BRADFORD, ONTARIO, CANADA - In today's produce industry, retailers and foodservice operators need supplier partners they can trust to consistently deliver safe, high-quality products. As consumer expectations continue to rise and food safety standards become increasingly rigorous, transparency, traceability, and operational excellence have never been more important.

“At Gwillimdale Farms, food safety and quality assurance are integrated into every stage of our operation,” shares Robin Maile, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager. “As a grower, packer, and shipper, we handle everything from seed to shelf, allowing us to manage risk, ensure product integrity, and deliver the consistency our customers depend on. Through robust food safety programs, CanadaGAP certification, advanced traceability systems, and continuous monitoring, we are committed to supplying our customers with root vegetables that meet the highest standards for safety, quality, and performance.”

At Gwillimdale Farms, food safety is a responsibility shared across the entire organization and embedded into its culture. The company’s Quality Assurance and Food Safety team oversees food safety from the earliest stages of production in the field through to the finished products that ultimately reach retail shelves and processing facilities across North America.

“Our responsibility begins with ensuring that the vegetables we grow are safe, wholesome, and compliant with industry requirements. We also verify that any products brought into our facilities meet strict food safety standards.” Robin says. “In addition, every product must meet the grading specifications set by regulatory authorities to ensure consistency, quality, and customer satisfaction.”

Through regular production inspections, Gwillimdale Farms’ team evaluates key quality attributes including shape, color, freshness, firmness, and overall appearance. These inspections allow the grower to identify potential concerns early and ensure only products meeting its standards move through the supply chain.

One of the key programs supporting Gwillimdale’s food safety efforts is its comprehensive sanitation program. All processing equipment and storage infrastructure is properly cleaned and sanitized before coming into contact with any product, further protecting the integrity of the produce the company handles.

“Gwillimdale Farms is proud to be CanadaGAP-certified for both our farming operations and packing facility,” Robin notes. “Certification demonstrates our commitment to following rigorous food safety protocols, maintaining comprehensive records, and continuously improving our practices throughout the production process.”

A typical day for the Gwillimdale Farms Quality Assurance and Food Safety team begins well before products reach its packing lines, Robin tells me.

“Each morning starts with a pre-operational inspection to verify that the facility has been cleaned effectively and is ready for production. We utilize ATP swabbing technology, a system which quickly detects if organic matter is remaining on a surface, to validate the effectiveness of our sanitation program and confirm that equipment is safe for use,” Robin explains. “Our team also verifies that all required personal protective equipment, including gloves, sleeves, aprons, and hairnets, is available and being used properly. Employees are trained to follow strict hygiene protocols, including proper handwashing procedures before and throughout their shifts.”

Traceability is another component of the supplier’s food safety program.

“Every day, lot codes are established to ensure that all packed product can be traced back to its raw material source. This level of traceability allows us to respond quickly and effectively should information ever be required regarding a specific lot, providing confidence for both customers and consumers,” Robin adds.

Throughout production, Quality Assurance Technicians conduct Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) audits to verify that established procedures are being followed. These audits include checks for lot code accuracy, product weights, grading effectiveness, employee hygiene practices, and compliance with food safety protocols. These multiple layers of verification create a strong system of checks and balances designed to protect food safety and product quality.

As expectations for food safety and transparency continue to evolve, Gwillimdale Farms remains committed to investing in people, technology, and continuous improvement. To strengthen its program further, Gwillimdale recently expanded its team with a dedicated full-time Quality Assurance Technician based at its storage facility. This role allows the company to inspect products not only during harvest but throughout the storage season as well.

“Technology is also playing an increasingly important role in enhancing food safety and operational transparency,” Robin continues. “Through cloud-based reporting tools such as Lotpath, our team can efficiently record inspection findings, share information across departments, and identify trends that support proactive decision-making.”

The ability to analyze harvest and inspection data also allows the supplier to better match product characteristics with customer requirements, allowing the grower to deliver greater consistency and value to its customers.

Behind every vegetable Gwillimdale Farms grows is a commitment to its core values: Excellence, Sustainability, Innovation, and Unity. These principles guide its food safety culture and drive its commitment to continuous improvement.

Gwillimdale Farms’ year-round portfolio will be on display at this year’s IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show. Stop by booth #1388 for more opportunities to make freshness a year-round staple!

ORLANDO, FL - Elevated Foods, a company that connects small and mid-sized growers with retailers and markets through relationships and storytelling, is partnering with the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) to host a free Regenerative Agriculture Tour on Friday, October 16, during the 2026 Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, Florida.

