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.

WATSONVILLE, CA - California Giant Berry Farms, a leader in fresh berries, provided an update on its current blueberry season, with strong volumes now arriving from Peru. This harvest is a key part of the company’s year-round supply strategy, ensuring consistent availability of high-quality fruit.

The Peruvian blueberry season is now underway, with strong volumes expected to last through the end of the year. Conventional blueberry volumes are anticipated to reach their peak from week 43 to 49, offering a robust supply for the remainder of the year. Organic volumes from the region are forecasted to be steady and consistent throughout this same period.

This strong supply from Peru will be complemented by harvests from other key growing regions, including Chile and Mexico, further strengthening the company's ability to provide a seamless, continuous supply of fresh blueberries.

“We’re extremely pleased with the start of our Peruvian blueberry season and the strong volumes we are seeing,” shares Tim Youmans, Vice President of Sales at California Giant Berry Farms, in the recent release. “Our focus remains on providing a year-round supply of the highest quality blueberries, and the ongoing harvests from Peru, complemented by other regions, allow us to maintain excellent availability for our retail and foodservice partners.”

To ensure optimum quality, California Giant’s quality control process is rigorous. The company ships directly from its Peruvian grower locations to its distribution sites, as well as its Santa Maria blueberry packing facility that features a state-of-the-art Unitec sorting line. This advanced technology meticulously sorts blueberries for color, firmness, size, and other quality indicators, ensuring that only the highest-quality berries are packaged into each clamshell.

This strong supply outlook from Peru aligns with the growing consumer appetite for blueberries, as highlighted by Nielsen data showing double-digit growth in dollar sales and pounds compared to the previous year. To support this growth and drive further consumer engagement, California Giant is dedicated to providing customized retail support and actively utilizes Instacart marketing and robust consumer marketing campaigns.

WATSONVILLE, CA - Driscoll’s, the world’s leading fresh berry company, announced the appointment of Jiunn Shih as its first Global Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective September 15, 2025. This strategic addition to Driscoll’s leadership underscores the company’s commitment to strengthening its global brand, delighting consumers, and driving purpose-led growth.

In this newly created role, Jiunn will build a world-class global marketing structure and expand investment in brand programs across Driscoll’s markets. He will be based in Hong Kong, relocating from Singapore.

“Driscoll’s has built its reputation on delightful flavor, quality, and strong relationships with growers, customers, consumers, and communities. With Jiunn’s leadership, we are taking the next step to ensure our brand continues to reach and resonate with consumers worldwide,” said Soren Bjorn, CEO of Driscoll’s, in a press release. “His track record of building purpose-driven brands and inspiring global teams makes him an ideal leader for this new chapter.”

Born and raised across multiple continents, Jiunn brings a unique multicultural perspective, complemented by extensive experience across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He has more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in FMCG and agribusiness, with roles at Zespri, Unilever, Syngenta, and L’Oréal. Most recently, as Chief Marketing, Innovation & Sustainability Officer at Zespri, Jiunn spearheaded the company’s brand and growth strategy, launched a pioneering sustainability innovation fund, and drove new product innovations across global markets.

“Joining Driscoll’s felt like a natural step for me,” said Jiunn Shih. “It’s a company built on care—for flavor, for growers, for customers, for consumers, and for the planet. I’m excited to help unlock even more of the brand’s potential through creativity, consistency, and consumer connection. Together, we can grow something extraordinary, berry by berry.”

The creation of the Global CMO role marks a significant milestone in Driscoll’s evolution from a category leader to a globally recognized consumer brand. Jiunn will work closely with regional Business Unit Leaders to align marketing strategies, scale global programs, and ensure Driscoll’s continues to lead the fresh produce industry in innovation, sustainability, and consumer delight.

ATLANTA, ST. LOUIS, & NEW YORK CITY - Georgia-Pacific and an affiliate of TJC, L.P. announced that they have reached an agreement under which Georgia-Pacific would purchase Anchor Packaging, a leading manufacturer of rigid food containers and cling film for the food service, retail, and processor channels. Anchor Packaging is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, and has operations in Arkansas and Wisconsin. Since 2019, Anchor Packaging has been a portfolio company of TJC (formerly known as The Jordan Company), a New York City-based private equity firm.

Closing of the acquisition, subject to regulatory review and customary closing conditions, is anticipated later this year. Financial details of the agreement are not being disclosed.

“Anchor Packaging will be a significant addition to Georgia-Pacific’s consumer products platform with capabilities that will especially complement our Dixie business,” said David Duncan, executive vice president of Georgia-Pacific's Consumer Products Group, in the recent release. “Anchor’s talented teams are committed to understanding customer needs and delivering innovative and differentiated solutions to support the needs of the growing food-to-go market.”

“We are excited to join Georgia-Pacific and embark on a new chapter of growth and innovation,” said Jeff Wolff, president and chief executive officer of Anchor Packaging. “This partnership allows us to expand our product portfolio, strengthen our supply chain, and accelerate our commitment to innovation. We look forward to delivering even greater value to our customers and stakeholders.”

“This is a major step in building a platform for growth,” said Fernando González, president of Dixie. “Adding Anchor Packaging to Georgia-Pacific’s portfolio aligns perfectly with our vision to be a preferred partner in providing innovative food and beverage packaging and tableware solutions to our customers. We are excited to welcome the Anchor Packaging team to Georgia-Pacific.”

Anchor Packaging was advised by RBC Capital Markets and Goldman Sachs, and Georgia-Pacific was advised by Nomura Securities International, Inc., in this transaction.

FRESNO COUNTY, CA - Fire officials working the Garnet Fire have updated evacuation actions as the fire continues to move near Pine Flat Lake and Shaver Lake.

Evacuation Orders are now in place for Zones K27, K28, K29, K30, K31, K32A, K40, K61A, and K166. Residents in these areas are asked to leave as a precaution while crews continue suppression efforts.

Evacuation Warnings have been issued for Zones K26, K32B, K41, K60, K61B, K74, K76, K85, K160, and K165. A warning indicates a possible threat to life and property; officials encourage those needing extra time, including households with pets and livestock, to consider relocating early.

Authorities continue to monitor fire activity along the western edge, north of Pine Flat Lake and southeast of Shaver Lake.

Residents are urged to remain alert and prepared, as conditions can change quickly. For the latest details, refer to the Fresno County Sheriff’s evacuation map and track fire progress through CAL FIRE’s incident page. The U.S. Forest Service fire information line is (559) 490-7329.

Check back with ANUK as we continue to follow updates on the Garnet Fire.