SALINAS, CA - Measure to Improve (MTI), a leading sustainability consulting firm for the fresh produce industry, announced the launch of its Quick Start Compliance Solution, a streamlined program designed to help growers, shippers, and processors respond to THESIS and Project Gigaton™ reporting deadlines.

The THESIS Survey reporting window opens September 8, 2025, and is due November 7, 2025. Walmart’s Project Gigaton, People, and Private Brand Packaging Surveys open on September 15, 2025, and are due by November 14, 2025. These overlapping deadlines place significant pressure on suppliers to submit accurate, credible data on time. For many companies, the annual reporting cycle feels rushed, confusing, and overwhelming. MTI’s Quick Start Compliance Solution changes that.

“Our Quick Start approach is about meeting companies where they are,” said Nikki Cossio, Founder & CEO of Measure to Improve, in the recent release. “We simplify the process, leverage the data you already have, and guide your team step-by-step so you can submit on time, with confidence, and without the stress.”

Why Quick Start Works

Unlike one-size-fits-all compliance tools, MTI’s Quick Start Compliance Solution provides deadline-driven, hands-on support while laying the groundwork for more streamlined reporting and stronger results in future reporting cycles.

With Quick Start, companies gain:

• Credible, on-time submissions for THESIS and Project Gigaton
• Streamlined guidance for navigating portals, prioritizing questions, and interpreting requirements
• Hands-on support through help desk sessions and real-time portal entry assistance
• Forward-looking recommendations to strengthen results in 2026 and beyond

Who Should Use Quick Start

The Quick Start Compliance Solution is designed for companies that are:

• New to sustainability reporting or introducing new staff
• Unsure how to answer THESIS or Project Gigaton questions
• Facing tight deadlines and want to avoid last-minute scrambles or missed opportunities

Schedule a Complimentary Consultation

MTI is offering complimentary introductory meetings now through September 15 to walk companies through the Quick Start Compliance Solution and help determine if this service is the right fit. Schedule a consultation today to learn more, get started, and stay ahead of deadlines.

“Compliance is more than just checking a box,” added Cossio. “It’s an opportunity to build trust with buyers, stand out in a competitive market, and use your data to tell a compelling sustainability story.”

Connect with MTI at SEPC Southern Innovations

MTI will be attending the Southeast Produce Council Southern Innovations on September 10–13, 2025. Visit us at booth #234 to learn more about the Quick Start Compliance Solution and our other sustainability solutions.

GONZALES, CA - Ringing true to its name, the 2025 Southern Innovations event is bringing fresh innovation into the spotlight as companies gear up for this September’s showcase in Charlotte, North Carolina. As Marketing Director, Nicole Minnich-Zapata, tells me ahead of the show, Misionero is “bringing the crunch” to the show floor this year.

“This year, we’re showcasing our Crispy Harvest Blends, a fresh, field-grown innovation redefining what it means to serve greens,” Nicole shares. “Available in green or red-and-green formats, these blends are naturally sweet, satisfyingly crunchy, and visually stunning. They deliver premium performance while staying true to our roots in organic, field-grown excellence.”

Crispy Harvest Blends are organically field-grown, offering a highly coveted lofty texture, vibrant color, and crave-worthy crunch. They’re also 100 percent usable, washed, and ready-to-eat—delivering efficiency for foodservice and convenience for retail.

“The ‘crispy craze’ is real—shoppers and diners want hearty greens that hold up, taste fresh, and look beautiful. While greenhouse greens have led the trend, Misionero’s organic, field-grown Crispy Harvest Blends make it possible to deliver that same elevated eating experience in a more accessible and sustainable way,” Nicole adds. “For retailers and operators, that means you can meet consumer demand for premium-quality greens with a solution that balances organic integrity, field-grown flavor, and cost efficiency. With Crispy Harvest, you get field-grown authenticity and unbeatable value.”

As Nicole emphasizes, Crispy Harvest isn’t just another salad blend. It’s the next generation of organic, field-grown greens.

“Whether you’re plating for a dinner rush or filling a produce aisle, it’s all crunch, no waste, and ready when you are. With Crispy Harvest, you don’t have to choose between organic quality and field-grown affordability—you get both in every bite,” she explains. “Southern Innovations is a great platform to highlight how organic, field-grown solutions like Crispy Harvest can bring real impact to retail shelves and menus.”

