BAKERSFIELD, CA - JSS Almonds is proud to announce the appointment of Nicholas Rush as Vice President of Sales, further strengthening the company’s leadership team as it continues to expand its presence in the food and agriculture industry.

With more than 15 years of leadership experience in the food sector, Rush brings a strong track record of driving growth, building lasting customer partnerships, and leading sales strategy at both regional and national levels. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing JSS’s sales organization, developing strategic initiatives, and delivering sustainable value to customers and partners.

Rush spent a decade at Nichols Farms in Hanford, where he played a pivotal role in expanding sales into the retail market while building strategic customer partnerships that supported long-term growth. He also held senior leadership positions at several leading agricultural companies in California’s Central Valley, where he guided cross-functional teams, optimized supply chain efficiencies, and delivered measurable results in sales growth and customer satisfaction.

A Central Valley native, Rush earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Accounting & Finance from Fresno State University. He currently resides in Fresno with his wife and two children and remains actively involved in both industry organizations and his local community.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nick to the JSS leadership team,” said Mike Briano, Chief Executive Officer of JSS, in the recent release. “His industry expertise, customer-first approach, and proven track record will be invaluable as we continue to expand our reach and deliver exceptional value to our partners.”

SALINAS, CA - While packaged salads are a monumental part of today’s produce department, as Tracy Carranza shares with me, it’s a category long in need of an upgrade. Seizing the opportunity to deliver something new in the retail salad kit category, Church Brothers Farms is debuting Little Gems Salad Kits.

“Salad kits are one of the biggest growth engines in produce, but when you look across the salad set, the format feels largely the same,” says the Vice President of Retail Sales. “There’s been plenty of innovation with bold and unique flavors, but very little when it comes to how the kits themselves are structured. In the last few years, Little Gems have done really well for us on the foodservice side, and since food trends typically start there, we knew there was an opportunity to bring something different to the retail side.”

A giant in the foodservice sector, Church Brothers’ Farms’ latest debut makes a strong case for the company’s retail savvy. Available in Caesar, Champagne, Creamy Chipotle, and Miso Ginger, the kits feature whole-leaf Little Gem lettuce, dressings made with avocado oil, and smaller proportioned 8.5 oz bags to reduce food waste.

“If you open up Instagram or TikTok, health and wellness is at the forefront of everybody’s mind right now,” Tracy adds. “I think a lot of consumers are challenging companies on the ingredients they use and want transparency in their products.”

Church Brothers Farms wanted to answer this demand, which is in part the inspiration behind Little Gems Salad Kits.

“We’re able to address two different consumers. We’re able to find that consumer who’s bored with chopped salad kits and is ready for something else. And we’re also able to bring in those shoppers who may have walked away from the category because they’ve educated themselves on ingredients, and they don’t feel like another packaged salad option has the best ingredients to make it worth the spend,” Tracy explains.

The packaging is minimal yet striking, with a unique, artisanal feel that differentiates it on the shelf.

“We wanted to be able to speak to a generation of Millennials and Gen Z, who frankly hate color,” Tracy says candidly. “Speaking to those consumers who want aesthetically pleasing color palettes, we’re also tapping into influencer trends that highlight meal planning or the inside of a shopper’s fridge. We were very mindful of the packaging.”

On the back of the packaging, there is a “Boost Your Plate” protein call-out.

“People are starved for time, and everyone’s tired of making decisions,” Tracy says. “Offering options on the back of the packaging is a no-brainer from a consumer standpoint. For retailers, it’s driving a bigger basket size since you’re encouraging shoppers to go and pick out more items throughout the store.”

With the kits set to go to market in 2026, Church Brothers Farms has a host of materials to support the launch. One of these is the company’s new website, which shows its growing devotion to retail and consumer-forward branding.

“Our new website is reflective of the direction we’re headed in,” Tracy says. “It’s a story about where we are today, and it better speaks the language of today’s shopper.”

There’s much more to learn about the Little Gems Salad Kits than I can fit into one article, so don’t miss your chance to speak with the team at the upcoming IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show at booth #1175!

COMPTON, CA - Berry Fresh is bringing a playful twist to the fresh produce aisle with the launch of its new limited-edition Boo-berries™ pack, a new themed blueberry pack that positions fresh produce as a better-for-you Halloween treat. This marks the company’s first step into seasonal and themed packaging, designed to position blueberries as a fun, flavorful, and healthier option during the traditionally candy-dominated holiday.

The Boo-berries™ pack features Berry Fresh’s signature, high-flavor blueberries in festive Halloween-inspired packaging, a press release stated. This launch is part of a larger initiative to drive incremental produce sales by aligning fresh berries with culturally relevant moments and new eating occasions.

“We’re always looking for ways to make fresh berries more exciting and accessible to consumers, especially during key seasonal windows,” Jyoti Bhogal, VP of Sales & Marketing at Berry Fresh. “Boo-berries™ are a fun, better-for-you treat that allows families to celebrate Halloween with something they can feel good about and that tastes great too.”

The Boo-berries™ program is being introduced as a test with select Kroger stores for the 2025 Halloween season, with plans to expand distribution to additional retail partners in future years based on consumer response and performance. The product is being positioned as a “sweet, spooky snack swap” for parents looking for alternatives to traditional candy, and as a fun option for Halloween parties and school functions.

This themed launch represents a broader innovation strategy from Berry Fresh focused on product development that connects with evolving shopper preferences. As the demand for flavor-forward, health-conscious, and fun fresh options continues to grow, Berry Fresh sees themed packs like Boo-berries™ as a valuable avenue to drive trial and repeat purchases across new consumer segments.