The second annual curated show floor tour will spotlight companies advancing regenerative agriculture through innovative farming practices, measurable outcomes, and long-term commitments to a more resilient food system. The experience is designed to move the conversation beyond terminology and demonstrate how regenerative agriculture companies are creating healthier soil, more efficient water use, and stronger farms that create opportunities for growers, retailers, and consumers.

• What: Regenerative Agriculture Tour hosted by Elevated Foods and IFPA
• When: Friday, October 16, 2026, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EST
• Where: Tour begins at the IFPA Booth at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
• Who: Advanced registration is required and free for show attendees. The Regenerative Agriculture Tour is relevant for growers, retailers, supply chain professionals, procurement leaders, and sourcing, food safety and quality professionals.

Elevating the People Behind Regenerative Agriculture

Led by former retailer and GPFS Committee Chair Paul Kneeland, the tour will take attendees across the Global Show floor to meet companies advancing regenerative agriculture and to hear firsthand about their approaches, progress, and lessons. The experience supports meaningful change in agriculture by strengthening connections among the people who grow food, the markets, and the consumers they ultimately serve.

“There are small and mid-sized growers doing thoughtful, innovative work every day, but too often the people buying and eating their food never get to know who they are or why those practices matter,” said Paul Kneeland, vice president of sales for Elevated Foods, in the recent release. “This tour gives us an opportunity to make those connections visible, bring growers, retailers, and other industry leaders together for the same conversation, and show what regenerative agriculture can look like in practice. Our food system relies on this small but extraordinary group of growers and giving them a platform to share their work not only helps sustain their economic viability but also that of retailers and markets.”

Connecting the Farm to the Market

Elevated Foods launched in 2022 to connect growers with retailers and buyers, easing the mounting pressure on independent growers to divert attention from the field to marketing, outreach, sales, and supply chain logistics. Prioritizing and preserving growers’ unique stories, Elevated Foods also provides agricultural and market support to help strengthen those relationships.

Elevated Foods specializes in identifying local growers, coordinating crop planning and logistics, advancing soil-health practices, and sharing stories from farms and farming families with retailers to share with consumers. The company’s regenerative agriculture approaches are tailored to each grower’s crops, land, and growing conditions and can include practices to improve soil health, use water efficiently, and strengthen the farm’s long-term resilience.

“For Elevated Foods, storytelling is more than marketing. It can become part of the economic bridge between growers and markets. Our goal is to put the people who grow our food at the center of the story,” said Kneeland. “When retailers introduce consumers to a grower, a farm, and the practices behind the food on the shelf, we create transparency and connection that directly support the grower.”

A Growing Conversation Across the Produce Industry

IFPA has identified regenerative agriculture as a major focus of its sustainability efforts and is supporting grower-led approaches that align environmental performance with long-term economic viability and stronger market access.

“Regenerative agriculture becomes much more meaningful when we can connect the practice to an outcome and that outcome to a person,” said Tamara Muruetagoiena, vice president, sustainability at International Produce and Floral Association. “Attendees of the first Regenerative Agriculture Tour valued the opportunity to talk with growers, hear what they’re doing differently, and see how those practices positively influence the soil, water and crops. Elevated Foods is bringing this experience outside of the show floor to the growers, retailers and consumers that want to know where their food comes from and how it’s grown.”

The industry's focus is increasingly shifting from adopting regenerative agriculture practices to measuring what those practices accomplish. Elevated Foods is working with the food-testing and data company Edacious to help measure and communicate outcomes, including soil and water health, crop data, and nutrient density.

The Global Produce & Floral Show brings together produce and floral professionals from throughout the global supply chain to explore industry trends, business opportunities and emerging ideas. To register and view the show schedule, visit here.

WENATCHEE, WA - CMI Orchards is bringing fresh excitement to the pear category this season with increased availability of its highly sought-after GEM pears, a variety known for exceptional flavor, versatility, and consumer appeal.

Primarily grown by Diamond Fruit in Oregon's fertile Hood River Valley, GEM pears remain a signature offering that is largely unique to CMI Orchards. Featuring attractive light green skin and vibrant red blush, GEM pears offer consumers the best characteristics of Bartlett, Seckel, and Comice, but with a unique eating experience unmatched by traditional pear varieties.

Unlike many pears that require ripening at home, GEM pears are naturally delicious at every stage. Consumers can enjoy them straight from the tree as a crisp, sweet snack, or allow them to soften for a juicy, buttery texture. Their slow-browning qualities make them an ideal choice for snacking, lunchboxes, and entertaining. For health-conscious consumers, GEM pears offer a fiber-packed, nutrient-rich snack option.

