focused genetics and SOL Group’s field expertise.
• Sustainability: Shared commitment to farming practices that protect natural resources and enhance community wellbeing.
• Service: Enhanced customer programmes, logistics coordination, and promotional opportunities for retail and foodservice.

This transaction also positions Martori Farms for continued growth, building on its leadership in melons while creating a platform for expanded produce offerings in the future.

CALIFORNIA - A powerful storm system is expected to sweep across Southern California late Monday through Wednesday, bringing widespread rainfall, strong winds, and the potential for hail and brief tornadoes. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for much of the region, warning that heavy downpours could trigger flash flooding and debris flows, particularly around recent burn scars in the Eaton and Palisades fire areas.

Rainfall totals are forecast to range from three-quarters of an inch to 1½ inches in coastal and valley areas, with up to 3½ inches possible in foothill and mountain regions, according to the Los Angeles Times. Severe thunderstorms are also possible across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, with a smaller but notable chance in Los Angeles County. Wind gusts could reach up to 60 mph in some areas.

Officials are mobilizing resources ahead of the system, with Governor Gavin Newsom announcing the pre-positioning of response crews, helicopters, and equipment throughout the region. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said city departments are prepared to respond to any impacts. Further north, the Central Coast and Sierra are expected to receive multiple inches of rain and feet of snow, making travel difficult in areas including Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks.

Forecasters are also tracking the storm’s movement farther north, where the North-Central Coast is expected to see the first significant rainfall of the season beginning Monday afternoon, according to Weather Mission. Totals are projected to reach between 1 and 2 inches through Tuesday night, with widespread rain expected across communities including Gilroy, Hollister, Watsonville, and Salinas. Morning lows are forecast in the upper 40s to mid-50s along the coast and mid-30s to upper 40s inland, with daytime highs in the upper 50s to low 70s. By midweek, high pressure is expected to return, bringing clearing skies and a rebound to near-average temperatures by Friday.

Looking further ahead, another system may arrive late Sunday, bringing a second round of notable rainfall through Tuesday before conditions warm and dry out again midweek. While confidence in the extended outlook remains lower, forecasters are also watching the potential for a cooldown and additional storm activity around Oct. 27, which could prolong the wet pattern for the region. Localized impacts could include travel delays, slick roadways, and increased runoff in low-lying areas and fields.

Keep checking ANUK for the latest weather impacts.

CANADA - Thanksgiving is a time of connection and gratitude, in which we can express our appreciation for the people we love most. As our Northern neighbors celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving, we reached out to several industry friends to learn what this holiday means to them, and their answers did not disappoint.

Paul Mastronardi, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mastronardi Produce®

“Thanksgiving reminds us that food is more than what's on the plate—it’s the centerpiece of connection, tradition, and memory. At Mastronardi Produce®, we’re grateful to play a role in the moments that matter most, bringing fresh, flavorful greenhouse produce to family tables where stories are shared and memories are made all year long.”

Carlos Visconti, Chief Executive Officer, Red Sun Farms

“Thanksgiving is a time for family, for celebrating the harvest, and for appreciating the many hands that make it possible. We are incredibly grateful to our entire Red Sun Farms team across Canada, the USA, and Mexico for their dedication and hard work in bringing fresh, nutritious goodness to our friends and neighbours—not just during the holiday season, but all year long.”

Emily Murracas, Director of Marketing, Mucci Farms

"From our dedicated team members to our retail partners and loyal consumers, we’re incredibly thankful for the relationships that make our work meaningful. We are reminded of the power of collaboration and the strength of our community, especially within the Canadian produce industry. As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, we’re reflecting on how grateful we are to grow fresh, flavourful produce that brings people together!"

Randi Church, Marketing Manager, WINDSET FARMS®

“This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for the opportunity to grow healthy, fresh produce for our communities all year long. We’re thankful for the partnerships that help us continue to grow, from our business collaborators to local food banks, ensuring everyone has access to fresh, nutritious food on their tables.”

With a month left until our American Thanksgiving, let’s let the gratitude flow all season long!

CALIFORNIA and MEXICO - Life is full of rhythms, and in fresh produce, we don’t just acknowledge them—we live by them. Changing seasons beckon in new growing regions, harvests divide the calendar into delicious interlocking moments of time, and the hum of the holidays carries its own tempo. The people of this industry breathe these rhythms—in all they do and in how they live. Building on these interwoven patterns is Bobalu, a company consistently reading today’s retail landscape with its finger on the pulse of the evolving strawberry consumer—all in an effort to increase the surety of supply for its partners and the fresh berry basket. For Bobalu, this means expansion.

“As a fully integrated grower, packer, shipper, and processor of strawberries, maintaining a year-round supply for our customers is paramount to the continued success of our operations and Bobalu’s partners,” RC Jones, Managing Member, shares. “It only seemed natural to expand our program to respond to today’s market demand and to support customers seeking to bring a better berry experience to the fresh produce department.”

The strategic advantages are many, particularly as today’s shoppers become increasingly discerning about quality, company values, and compassionate growing practices—all areas Bobalu will be discussing at the 2025 International Fresh Produce Association's Global Produce & Floral Show on Oct 16-18 in Anaheim, California.

“Bobalu has expanded its organic program by strategically increasing our year-round supply, aligning with growers across organic and conventional acreage in Mexico and California’s Oxnard and Santa Maria regions for both planting cycles. This allows the company to continue providing its partners with an enhanced consumer experience,” RC tells me. “The growth of this program enhances Bobalu’s ability to maximize efficiencies in consolidation, logistics, and shipping capabilities. With five distinct crop cycles and several new and exciting varieties, Bobalu has positioned itself to provide consumers with some of the highest quality standards in the industry.”

The structure of Bobalu’s year-round organic strawberry program aims to minimize seasonal supply gaps and quality fluctuations, ensuring a more stable and reliable partner in the berry space.

Consumer trends point to continued growth in the organic segment, and Bobalu is helping retailers and operators meet those preferences.

“The organic category continues to evolve as demand grows, and Bobalu is pleased to be in a position to assist our retail and foodservice partners in meeting this expanding segment of the berry category,” Jonathan Sparks, Sales, explains.

To further strengthen its network of support, Bobalu brings marketing insights, category management tools, and solutions to help buyers maximize organic strawberry sales at retail and in foodservice menus.

“By having an experienced and dedicated field and sales team, Bobalu is able to quickly and effectively communicate with its customers about any updates and changes in the industry. This boots-on-the-ground approach provides our partners with up-to-date information and news from all growing regions,” RC concludes.

And so, from season to season, from region to region, Bobalu continues to move with the natural rhythms of fresh produce—ensuring that the steady beat of quality and consistency carries through to every berry basket.

Visit booth #1481 at IFPA's GPFS to learn more about Bobalu's evolution.