BLANDON, PA - The key to innovation lies in uniting creativity with strategic execution and a passion for the process—elements that streamline product development and define dedicated companies like Giorgio. With the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Innovations event quickly approaching September 10–13 in Charlotte, North Carolina, I asked Bryan Shelton about the company’s vision for the show.

“Our theme this year is all about making mushrooms easy and accessible. We’re showing buyers how Giorgio can help them bring fresh ideas to their shelves that align with where consumers are going—more convenience, without compromising on freshness,” Bryan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, shares. “We’re excited to roll out new, ready-to-use mushroom blends, including our new Grill Packs and Savory Sauté Kits, that make it super easy to add flavor and nutrition without extra prep. These products directly respond to consumer demand for convenience without compromising on quality.”

Giorgio’s goal is to make it simple for retailers to excite shoppers with products that move. The company’s recent acquisition of L.F. Lambert Spawn Co., a company with a century-long legacy of mushroom innovation, has strengthened the very foundation of Giorgio’s supply chain.

“This acquisition gives us the ability to not only deliver fresh, easy solutions today, but also to keep fueling the next wave of innovation in mushrooms for tomorrow,” Bryan details. “By joining forces with Lambert, we’re now even more vertically integrated, which means we can deliver consistency, freshness, and peace of mind at every stage of the process. That behind-the-scenes strength reinforces the simple, clear message buyers will see at the show.”

Mushrooms are one category changing the way that consumers experience produce. Giorgio continues to make a name for itself with differentiation in thought and strategy.

“What sets us apart is that we’re not just selling mushrooms—we’re re-thinking how mushrooms fit into people’s lives. We’ve got a long history and trust in the category, but we’re pushing it forward with innovative formats. That mix of fresh thinking, plus the reliability we’re known for, really helps Giorgio stand out on a crowded shelf,” Bryan says.

Giorgio’s new products align perfectly with what SEPC Southern Innovations is all about, which is sustainability, new technology, and meeting buyers where their challenges lie. Visit booth #417 at the upcoming show to see how the mushroom category is evolving the consumer basket.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Wonderful Halos, one of America’s most-loved healthy snack brands, is kicking off the back-to-school season on a sweet note with a nationwide contest to support teachers and help fund classrooms. According to the National Education Association, over 90% of teachers spend their own money on school supplies every year. With inflation driving school supply prices up nearly 24%, Wonderful Halos wanted to ease the financial burden of the new school year for some of the everyday heroes who make a difference in students’ lives.

Now through September 26, educators and families across the country are encouraged to nominate a “sweet teacher” for a chance to win a $10,000 cash prize and a year’s supply of Wonderful Halos. Five runners-up will also receive a $1,500 Amazon eGift card to fulfill their classroom wish list.

“The impact of one deserving teacher can forever change the life of a student. With our Sweetest Teacher contest, we are shining a necessary light on the incredible dedication teachers bring every day as the heart and soul of our schools,” said Jennifer Hirano, vice president of marketing, The Wonderful Company, in a recent release. “Both through this initiative and with Wonderful Halos as a healthy, sweet snack, we are committed to fueling and inspiring healthy learning all year long.”

Nominations are open to all public and private school teachers, including subject specialists who work with students from pre-K through 12th grade. Each nomination must include a brief statement (350 words or fewer) explaining how the prize would benefit their classroom. Entries will be evaluated based on the nominee’s impact, classroom needs, emotional resonance, and originality. The grand prize winner and runners-up will be selected on September 30 and announced by October 3.

To further celebrate the start of the school year, Wonderful Halos will hit the road with family-friendly pop-up events at select East Coast grocery stores, featuring on-site sampling, giveaways, an inflatable bounce house, and coloring stations. The road tour reminds parents that Halos are convenient, nutritious, and kid-approved – perfect for packing in everyday lunch boxes. Timed for the busy back-to-school season, Halos also provide 50 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C per serving and are a natural source of energy to help kids and parents alike power through their day.