"GEM pears solve one of the biggest barriers facing the pear category today," said William Gant, Pear Manager for CMI Orchards, in the recent release. "Consumers often struggle to know when a pear is ready to eat, but GEM pears deliver outstanding flavor whether they're enjoyed crunchy or soft. That flexibility creates a great eating experience and encourages repeat purchases."

Available now through January, GEM pears can be merchandised in bulk or convenient 2-pound pouch bags. To help retailers maximize visibility, CMI also offers branded GEM pear display bins that create impactful secondary displays and attract shopper attention throughout the produce department.

"As availability continues to grow, we're excited to bring this exceptional pear to more consumers across the country," added Gant. "Retailers have a unique opportunity to build excitement around a differentiated variety that delivers consistently great flavor and a compelling story.”

Supplies are increasing, but GEM pears remain available in limited quantities. Reach out to your CMI Orchards representative today to secure fruit.

For more information visit here.

PHOENIX, AZ - A fresh milestone is sprouting in the retail sector as Sprouts Farmers Market officially celebrates the opening of its 500th store, marking a significant chapter in the specialty grocer’s continued growth.

David McGlinchey, Chief Development Officer at Sprouts Farmers Market, reflected on the achievement in a recent LinkedIn post, recognizing the wide network of team members and industry partners responsible for bringing the retailer’s expanding footprint to life.

“This weekend, we reached an incredible milestone: 500 stores open and serving communities across the country,” McGlinchey shared.

While the number underscores the retailer’s growth, McGlinchey emphasized that the milestone represents much more than new locations. He credited thousands of people across Sprouts’ store teams, field leadership and support center, including those working in operations, merchandising, supply chain, finance, human resources, information technology, real estate, construction and facilities.

The executive also acknowledged the external partners who have supported the company’s expansion, from developers and landlords to brokers, architects, engineers, general contractors, refrigeration partners and other vendors.

Reaching 500 stores reflects years of planning, collaboration and execution across Sprouts and its broader partner network. As each new location has opened, the company has continued extending its presence to more communities and strengthening its position within the grocery retail landscape.

For McGlinchey, the milestone offers both an opportunity to celebrate the retailer’s progress and a look at what lies ahead.

“The future is bright, and we’re just getting started,” he said.

With 500 stores now serving shoppers nationwide, Sprouts is carrying the momentum of this achievement into its next phase of growth—supported by the teams and partnerships that helped transform its long-term vision into a coast-to-coast retail presence.

MEMPHIS, TN - For decades, 1-MCP application in apple cold storage has followed a consistent operational model: generate the gas, seal the room, and rely on post-treatment outcomes to confirm success. Fresh Inset Solutions is changing that approach with the MaTri® System, a complete 1-MCP product line built around flexible application, straightforward operation and treatment confidence.

MaTri Sure: See for Yourself That Your 1-MCP Treatment Worked

MaTri SURE™ addresses a critical gap in post-harvest management: the ability to verify 1-MCP treatment effectiveness in real time. Until now, growers treating apple and pear rooms with 1-MCP had no practical, real-time way to confirm that gas reached the required concentration throughout the storage space. A sealed room could be treated correctly — or it could have a leak, an incorrect dose, or a missed area — and growers would not know until they opened the room weeks or months later to find quality loss.

MaTri SURE introduces a simple in-room indicator strip placed in the storage environment during treatment. After the exposure period, the test plate provides a visible color change that confirms whether effective 1-MCP conditions were achieved during application.

Key benefits of MaTri SURE include:

• Immediate, on-site confirmation of treatment exposure,
• No laboratory testing or external sample analysis required,
• Support for quality assurance and documentation programs,
• Increased confidence in treatment consistency across rooms and loads,
• Simple single-step use: hang the strip before sealing, read the result before resuming storage operations

"A color change from pink to yellow is all it takes - confirmation that every room, every treatment, every time delivered the freshness protection your crop deserves. The result is a practical verification tool that helps growers and packers confirm treatment execution. With MaTri SURE™, we are introducing a new level of visibility and confidence to 1-MCP application, transforming a traditionally invisible and complicated process into one that can be verified quickly, clearly, and reliably by everyone," said Gordon Robertson, General Manager North America at Fresh Inset Solutions, in the recent release

One MaTri System, Built Around the Way Growers Work

Every storage operation is different. Room sizes and treatment volumes vary. Some growers operate large centralized storage facilities, while others need to treat smaller rooms or fruit moving in shipping containers. That is why MaTri is designed as a system rather than a single application format.

