OXNARD, CA - Mission Produce, Inc., a world leader in sourcing, producing, and distributing fresh Hass avocados, announced it will showcase its year-round avocado programs and highlight Mexico’s upcoming supply at Asia Fruit Logistica (AFL) in Hong Kong, China, from Sept. 3-5, 2025.

“At Mission Produce, we follow the avocado seasons around the globe to deliver the right fruit to the right market at the right time.”
said Nolan York, Director of Export Sales, Mission Produce, in the recent release. “Our diversified sourcing strategy is strengthened by vertical integration, which enhances our supply reliability and quality consistency. Combined with our industry-leading ripening expertise, Mission Produce is driving the growth of avocados across Asia– and AFL is the perfect opportunity to connect with our global customer base on upcoming programs.”

The current avocado supply is transitioning from Peru to Mexico, New Zealand, and Chile. As the largest exporter of avocados from Mexico, Mission Produce anticipates a strong upcoming Mexican season with favorable sizing and consistent quality due to favorable climatic conditions. Mission owns two packhouses in Mexico, and is vertically integrated in California, Peru, Guatemala, Colombia, with
a leading grower partner, and South Africa through a joint venture. This year, the Company inaugurated a state-of-the-art avocado packinghouse in Guatemala, complementing the Company’s more than 700 hectares of vertically integrated avocado groves.2

In China, Mission has four ripening centers strategically located in the key markets of Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, and Guangdong
through its partnership with Mr. Avocado. In every facility, Mission’s Ripen Masters ripen avocados expertly to customer specifications.

“Ripe avocado programs have great potential to drive consumption in the Asia market, and our world-class network is paving the way
for more opportunity,” added York.

Mission Produce will be at Asia Fruit Logistica at Hall 5, booth #5T40. For more information, visit missionproduce.com or to schedule
a meeting, contact [email protected].

REIDSVILLE, GA - The Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Innovations show will be here before we know it, and fresh produce operators from across the industry will be showcasing their programs. One organization on the show floor will be Healthy Family Project (HFP), shining a spotlight on its Carry the Cause initiative.

“Healthy Family Project team members will be at Southern Innovations to share more about our Carry the Cause initiative and how it’s helping families during the toughest months of the year,” Trish James, Vice President of HFP, explained. “We’re looking forward to meeting with our friends and partners to discuss how we can work together to expand this important program.”

Healthy Family Project’s Carry the Cause initiative, launched in late 2024, is redefining how produce and cause marketing come together to fight hunger year-round. Centered around a reusable tote bag, where every purchase directly benefits Feeding America, the program kicked off with Harps Food Stores and is expanding this year to Town & Country Supermarkets with support from key brand partners including Village Farms, Shuman Farms, and RPE.

“November and December generosity is amazing. However, by January and February, food banks face a post-holiday drop in donations while need spikes (holiday bills, heating costs, etc). The result is thinner shelves when families need help the most,” Trish pointed out. “HFP’s solution is our award-winning Carry the Cause initiative. We channel holiday traffic—online and in some grocery stores—into measurable support in January and February. We activate in November-December, when giving is top of mind, and direct the money raised to bridge the winter gap.”

In its first season, Carry the Cause provided thousands of meals, generated national visibility across Healthy Family Project’s digital platforms, and created a repeatable model that blends commerce, community, and cause.

Hear about all of this and more when you visit with Healthy Family Project at Southern Innovations. And stick with ANUK for more show updates!

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - With imported citrus at its seasonal peak, Oppy’s category continues to deliver premium quality and consistency from a deeply diversified global network of trusted growers.

Featuring dozens of varietals from over nine countries, Oppy’s citrus program brings the best of the Southern Hemisphere to shelves across North America. From juicy Murcott, Tango, and Daisy mandarins to vibrant Navels and Cara Caras from Chile and Uruguay, the season is one of strong supply and standout flavor.