The road tour will visit the following locations:

• Sept. 6: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Stop & Shop, 125 Church St., Pembroke, MA 02359
• Sept. 7: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Stop & Shop, 400 Lincoln St., Hingham, MA 02043
• Sept. 13:
  • 9 a.m. to Noon, ACME Markets, 1305 W. Chester Pike, Havertown, Philadelphia, PA 19083
  • 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., ACME Markets, 2101-41 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19149
• Sept. 14:
  • 9 a.m. to Noon, ShopRite, 4990-5005 State Rd., Drexel Hill, PA 19026
  • 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., ShopRite, 2301 W. Oregon Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19145

To make it easier to find Wonderful Halos, shoppers can look for the vibrant new point-of-sale (POS) displays featuring a cheerful, school-ready child, promoting Halos as “The Backpack Snack Hack.” Naturally sweet, seedless, and easy-to-peel, Halos help take the stress out of lunchbox prep – making it easy for families to “snack to school” with confidence.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Innovation is a word weighted with possibility—rooted in ideation, propelled by progress, and charged with hope. As the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Innovations event approaches, set for September 10–13 in Charlotte, North Carolina, companies across the U.S. are preparing to showcase their visions, strategies, and solutions for the challenges shaping today’s marketplace and tomorrow’s opportunities. Ahead of the show, I connected with Phil Kooy, Chief Revenue Officer at Generous Brands, to gain insight into how the company is approaching the event and how its operation is built to embody innovation not just in thought, but in execution.

“Generous Brands’ mission is to inspire people through vibrant nutrition with brands like Bolthouse Farms, Evolution Fresh, Health-Ade, and SAMBAZON. With our recent Health-Ade acquisition, our portfolio now spans nearly $1 billion in premium beverages, making the Southern Innovations event an ideal time to discuss opportunities and possibilities,” Phil shares with me.

This year in Charlotte, Generous Brands will be featuring its seasonal launches for fall, which include a new Organic Cold Pressed Spiced Cider from Evolution Fresh and preparations for a second season of Sumo Cold Pressed Mandarin Juice.

“The cider has an incredible fresh taste profile, which you would expect from our cold-pressed lineup, and I guarantee it’s the best cider you have ever tried. We are elevating the cider experience, bringing much-needed innovation and excitement to a popular but sleepy category,” Phil explains. “Sumo had an incredible launch last year in our partnership with AC Foods, bringing the Sumo experience in a bottle to millions of Sumo followers. We received incredible feedback from both customers and consumers and have plans to expand the program this year based on demand.”

Bringing Health-Ade into the fold has only increased the power of Generous Brands’ diverse portfolio.

“The acquisition was incredibly exciting for us as it rounds out our beverage portfolio with a fully complementary segment and helps us drive availability and innovation around the macro gut-health trend for our customers,” Phil describes. “The response from the marketplace has been very encouraging. Customers are excited for Generous Brands to continue bringing category solutions through more innovation, more marketing investment, more category and in-store support, and more ideas to drive growth in refrigerated functional beverages for years to come.”

If you had not already felt the long-term vision at play for Generous Brands, you will now. As Phil tells me, the beverage category is highly dynamic: consumers get bored easily and are quickly on to the next. “What solution can I find in this beverage for what I need?”

“So the question I get asked the most is, ‘Help me find what is next. Where is the consumer going?’ Or, as I like to say, ‘skate to where the puck is going,’” Phil suggests. “If healthy soda sales are starting to slow as they cycle massive growth and dollars and brands move from refrigerated to center-store ambient sales, our job is to lead with solutions to replace those dollars for our customers. These are the biggest opportunities. Now that we have solutions within our Generous Brands platform to address needs across the consumer spectrum via Bolthouse, Evolution, SAMBAZON, and now Health-Ade, we are hard at work bringing these ideas forward. The longer-term vision is for our customers to win across the macro trends of protein, gut health, mood, and clean nutrition, among others, with a ‘build or buy’ mentality, where we identify additional opportunities that we may not be fully addressing currently.”

As Phil concludes, the produce industry is addictive for many of us because it’s on-trend, fast-paced, and ever-changing—and the refrigerated beverage set in the produce department is no exception.

Check out what Generous Brands is all about by visiting SEPC Southern Innovations Booth #222 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - To speak of a life is always a collective effort. Its true magnitude lies not just in the person themselves, but in the way those around them experienced the moments, the joy, the heartache, and the triumphs of that life. Allen Lund was a man whose ambition was never about power or popularity, but about compassion and grace. To honor that legacy, his wife, Kathie, and their children came together to weave Allen's story into the binding of a book. Out of this devotion, Be Good: The Allen Lund Story was born.