The MaTri System brings together:

• MaTri Powder – the established 1-MCP formulation for use with the MaTri Generator
• MaTri Generator – supporting efficient application in larger-scale cold storage operations
• MaTri Tablets – an additional, easy-to-use application for smaller rooms or containers
• MaTri SURE™ – visual treatment confirmation that adds a new level of confidence to the system
• MaTri DoseRight – an easy-to-use digital tool at ma-tri.com that helps apple growers calculate the right MaTri dose for their specific storage operation and order online.

Together, these components allow growers and packers to select the application approach that fits their operation while maintaining the advantages of one integrated MaTri platform.

MaTri Tablets: Effervescent Precision and Flexibility

MaTri Tablets expand the MaTri System with a convenient unit-dose application option for smaller packinghouses, satellite cold rooms, shipping containers and other sealed treatment environments.

The proprietary effervescent tablets simplify 1-MCP release. Operators place the required number of tablets into a standard bucket or tray containing water. The tablets dissolve and release 1-MCP into the sealed treatment space. Practical option within the MaTri System when the size, location or logistics of a treatment call for a simpler application method.

See the full release here.

MACEIÓ, ALAGOAS - Copra Coconuts will make its Global Produce & Floral Show debut this year, showcasing a range of premium coconut beverages and ingredients sourced from Thailand.

The company’s featured products will include Premium Organic Coconut Water, Organic Coconut Smoothie, Coconut Meat, Coconut Puree and Coconut Nectar.

“Our line of Premium Organic Coconut Water is the best and freshest you’ve ever tasted in the market,” said Charlie Vanichviroon, Head of Commercial Strategy at Copra Coconuts.

As a first-time exhibitor, Copra Coconuts hopes to introduce more produce industry professionals to its portfolio. “This is our first time at the show so we invite attendees over to try the freshest coconut water you’ve ever tasted in market,” Charlie said.

Copra is also seeing increased demand for its puree and nectar products as customers seek premium alternatives to conventional sweeteners.

“For trends and innovations, we’ve seen a lot of interest and growth in our Puree and Nectar lines as customer trends shift towards more premium, raw, unrefined sweeteners,” Charlie said. “We’ve seen massive growth for our coconut nectar this past year as a key ingredient driver for alternative, healthier, low-GI sweetener.”

Although Copra Coconuts has historically focused on supplying ingredients to B2B customers, the company is now making a concerted push into branded retail.

“We’ve built our business around B2B offering the best ingredients over the years,” Charlie said. “This past year is where we’ve really pushed into growing Copra-branded retail and the response has been incredible.”

At the show, the company aims to connect with retail decision-makers and expand its distribution. “We hope to connect with more buyers and category managers to expand our retail footprint and provide a premium offering in the fastest category in beverage, especially sitting in Produce,” Charlie said.

Natural hydration is another trend shaping the company’s approach to the premium coconut category. “Customers are looking for natural hydration,” Charlie said. “Coconut is considered ‘Nature’s Sports Drink’, it’s high in essential electrolytes like potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium.”

Copra Coconuts differentiates itself through a vertically integrated supply chain. The company sources its coconuts exclusively from Ratchaburi, Thailand, and operates its production plant at the farm.

“We focus on the coconut as we’ve always done, having a vertically integrated supply chain allows us to have the fastest time from tree to bottle,” Charlie said. “This means we’re able to offer the freshest coconut water in the market, it’s a difference you can actually taste!”

That proximity allows the company to process and bottle its coconut water within hours of opening the fruit.

“We source exclusively from Ratchaburi, Thailand where these premium coconuts are grown, and because our plant is located right at the farm, we’re able to crack and bottle coconuts in hours rather than days or weeks!” Vanichviroon said. “This allows us to offer the most premium coconut water in the market because the freshness is captured at the time of bottling, rather than having to sit on a truck and get transported to a bottling facility.”

Attendees can meet the Copra Coconuts team and sample its products at Booth 4044.

“Please come by and try our samples, taste the difference for yourself and I promise it’ll be like you’re cracking open a fresh coconut on the beach in Thailand!” Charlie said.

For more showcase highlights, keep a tab on ANUK.

QUEBEC, CANADA - With a focus on building the farmworkers of the future with cutting-edge solutions strategically designed for modern agriculture, Sami Robotics is making it easier to harvest specialty crops while collecting valuable production data. As the company expands its solution into the Romaine lettuce sector, Teodora Toteva, Head of Operations, shared some of the goals behind this harvesting innovation.

How is Sami Robotics bringing the success it has seen in broccoli to the Romaine category?

“Broccoli has served as an important proving ground for our technology. Through commercial harvesting activities, field validation, and close collaboration with growers, we have demonstrated the platform's ability to operate in real production environments.

