VALENCIA, CA - Sunkist Growers’ “Power with the Pink Orange™” campaign, created in partnership with National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), pairs Cara Cara oranges with a shared mission: to provide support and inspire hope to those affected by breast cancer. Now entering its second year, the program continues to expand—connecting communities through awareness, education, and moments of meaningful impact.

As part of the continued collaboration, Sunkist Growers and Fruit Growers Supply (FGS) employees recently spent the day assembling 500 HOPE Kits—care packages created by NBCF to provide comfort, encouragement, and practical support to individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment.

Employees also had the opportunity to learn more about breast cancer’s impact through an informational session presented by NBCF team members, offering insight into the challenges loved ones and colleagues may face.

In the weeks leading up to the event, Sunkist and FGS employees were encouraged to submit photos of themselves holding honor signs dedicated to loved ones affected by any type of cancer. These images were compiled into a touching tribute video that further underscored the emotional importance of the initiative.

“Partnering with NBCF is an extension of who we are as a cooperative; each kit served as a tangible reminder that no one fights alone—a small but powerful gesture reflecting our shared commitment to supporting those impacted by breast cancer through connection, compassion, and care,” said Christian Harris, Chief Operating Officer at Sunkist Growers, in a recent press release. “It’s a reminder that collective action, even on a small scale, can have a real and lasting impact.”

Now in its second year, Sunkist’s partnership with NBCF continues to grow as the organization prepares for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. This fall, the collaboration will once again be featured at the IFPA Global Show, alongside educational resources and digital storytelling efforts to promote early detection and support. We’re also looking forward to the return of our limited-edition pink ribbon packaging later in the fall, along with matching merchandising that brings the campaign to life.

“Seeing the way our teams care for each other and the communities we serve is deeply inspiring,” said Cassie Howard, Senior Director of Category Management and Marketing at Sunkist Growers. “Our Power with the Pink Orange™ program is evolving beyond retail activations—it’s becoming a platform for empathy, education, and impact.”

With citrus season just around the corner, this employee-led initiative marks the beginning of what’s to come. To follow along, visit sunkist.com/NBCF and follow @SunkistCitrus on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for updates.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Crowley’s latest Avance Class ship, Torogoz, began its inaugural commercial service on Tuesday, departing from Port Everglades, Florida, to serve Central America. The vessel’s commencement is a capstone on the company’s initiation of the four-vessel, Avance Class containership fleet.

With a capacity of 1,400 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), including 300 refrigerated containers, the ship is specifically designed and equipped to quickly and frequently deliver cargo, including apparel, fresh produce, food products, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, between the U.S and El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Torogoz, like the other Avance class vessels, is powered by lower-emission liquefied natural gas (LNG), advancing the company’s next era of faster, frequent ocean shipping that reduces impacts at sea and at port.

“Bringing Torogoz into service to complete the landmark introduction of our Avance Class fleet marks a major milestone in Crowley’s commitment to bringing efficient logistics solutions to customers in Central America and the Caribbean Basin,” said Vice President Claudia Kattan-Jordan, Crowley Logistics for Central America, Panama, and Mexico, in the recent release. “Because of Torogoz’s capacity for diverse dry and refrigerated goods, Crowley can provide faster, high-capability service with reliability that is unmatched in the trade.”

The Torogoz follows the operation of its sister ships: Tiscapa, Quetzal, and Copán. All four of the Avance Class ships are named to honor the cultural aspects of Central America, where Crowley has operated shipping and logistics services for more than 60 years.

Torogoz, also known as a turquoise-browed motmot, is the national bird of El Salvador. Revered by Mayan and other Mesoamerican civilizations, the bird has likely lived on the continent for thousands of years and has long held spiritual significance in the region.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint against Freshquita Brands LLC. The company, operating from Texas, allegedly failed to make prompt payment to 14 produce sellers in the amount of $271,497.27 from Nov. 2023 through Sept. 2024, in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

Freshquita Brands LLC will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

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

LONG BEACH, CA - Greatness, at first, will look ridiculous. Richard Montanez, Creator of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, was quick to hook the room of produce and floral professionals when he took the stage at the first-ever Harvest Forum & Fair, hosted by the Fresh Produce & Floral Council.