“This book is a celebration of my father, my mother, and the life that they created together. Many of the stories that were told during our Monday Night Therapy—the scheduled weekly meetings with Jenna Day, the author—were opportunities for us to celebrate my dad, but also to bring together stories that were unknown to us,” Eddie Lund, President of the Allen Lund Company (ALC), shares. “We got to know my father and my mother better, and with so much more depth, because of this project. I am so grateful for that. There were lots of laughs, tears, and just being family.”

As Eddie explains, stories are contagious. Once the family began sharing stories about Allen, the natural progression was a book to hold those moments. With careful craftsmanship by Jenna, Be Good traces the life of a man defined by unwavering integrity and quiet but remarkable bravery.

From modest roots to a place of national influence, the biography shows how discipline, humility, and faith can quietly transform an ordinary life into an extraordinary testament of everyday sainthood. For those who knew Allen as a devoted husband, father of six, and faithful daily Mass-goer, this book offers a richer portrait. Be Good reveals the depth of Allen’s character and the passion and enthusiasm that animated his life—qualities that made building a billion-dollar company not just a professional achievement, but a natural extension of who he was.

“Dad’s impact extended beyond business and continues to impact those who knew him today,” Eddie reflects. “Be Good gives readers a chance to meet the man who made ALC and its surrounding community great.”

The family invites you to share your personal stories and memories here, and help celebrate the legacy of a man who touched so many lives.

Be Good: The Allen Lund Story is available for purchase at Dynamic Catholic, Walmart, and Amazon.

Published by Dynamic Catholic, the book is more than a collection of stories—it is a legacy of fingerprints, a reminder of the countless ways Allen’s life continues to touch others, and a gift to all of us fortunate enough to read it.

WASHINGTON, DC - As the Organic Trade Association (OTA) celebrates 40 years, the organization took a bold step today with the launch of the Seal Makes It Simple campaign, aimed at raising consumer awareness about the benefits of organic for personal well-being and the environment. As the leading voice for the organic trade, OTA developed the integrated media, digital, and retail campaign to help eliminate consumer confusion when shopping for food and textiles—amid a myriad of certifications and choices available—with a clear call-to-action to look for and choose the USDA Organic seal.

Organic is now a $71 billion industry, growing at double the pace of conventional food products, according to OTA’s 2025 Market Report. This growth is driven by younger consumers—both Gen Z and Millennials—who are recognizing the health benefits of organic and are willing to pay more for it. Unlike other eco-labels or certifications, only organic is federally regulated, ensuring that food and fiber are produced without toxic pesticides, GMOs, synthetic additives, or antibiotics, while promoting animal welfare, sustainable agriculture and a healthier planet.

The Seal Makes It Simple program will run through December 31, 2026, and will debut in six regional markets where organic has strong potential for growth: Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Indianapolis, IN; Louisville, KY; Lubbock, TX; and Tampa, FL.

“Shopping should not feel like complicated homework,” said Tom Chapman, Co-CEO of Organic Trade Association, in a recent release. “There is significant trust in the USDA Organic seal, and this campaign cuts through the clutter of competing claims and messaging to help shoppers confidently recognize and choose the benefits of organic.”

Funding for the campaign is made possible through a $2.2 million USDA Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG) awarded in 2024 to OTA and The Organic Center—part of the $300 million Organic Transition Initiative. Together with Organic Voices and support from OTA members, the organization is investing $4.4 million over three years to expand consumer trust and grow organic markets. OTA was instrumental in championing and securing these initiatives, helping channel federal investment and meaningful support for farmers, businesses, and the organic marketplace.

“On behalf of our member retailers, we are very excited about the potential of the Seal Makes It Simple campaign to be a call-to-action for consumers to prioritize organic,” said Pat Sheridan, President and CEO of the Independent Natural Foods Retailers Association (INFRA). “Frankly, we’ve been waiting for something like this and are eager to support it.”

Additional activities planned for the month include OTA’s annual Organic Week conference in Washington, DC. Bringing together leading OTA members, policy makers, media, and influencers, the event will feature keynote speaker Jack Sinclair, CEO of Sprouts Farmers Market, as well as two days of panels and breakout sessions. The conference wraps up with a full day of advocacy activities on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, September 17.

“We’re at a pivotal moment at the Organic Trade Association—celebrating four decades of organic progress while charting an inspiring vision for the future,” said Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO of OTA. “This year’s event will be a convergence of ideas, innovation, and partnership as we build policies and programs to support growers, uplift agricultural communities, and deepen consumer trust in the USDA Organic seal.”

For more information on OTA’s activities during Organic Month, go to: ota.com/organic-month.