Misionero’s Crispy Harvest Blends will be displayed at booth #516 during the show, so don’t forget to stop by! For more industry updates in the lead-up to Southern Innovations, you know where to click.

BREWSTER, WA - In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, SugarBee® apple is excited to share Recetario Dulce inspiración: recetas con la irresistible manzana SugarBee® (Recipes with the Irresistible SugarBee® Apple) – a recipe book that celebrates the tastes and authentic flavors of Hispanic Heritage, while showcasing one of nature’s more delicious gifts – the SugarBee® apple. This apple, with its flavor notes of honey, caramel, and molasses pairs authentically with traditional Hispanic flavors in sweet pastries to savory main dishes. Each recipe reflects the creativity and warmth of Latin American kitchens.

A Taste of the Recipes Inside

• Tarta Rústica (Rustic Pie) – A simple, homemade, and delicious pie. Ideal for afternoons with coffee or as a special dessert.
• Costillas glaseadas con Manzana (Glazed Ribs with Apple) – Juicy pork ribs glazed with a sweet-savory blend of SugarBee® apple, Dijon mustard, honey, and apple cider vinegar.
• Smoothie Refrescante (Refreshing Smoothie) – A bright, revitalizing drink with SugarBee® apple, fresh orange juice, and a touch of honey.
• Mermalada casera (Homemade Jam) – A natural, comforting spread of SugarBee® apples, sugar, lemon, and a hint of cinnamon.
• Hojaldres dorados (Golden Puff Pastries) – Light, airy pastries filled with diced SugarBee® apples, brown sugar, and warm spices.

Honoring Hispanic Culture and People

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the richness, diversity, and traditions of Hispanic and Latino communities, a press release stated. This recipe book not only highlights the versatility of the SugarBee® apple but also honors the creativity and culinary passion deeply rooted in Hispanic culture. Beyond the recipes, there is so much gratitude for those who have dedicated their lives to being a part of cultivating world-class fruit. Without them, it would not all be possible.

Sweet Inspiration: Recipes with the irresistible SugarBee® Apple will be available for free digital download (Spanish/English) throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, encouraging home cooks everywhere to discover new ways to celebrate with flavor.

“Los recuerdos más queridos se crean cuando estamos reunidos alrededor de una mesa. Así que toma una manzana SugarBee® y crea algunos recuerdos. (The fondest memories are made when gathered around a table. So grab a SugarBee® apple, and make some memories.)”

OXNARD, CA - Mission Produce, Inc., a world leader in sourcing, producing, and distributing fresh Hass avocados, announced the expansion of its operations and distribution to Miami, Fla., enabling the Company to directly service customers in Florida with its signature World’s Finest Avocados™ and World’s Finest Mangos™, as well as provide ripening and bagging services. By operating in Miami, Mission is poised to enhance quality, availability, and speed-to-shelf, creating added value for existing customers while expanding its reach in the region.

“Our expansion to Miami demonstrates our commitment to elite customer service and our strategic focus on capturing growth in high-potential markets,” said John Pawlowski, President and Chief Operating Officer, Mission Produce, in a recent release. “This location unlocks our ability to meet the strong demand for high-quality ripe avocados and mangos in Florida with improved quality and efficiency. We are excited to bring Mission’s values and capabilities closer to our customers in the Southeast.”

Miami also serves as a strategic import hub for products sourced from Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, and other offshore origins. By entering Florida directly, Mission can streamline logistics, reduce transit times, and move product seamlessly across its U.S. distribution network. With more than 18,000 retail outlets across the Southeast, the location positions Mission to better service this customer base.

Florida represents one of the strongest growth markets for both avocados and mangos. In the past 12 months, 76% of Florida shoppers purchased avocados and 46% purchased mangos—well above the national average. The state is also the fastest-growing in the U.S., with 8.2% population growth over the last four years, and one in four residents identifies as Hispanic—a core demographic for< both categories. These dynamics create a significant opportunity for Mission to drive category growth in this dynamic market.

To learn more about Mission's distribution capabilities in Miami, contact [email protected].