JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Westfalia Fruit, a leading multinational supplier of avocados and a range of fresh vegetables and fruit, will showcase a series of groundbreaking initiatives that demonstrate its ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability at Fruit Attraction 2025 in Madrid (30 September – 2 October). From pioneering research in varietal development to advancing sustainable supply chain solutions and driving market growth through insights and customer collaboration, visitors to the stand will be able to explore how Westfalia continues to set new standards for the fresh produce industry worldwide.

Highlights at this year’s show will include:

• Unveiling the world’s largest avocado variety library: creating the avocados of tomorrow
  • Westfalia will unveil its unprecedented avocado variety library, the largest of its kind in the world and the foundation of the company’s Orchard of the Future. Containing more than 140 unique avocado cultivars, this living collection is driving a new era of innovation. Advanced DNA technologies, AI, and precision breeding are being used to create the avocados of tomorrow, tailored to evolving consumer tastes, new markets, and the challenges of climate change.
• Pioneering post-harvest sustainability: extending shelf-life and reducing food loss
  • Westfalia will also showcase its collaboration with Swiss agri-tech innovator AgroSustain, presenting sustainable breakthroughs in post-harvest innovation. Together, the companies are trialing Afondo, an edible coating that extends avocado shelf-life while reducing food loss and cutting fungicide use by more than 50 percent. The partnership opens new opportunities for both local and international growers and distributors to extend shelf-life while reducing reliance on chemical treatments.
• From supply to strategy: meet the team driving collaborative market growth
  • Visitors will have the chance to meet Dani Busseni, who recently joined Westfalia as Global Head of Customer Marketing and Development, and the newly established Customer Development Team. The team brings together market insights, commercial strategy, and category management expertise to drive long-term growth. By transforming data into actionable strategies and working closely with leading retailers and foodservice partners, the team is unlocking new opportunities across both fresh and convenience avocado segments. This initiative marks an important step in Westfalia’s commitment to building the future of the category collaboratively, supporting customer success and grower sustainability.

“Fruit Attraction is one of the most important stages for our industry, and this year we are proud to showcase the innovations that will shape the avocado category for decades to come,” said Wim Destoop, Chief Customer Officer, Westfalia Fruit, in the recent release. “From breeding the avocados of the future to developing sustainable supply chain solutions and collaborating with our customers, we are committed to driving growth in a way that benefits consumers, retailers, and growers alike.”

Together, these highlights demonstrate how Westfalia is continuing to reimagine the future of the avocado industry. Innovation, sustainability, and collaboration are embedded in the company’s ethos, ensuring it consistently brings fresh solutions that enhance the market, create value for partners, and support the long-term growth of the category.

Visit Westfalia Fruit at Fruit Attraction 2025 in Madrid, (30 September – 2nd October Hall 10, 10C07), to discover these innovations and explore how the company is shaping the future of avocados worldwide.

DETROIT, MI - Ben B. Schwartz & Sons, a leading wholesale distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables, has expanded its distribution into a number of Midwest and Southern states, including North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri.

This is on the back of several new foodservice and midmarket wholesaler customer wins, following the efforts of the sales team to maximize the company’s distribution radius from their headquarters in Detroit. While Ben B. has been actively serving customers throughout the Midwest, Eastern, and Southeastern US for decades, this is the first time it's expanded operations into these states.

“To maximize our growth in the past year, we looked at our current distribution map and focused on areas near and within our existing business to optimize those routes and serve new customers,” said Bill Loupeé, Chief Operating Officer at Ben B. Schwartz & Sons, in the recent release. “Securing these deals is a testament to the hard work of our sales team, identifying the right opportunities to serve more customers better and faster than ever before.”

For more information about the company, please visit www.benbdetroit.com.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA & WENATCHEE, WA - Farmland LP, the largest farm manager focused solely on organic and regenerative farmland in the United States, and Stemilt Growers, one of the nation’s top tree fruit producers, announced a joint venture to expand organic apple and cherry production in Washington’s Columbia Basin.