His own story began in the grape vineyards where his family picked on-site in Southern California back in the ‘60s before proving himself a visionary in food and beverage over three decades. As Mr. Montanez introduced his thesis and motto of the keynote, “One Revelation Will Lead to a Revolution,” he asked us what a revelation is: Something that was always there but has been revealed to you.

To be a visionary is to be open to the lifting of such veils—to see what others pass over. Here are some additional words of wisdom I will carry from Mr. Montanez.

“I never started at the bottom, I started at the beginning.”

• This is how Mr. Montanez took control of the narrative of his story, launching his career with Frito-Lays as a janitor.

“Make sure they know a Montanez mopped that floor.”

• The words his grandfather imparted to Mr. Montanez upon beginning his job at Frito-Lays. He explained that doing his job superbly was less about his paycheck and more about his pride in contributing to the legacy of his family name, regardless of how.

“You don’t make it by who you know, but by who knows you.”

• Mr. Montanez emphasized that his excellent performance made coworkers and leadership aware of who he was, so he was better able to gain attention and recognition.

“Don’t become such an expert that you can’t see the revelations.”

• Tagging along with an expert of 15 years to see how Frito-Lay's merchandise was placed in stores, Mr. Montanez credited his novice eyes to his ability to see the spices next to the chips and recognize the lack of flavor in the products his company was providing. He warned that becoming an expert could close you off to new possibilities, or even failed possibilities that might have needed better timing. His advice? Beware of experts telling a visionary something won’t work.

“I don’t care what room you’re in; someone will be in there trying to steal your destiny. Don’t let them.”

• A janitor stood before the directors, vice presidents, and the Chief Executive Officer of Frito-Lay to pitch an idea. Someone raised their hand to ask a question, likely knowing “the janitor” wouldn’t know the answer. If they had succeeded, a $2 billion idea would have been snuffed out.

While many steps of initiative led Mr. Montanez to his own incredible destiny, he contributed much of it to two words he said every entrepreneur and visionary has asked: What if?

In this case, if you’re not willing to look ridiculous, you will never achieve greatness. Words to work and live by.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - In fresh produce, time is always in short supply—and every decision has to count. Between managing crops, customers, logistics, and quality, there’s rarely time to pause, let alone plan a deeply valued marketing strategy. That’s why companies like Gruszka Consulting are built to give busy produce professionals both time and value back.

“At Gruszka Consulting, we get it—most consultants are expensive and time-consuming. But in the produce industry, where every minute and every margin counts, we work differently,” Phil Gruszka, Founder, shares with me. “With decades of hands-on experience across a wide range of fresh commodities, we've helped growers, shippers, and distributors face just about every marketing challenge. We listen closely, act quickly, and bring the kind of real-world expertise that gets results—without bogging down your team.”

No in-house marketing team? No problem.

“You know your product. We handle the rest—from packaging refreshes and eye-catching sell sheets to social media planning and execution to brand storytelling that earns consumer and buyer trust,” Phil expresses. “Our projects are built to be simple, streamlined, and effective—so your team can walk into every meeting confident that your brand reflects the quality you deliver.”

Discover more of Phil’s past work here.

In an industry where “on time” is “too late,” a supportive team is worth its weight in gold.

FIREBAUGH, CA & BUFFALO, NY - Fresh off the celebration of Melon Day on August 10, the Westside Produce/Classic Fruit alliance is excited to announce the launch of the JA17 Allen Family Farms melon label, a special project they have been working on with the Allen family. 

As growing partners for many years, Westside Produce and the Allens are thrilled to be able to bring this limited-edition label to market, with a portion of the proceeds going towards the Patricia Allen Fund at Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY, a community-driven movement that supports pediatric healthcare through the leadership of football star Josh Allen.

“We have been growing cantaloupes for the Patricio family and Westside Produce for almost 30 years,” states Joel Allen of Allen Family Farms in the recent press release. “We quickly realized how family-oriented they were and how invested they were in their growers, so it was easy for us to find a permanent home for our fruit with them all those years ago.”

Garrett Patricio, President of Westside Produce, adds, “The Allens have always been easy to work with and were instrumental in the growth of our melon program. They are more than just partners, they are family, so we are thrilled to be able to do this amazing project with them.”

