TWISP, WA - The new e-book, From Bee to You: Delicious Health with SugarBee Apples peels back the layers on one of nature’s most delightful fruits—the SugarBee® apple—offering readers a delicious journey through its unique origin, irresistible taste, and remarkable health benefits.

Born from a magical cross-pollination between a Honeycrisp apple and a mystery apple—courtesy of a busy honey bee—the SugarBee® apple is a naturally-created delight, cultivated with care by small, multigenerational family farms across Washington State.

Co-written by Annessa Chumbley, award-winning nutritionist and Emmy-nominated TV Host, you’ll discover cutting-edge scientific research findings and even a daily meal plan to help you get your ideal target for daily (and delicious!) flavonoid intake. As scientific research tells us more every day, “food is medicine” and what we choose to put in our grocery carts can affect every aspect of our wellbeing. SugarBee® apples can be more than just a smart snacking choice – they can help support a vibrant, healthy life.

A Flavor Worth Buzzing About

Sweet yet sophisticated, the SugarBee® apple brings forward notes of honey, caramel, and molasses, balanced by a refreshing zip of acidity, a press release stated. This nuanced profile makes it equally at home as a crisp, fresh snack, a star ingredient in a salad, or the showpiece of a baked dessert.

Nature’s Wellness Package

Packed with fiber, and containing vitamin C, B vitamins, and essential minerals like calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, the SugarBee® apple also boasts plentiful polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids—plant-based antioxidants linked to improved brain function, a stronger immune system, and reduced inflammation.

The e-book includes a comprehensive guide to flavonoids, breaking down six key types—Anthocyanins, Flavan-3-ols, Flavanones, Flavones, Flavonols, and Isoflavones—complete with food sources, science-backed benefits, and an easy-to-follow 400 mg daily flavonoid meal plan.

From Orchard to Table

Readers will find inspiration in versatile serving ideas and exclusive recipes, including:

• Kale and White Bean Skillet – a hearty, nutrient-packed meal where SugarBee® apples lend a subtle sweetness.
• Cookie Dough Apple Sandwiches – a delicious combination of SugarBee apples and better-for-you cookie dough. Recipe can be found in the e-book

A Taste with a Story

More than just an apple, the SugarBee® story is a celebration of heritage, craft, and the harmony between humans and nature. This e-book invites readers not only to enjoy the fruit but to connect with the farmers who nurture each individual apple, from blossom to harvest.

Availability: SugarBee® e-Book is available for free download here.

SARASOTA, FL - UNFI is proud to announce the opening of its newly built, innovative Sarasota North Distribution Center (DC) in Florida—part of the company’s strategy to deliver more value for its partners through improved operational effectiveness and efficiency.

Associates from UNFI’s former Sarasota facility have transitioned to the new DC, benefiting from a more advanced and associate-centered environment.

Sarasota North is UNFI’s first DC to utilize KNAPP’s AI-enabled Pick-it-Easy Robot and the second to feature KNAPP’s Goods-to-Person automation. These technologies are designed to improve order accuracy, efficiency, and inventory management—delivering an increase in quality and service for customers, reducing operating costs, and improving the associate experience.

“By aligning KNAPP’s automation expertise with UNFI’s vision for Sarasota North, we’ve created a solution that not only strengthens operational performance but also empowers warehouse teams and makes a real difference for customers, said Jusuf Buzimkic, Chief Sales Officer, KNAPP, in the recent release. “This new DC was the perfect opportunity to introduce our AI-enabled Pick-it-Easy Robot into UNFI’s network—further enhancing accuracy, efficiency, and reliability.”

The 1 million-square-foot facility currently employs more than 400 associates and includes a range of features, such as:

• Streamlined Operations: Advanced automated repack systems reduce manual tasks and support greater accuracy and efficiency.
• Amenities Designed for Associates: The facility includes a gym, game and recreation spaces, upscale break areas with floor-to-ceiling windows, and a dedicated driver’s lounge.
• Career Growth Opportunities: The new DC supports expanded skill development and long-term career advancement.
• Community Impact: UNFI continues its commitment to stronger communities through associate-led volunteerism, charitable giving, and partnerships with local organizations like All Faiths Food Bank Pantry and Mothers Helping Mothers.

