LOS ANGELES, CA - Labor Day is one of the final major produce-selling opportunities of summer, giving retailers another occasion to capture demand around grilling, entertaining, and family gatherings while beginning the transition into fall.

Last year’s promotions underscore the opportunity. The USDA National Retail Report recorded 311,059 produce ad features during Labor Day week in 2025, up 6% from the previous week. Watermelon, cantaloupe, corn, potatoes, sweet onions, colored bell peppers and avocados were among the items heavily promoted as retailers featured late-summer favorites alongside the first signs of fall.

“Labor Day is an important transition point in the produce department,” said Robert Schueller, Director of Public Relations at Melissa’s, in the recent release. “Retailers can capitalize on the foods shoppers are looking for now while using specialty items to keep displays fresh and build excitement as merchandising begins to shift into fall.”

Melissa’s is highlighting several timely opportunities that can carry retailers from the holiday into the season ahead.

New-crop Melissa’s Baby Dutch Yellow®, Dutch Red® and Gemstone Potatoes® are here from Idaho’s Magic Valley, with strong supplies for Labor Day and the transition into fall. Retailers can capitalize on grilling demand through the holiday, then carry the program forward as merchandising shifts toward roasting and fall meal solutions.

Waterloupes® offer a unique late-summer melon experience, combining the crisp, juicy texture of watermelon with the sweet, aromatic flavor of cantaloupe. Available through October, Waterloupes give retailers a distinctive way to keep melon displays fresh and engaging as the department moves into fall.

Organic Green Keitt Mangos, grown in California, bring another seasonal discovery to late-summer fruit displays, with availability extending through October. Known for their large size, silky texture, small seed, and sweet flavor, Green Keitts remain green when ripe, creating an opportunity for shopper education at the point of sale.

Fiesta Serrano Peppers bring a colorful mix of red, yellow, orange, chocolate, and green Serranos to grilling, salsa, and guacamole displays. Available into winter, they provide a visually distinctive pepper offering that can transition from Labor Day into fall and football-season merchandising.

FRESNO, CA - California nectarines are heading toward the finish line with steady market conditions and very good quality, giving the category an encouraging note on which to close out the season.

The August 23 Markon Fresh Crop Report indicated that California’s nectarine season would wind down during the week. The broader stone fruit market was reported as steady, with quality rated very good and sugar levels ranging from 11 to 14 percent Brix.

The USDA National FOB Review for August 25, 2026, offered another look at the closing stretch, reporting moderate demand and a steady market for nectarines from California’s Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley. A wide range in pricing was reported, with extra services included.

For other white flesh varieties packed loose in 25-pound cartons, 54–56 count fruit ranged from $22.95–$26.95, with most movement between $22.95 and $24.95. The 60–64 count ranged from $18.95–$20.95, with occasional higher pricing.

Other yellow flesh varieties in 25-pound loose cartons saw 54–56 count fruit range from $22.95–$24.95, while 60–64 count fruit brought $18.95–$22.95 with occasional higher pricing.

Two-layer tray-packed yellow flesh nectarines saw 40–42s range from $24.95–$28.95, with most movement at $26.95–$28.95 and occasional higher levels. The 48–50s ranged from $22.95–$28.95, with most reported at $24.95.

With very good quality accompanying steady market conditions, California nectarines are wrapping up their seasonal run on a positive note.

Keep it locked on ANUK as we follow stonefruit into the next seasonal shift.

FRESNO, CA - California plums are heading through late summer with plenty of fruit to work with, as plentiful supplies, very good quality, and steady market conditions paint an encouraging picture for the category.

The August 23 Markon Fresh Crop Report characterized California peach and plum supplies as plentiful and the market as steady. Quality was reported as very good, while sugar levels across the stone fruit crop ranged from 11 to 14 percent Brix.

That steady outlook continued in the USDA National FOB Review for August 25, 2026, which reported moderate demand and a steady market for plums from California’s Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley. Pricing varied by size across the range of black varieties.

Various black plums packed loose in 28-pound cartons saw 30–35 count fruit range from $26.95–$32.95, with most movement between $26.95 and $30.95.