This label is important as it stands for more than just a commodity. “This is such an awesome moment for my family and me, generations in the making, and I’m so proud to be a part of this with them!” comments Josh Allen, of Allen Family Farms and professional quarterback. Joel adds, “This has been a dream of mine as it represents hard work, perseverance, and the belief that farmers play a vital role in today’s world. These ideologies parallel my son, Josh, and his commitment to football, so we are proud to offer this box as a reminder of that while also offering a great-tasting, wholesome fruit that is beneficial to consumers.”

Garrett also adds that “this label is our opportunity to share a legacy, Firebaugh-grown product with the market that has adopted one of our own and honor the commitment that Western NY has made to Josh and the entire Allen family.”

As part of this project, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Patricia Allen Fund at Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo. “The entire Allen Family has been incredibly generous in supporting our children’s hospital in any way they can since Josh has been in Buffalo, and especially since the Patricia Allen Fund was established in his grandmother’s honor,” comments Stephen Turkovich, MD, president, Oishei Children’s Hospital. “We are thrilled to have Westside Produce incorporate a donation to the fund. Donations like this help our teams have the equipment, technology, and programs needed to support the kids and families we care for.”

“OCH and the Patricia Allen Fund are something that I hold near and dear to my heart,” comments Josh. “This is another opportunity to give back and make instant positive change in our community.”

This promotion is designed to coincide with the start of football season, so expect to see the label hit shelves in early September!

IDAHO FALLS, ID - Eagle Eye Produce, a leading grower, packer, and shipper of potatoes and onions, is excited to announce the start of its new crop shipping season from its facilities in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Reports from the field point to strong quality, good sizing, and stable supplies across both crops. With harvest underway across Idaho and the Pacific Northwest, and expected to continue through October, the season is off to a strong start.

Joe Ange, Director of Onion Sales, shared his thoughts on this year’s onion crop in the recent release: “We’re seeing great quality and sizing on our yellow, red, and white onions. The weather has been great for growing onions. It stayed warm enough to keep the crop healthy without any extreme heat. Harvest kicked off a little early in Idaho and Eastern Oregon and will run through September. With more supply and new warehouses shipping this season, we’re in a strong position to meet customer demand.”

Coleman Oswald, Director of Sales at Eagle Eye Produce, commented on this season’s potato crop: “This season has shaped up well. Heat came after row closure, which helped hold moisture in the soil, and we’re seeing strong quality and good sizing so far. We’ve upgraded our packing lines and field technology over the last few years, and those improvements are showing up this season. They’re helping us pack more efficiently and maintain consistent quality as we head into this new crop season. Our customers can count on a steady supply of russet, red, and yellow potatoes to support their year-round programs this year.”

Eagle Eye Produce offers a full range of retail and foodservice pack styles for potatoes and onions, with options for private label programs and support from a nationwide sales and marketing team. With a fully integrated approach that covers everything from Roots to Routes, including growing, packing, and shipping, Eagle Eye stands out as a reliable and innovative partner in the produce industry.

IMMOKALEE, FL - Lipman Family Farms, North America’s largest open-field tomato grower, is proudly expanding its annual Backpack Giveaway initiative. In addition to its hometown of Immokalee, Florida, 19 locations across the enterprise will help students return to school feeling prepared and confident.

Now in its 15th year, the Backpack Giveaway has become a cherished tradition for Lipman’s employees and local communities. This year, nearly 6,000 backpacks filled with school supplies will be distributed to families in need.

“At Lipman, giving back is at the heart of what we do,” said Elyse Lipman, CEO of Lipman Family Farms, in a recent release. “This expansion wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated community champions who work tirelessly to make a difference where we live and grow.”

From Tukwila, WA — where 100% of Lipman employees pitched in to deliver 120 backpacks to the Wapato community — to new giveaways in Livermore and Manteca, CA, where teams packed more than 400 backpacks for local organizations, the spirit of service is spreading across the company.

Backpack giveaways are planned throughout July and August in communities including:

• Nogales, Ariz.
• Knoxville, Tenn.
• Labelle, Fla.
• Phoenix
• Manteca, Calif.
• Virginia
• Immokalee, Fla.
• Hendersonville, N.C.
• Exeter, Ontario
• Frederick, Colo.
• Edinburg, Texas
• Dallas
• Portland, Ore.
• Livermore, Calif.
• New Jersey
• Hermosillo, Mexico
• Farm 15 & Farm 7, FL

From one small Florida town to communities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Lipman Family Farms continues to live its promise of being Good from the Ground Up — growing healthy food, strong communities, and brighter futures for the families it serves.