“Opening Sarasota North is a significant investment as we continue to optimize our distribution network for the future,” said Jeff Sault, President, Distribution, UNFI. “By combining advanced automation with a strong focus on the associate experience, we’re not only improving how we serve customers and suppliers—we’re creating a better place to work and a stronger foundation for long-term growth.”

Sarasota North follows similar investments in Centralia, WA, Manchester, PA, Carlisle, PA, and other locations, reflecting UNFI’s commitment to integrating advanced technology and automation to drive operational excellence and better serve partners.

UNFI has added capacity and enhanced capabilities across its network. This includes strategic investments in automation and approximately 400,000 incremental square feet in Sarasota, FL, and Manchester, PA. Similar investments have also been made in Centralia, WA, Carlisle, PA, and other locations, reflecting UNFI’s commitment to integrating advanced technology and automation to drive operational excellence and better serve partners.

SACRAMENTO, CA - This September, there’s more than one reason to raise a glass. September 1 kicked off California Wine Month, officially designated by the California State Legislature as a statewide recognition of one of the world’s most iconic winegrowing regions. And on September 9, the Golden State marks its 175th birthday.

“California Wine Month is a celebration of the people, places, and traditions that make our wines truly unique,” said Robert P. Koch, president and CEO of Wine Institute, in a recent release. “California wine brings people together across cultures and generations, and behind every bottle is a community that supports more than 1.1 million U.S. jobs and contributes $170 billion to the economy. This month is a reminder of how deeply rooted wine is in our state’s identity and how vital it is to our future.”

Throughout September, wineries across the Golden State are hosting California Wine Month events and activities, from behind-the-scenes harvest tours and grape stomps to wine and food festivals.

“California Wine Month shines a light on the hard work and heritage of our state’s winegrowers, many of them multigenerational farmers who care deeply about their land, their communities, and the future,” said Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. “Wine connects people to California in a way that’s uniquely personal. Whether you’re walking a vineyard at harvest or enjoying a bottle at your table, you’re experiencing something truly rooted in our state’s culture and values.”

From vineyard to table, California wine brings out the best in local flavors, from Sonoma oysters to Santa Maria tri-tip. Back by popular demand, the Iconic California Dishes to Celebrate California Wine Month e-book offers delicious inspiration for pairing local wines with California’s seasonal bounty.

“California wine country is not one singular destination or experience,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “It’s the perfect blend of world-class wines, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable hospitality. California welcomes visitors from around the world to explore our wine regions, where every tasting is a chance to connect, reflect, and raise a glass to what makes the state special.”

10 Great Moments in California Wine History

California’s wine community has come a long way during the last 175 years — and it’s just getting started. Here are some of the most memorable and impactful moments in the state’s wine history.

• 1850: California gains statehood. This sets the stage for the wine industry’s growth as Gold Rush migration to Northern California spurs demand and vineyard plantings.
• 1933: Prohibition is repealed, allowing wine sales to resume.
• 1934: Wine Institute is founded to support the California wine industry’s rebirth.
• 1960s–1970s: A new wave of wineries across California usher in a modern era, pairing innovation in winemaking with welcoming visitor experiences that set the stage for global recognition.
• 1967: Table wines outsell dessert wines by volume in the U.S. for the first time since Prohibition.
• 1976: At the Judgment of Paris, California wines beat France in a blind tasting, gaining worldwide recognition.
• 1993: Sales of wines labeled by grape name surpass generic wine sales in the U.S.
• 2002: Industry leaders introduce the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing.
• 2004: California Wine Month is established to celebrate the wine community’s cultural and economic contributions.
• 2005: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that states can’t favor local wineries over out-of-state ones when it comes to shipping wine directly to consumers. This gives wine lovers across the country better access to California wines.