“It’s a privilege to work alongside the world’s top citrus growers and bring their fruit to the U.S. and Canadian market,” said Category Manager Michael Schaefer in the recent release. “Our trusted grower-partners remain at the heart of everything we do. Their expertise and resilience shape every season, driving the quality and exceptional service Oppy is known for.”

This season’s crop from the Southern Hemisphere has arrived with excellent quality and promotable volumes. Back-to-school timing aligns perfectly with the easy-peeling mandarin lineup now available, while the high-sugar Navels and Cara Caras offer eye-catching color and exceptional flavor for late summer citrus displays. South African grapefruit, increasingly recognized for its premium quality, has also arrived in good supply despite potential tariff challenges noted Schaefer.

Oppy continues to focus on the varietals that drive success in the citrus category — easy peelers, Navels, and lemons — while refining the mix within each to deliver even greater performance at retail. Investing in what works and doing it better each season means better flavor, improved shelf life, and stronger partnerships from field to store, shared Category Director Rodrigo Lopez.

Organic citrus remains a key area of expansion, particularly in the mandarin and grapefruit segments. Oppy is growing its organic lineup through trusted producers in South Africa, meeting increasing consumer demand for organic options.

Ethical sourcing continues to be a priority for Oppy, with its Fair Trade Certified easy-peel mandarins from Peru expected to expand significantly over the next three years, alongside new plantings of Fair Trade Navels in Chile, further strengthening the program, as volumes will also increase in future seasons.

“Consumer interest in specialty citrus remains strong, particularly for Cara Cara oranges, which continue to gain popularity in the U.S. market year after year. Blood oranges are also on an upward trend, and Oppy will support that demand with a strong Australian program this season,” said Lopez.

With premium fruit from a wide range of global origins, a growing focus on organics and Fair Trade Certified offerings, and an emphasis on top-performing varietals, Oppy’s citrus program is well-positioned for continued success. As demand for high-quality, ethically sourced citrus rises, Oppy remains committed to delivering flavorful, reliable options that meet the needs of today’s consumers and retail partners alike — now and into the seasons ahead.

ATLANTA, GA - BrightFarms is one brand you won’t want to miss when walking the floor at this year’s Southern Innovations. With a goal to redefine how fresh produce is grown and enjoyed, BrightFarms’ showcase will spotlight how a bold rebrand, new packaging, and more are sparking interest in the category.

I turned to Jess Soare, Vice President of Marketing, BrightFarms, who clued me in on the details.

“This year, BrightFarms will represent the Cox Farms family of brands, showcasing the full lineup of our recently redesigned pesticide-free leafy greens, including Sweet Baby Butter, Crunchy Green Leaf, Green & Red Leaf, and other varieties,” Jess shared with me. “We will also be showcasing our bold new rebrand at the show, spotlighting colorful new packaging across all of our leafy greens and ready-to-eat Crunch Kits.”

Crunch Kits have been a consumer favorite because they offer quick, ready-to-eat meal solutions. I can safely say these have saved me a time or two on my lunch break!

The brand will also introduce its newly launched Greenhouse Salad Bags, as well as new bags for Crunchy Green Leaf, Green & Red Leaf, and Spring Mix—an alternative format to clamshells that delivers enhanced value and opens up new usage occasions for consumers.

“On top of that, we’ll be offering a sneak peek of our upcoming Asian Sesame Crunch Kit, set to launch this fall,” Jess added. “It’s our next big innovation in the Crunch Kit lineup, crafted to deliver bold flavor and the convenience consumers crave.”

With strategically located regional greenhouses, BrightFarms works to ensure a steady, reliable supply of leafy greens for retailers.

“Always pesticide-free, grown year-round, and ready to eat,” Jess emphasized. “Our vibrant packaging highlights the core benefits of our greenhouse-grown greens: freshness, convenience, and quality.”

To learn more about this dynamic brand, be sure to stop by booth #332.