YAKIMA, WA - The fresh produce industry is well-versed in handling challenges. Be it weather, labor, sustainability—or, most often, a combination of the three—growers are continuously overcoming hurdles both big and small in their mission to feed the world.

Among these pressures is drought, which continues to impact growing regions from coast to coast. As King 5 News out of Seattle, Washington, reported at the beginning of October, the Washington Department of Ecology ordered a halt to surface water use in the Yakima Basin for the first time in state history, noting critically low reservoir storage and streamflows after three straight years of drought. Beginning on October 6 and lasting through the end of the month, more than 1,500 water rights holders have been barred from diverting water; October 1 marked the start of the 2026 water year.

“Curtailment orders were mailed by the Washington state Department of Ecology last week to all post-1855 water right holders to stop all Yakima River surface water diversions by October 6. This has never occurred before,” shared Scott Revell, District Manager for the Roza Irrigation District. “We went into the 2025 season way behind on water storage and then had a very dry year, and the snow we did get didn’t come off in the most optimal way. Roza’s water supply for most of the season was 40 percent of our full allotment due to a lack of rain and snow in the mountains.”

As Scott tells me, several measures were put in place by the Roza Irrigation District to ensure water supply through the remainder of the year, including:

• Shut the system down for 10 days in May to move water to later in the year
• Leased $3 million of senior water rights to supplement supply
• Imposed severe restrictions from June 1 on
• Ended the season on September 24, about four weeks early

The 2025 drought marks the sixth major drought to impact growing regions in the Roza district in the past three decades. The Roza Irrigation District covers 72,000 irrigated acres over 95 miles long with 450 miles of canals. About 80 percent of the district produces high-value perennial crops such as tree fruit, hops, and wine and juice grapes, with the other 20 percent producing dairy and row crops.

“Most Roza farms have built some mix of drought resiliency measures into their operations to better make it through the drought years,” Scott explained. This includes:

• Expanded irrigation efficiency, such as more drip emitters, under-tree micro-spray, and lower flow nozzles on pivot and fixed sprinklers (7,000 acres were converted to drip between the 2015 drought and the 2024 drought, with thousands more in 2025)
• On-farm storage ponds to get through a shutdown and to continually receive some water on a 24-hour basis
• Emergency drought wells to supplement when Roza supply is reduced
• Planting annual crops like corn a week or two earlier in combination with a quicker maturing variety to better take advantage of the limited water supply
• Use of the water allotment pooling system that allows Roza farmers to share water (e.g. combine and alternate days)
• Leasing water from other Roza growers in order to move water from one Roza farm to another

To further support these drought resilience efforts, Roza spends roughly $240,000 per day leasing water to extend the season during severe drought years.

“These multi-year droughts always end at some point,” Scott concludes. “We do not need to see full reservoir recovery in one season to see a significant improvement in water supply in 2026. Snowpack is the leading indicator.”

Recent rain in the past couple of weeks and potential rain in the upcoming forecast have offered some much-needed relief to the area.

ANUK will continue to monitor weather impacts and other challenges impacting the ag sector, so keep reading for the latest updates.

CORONA, CA - When Debbie Willmann began her journey with Index Fresh in 1990, George H.W. Bush was the U.S. President, California was the cornerstone of the domestic avocado industry, and the total weekly U.S. avocado inventory averaged around 8 million pounds. Thirty-five years later, Debbie has advanced from her entry-level start to Vice President of Sales, growing alongside both Index Fresh and the rapidly evolving avocado industry.

“It was dynamic,” Willmann reflects, describing her early days as part of a small, close-knit team. “The first 22 years I was at Index, we were chasing demand.”

Now, Index Fresh has seen a 300-fold growth since those early days. Debbie’s career has included diverse roles ranging from accounts payable and receivable to accounting office manager, transitioning into sales and ultimately joining the Executive Team. Early on, she pursued a CPA designation, attending college at night while advancing within the company. Index Fresh has been a foundation for her continued personal and professional growth.

“I’ve walked in almost every pair of shoes in the company,” Willmann shares. “I haven’t driven a forklift, but nobody wants me to do that. Having well-rounded experience makes me a stronger leader.”

Debbie’s industry engagement extends beyond Index Fresh. She serves as Treasurer for the Hass Avocado Board and sits on the Chilean Avocado Importers Association board.

“Debbie brings passion and energy to the Hass Avocado Board. We are very fortunate for her many years of dedication and commitment in support of our mission and vision. Through her board service, she has helped move the industry forward,” says Bob Schaar, HAB Chair.

Strong relationships are the heart of sales, and over the years, Debbie has built lasting connections with some of the largest buyers of Index Fresh avocados. Her customers know her as a consistent resource—when they call, it’s Debbie on the line, ready to help. Her approachable style and deep understanding of client needs mirror Index Fresh’s reputation for reliability, continuity, and service in the marketplace.

“When it comes to institutional knowledge, Debbie is a key asset to our team,” says Index Fresh CEO, Steve Roodzant. “She has a keen sense for current market conditions, drawing on more than thirty years of deep industry experience.”

Debbie has continuously sought new opportunities for growth. In 2021, she enrolled in the California Agricultural Leadership Program, a 17-month experience she describes as “monumental” for her development as a leader. As a member of the program’s 51st class, she has applied its teachings to her approach in management.

“In life and on the job, I’m a true believer in leading by example,” Debbie says. “I never ask someone to do something that I wouldn’t be willing to do myself.”

After 35 remarkable years, Debbie remains committed to serving her industry relationships and the Index Fresh family, with no plans to slow down.

