WENATCHEE, WA - The return of a normal pear crop isn’t the only thing Stemilt is celebrating this season. 2025 marks the third year that Stemilt has shipped small volumes of its new pear variety, Happi Pear®, as part of its mission to innovate the category and remind consumers of their love for pears. While Happi Pear is still growing to commercial volume, Stemilt’s Marketing Director, Brianna Shales, says it’s positioned to become the company’s third pear variety by volume in the future.

“The time to invest in the future of pears is now,” said Shales in the recent release. “This season, we’re laser-focused on revitalizing the pear category through strategic moves in advancing our packing capabilities and offering retailers and their shoppers something new to try, like Happi Pear. Volumes of Happi Pear are going to grow significantly over the next five years and will position it as Stemilt’s #3 pear variety by volume. September kicked off the start of Happi Pear’s third season, signaling just the beginning of refreshing the category and bringing people back to pears.”

Happi Pear is a cross between Harrow Sweet and NY10353 pears developed through natural cross-pollination methods at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario, Canada. Happi Pear is all about offering a different pear experience with its unexpected bite and sweet, bright, and zesty flavor.

“Happi Pear is trademarked as the fruit for every smile™ because of its unique ability to be eaten whether green and crisp, or soft and juicy,” shared Shales. “While still delivering an exceptional eating experience, people can choose when to enjoy Happi Pear. Aside from the eating experience, it checks all the boxes from a growing, storing, and selling standpoint, as it performs well throughout all stages of the supply chain. It’s a pear that’s going to stand out in the produce department for its cheery flavor and consistent quality.”

Today, Stemilt is growing the fruit in Washington, and Canadian growers are also starting to plant trees that will produce Happi Pear for their markets. Stemilt will then focus on expanding its reach in the market and growing its distribution network in efforts to introduce more consumers to the variety and drive long-term category growth.

“Happi Pear represents years of dedication to breeding and growing a pear that delivers on flavor, quality, and visual appeal,” added Shales. “It’s a variety that retailers can build excitement around, knowing volumes will steadily increase and consumer demand will follow. Happi Pear is Stemilt’s next step in driving innovation in the pear category, offering a branded pear with vibrant purple packaging that grabs shoppers’ attention. As a vertically integrated grower, packer, and shipper, Stemilt is ready to deliver exceptional quality and ignite new growth for pears.”

MONTEREY, CA - Just in time for tailgating season, Dole Fresh Vegetables/Bud Antle, manufacturer of DOLE®-branded packaged salads, has teamed with Instacart to offer winning savings on many of its most popular fall-friendly DOLE® Salad Kits.

Salad-loving Instacart shoppers can save $1 for every $8 they spend on such pregame favorites as DOLE® Classic and Ultimate Caesar Kits and the company’s Chipotle & Cheddar, Crunchy Taco, and Sunflower Crunch Chopped Kits.

David Austin, vice president of marketing and innovation at Dole Fresh Vegetables/Bud Antle, shared in a recent release that the real MVP of the season is the new DOLE® Chopped Smashed Burger Style Salad Kit, designed to bring the bold, satisfying flavors of a backyard burger straight to the fall tailgate or picnic without the bun or patty. “We created the Smashed Burger Style Kit for fans who want that big burger flavor in a fresh, modern way,” said Austin. “It’s the ultimate tailgate hack—no grill required.”

The new Smashed Burger Style kit is stacked with DOLE® Romaine Lettuce, Green and Red Cabbage, Carrots, thick-cut cheddar cheese, crispy onions, fried pickles, brioche croutons, and a rich, creamy “secret sauce” dressing that delivers a nostalgic punch with every bite. Whether topped with protein and served as a main dish or a hearty side, it can elevate any game-day spread.

Dole Fresh Vegetables introduced its first packaged salad in 1993. The company’s salad business, now part of Bud Antle, LLC, was instrumental in the launch and growth of new salad varieties, such as its DOLE® Chopped Salad Kits line, and the overall salad segment.

The company recently completed a bold new packaging refresh of its DOLE® Salad Kit line to make it easier for salad lovers to choose, shop, and enjoy their favorite all-inclusive salad experiences. The new look includes compelling new colors, photography, ingredient iconography, and callouts, and represents an intentional nod to the growing number of Millennial and Gen Z shoppers buying packaged salads for the first time.

The refresh was unveiled in August on the company’s 31 Chopped, Premium, and Classic salad kits at supermarkets throughout North America.

Dole Instacart Offer

Under Dole Fresh Vegetables/Bud Antle’s Instacart promotion, for every $8 that Instacart shoppers spend on participating DOLE® Salads, they will save $1.

