LOS ANGELES, CA - Berry Fresh is expanding its snack offering with the launch of Blueberry Bites™—a 7-oz snack cup filled with premium, proprietary blueberries bred for exceptional flavor and texture. Designed with convenience in mind, the new pack has hit store shelves as a healthy, on-the-go snack.

“Our goal with Blueberry Bites is to meet consumers where they are—on the move, busy, looking for healthier snacking options that still deliver on flavor,” said Jyoti Bhogal, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Berry Fresh, in the recent release. “This format brings together our best-tasting fruit in a portable, resealable, and kid-friendly package.”

Blueberry Bites will be filled with proprietary, flavor-forward varieties grown on Agroberries’ farms—Berry Fresh’s parent company. These exclusive genetics deliver a consistently sweet, juicy, and crisp eating experience.

The new cup features a patented easy-open, resealable snack lid, making it simple to pour or grab a few berries without the risk of spilling while on the move. Drainage holes at the bottom of the cup also allow for easy rinsing, eliminating the need to transfer the fruit before eating.

Snacking items continue to drive growth across the food industry, resulting in increased demand for convenient single-serve fruit options. Blueberry Bites offer a fresh and healthy alternative to traditional packaged snacks, underscoring Berry Fresh’s continued focus on inspiring healthy snacking.

Berry Fresh is the North American headquarters for Agroberries, and a leading year-round grower, distributor, and marketer of premium blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.

GARDNERS, PA - Back-to-school season is an ideal time to reintroduce families to the fresh eating experience of apples—and Rice Fruit Company is ready for the moment.

“Right now, with fresh crop apples coming in from the orchards with incredible quality and flavor, it’s the perfect time to capitalize on the variety options, health benefits, and simple sophistication of apples. Nutrient-dense with endless options, they’re perfectly suited for lunchboxes, after-school snack trays, fall baking, and seasonal displays,” Val Ramsburg, Sales and Marketing, shared. This is especially true as we get into September and October, when more varieties come off Rice Fruit’s trees. “Their crisp, sweet flavor keeps kids coming back for more, while their consistent quality makes them a reliable choice for retailers, foodservice operators, and budget-conscious family shoppers.”

Val further explained that Rice Fruit offers flexible pack styles, from bulk trays to consumer-friendly bags, allowing retailers to reach a broad range of shoppers and tailor merchandising strategies to their store formats.

“What sets apples apart from other produce is that there really is a flavor profile for every discerning taste. Love a burst of flavor and juice? Honeycrisp is your pick. Want a super-crunch with an effervescent sweet-tart flavor? Lemonade™ is here! Not sure if you’re going to be baking or snacking? Granny Smith or an Eastern Golden Delicious are perfect for both,” Val pointed out.

This year’s apple crop is coming in clean, flavorful, and plentiful, with strong supply in early-season favorites like Gala and Honeycrisp. Outstanding quality, ample sizing, and reliable availability are ready to help retailers easily build seasonal centerpieces in stores.

“Apples are an iconic flavor of fall and a top-of-mind purchase for parents seeking healthy, packable snacks. They deliver a strong nutritional value at an affordable price; attributes that resonate more than ever with budget-conscious families,” Val observed.

With some of the best products Rice Fruit has seen in recent years at the ready, Val shared that all the right factors are in place: clean finish, balanced sizing, and strong internal pressures that support flavor and shelf-life. For buyers, that means confidence in availability, program flexibility, and the ability to meet a variety of shopper needs.

“From value-driven family packs to premium fruit for eye-catching displays, there is high-quality fruit that will be consistently available, while retailers support local farm families,” Val concluded.

For the latest on all products coming out of the ground and off the tree, continue to follow AndNowUKnow.

GLENNVILLE, GA - Southeast Produce Council's (SEPC) Southern Innovations sets itself apart amid industry events. For Bland Farms, it’s an opportunity to share, connect, and gain as many insights as it gives. As Troy Bland, Chief Executive Officer, recently told me, it’s as much about listening as it is about showcasing what’s next.

