MODESTO, CA - The Save Mart Companies, based in the heart of the Central Valley and one of the West Coast’s largest regional, full-service grocery chains, this week announced the expansion of Flashfood, the app for grocery’s best deals, to 11 Save Mart banner stores in Stanislaus County. In line with The Save Mart Companies’ substantial price reduction campaign that launched earlier this year, the expanded Flashfood rollout will now provide Save Mart shoppers up to 50 percent off fresh produce, meat, dairy, and other high-quality groceries, making food more affordable across the Central Valley while reducing waste.

The Save Mart Companies introduced Flashfood to California shoppers in March 2024, becoming the state’s first retailer to offer the program. Since then, the partnership has grown to dozens of locations, diverting thousands of pounds of food from landfills while delivering meaningful savings to customers.

“This expansion into the greater Stanislaus County area marks another important step in making fresh, quality food accessible to more communities,” said Jordan Schenck, CEO of Flashfood, in the recent release. “This is a community that produces much of the state’s fresh produce, so it’s particularly important that they have access to it at affordable prices. We’re proud to continue working with The Save Mart Companies to bring value to shoppers and reduce the amount of perfectly good food going to waste.”

Using the free Flashfood app, shoppers can browse discounted products at their local participating Save Mart, purchase directly through the app, and pick up their order in-store. Later this year, Flashfood will accept SNAP EBT as a payment method at Save Mart stores, providing additional savings opportunities for the 4.6 million SNAP customers in California.

“At The Save Mart Companies, we’re committed to providing innovative solutions that help families save on nutritious meals,” said Tamara Pattison, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at The Save Mart Companies. “We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Flashfood across Stanislaus County and beyond, offering even more ways for our communities to eat healthy and save money.”

Flashfood is now available in more than 2,000 stores across North America, diverting over 140 million pounds of food from landfills and saving shoppers more than $355 million to date.

For more information, including a list of participating Save Mart locations and to download the app, visit www.flashfood.com.

LEAMINGTON, ON - Pure Flavor®, a leader in greenhouse-grown produce, is preparing to unveil a large-scale brand refresh this October at the IFPA 2025 Global Produce & Floral Show, taking place October 16–18, 2025, in Anaheim, California. This bold evolution highlights the company’s continued commitment to purposeful growth, guided by deep consumer understanding and a forward-looking approach to brand building.

In a landscape defined by rapid change and shifting consumer expectations, Pure Flavor® recognized an opportunity to evolve, not reactively, but intentionally.

“We didn’t set out to simply change our look,” said Julia Weber, Director of Marketing at Pure Flavor®, in the recent release. “This refresh represents a broader shift in how we communicate, connect, and show up as a brand, both now and in the future.”

The team began the process with one goal in mind: listen. Rather than making assumptions, they leaned into research, uncovering insights that revealed not just how the brand is seen today, but where it has the most opportunity to grow. What followed was a careful and collaborative process of translating those insights into a stronger, more connected brand experience.

The decision to refresh the brand wasn’t sparked by a single moment. It was the result of ongoing reflection about how to best support the company’s momentum. As Pure Flavor® continues to scale, the team recognized the need for an identity that not only honors where they’ve been but is also built to carry them forward with clarity and confidence. It’s a long-term investment in staying relevant, distinctive, and aligned at every level, internally and externally.

“What became clear is that people want more simplicity, transparency, and more meaning from the brands they engage with,” Weber continued. “This isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about being intentional with how we show up and creating a brand that reflects both who we are and who we aspire to be.”

While visual changes are part of what’s to come, the refresh is more than a design update. It’s a strategic realignment that reinforces the company’s long-term focus: building a brand that resonates deeply, scales effectively, and stands apart in an increasingly crowded market.

“This moment is about honoring where we’ve been while stepping boldly into what’s ahead,” said Jamie Moracci, CEO of Pure Flavor®. “It’s not about changing direction. It’s about sharpening our focus and ensuring everything we put into the world reflects the same purpose and energy that’s driving us forward.”

Get ready because a bold new chapter is about to unfold. The updated brand identity will debut at the IFPA 2025 Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, California, unveiling a new logo, redesigned packaging, customer-focused messaging, and more. Rolling out in phases throughout the year, this brand refresh is more than a milestone; it is a clear declaration of the company’s unwavering commitment to clarity, connection, and meaningful growth.

Pure Flavor® is a vertically integrated, family-operated greenhouse grower with facilities across North America. Known for its innovative mindset and trusted partnerships, the company continues to invest in strategies that drive long-term value across the fresh produce industry.

ALEXANDRIA, VA - The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and CropLife America (CLA) announce the release of the updated Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship. The guide, launched in partnership with the Agricultural Retailers Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers Association, and the National Cotton Council, is an educational tool for farmers, retailers, applicators, and other stakeholders in the handling of treated seed.

Seed treatments, which provide farmers with a targeted and economical means of protecting seeds through germination against early-season pests and diseases, have been widely used since the 1980s.

These innovative tools have contributed to increased crop yields while reducing impact on the environment and risk to applicators. Farmers have reported yield increases anywhere from 3.6% (soybeans) to 71.3% (potatoes).

“As today’s farmers face evolving challenges in the field and the economy, we must ensure they have every tool in the toolbox available. The American Seed Trade Association is proud of our ongoing work in creating accessible materials for farmers and other key stakeholders on the best practices when it comes to handling, planting, and managing treated seed,” said Andy LaVigne, President and CEO of ASTA, in the recent release. “While this innovation has been used for over 45 years, today’s scientists continue to improve seed treatment technologies to protect seed from pests and diseases, ensure maximum yield at harvest, and provide an abundant food, feed, fiber, and fuel supply for our growing global population.”

