OXNARD, CA - Sourcer, producer, and distributor in Hass avocados and mangos, Mission Produce, has announced it will be showcasing the value of The Mission Advantage at Asia Fruit Logistica (AFL) in Hong Kong. With industry-leading ripening, vertical integration, and elite customer service, Mission Produce is one of the preferred partners in the Asia market for a year-round supply and reliable ripe programs.

“Mission Produce's global growing, ripening, and distribution network brings many competitive advantages that we believe can drive the consumption of avocados and mangos in the Asia market,” said Roberto Rodriguez, Director of Export Sales. “The Mission Advantage of Vertical integration improves surety of supply and product oversight from field to fork. And our industry-leading ripening, combined with our four ripening centers in China, enable us to deliver perfectly ripened fruit to our customer base. Mission’s world-class team is coming to AFL from California, Peru, and Japan, and we’re looking forward to identifying profitable opportunities in the market with our World’s Finest Avocados and Mangos.”

Mission Produce holds strong grower relationships in the growing regions of California, Chile, and Mexico. In China, the company’s network includes four ripening centers across the key markets of Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Chengdu through its partnership with Mr. Avocado, a press release explained. Mission Produce is vertically integrated in Peru and Guatemala. Mission is vertically integrated in Colombia and South Africa as well, through partnerships.

“At Mission, we follow the seasons around the globe to deliver a reliable, year-round supply of ripe avocados and mangos,” added Rodriguez. “We’re currently sourcing both avocados and mangos from Mexico, and the Brazilian mango season has just begun. Additionally, our vertically integrated farms in Peru are expected to produce a strong supply of Kent mangos this winter and Hass avocados next summer.”

The Asia Fruit Logistica will take place September 4–6, with many from the Mission Produce team set to attend, including Roberto Rodriguez, Director of Export Sales; John Sheehy, Export Sales Representative; Nolan York, Manager of Export Sales; Taka Fujishima, Japan Export Sales; Michael Horney, Manager of Commercial Operations, Peru; Pablo Cajo, Blueberries Agriculture Operations Manager; and Antonio Calmet, Blueberries Commercial Analyst.

Click back to AndNowUKnow to learn more about upcoming events and showcases, near and far.

SALINAS, CA - Steady supplies and solid quality are the hallmarks of Church Brothers Farms’ Iceberg lettuce season. I recently got in touch with the grower’s Commodities Manager, Jason Lathos, to hear what we can expect from the market.

“There have been no major shifts in pricing, which we really only see when there’s a huge demand increase or supply decrease. It’s a little tough to compare historically since we’re out of our normal cycle,” Jason told me. “The market was insane two years ago due to disease and decreased supply. Last year was a little more normal, but this year has been really solid. No complaints from me about that!”

Jason explained that the market has been extremely steady. Conditions have been well balanced and buyers and growers are both happy at the moment. This has pulled Church Brothers through the normal lull it typically sees in July and August, according to Jason.

Church Brothers usually gets 2.5 crops per season in Salinas, California, and the supplier is currently in its second planting. The next growing area on deck will be Huron, CA, then Yuma, Arizona, after that.

“Our first three months of the Salinas season (March, April, and May) were unseasonably cool, and the rest of the summer has been pretty consistent. Of course, we usually get an Indian summer in September and October, and with that heat we expect to see the usual cosmetic defects like sun scald and tip burn,” Jason continued. “Nationally, though, there have been some significant heat waves and flooding, which forces customers to look west for supply.”

We will continue to keep our eye on the Iceberg lettuce market, so stick with us.

ROSEMONT, IL - US Foods recently announced its expanded partnership with Feeding America® as it supports the organization’s innovative Direct to Neighbor locker program. The distributor donated $750,000 so that Feeding America may expand the program into seven additional communities by the end of 2024.

“With more than 44 million Americans, including 13 million children, facing food insecurity in the United States, we are honored to support Feeding America in their journey to bring innovative solutions for combating food insecurity to communities across the country,” said Dave Flitman, Chief Executive Officer. “This new commitment builds on the more than $12 million in product donations that US Foods provided to Feeding America food banks in 2023. Hunger Action Month is a time to recognize the hunger crisis in America and take action, and we are proud to leverage the opportunity to expand this important partnership.”

According to a press release, this is US Foods’ largest single monetary donation to date and builds on the company’s long-standing hunger-relief commitment.

The Feeding America Direct to Neighbor locker project provides convenient and dignified hunger-relief support for community members experiencing food insecurity. Through existing food bank affiliates, the program leverages an online order-ahead platform where community members place customized grocery orders.

Celebrity chef Stephanie Izard joined US Foods and Feeding America as they launched their enhanced partnership at the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, formally announcing the seven Feeding America food banks receiving new Direct to Neighbor locker project grants.

For more information, click here.

AndNowUKnow continues to keep its ears to the retail wire, so stick around for updates.