YERINGTON, NV - Known for their forward-thinking approach, Peri & Sons Farms^® continues to lead with purpose. Their organic line delivers more than premium quality: it’s moving toward being fully packaged in 100% plastic-free, compostable Earthbags® and clamshells, which are built for today’s sustainability-focused shoppers. But sustainable packaging is not all they do.

Here’s What’s in Store.

Sustainability isn’t the responsibility of just one person; it’s a commitment carried out at every level of Peri & Sons Farms. From the field to the office, it’s embedded in every aspect of how we grow, pack, and ship great produce.

Innovative farming practices have been part of our story since 1967, when David Peri’s father and uncle were named “Conservationists of the Year,” laying the groundwork for generations of environmental stewardship.

Today, we continue to lead with purpose, reducing plastic waste, rethinking logistics, and advancing sustainability across the board. By improving our consumer packaging, we’ve kept the equivalent of 180 football fields’ worth of plastic out of landfills annually since 2021.

In our packing sheds, energy-efficient upgrades have saved over 238,000 kWh each year—the CO₂ equivalent of planting 68 acres of trees.

On the farm, we recycle drip tape, use GPS-guided equipment to lower emissions, and prioritize water conservation. In our offices, we reduce paper use, embrace digital tools, and responsibly recycle outdated technology.

Sustainability doesn’t happen all at once—it’s the result of countless small efforts made consistently. And when we all work together, those small steps become something powerful.

Thanks for watching What's in Store. 

BUXTON, ND - NoKota Packers Inc. (NoKota) announced a local promotion to educate consumers that produce doesn’t have to be perfect, while helping support sustainability in agriculture and eliminate food waste.

The company is offering consumers “perfectly good imperfect” potatoes that don’t make it to grocery store shelves. Producing food that goes to waste consumes resources such as water, energy, and cropland, in addition to incurring financial losses for farmers. As food waste continues to become a growing concern, retailers, suppliers, and shoppers seek solutions – such as the use of imperfect produce, a category that includes items with cosmetic blemishes, unusual color, shape, or size.

“We want to help raise awareness of the value of ‘ugly’ produce, while generating buzz about how to eliminate food waste, be better stewards of the planet – and quite frankly find a home for perfectly good spuds,” noted Carissa Olsen, President/CEO of NoKota, in the recent release. “We plan always to have a bin available for picking, and in the future, we’d like to add a designated day for ‘pay-what-you-can’ for the perfectly imperfect potatoes’ for those in need of some additional help.”

The bin will be available for people to pick up potatoes Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, at NoKota’s Buxton location at 16218 13th St NE, 1/2 mile west of I-29, Exit 118. 701-847-2200. NoKota is promoting the potato bins to the local market through community outreach and social media, including posts on the Facebook Page here.

NoKota is a member of the Fresh Solutions Network (FSN) of farmers. As part of FSN’s commitment to improving sustainable food management practices and reducing food waste, SPUDS less-than-perfect potatoes were added to the potato portfolio in 2023.

For more information, visit nokotapackers.com, freshsolutionsnet.com, and http://grownwhereitmatters.com/.

FULLERTON, CA - JBJ and Veg-Land, leaders in sustainable agriculture and organic produce, are thrilled to announce the appointment of Elisha Cope to their team. Elisha will take on a pivotal role in driving the development and expansion of the company’s organic vegetable program, bringing her extensive expertise and passion for the industry to this dynamic initiative. She will be joining the team at this year’s IFPA show at the Veg-Land booth 4197.

Elisha’s addition marks a significant step forward for JBJ and Veg-Land as they continue to innovate and grow within the organic produce sector. With a career spanning over a decade in agricultural leadership, Elisha has built a reputation for her deep industry knowledge and unwavering commitment to serving growers and their families. Her role will focus on enhancing the organic vegetable program, ensuring that JBJ and Veg-Land continue to deliver top-quality, sustainable produce to their customers.

“Elisha’s steadfast knowledge of the industry and her commitment to serving her customers are the cornerstone of what she believes and holds true every day,” said Jimmy Matiasevich, President and Owner of JBJ and Veg-Land, in the recent release. “We are very excited to have Elisha join our team and look forward to the impact she will make as we expand our organic commitment.”

Elisha brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having honed her skills across several prominent organizations in the agriculture industry. She began her career with over six years at Cal-Organic, followed by an eight-year tenure at Braga Farms, where she developed a strong foundation in grower relations and operational excellence. Most recently, Elisha served as Director of Sales and Marketing at Lakeside, where she demonstrated her ability to lead strategic initiatives and foster meaningful partnerships. Her comprehensive background equips her with a unique perspective on supporting growers and delivering exceptional value to customers.

Based out of JBJ and Veg-Land’s new satellite office in Bakersfield Ca, Elisha will have seamless access to all facets of the company’s operations, enabling her to collaborate closely with teams across the organization. Her strategic location will facilitate hands-on engagement with growers, suppliers, and customers, ensuring the continued success and growth of the organic program.

Please join JBJ and Veg-Land in extending a warm welcome to Elisha as she embarks on this exciting new chapter. Her leadership and vision will undoubtedly contribute to the company’s mission of providing sustainable, high-quality organic produce to communities nationwide. Visit us at IFPA booth 4197.