SUNBURY, PA - Weis Markets announced it has completed the remodel of its Pen Argyl store.

The store features:

• An expanded, market-style produce department offering an increased variety of fresh items.
• An upgraded exterior.
• Expanded seafood and meat departments offering increased variety
• Expanded deli and food service area with a broader selection of meals to go.
• New interior décor.
• Increased variety throughout its grocery section.
• Energy-efficient refrigerated and frozen cases using low-impact refrigerants.

“We’ve finished our work and are ready to celebrate the grand re-opening of our Pen Argyl store,” said Bob Gleeson, Chief Operating Officer, in the recent release. “Our newly remodeled store now offers greater convenience and increased variety throughout the store, particularly in deli/food service where we have an expanded selection of meals to go.”

In celebration of the reopening, Weis Markets’ store team presented donations to Slate Belt Regional Police Department, Bangor Elks Club, and Road Trip Animal Rescue.

The Pen Argyl store is located on Blue Valley Drive.

WASHINGTON, DC - Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), the national nonprofit working to create a healthier future through good food for all, announced a new partnership with Brighter Bites, a nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables and nutrition education to schools. As part of the collaboration, PHA has provided a $50,000 grant to support Brighter Bites’ evidence-based programming in Washington, D.C. metro area schools, which will connect local students and their families with more than 1.5 million servings of fresh produce.

The grant is part of PHA’s Good Food Cities initiative, which works with local partners to build sustainable, community-led systems that break down barriers to affordable, healthy food. The initiative aims to double the consumption of fruits and vegetables in participating cities by 2030. By funding Brighter Bites’ proven school-based model, PHA is investing in a critical pathway to increase access to and consumption of fresh produce for under-resourced families across the District.

“Ending the experience of hunger and closing the nutrition gap for children must be a nationwide, collaborative effort, and that’s what our Good Food Cities initiative is all about,” said Noreen Springstead, President and CEO of Partnership for a Healthier America, in the recent release. “Brighter Bites has a tremendous track record of creating healthier habits for children and families through the powerful combination of access and education. We are proud to partner with them as we work to make Washington, D.C. a city where every single family has the opportunity to eat well and live a healthy life.”

Brighter Bites provides families of elementary school children with up to 20 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables weekly for 16 weeks during the school year and for 4-6 weeks during the summer. Each distribution is paired with nutrition education materials, including recipes and tip sheets, to help families create delicious, healthy meals.

The program also incorporates the Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) curriculum in classrooms to reinforce healthy habits throughout the school environment.

“This generous grant from Partnership for a Healthier America is a powerful endorsement of our mission and a significant investment in the health of children in the Washington, D.C. area,” said Rich Dachman, CEO of Brighter Bites. “Consistent access to fresh produce and nutrition education during childhood is key to building lifelong healthy eating habits. This partnership allows us to deepen our impact, ensuring thousands of families have not only the fresh food they need but also the educational support to make healthy choices stick. We are thrilled to work alongside PHA to build a brighter, healthier future for this community.”

The PHA and Brighter Bites partnership in the Washington, D.C. area will contribute to a collective impact model that can serve as a national blueprint for advancing health equity and reducing the burden of diet-related diseases.

CALEXICO, CA - By spotlighting premium asparagus and green onions at the upcoming Southern Innovations, ALTAR PRODUCE ensures the core of its portfolio takes center stage. These products represent ALTAR PRODUCE’s go-to-market strategy, which highlights the consistency, freshness, and availability the company has become known for in the marketplace.

“Our focus this year is not only on reinforcing the quality of our products but also on sustainability and innovation in packaging,” Rodrigo Torres, Director of Sales, shared with me. “We are actively working to reduce our environmental footprint by introducing eco-friendly, recyclable packaging solutions that maintain product integrity while supporting retailer and consumer demand for greener options.”

In addition, the company will highlight:

• Consistency: ALTAR PRODUCE delivers quality products 52 weeks of the year.
• Sustainability: We are investing in packaging and agricultural practices that support a greener future.
• Partnership: We are not just suppliers, but partners to retailers, working closely with them to meet changing consumer preferences and market demands.

ALTAR PRODUCE’s updated message also centers on “Experience The Freshness”, which reflects the company’s global reach.

“It’s the reliability of our supply chain that ensures customers receive top-quality produce consistently,” Rodrigo added. “Looking ahead, ALTAR PRODUCE is focused on expanding our product availability and strengthening our sustainability initiatives. We want attendees to know that we are committed to being a trusted long-term partner—delivering not just produce, but value, innovation, and reliability in every box.”

Stop by booth #210 to learn more from the team, and stick with ANUK as we continue our coverage up to the event.

CALIFORNIA - Before we head into Labor Day weekend, let’s briefly look at a snapshot of Valencia orange data.

According to the USDA’s August 28, 2025, National FOB Review, Valencia Shippers First Grade coming out South and Central District, California, in bushel cartons 40s is priced between 21.50 and 25.10, mostly 22.55 and 24.50. Valencia Shippers Choice is priced between 19.50 and 23.10, mostly 20.50 and 22.50.

The Source noted that Valencias "are peaking on 88ct, with very limited 113ct and 138ct due to strong school demand. Subbing up in size may be needed.”

Domestic Navel season is expected to start at the end of October, so stay tuned to ANUK for our coverage of that.

CALIFORNIA - Labor Day weekend is here, and although temperatures will be hot, they won’t necessarily be record-breaking. That’s not much consolation to some lettuce crops facing down the heat.

According to the USDA’s August 28, 2025, National FOB Review, green leaf lettuce coming out of Salinas-Watsonville, California, in cartons 24s is priced between 15.00 and 22.85, mostly 17.50 and 20.85. In Santa Maria, California, reporting noted a wide range in price, quality, and condition, with most cartons 24s pricing at 14.35 and 16.55.

Red leaf lettuce is reporting a wide range in prices, as well as in condition and quality out of Salinas-Watsonville and Santa Maria.

For organics, demand is moderate and the market steady, with most cartons 24s out of the South and Central District, California, priced between 20.00 and 31.00.

The Source commented that “the market is firm on green and red leaf as well as Romaine, with Romaine Hearts active across all pack sizes. Shippers are facing lower yields in the field, though demand hasn’t matched that of lettuce.”

Fringe and tip burn have also been reported, and with above-average temperatures likely through the weekend, it may be a little while before lettuce stops feeling the heat.

Keep turning back to ANUK for the latest on category updates like this.