For 40–45 count fruit, the range stood at $24.95–$28.95, with occasional higher pricing. The 50–55 count ranged from $20.95–$24.95, also with occasional higher levels.

Smaller 60–65 count fruit ranged from $18.95–$22.95, with most movement between $18.95 and $20.95 and occasional higher pricing.

Taken together, the latest reports point to a California plum crop pairing plentiful availability and very good quality with a market that continues to hold steady as the late-summer season progresses.

Stay tuned to ANUK as we keep tabs on crops and all the momentum coming out of California.

COSTA MESA, CA - In the words of Jake Cadwallader, Produce, Floral and Quality Control Director, Stater Bros. Markets, on balancing the needs of our industry: Let’s do this together because we need each other, and when we do that, we are unstoppable.

On August 26 and 27, the Fresh Produce and Floral Council (FPFC) brought the West Coast's supply-side and buy-side together at the Westin South Coast Plaza for the 2026 Produce and Floral Holiday Showcase—two days built around education and connection while showcasing products in time for the calendar's biggest selling moments, from Halloween and Thanksgiving to Día de los Muertos and Super Bowl Sunday.

"Our industry makes the holidays happen," Bob Lanter, President of the Fresh Produce and Floral Council, said in announcing the Showcase earlier this year. "It's time to bring its people together to plan, sell, and buy in preparation for traditions that add color to our lives and bring sales to our businesses."

That sentiment carried through to the exhibit floor, where Veronica Rodarte, Chair of the FPFC Executive Committee—who also serves as Director of Sales and Commodity Management for Chili, Tropicals and Herbs at Progressive Produce—took on double duty as the Showcase's emcee.

“If you take one idea back to your company this afternoon, we have done our job,” Veronica shared with attendees as she shared FPFC’s desire to open up education and candid conversations to help deepen the community of those in the room.

The Showcase opened Wednesday afternoon with the Fresh and Fierce: Women's Leadership Summit—the first in the council’s history that was women’s only! Keynoted by Karen Caplan, the former Chief Executive Officer and President of Frieda's Branded Produce, she gave her top ten tips on a rich professional and personal life to a crowd that was actively hanging on every word.

Then the Fresh and Fierce Panel took the stage with Moderator Alex Jackson, Frieda's Branded Produce, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, who put her queries to an impressive panel, including Natalia Merienne, Avocado Queen Founder and CEO, Aimee Bach, First Fruit Farms Business Development Manager, Cagney Miller B Fresh Floral’s Designer and Sales Director, Staci Burke, Oppy’s Director of Port and Distribution Operations, and Erin Liu, Vesta Food Service’s Key Account Manager.

As the panel shared their experience and wisdom, a consistent message throughout their diverse backgrounds was how much success was built on saying yes to an opportunity even if you aren’t sure you’re ready.

“Raise your hand even if it’s shaking,” Staci stated meaningfully, a mantra that would ring out through the rest of the event.

From there, attendees split into two tracks for the afternoon. The Produce Summit brought in Tom Barnes, CEO of Category Partners, alongside buyers and executives from Stater Bros., Sprouts, Cal Fresco, and Oppy, digging into how retailers are shaping category strategy heading into the season.

“I think about FPFC, about this conference—I remember coming to this conference in the 90s, and I got so much out of it,” Erin Tice, National Senior Category Manager, Sprouts Farmers Market, shared in discussing what impacted her industry network. Then, on what kept her interested, she referred to the room at large. “This whole team here, what I’m looking at—it’s family. People don’t leave this industry because they honestly live it. There’s a passion there, and if you’re passionate, your team members will be passionate…I have never stopped learning in produce.”

Across the hall, the Floral Summit gathered floral leadership from Gelson's, Raley's, Albertsons and Bristol Farms, moderated by Paige Venable of Vallarta Supermarkets.

The evening closed with a Welcome and Opening Reception that brought both rooms back together to open the Showcase on the Westin's beautiful terrace.

Thursday moved quickly. After breakfast, the Opening Plenary brought a keynote from David Hinojosa, CEO of Heritage Group, who shared his globe-trotting path through retail and the importance of people and culture, plus the presentation of FPFC's industry awards and the graduation of its current Apprentice Program class.