WATSONVILLE, CA - September marks National Mushroom Month, and Monterey Mushrooms® is leading the celebration by spotlighting the everyday usability of all mushroom varieties and encouraging consumers to make mushrooms a daily addition to meals and routines.

This year, in honor of Mushroom Month, Monterey Mushrooms is launching a series of initiatives designed to delight mushroom lovers and drive industry innovation nationwide. Anchoring this year’s festivities is the expansion of Monterey Mushrooms’ cutting-edge top seal packaging—an innovation setting new industry standards for quality and sustainability—as well as a wave of new specialty offerings and creative digital engagement strategies.

Building on the successful introduction in Madisonville, Texas, in October 2022, Monterey Mushrooms is proud to announce the rollout of its top seal packaging to additional farms in Loudon, Tennessee, and Morgan Hill, California. This expansion reflects the company’s commitment to quality and sustainability, providing consumers and retailers with improved packaging solutions coast to coast.

Along with its packaging advancement, Monterey Mushrooms is unveiling a collection of innovative specialty mushroom varieties, thoughtfully developed to meet evolving consumer tastes and culinary trends. These launches invite mushroom enthusiasts to explore new flavors and textures, reinforcing the versatility and creativity that mushrooms bring to any meal.

Throughout Mushroom Month, Monterey Mushrooms is activating targeted digital coupon campaigns and sharing daily social media content across Facebook and Instagram. These initiatives are especially designed to connect with Gen Z and Millennial shoppers—providing inspiration, value, and fresh ways to engage with mushrooms every day. The goal: deepen consumer engagement, elevate awareness of mushrooms’ nutritional and sustainability benefits, and inspire creative culinary adventures.

“Mushroom Month is our opportunity to celebrate the versatility, nutrition, and sustainability of mushrooms with consumers across the country,” said Lindsey Occhipinti, Marketing Manager, Monterey Mushrooms, in the recent release. “Our expanded top seal packaging, new specialty offerings, and creative activations are all designed to inspire discovery and reinforce our commitment to both quality and environmental leadership.”

WASHINGTON, DC - This September, the National Restaurant Association and ServSafe® are turning up the heat on food safety with a bold new campaign for National Food Safety Month (NFSM) 2025: Food Safety’s Most Wanted: How to Identify, Avoid, and Prevent the Top Violations.

Food Safety’s Most Wanted are responsible for everything from foodborne illness outbreaks to failed inspections. Each week in September, the campaign will help identify the culprit, understand its risks, and prevent repeat offenses. By personifying the most common food safety violations as outlaw characters, like The Greasy Spoon and The Contaminator, on the loose in restaurant kitchens, each week will spotlight a different “culprit,” helping foodservice teams recognize and stop these violations before they cause harm.

“Food safety is a foundation of trust between restaurants and their guests,” said Sherman Brown, executive vice president of Business Services for the National Restaurant Association, in a recent release. “Training is essential to creating a culture where safety is second nature. That’s why we’re excited to launch this year’s campaign with a fresh, visual approach that makes learning engaging and memorable. Customer safety is our first priority, and National Food Safety Month is a powerful reminder of that commitment.”

Weekly Breakdown:

• Week 1 Inadequate Cleaning and Sanitization: Learn how to spot sanitation failures and the difference between cleaning and sanitizing.
• Week 2 Contamination and Cross-Contamination: Learn the science behind outbreaks and get a 3-legged approach guide to food handling.
• Week 3 Poor Personal Hygiene: Good hygiene starts with constant reminders, and this week goes beyond proper handwashing.
• Week 4 Improper Temperature Control: You gotta know when to hold ‘em and how to log ‘em because time and temp play a major role in food safety during service.
• Week 5 Wrap-up: With bonus violations and a guide to building a lasting culture of food safety

Each week includes educational resources, prevention tools, and leadership guidance to help restaurants stay vigilant. From posters and quizzes to shift meeting briefs, the campaign offers everything operators need to train teams and reinforce best practices.

NFSM 2025 also features a special offer for participants and a full suite of downloadable assets. To join the campaign and receive weekly updates, visit foodsafetyfocus.com and subscribe.

For more than 30 years, ServSafe has been the leader in preparing foodservice workers to deliver safe dining experiences for their guests, while also keeping themselves safe. NFSM, recognized each September, was created in 1994 by the National Restaurant Association to heighten awareness about the importance of food safety education. The NFSM 2025 is sponsored by Tork, an Essity Brand.