The venture includes 952 acres across seven orchards, of which 311 acres are certified organic, and 272 acres are in transition to organic over the next four years. Farmland LP will guide organic transition and land management, and Stemilt will serve as farm manager and post-harvest lead. Both organizations are co-investors, underscoring their shared commitment to long-term success.

Founded in 1964, Stemilt is a category leader in organic apples and cherries, serving retailers across North America and the world with vertically integrated operations from orchard to truck. This venture supports the company’s long-term goal of expanding its orchard footprint and reinforcing year-round supply assurance for its retail partners.

“This joint venture adds to our ability to deliver high-flavor, organic fruit with consistency,” said West Mathison, President of Stemilt Growers, in the recent release. “Farmland LP’s regenerative management and organic conversion approach complements our long-term vision and helps us steward some of the best orchard ground in the Columbia Basin.”

“This partnership brings together two organizations with a shared commitment to regenerative agriculture, premium fruit quality, and long-term land stewardship,” said Craig Wichner, Managing Partner of Farmland LP. “With this joint venture, we are strengthening crop and regional diversification for our investors while expanding the supply of certified organic farmland to meet growing consumer demand.”

This is the third investment for Farmland LP’s Vital Farmland III, LLC (“Fund III”), which is expected to remain open to new commitments through December 31, 2025. The Stemilt orchards introduce apples and cherries to Fund III, further diversifying the portfolio and bringing total holdings to more than 4,700 acres. Earlier acquisitions include the 1,184-acre Riverwood Farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and 2,625 acres across three farms in California's San Joaquin Delta.

LEAMINGTON, ON - Pure Flavor®, a trusted grower of greenhouse fruits and vegetables, is investing in the future of fresh produce with a 25-acre expansion of its state-of-the-art Southern Flavor Farms greenhouse in Georgia. The expansion further strengthens the company’s commitment to growing with purpose and providing families and retailers with consistent access to fresh, flavorful, and high-quality vegetables year-round.

The new facility will feature advanced Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems designed to optimize crop growth while minimizing environmental impact. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, it represents the next step in high-tech growing for fresh produce.

“Pure Flavor® is committed to advancing greenhouse growing in a way that ensures consistency, flavor, and availability for families all year long,” said Jamie Moracci, President, Pure Flavor®, in the recent release. “This expansion in Georgia reinforces our focus on innovation, growth, and sustainability in every acre we grow.”

Georgia has become a cornerstone of the Pure Flavor® growth strategy. The region’s climate, infrastructure, and proximity to key markets across the southeastern United States make it an ideal hub for year-round greenhouse growing. By expanding production here, Pure Flavor® can provide fresher, more consistent produce, respond quickly to the needs of both retailers and consumers, and strengthen the regional footprint.

For retailers, the Georgia expansion provides a dependable source of premium produce that meets growing shopper demand for locally grown food. The mix of vibrant appearance, consistent flavor, and year-round availability gives retailers a product that drives attention on shelves, enhances merchandising, and builds consumer trust, while helping them differentiate their offerings in a competitive category.

“This expansion allows retailers to plan with confidence, knowing they have a reliable source of high-quality produce grown locally, year-round,” said Mike Glass, Director of Sales, Pure Flavor®. “By sourcing locally, it not only ensures freshness and peak flavor, but also supports inventory stability, reduces supply uncertainty, and helps retailers consistently meet shopper expectations.”

The 25-acre expansion marks Phase 2 of the Georgia growth story. Construction is underway now, and production from the new expansion is expected for Summer 2026. With an additional 25 acres planned for Phase 3, the company is laying the foundation for future growth to meet increasing demand for fresh, flavorful, and responsibly grown produce.

From its Georgia campus to operations across North America, Pure Flavor® continues to expand thoughtfully, combining innovation, sustainable practices, and a commitment to delivering vegetables that families trust and enjoy. Every decision in this expansion is intentional, from selecting locations to implementing advanced growing technologies. This methodical approach ensures that each investment strengthens the long-term ability to provide consistent, premium vegetables across North America.

Visit Pure Flavor® at Booth #313 during the SEPC Southern Innovations Show to see its premium Georgia-grown produce, among other fresh innovations the company will be showcasing.