LOS ANGELES, CA - It’s almost time to start mapping out those pomegranate displays! As harvest kicked off in mid-October, followed by peak season in the winter, retailers can gear up for a few months of strong traffic in the pomegranate section. Jennifer Hirano, Vice President of Marketing for POM Wonderful, recently shared an exclusive look at this season and what it has to offer.

With the fresh pomegranate season kicking off, how are things looking in terms of quality and volume?

“With fresh pomegranate season kicking off in the fall, we are on track to harvest in mid-October, slightly ahead of schedule due to the exciting crop quality and yield, so consumers can expect to see pomegranates back in stores before National Pomegranate Month in November. With over 11,000 acres in Central California, we are committed to bringing only the highest quality fruit to consumers across the country.”

What upcoming opportunities can retailers look forward to? How does the winter season and its accompanying holidays influence pomegranate demand?

“Peak pomegranate season takes place during the winter, so we typically see an uptick in sales during the holiday season with our Wonderful variety whole pomegranates and POM Wonderful Pomegranate Arils. This is in part due to the limited seasonality of pomegranates, as consumers have a ‘get it before it’s gone’ mentality, in addition to POM Arils adding the perfect sweet and tart flavor and ruby red pop of color to festive drinks and dishes, with health benefits to match.”

With peak season and holiday merchandising already positioning the category for success, how can retailers maximize sales through the winter holidays?

“For our whole pomegranates—which are often an impulse purchase—we utilize display bins to help signal to consumers that fresh pomegranate season is underway, driving purchase, and generating buzz for the product’s seasonality. We also ensure these bins include eye-catching graphics that highlight our full family of products, a.k.a. The Antioxidant Superpowers, for better cross-merchandising. We encourage retailers to leverage our merchandising material, from eye-catching branded packaging to high-graphic in-store point-of-sale (POS) displays, including bin bases, posters, and balloons, to drive sales.

We are also launching a smaller hex-shaped bin to expand display opportunities for our fresh pomegranates, which have received strong interest from retailers. This display will help retailers bring in multiple sizes of pomegranates to offer various value and price points to their shoppers. It will also showcase pomegranates in new places in-store that may have a smaller footprint than the traditional produce section, which has larger footprint displays.”

Pomegranates have the opportunity to shine as we enter the heart of fall and near the winter season, so be sure to tap into this beloved lineup to meet high demand!

MONTEREY, CA - The Organic Grower Summit (OGS), scheduled for Dec. 3-4, 2025, in Monterey, California, proudly presents an exceptional roster of leading exhibitors for its 2025 exhibition. This premier gathering will spotlight the latest innovations in environmentally conscious agriculture, featuring revolutionary developments in artificial intelligence, automated systems, and organic farming methodologies.

According to a press release, participants can connect with businesses specializing in biological solutions, robotics, soil enhancement, irrigation efficiency, agricultural analytics and environmentally responsible agricultural inputs, among others.

Leading companies presenting their innovative organic farming solutions include:

The comprehensive two-day summit will deliver an exceptional array of activities, networking opportunities, educational sessions and exhibitor demonstrations. Agricultural professionals and industry stakeholders are encouraged to participate in this most progressive gathering in organic agriculture by securing their registration today.

Organic Grower Summit is produced by Farm Progress with the Western Growers Association serving as the 2025 Presenting Sponsor. The summit team extends special appreciation to John Deere, serving as the Grower of the Year Sponsor, and Organic Grower Magazine for their valuable support. Complete registration details are available at www.OrganicGrowerSummit.com. Special grower pricing is available for Western Growers Association and California Certified Organic Farmers members. Reach out to their membership teams for a registration code.

ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - Ahold Delhaize announces new plans of Ahold Delhaize USA to build a state-of-the-art distribution center in North Carolina. As part of its Growing Together strategy, Ahold Delhaize continues to invest wisely in long term infrastructure projects. This with the goal to build resilient and sustainable operating systems that can respond fluidly and at pace to changing customer needs and capture technological advancements.

1 million square feet

As part of those investments, Ahold Delhaize USA announced that its distribution and transportation companies, ADUSA Distribution and ADUSA Transportation, will build a USD 860 million state-of-the-art distribution center in Burlington, N.C. (Guilford County). The new facility will grow the supply chain network, which serves Ahold Delhaize USA’s omnichannel grocery brands on the East Coast, including Food Lion in North Carolina. The new facility will add over 1 million square feet of additional distribution infrastructure, delivering fresh and frozen grocery items to Food Lion and other brands’ stores.

More than 65 years

“The investment into this facility is an investment into the customers who trust our brands to nourish their families,” said JJ Fleeman, Chief Executive Officer for Ahold Delhaize USA. “Through the new distribution center, ADUSA Distribution and ADUSA Transportation will expand their capacity to support Food Lion’s growth in the state, along with bringing new jobs. We’re excited to locate this facility in North Carolina and continue to grow our presence in a state where our companies have done business for more than 65 years.”

The new facility is expected to begin operations in 2029. Over time, the site is expected to employ over 500 associates. To maximize efficiency, the site will leverage proven supply chain automation technology. The investment is within the scope and parameters of the Growing Together financial framework. We intend to deploy capital for construction and automation through planned expenditures using a combination of cash on hand and a long-term lease transaction to optimize cash flows and capital efficiency.

Significant growth

The local brands of Ahold Delhaize USA comprise one of the largest grocery retail groups on the East Coast. These five omnichannel grocery brands continue to achieve significant growth within their markets, including more than 50 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth at the Food Lion brand. The supply chain network has one of the largest fleets on the East Coast with more than 8,000 assets, logging approximately 125 million miles annually. In addition to the new facility, ADUSA Distribution and ADUSA Transportation operate three other distribution centers in North Carolina in Salisbury, N.C., Butner, N.C., and Dunn, N.C.