The transition into Romaine is a natural next step because many of the core technologies, including mobility, computer vision, robotics, and AI infrastructure, are already in place. The challenge becomes developing and refining crop-specific harvesting intelligence while leveraging the same underlying platform. Strong interest from major growers and shippers has reinforced our confidence in this direction.”

How does Sami Robotics turn every pass into useful data?

“Every time a Sami Robotics machine enters a field, it does two jobs simultaneously: harvesting and data collection. We often say that the harvest is only half the product.

Because the machine interacts directly with individual plants, it captures information that traditional scouting methods, drones, or satellite imagery may not capture with the same level of granularity. Each plant observed becomes another data point, which could be used to build a more complete picture of field conditions.

This information could be used to map crop readiness across the field, forecast what areas will be ready for harvest in the coming days, estimate future yields, and improve harvest planning and logistics. Growers could use these kinds of insights to make more informed decisions about labor allocation, harvesting schedules, and market commitments. The same vision and AI systems that identify harvest-ready crops can also detect visual indicators of plant health, including potential signs of disease, pest pressure, or other agronomic issues. Over time, this would create opportunities for earlier intervention and more proactive crop management.

The more acres the platform works, the smarter it becomes. Every pass contributes to a growing agricultural intelligence platform that aims to help growers move from reactive decision-making to data-driven field management. While the field analytics and insights feature is not expected to be commercially available before 2027, it remains an important part of our long-term vision.”

What other fresh produce categories is Sami Robotics currently exploring?

“Looking ahead, we see significant opportunities across the specialty crop sector. Crops such as Iceberg lettuce, and cauliflower face many of the same labor challenges that initially motivated our work in broccoli. Because our platform was designed to be adaptable, each new crop application can expand the value of the same machine already deployed in the field.

Our long-term vision extends beyond harvesting. We believe autonomous systems will eventually assist growers throughout the production cycle, creating a true robotic workforce that can support multiple operations across the season.”

What should growers know about Sami Robotics?

“One of the most important things to understand about Sami Robotics is that we are not simply building a harvesting machine; we are building an agricultural intelligence platform powered by robotics. Every acre harvested generates value twice: once through the crop itself and again through the data it produces.

We are also proud that our technology is being developed alongside growers in real-world conditions. Working directly with growers, shippers, and industry partners ensures that every improvement is tied to practical challenges faced in the field. This focus on real-world adoption has been a key reason for the progress we have achieved to date.

Ultimately, our mission is simple: help growers overcome labor constraints, increase operational predictability, and build a more resilient fresh produce supply chain through robotics, AI, and actionable field intelligence.”

As technology continues to pave the way for fresh produce advancements, ANUK will be here to report on the latest.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on Hurst Produce and Flowers Corp. The company, operating from Pennsylvania, failed to make prompt payment to nine produce sellers in the amount of $296,668 for produce that it purchased, received, and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from Sept. 2022 to Nov. 2023, in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

Hurst Produce and Flowers Corp. has been barred from operating in the produce industry until May 19, 2028, and then only after it applies for and is issued a new PACA license by USDA and posts a USDA-approved surety bond. The company’s principal, Matilde Baez, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until     May 19, 2027, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated and flagrant PACA violations and impose restrictions on those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval. By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

For more information, contact the PACA Investigative Enforcement Branch at (202) 720-6873 or [email protected].  

CARLISLE, PA - The GIANT Company, known locally as GIANT and MARTIN’S, announced that renovations are now underway at its GIANT store located at 760 Pennsylvania 113 in Souderton, PA. The store will remain open during renovations, which are expected to be completed early next year.

“While this remodel will give current departments a needed facelift, the overall goal of the project is to enhance the shopping experience for our customers,” said Johnathan Heron, Souderton GIANT store manager, in the recent release. “Once the remodel is completed, customers will find more product variety and meal solutions coupled with GIANT’s commitment to value and freshness.”

The store’s fresh offerings – produce, bakery, meat and seafood – in addition to the center store aisles and beer and wine areas, will be updated with improved efficiencies for shoppers and an enhanced assortment of products. Understanding the needs of today’s busy customers, the deli and prepared foods department will undergo an overhaul to offer more Grab ‘n Go items. In addition, pharmacy customers will soon have a new consultation room for pharmacists to administer immunizations in a more private setting.

Open daily from 6 a.m. – 11 p.m., the Souderton GIANT opened in 2000 and currently employs approximately 235 team members.

For greater shopping convenience during the remodel, Souderton customers are encouraged to try GIANT Direct, an opportunity to order their groceries online at giantdirect.com for easy curbside pickup.