Congratulations Awardees

A heartfelt congratulations to the following award recipients:

• Buz Bolstad Produce Member of the Year: Bryan Presley, Albertsons

• Andy Matsui Floral Member of the Year: John DeBruyn, Mountain View Nursery

• Trailblazer of the Year Jan DeLyzer Award: Kori Martin, Oppy

The morning's educational breakouts framed a number of topics into accessible and conversational panels. The first block paired Chelsea Carbahal of CMC Strategies on crisis communications with Kristen Reid of MIXTEC Group on C-suite perspective, Beth O'Reilly of Dutchess Bouquets on trend-forward floral design, and Bianca Fiedler of Zespri on what she called produce's most invisible competitive advantage.

The second block turned toward compliance and business strategy: June Monroe of Fennemore Law on the FSMA 204 traceability rule, Aimee Smith of Healthy Family Project on value-alignment marketing, Taylor Triffo of KSC Lawyers with a 2026 legislative update, and Vern Kettler of Matsui Nursery on the business behind selling orchids.

A networking lunch with business buyer meetings led into the main event: the exhibit hall opened, giving buyers and attendees the afternoon to walk the intimate booth setup and source Halloween, Thanksgiving, and more in one pass. Retail teams on the floor included Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, Safeway, Stater Bros., Raley's, Walmart Connect, Sprouts, UNFI, Save Mart, Superior Grocers, Cardenas, Vallarta Supermarkets, Gelson's, and Smart & Final, among others.

As the event wound down with so many handshakes and conversations, enjoying a loud and bustling show floor, Jake’s words continued to resonate.

“It's the relationships that catapult us and ignite what we can do together,” he said. And isn’t that what gatherings like the FPFC Holiday Showcase are all about?

Even as things come to a close, we’ll have more from Costa Mesa in the days ahead, so keep an eye out for more from this evolving event.

NOGALES, AZ - Consistency is what fresh produce dreams are made of—the proverbial carrot we are constantly pursuing to ensure the fresh department exceeds consumer expectations as often as possible. It is also a core tenet of IPR Fresh’s strategy across retail and foodservice.

“Consistency and availability start with focus and planning. Our primary business is centered around colored hothouse bell peppers and cucumbers, which allows us to be highly disciplined in how we plan, grow, harvest, and ship our crops. We understand that our retail and foodservice customers need more than a quality product; they need a partner they can count on for reliable supply throughout the year. That's what our farming and supply programs are designed to deliver,” says Mark Munger, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development.

As the company prepares to meet the industry at the Southeast Produce Council’s 2026 Southern Innovations with products like its successful bell pepper retail packs—including Rainbow, Stop Light, and Family Packs—among other offerings, Mark explains that one of the supplier’s biggest advantages is geographic diversity of production.

“We farm across 10 production regions in five Mexican states, which helps mitigate the impact of localized weather events or other challenges that can affect a particular growing region. If conditions are difficult in one area, our broader production footprint provides additional flexibility,” he explains.

Mark sees flexibility as a key advantage, and that philosophy is reflected in IPR Fresh’s approach to production. The company utilizes a broad spectrum of growing technologies, from basic shade houses to highly controlled Dutch- and Israeli-style systems, matching the technology to the climate and growing conditions of each region.

“Our continued investment in controlled environment agriculture also gives us greater control over key variables such as weather and pest pressure,” Mark says. “Combined with disciplined crop planning and strong relationships with our grower partners, this allows us to build more predictable programs and deliver the consistency our customers depend on.”

With nearly 24 years focusing on strong grower relationships, quality products, and dependable service, Southern Innovations—a show focused on relationships and connection—lines up perfectly with the next big chapter IPR is teeing up.

“For us, Southern Innovations is more than an opportunity to showcase our products. It’s an opportunity to listen and learn more about what our customers need and demonstrate how IPR Fresh can help them build stronger, more reliable produce programs. We’re looking forward to being in Nashville and meeting with customers who are interested in growing together,” Mark concludes.

Be sure to explore the team’s commitment to consistency and find out more about the exciting things already in the works. Swing by booth #149 when the Southern Innovations ribbon is cut on September 11 in Nashville, Tennessee.