“Southern Innovations is one of the best chances buyers have to see what’s next in fresh produce. It’s not just about showcasing what we’re doing—it’s about learning from others in the industry too. You’ve got growers, retailers, and innovators all in one room, and there’s always something new to take home,” Troy said. “For us, it’s a time to share how we’re raising the bar with sweet onions and sweet potatoes, but just as important, it’s a chance to listen. We want to hear directly from retailers about what’s working in their stores, what their customers are asking for, and how we can support them.”

The timing lines up perfectly to showcase both Bland Farms’ Premium Sweet Onions from Peru and Sand Candy® Sweet Potatoes—each of which shows the grower’s commitment and care to its products.

“Our Premium Sweet Onions from Peru come from the Century variety, which is nearly identical to the Vidalia® variety we grow here in Georgia. About 95 percent of the onions grown in Peru are the Century. They’ve got the same flat shape and mild, sweet flavor—if you cut one open and taste it next to a Vidalia, most folks wouldn’t know the difference,” Troy explained. “Sand Candy is special because it’s built on partnership. We teamed up with Battleboro Produce in North Carolina, and that collaboration gives us an edge—it lets us bring sweet potatoes to market a little earlier than most and keep pace with growing demand. Between our teams, you’ve got decades of farming know-how and the marketing strength to support our retail partners.”

With "innovations" specifically spotlighted at the upcoming show, Troy also shared with me how Bland Farms is always looking at how technology can help boost efficiency and sustainability while delivering a better product.

“On the packing side, we’ve modernized our lines so onions move directly from the sizer into consumer packs without extra handling. It sounds simple, but it saves time, reduces waste, and improves consistency,” Troy said. “Out in the fields, we’re excited about tools like Carbon Robotics’ laser weeder. We had a chance to demo that technology for our Organic Vidalia Crop this year. It uses advanced AI and lasers to target weeds without herbicides. For us, that’s a big step forward—especially in organics, where weed pressure is one of the toughest challenges. Less stress on the plants, fewer chemicals in the soil, and healthier yields all around.”

Bland Farms has also invested in climate control, implementing systems like glycol systems to heat or cool different areas of the packing house as needed. The result is onions drying faster and with better precision.

Leaning into regenerative practices such as conservation tillage, water management, and biodiversity enhancement, Bland Farms aims for zero food waste. Additional moves include:

• Consolidating from 77 compressors to 3
• Cutting forklift emissions by moving to electric
• Reduced plastic use in bags by 80 percent
• 335,000 trees and 138 million gallons saved over the last decade
• Each onion used, either sold whole, processed into Vidalia Brands products, or returned to the soil as natural fertilizer

“Beyond the bells and whistles, it all ties back to stewardship. At the end of the day, these aren’t just innovations for the sake of technology—they’re practical steps that let us farm smarter, take care of the land, and keep delivering the sweet onions our customers love,” Troy states, a reflection that aligns well with Southern Innovations’ culture. “The value of this show is that you don’t just walk away with handshakes—you walk away with ideas and tools you can put to work right away. Whether it’s improving your produce sets, meeting consumer demand, or finding new ways to cross-merchandise, Southern Innovations creates those conversations—and we’re grateful to be part of it.”

By pairing cutting-edge technology with time-honored growing expertise, wrapped in a family feel as sweet as its product, Bland Farms’ is a vision that fits perfectly with the spirit of Southern Innovations. Be sure to experience this for yourself by visiting booth #307 Friday, September 12, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

DES MOINES, IA - The industry is mourning the loss of a longtime produce leader and experienced retail expert following the recent passing of Tom Crall, Category Manager of Produce at Hy-Vee.

Tom was a valuable member of Hy-Vee’s produce purchasing team, the company said in a statement today. He began his career with Hy-Vee in 1991 at the Urbandale store. In 1996, he became a produce clerk for Hy-Vee. In 2000, Tom was named produce manager at Urbandale, where he served for nine years. He then moved to the West Des Moines office to work in produce procurement in the position of produce sales inventory manager. And in 2011, he was promoted to his most recent position. Tom helped keep our produce inventory current and fresh, and he developed a great rapport working with the stores to help them create their own programs.