The offer is available on any DOLE® Salad Blend or Kit on the DOLE® Salads Instacart page, while supplies last. For full promotion details, go here.

SPARTA, MI - Walmart is shining a spotlight on its commitment to locally grown this September, teaming up with Riveridge Produce Marketing to mark International Eat an Apple Day with a farm, packing, and cider tour in Michigan.

The event underscores the retailer’s investment in supporting regional growers and strengthening community ties. Riveridge, a vertically integrated apple grower, packer, and marketer, represents nearly 200 family orchards—some now in their sixth and seventh generations—and accounts for nearly 60 percent of Michigan’s fresh apple crop, according to the recent release.

From apples to cider, the partnership highlights how sourcing close to home fuels both economic growth and community connections. Local Walmart leaders, growers, and policymakers joined Riveridge President Kari Soldaat to explore the operation and reflect on the broader value of locally grown produce across the retailer’s footprint.

Local Walmart leaders, business stakeholders, growers, and policymakers will be on hand for a series of tours beginning September 19, including stops at Riveridge’s packing line, harvest fields, and cider facility. Together, they’ll highlight how locally sourced produce strengthens communities, fuels economic growth, and keeps fresh food close to home. The tours can be located at the following addresses:

• 8:00 a.m. - Packing Facility Tour
  • Riveridge Packing, 7777 Venture Ave, Sparta, MI 49345
• 9:15 a.m. – Harvest Tour
  • Riveridge Produce, 12345 Ferris Ave, Grant, MI 49347
• 10:00 a.m. - Cider Plant Tour
  • Riveridge Cider, 14046 Mason Dr., Grant, MI 49327

As Walmart notes, two-thirds of its product spend already supports items made, grown, or assembled in the U.S., with $1.5 billion in locally grown produce sourced in FY25 alone. With fresh fruits and vegetables available in stores for pickup and for delivery to 93 percent of the U.S. population, the retailer continues to build on a legacy of supporting American farmers while delivering value to consumers.

Stay tuned as ANUK continues to bring you the latest updates from retailers.

WASHINGTON, DC - The Organic Trade Association (OTA) honored eight individuals for their longstanding commitment to advancing the organic movement during last night’s annual leadership awards event. Held at OTA’s annual Organic Week conference, the award ceremony recognized leaders for driving and sustaining the growth of the organic industry on farms and in their communities, while prioritizing the benefits to people and the planet.

The distinguished 2025 Organic Leadership Award Honorees are:

• Organic Champion: The Honorable Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture
• Organic Lifetime Achievement: Albert Straus, Straus Family Creamery; and David Lively, Organically Grown Company
• Organic Farmers of the Year: Chris and Marcie Baugher, Baugher Ranch Organics
• Organic Environmental Leadership: Charlotte Vallaeys, Principal, Vallaeys Consulting LLC
• Organic Trailblazer: Nicole Atchison, CEO, PURIS
• Organic Social Impact: Tony Bedard, CEO, Frontier Co-op

“This esteemed list is a testament to the inspirational leadership and innovation abundant in the organic industry, and we are extremely grateful for the unwavering passion and commitment of these award recipients,” said Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO of Organic Trade Association, in a recent release. “We are proud to celebrate their significant achievements and look forward to their future contributions to drive the organic movement.”

The Honorable Russell Redding - Organic Champion Award

The Organic Champion Award recognizes and honors individuals in government who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing organic agriculture and trade. This year’s recipient is Russell Reading, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Agriculture, recognized for his decades of service to farmers and his leadership in strengthening organic agriculture both regionally and nationally. A lifelong public servant and Pennsylvania native, Redding’s deep connection to agriculture began on his family’s dairy farm and continues through his crop farm to this day. He has dedicated his career to supporting farmers, expanding market opportunities, preserving farmland, promoting conservation, and building a more resilient, diverse agricultural economy and community.

Under Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership, Redding led the creation of the PA Preferred Organic brand and the Organic Center of Excellence and has championed public-private partnerships to grow the organic sector across the Commonwealth. His legacy reflects a deep commitment to innovation, sustainability, and ensuring a strong future for all of agriculture in Pennsylvania and beyond.

Albert Straus - Organic Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement award recognizes trade association members who have dedicated their careers to the furtherance of organic agriculture and trade by providing a broad vision, successful solutions, and the labor and leadership required to bring the mission into reality. Albert Straus and David Lively are examples of just those qualities.