“Seed treatments continue to be an innovative solution for protecting crops because they incorporate the precise application of pesticides and provide numerous environmental and economic benefits for farmers,” said Alexandra Dunn, President and CEO of CropLife America. “CLA is proud to sponsor this guide and remains committed to supporting and educating farmers with the information they need to use treated seeds effectively and efficiently.”

The updated guide can be accessed at seed-treatment-guide.com.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Recent analysis conducted by the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition's Biomarker Core Service on more than 60 beverages determined that POM Wonderful 100% Juice ranks highest among beverage categories that consumers seek out for antioxidants. The analysis ranked POM Juice highest in both antioxidant content and potency, giving consumers another reason to feel good about choosing the "Health in a Bottle" beverage. POM Wonderful is the worldwide leader in California-grown pomegranates and the number one selling pomegranate juice in North America. With 700 milligrams of polyphenol antioxidants per eight fluid ounce serving, POM 100% Pomegranate Juice is a delicious choice that consumers love and trust.

The analysis conducted found that POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice has:

• More antioxidants and antioxidant potency than berry-flavored antioxidant waters, coconut water, and green tea.
• 2.5 times the antioxidant potency of beet juice and tart cherry juice, two common juice choices found in the sports nutrition space.
• More antioxidants and antioxidant potency than Concord grape juice, blueberry juice, cranberry juice, and berry-flavored kombucha.
• 30% more antioxidants than red wine.

“POM Juice continues to live up to its long-held and deserved reputation as the go-to antioxidant beverage for health-conscious consumers looking to maximize their return at the grocery store,” said Derrick Miller, president of POM Wonderful, in the recent release. “Our brand’s number one priority is to bring the benefits of pomegranates to the masses, and this analysis further underscores that POM truly is Health in a Bottle.”

Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, the unstable molecules that can cause damage to our bodies over time. While the human body naturally maintains everyday levels of these free-radical molecules, external factors, including smoking, stress, and environmental pollutants, can escalate their production. Enjoying the antioxidant power of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice is just one more way to help consumers combat free radicals to better protect themselves.

To collect the antioxidant content and potency data, Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE) and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) were used to measure each of the beverages. Beverage categories were comprised of top-selling products based on U.S. unit sales, except for red wine, flavored antioxidant water, and flavored kombucha, which were based on selected bottled varietals or berry-flavored options from top brands.

POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice is thoughtfully crafted to optimize the antioxidant goodness of pomegranates. The Wonderful variety of pomegranates is whole-pressed to release polyphenols in the rind, pith, and arils, optimizing potential antioxidant benefits. The ruby-red arils contain anthocyanins, and the hard rind and white pith contain ellagitannins, providing an easy and tasty way to get the fighting power of both.

For more information about the benefits of POM Wonderful, visit here.

REIDSVILLE, GA - At the Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Innovations 2025, G&R Farms will spotlight its premium Peruvian sweet onions—known for their exceptional size, beautiful golden skin, and mild, delicious flavor. To get the inside scoop, I sat down with General Manager and Vice President of Sales Steven Shuman.

“This season’s Peru crop is outstanding, and it’s the result of more than just great growing conditions. Through innovative farming techniques, careful handling, and sustainable practices that protect the land and resources, G&R Farms is able to deliver a consistently superior sweet onion. From the fields of Peru to our customers’ shelves, every step is designed to preserve quality, enhance flavor, and ensure a dependable supply of sweet onions all season long,” Steven began telling me.

He noted that the G&R team always looks forward to the chance to connect in person, whether it’s meeting new customers for the first time or catching up with long-time friends in the industry. SEPC, in particular, is a great opportunity to share G&R’s innovative work to maintain a reliable, year-round sweet onion supply. It’s also a time to share new learnings, strengthen relationships, and celebrate the mutual passion we all have for produce.

“Our goals for Southern Innovations are to introduce more buyers to the quality and flavor of our Peruvian sweet onions, strengthen our relationships with current partners, and highlight the behind-the-scenes innovation that makes our supply dependable 12 months a year,” Steven continued. “We’re also always aiming to learn from other leaders in the produce world—whether it’s packaging trends, sustainability initiatives, or retail merchandising ideas—so we can keep raising the bar for our customers.”

Steven and the team want attendees to walk away knowing that when they choose G&R Farms, they’re getting more than just an onion—they’re getting a product grown with care, backed by decades of expertise, and supported by a team committed to sustainability, flavor, and quality. SEPC attendees will see firsthand how the Peruvian program ensures exceptional sweet onions during the fall and winter months, bridging the gap between G&R’s United States Vidalia® harvests and keeping sweet onions in stores year-round.

“We’re proud to be part of a growing global network that allows us to keep sweet onions in the market 365 days a year without sacrificing quality. We’ve also continued investing in sustainable farming practices, from wildly successful water reduction trials to eco-friendly packaging, because we believe in protecting the land for future generations,” Steven added. “And of course, we can’t wait for folks to taste the difference a truly sweet onion makes—we think you’ll agree, Peruvian season is one of the tastiest times of the year!”

Southern Innovations will be here before we know it, so keep a tab open for ANUK as we report the latest.