Tom graduated from Dowling High School in Des Moines and earned his degree from Des Moines Area Community College.

"Tom was not only a respected professional in the produce industry, but also a devoted father and an incredible human being," said Joe Stoltz, Vice President of Produce at Hy-Vee, in a statement shared with ANUK. "Those who had the privilege of working with Tom will remember his integrity, warmth and genuine passion for people. He built lasting relationships across our industry and leaves behind a legacy of kindness, leadership and friendship that will not be forgotten. "As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the impact Tom had on all of us—as a colleague, a mentor, and most importantly, as a friend. He was truly a Produce Rock Star. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time."

We send our thoughts and prayers to Tom’s family – his wife Kristi and his three daughters Taylor, Kaylin and Chloe – as well as his sister-in-law Jenny Hill, who also works in Hy-Vee’s procurement department, the company's statement continued.

We at ANUK offer condolences to all who knew and loved this industry great.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - This industry is one of experience—experiences had and experience gained. I was reminded of this when I had the opportunity to be a part of Divine Flavor’s sixth annual Grower Summit, a rotating event which had its first California visit August 18–19.

“The goal is to solidify and form personal relationships with our stores and growers to continue producing the best grapes possible,” Alán Aguirre Camou, Chief Marketing Officer, Divine Flavor, summed up as he greeted everyone after a morning walking through vineyards and experiencing firsthand varieties both in development and already making a splash in the category.

Following the success of the 2024 Grower Summit in Paracas, Peru, Divine Flavor continued what has become a tradition of uniting its global network of growers with another impactful annual event focused on the world of table grapes.

Bringing together producers from across the company’s network for a dynamic experience centered on learning, networking, and celebrating the industry, the pride Divine Flavor has in hosting these events was palpable.

In addition to walking ARRA grape varieties Monday morning, the group visited Bloom Fresh on Tuesday to review the new Cotton Candy branding, as well as Sun World to learn more about later-season varieties such as Autumncrisp®, Applause™ (Sugrafiftyfour), Epic Crisp® (Sugrafiftysix), among other exciting varietals in the pipeline. Attendees heard from the experts on the importance of proper standards in quality and packing, getting a peek at new and promising varieties in development.

“For Divine Flavor and our growers, it’s very important to understand these different varietals, the timing of them, where they best grow, and how to properly market them to our customers,” Michael DuPuis, Quality Assurance and Public Relations Manager, reflected. “Having an alliance with Bloom Fresh, Grapa, and Sun World is essential to both us and our growers moving into the next decade of grape growing.”

Not only was it a reminder of the necessary tangibility of our industry—the only department in the store consumers need to feel before purchase—but it was an amazing opportunity to hear from some of the experts raising the bar for the grape category.

“If you’re the best grower in your area today, and in five years you’re doing exactly what you do now, you won’t be the best grower in your area,” Carlos Bon, Jr., Vice President of Sales, Divine Flavor, observed, pointing out that Divine Flavor, and grapes at large, cannot be aiming simply to make specs. “It’s about being better.”

A unique and towering figure our group was also able to hear from was the father of modern-day Grapa and of the ARRA grape program, Shachar Karniel. Among many gems of wisdom and stories he shared, an observation stood out that echoed not just the importance of flavorful varieties, but also committed growers as individuals.

“One thing is mutual from all grapes—all are built for the farmer,” he explained, bringing every grape under an umbrella before then highlighting their unique importance. “But each has an individual attribute.”

Crisp, thin-skinned, easy color, brix, yield…each variety we popped into our mouths right off the vine had something they brought to the table. This is the message of experience.

Amid a pendulum of innovation that has made for a paradox of choice for consumers, how do we ensure each has an opportunity to meet the needs it was carefully crafted for?

That was the question left burning in me after the gift of experiencing two days with the growers and innovators bringing these products to life. As I look forward to working out the answers, I am filled with gratitude for Divine Flavor and its community.

In addition to table grapes, Divine Flavor also organizes summits for its vegetable growers. The next event is scheduled for early September in Querétaro, Mexico, and will focus on greenhouse-grown peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

Thank you to the organization and those it encompasses for highlighting the power of experience and the work still to come.