A second-generation farmer, Albert is a pioneering force in sustainable organic dairy farming. Having spent more than three decades producing award-winning organic dairy products, Albert has helped transform the food system through ecological practices, farm viability, community preservation, and climate innovation. In 1994, he transitioned his family’s Straus Dairy Farm to become the first certified organic dairy west of the Mississippi and founded Straus Family Creamery, the nation’s first 100% certified organic creamery.

On the farm, he was among the first in California to install a methane digester and the first to develop a carbon farm plan on a U.S. dairy. Today, Straus Dairy Farm is advancing a carbon-neutral organic dairy farming model, aiming for net-neutral emissions across all 13 of Straus Family Creamery’s supplying farms by 2030. Named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, Albert continues to lead with a visionary, farmer-first approach to building a regenerative food and agriculture system.

“I am truly honored to receive this award. My lifelong mission is to create a replicable organic dairy farming model that sustains family farms, fosters the next generation of farmers, and revitalizes rural communities — all made possible by producing high-quality, delicious organic products that nourish people and positively impact our planet.”

See the full list of honorees here.

WASHINGTON, DC - International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show, taking place October 16–18 in Anaheim, CA, will feature the largest global buyer presence in the event’s history.

Retail, foodservice, and wholesale leaders from around the world will be on the show floor, connecting with suppliers, discovering new products, and forging strategic partnerships.

“We’re seeing unprecedented interest from global buyers this year, and it's a clear signal that the world is looking to the Global Show as the event to do business,” said Jessica Keller, IFPA’s Vice President of Global Industry Relations, in a recent release. “Beyond deal-making, retailers are bringing larger global teams to explore innovation, branding, marketing, and best practices. It’s all about building relationships, aligning strategies, and shaping the future, and IFPA is proud to provide the platform.”

Among these powerhouse buyers is Costco, with representatives from eight of its global divisions attending.

“Costco finds the IFPA Global Show to be extremely valuable," said Bob Huskey, VP GMM, Fresh Foods, Costco. "We strive to go to market as one global entity, and the event provides an ideal platform for this. We meet internally to align on global strategies while also engaging with our suppliers as a unified, global team.”

See Who’s Attending

A full list of buyers attending this year’s show can be found on IFPA’s website.

IFPA’s Global Produce & Floral Show connects more than 20,000 attendees across the fresh produce and floral supply chain, with 1,100+ exhibitors and decision-makers from over 70 countries. The world’s largest fresh produce and floral expo is the premier destination for business growth, innovation, and global connections in the industry.

Registration for the Global Show is available on IFPA’s website.

WASHINGTON, DC - Equitable Food Initiative, the capacity-building and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, and retailers, is proud to mark Hispanic Heritage Month by spotlighting the vital contributions of Hispanic people throughout the agriculture sector.

According to the National Center for Farmworker Health, 78% of agricultural workers self-identify as Hispanic, a figure that underscores the central role they play in sustaining the food systems that feed our nation. Hispanic Heritage Month has been recognized annually from September 15 – October 15 since 1988, when President Ronald Reagan expanded the weeklong celebration to a full month to “properly recognize the significant contributions Hispanic/Latino Americans have made in the United States.”

During the celebratory month, EFI is encouraging agricultural companies to emphasize the rich cultures, traditions, and histories of Hispanic communities, while also deepening public understanding of the everyday labor, challenges, resilience, and leadership of Hispanic agricultural workers.

EFI has assembled a number of resources and stories to amplify Hispanic voices from the fresh produce industry and raise awareness of Hispanic and Latino heritage in agriculture, including:

• Video conversations with Hispanic agricultural professionals sharing their personal stories of challenge and triumph, from the field and the packing shed to supervisory roles and marketing;
• Profiles and features that highlight how workers of Hispanic and Latin American descent contribute their expertise, skills, cultural knowledge, and stewardship to agriculture;
• Social media graphics and celebratory ideas for companies, farms, and community organizations to engage meaningfully with Hispanic and Latino employees, promoting inclusive practices, workplace equity, and cultural awareness.

“This month is an opportunity to honor the dedication, innovation, and spirit of Hispanic and Latino communities that make the agricultural industry thrive,” said Alexandra Martinez, EFI’s senior digital marketing and sales associate, in the recent release. “This not only includes those who grow, pack, and ship the food we eat every day, but also the educators, managers, decision-makers, innovators, and so many others shaping the industry.”

EFI invites farms, agribusinesses, retailers, and industry stakeholders to join in the celebration by sharing their workers’ stories, integrating cultural education, or strengthening policies that support the safety, dignity, and well-being of Hispanic workers.

For more information and to view EFI’s Hispanic Heritage Month resources and worker stories, visit equitablefood.org/HHM.