NEW ROCHELLE, NY - LGS Specialty Sales offers an impressive summer citrus lineup. Sourced from a wide variety of growing regions, LGS brings retail partners the high-quality citrus that drives repeat purchases.

“Different growing regions offer different climates unique to different citrus varieties,” shared Lucio Rainelli, Director of Sales. “This can help to ensure the fruit is of the highest quality and provides an exceptional eating experience.”

Growing regions include Argentina, Chile, Peru, South Africa, and Uruguay, which provide summer citrus offerings of mandarins, Navel oranges, Cara Cara oranges, minneolas, Dekopons, lemons, and grapefruit.

Mandarins and Navels are available now until November. Minneolas are available now through September; Lemons, Grapefruit, and Cara Caras are available now through October. To learn about the program’s specifics, please click here.

“It all begins with quality and trying to produce the best fruit,” added Lucio. “At the top level, you need to start with the best growers and then consider the volumes available and the window you need them in. Layering in the logistics of importing from that country, we then think through what’s best for the industry. Where are we seeing pain points?”

The company’s import strategy is longstanding, dating back more than 35 years. Ensuring the surety of supply is something that LGS Specialty Sales takes very seriously.

AndNowUKnow will continue to track updates across fresh produce, so stay tuned!

NORTH AMERICA - Markets are ranging from steady to high for blueberries out of several growing regions worldwide. Across all production areas, demand is moderate, signaling consistent movement within the category.

Out of British Columbia, Canada, and crossings through Northwest Washington, the USDA National FOB Review issued August 25, 2026, states that blueberry supplies are fairly light, creating a higher market. The same market conditions are being reported out of Oregon and Washington growing regions. As an industry source pointed out, the Pacific Northwest is currently transitioning from field harvest into controlled-atmosphere inventory, and BC supplies are expected to gradually decline over the coming weeks.

When it comes to Michigan growing regions and Peru imports through the ports of entry in the Philadelphia area and New York City area, markets are steady.

Here is a pricing breakdown across all major blueberry growing regions:

• Canada: flats 12 1-pint cups with lids, medium-large 18.00-24.00 mostly 20.00-22.00
• Michigan: flats 12 1-pint cups with lids large 20.00-24.00 mostly 20.00-22.00 previous commitments occasional lower
• Oregon/Washington: flats 12 1-pint cups with lids medium-large 18.00-24.00 mostly 20.00-22.00
• Peru: flats 12 1-pint cups with lids large 27.00-33.00 mostly 29.00-31.00 previous commitments high as 40.00-42.00

Overall, the industry is reportedly seeing stronger demand and pricing on domestic fruit as buyers transition between growing regions and work through a gap between those supply areas.

We are keeping an eye on market movement across all produce categories, so continue following along with us at AndNowUKnow.

GOODYEAR, AZ - Duncan Family Farms is doubling down on its strawberry program, coming off a successful debut with starts planted—pun intended—for even more on the horizon.

I connected with Lauren Etchart, Sales and Marketing Specialist, on the company's expanded strawberry program and what's ahead for the 2027 season.

"Following a successful season in 2026 where we re-introduced strawberries after almost a decade, we made the decision to double the footprint of our strawberry program for 2027. The program is being developed in partnership with Arizona-based retailer partners, with the capacity to serve our local distribution partners," Lauren tells me. "As an established organic grower with deep experience in specialty and fresh-market production, we are excited to build on the success of our first season back in the strawberry business and expand our availability of locally grown organic strawberries."

The company's projected strawberry season runs from February through April. Before committing to the larger footprint, Lauren explains that Duncan Family Farms weighed how its limited first-season run had landed with distributors.

"Our strawberries received very positive feedback from the select distributors who carried them during our first season. That response reinforced the demand for locally grown organic strawberries and gave us the confidence to significantly expand the program," she shares.

Pointing to the response reflecting a broader shift she's tracking across the market, Lauren says the team continues to see strong consumer and retail demand for local produce.

"This is especially evident in our regional market and through our partnership with retailers and food distributors alike," Lauren points out. "We anticipate pricing to remain generally consistent with last season, while the expanded acreage will allow us to better serve the needs of our retail and distribution partners.

As we continue to follow all fresh influences and impacts, AndNowUKnow will report on all the latest.

BLANDON, PA - Giorgio, a trusted name in mushrooms for nearly a century, has unveiled a refreshed brand identity that honors its deep-rooted heritage while positioning the company for its next era of growth.

For generations, the family-owned company has brought mushrooms to American tables with a commitment to quality, care, and innovation. As Giorgio approaches its 100-year milestone, the new identity builds on that legacy with a bolder, more contemporary look designed to engage today's consumers, inspire greater creativity in the kitchen and create a stronger foundation for the brand's future.

“Innovation has always been part of Giorgio's story, and this evolution gives us an opportunity to express that in a fresh and meaningful way,” said Bryan Shelton, vice president of sales and marketing at Giorgio, in the recent release. “We want consumers to see cooking as an experience — one that can be creative, approachable and fun. The new brand brings that idea to life with vibrant colors, engaging imagery and an identity that invites people to discover everything mushrooms can bring to the table.”

The refreshed identity was developed to strengthen Giorgio's connection with a new generation of consumers, including Gen Z and millennials, who are looking for fresh meal ideas, elevated flavors and products that make cooking easier and more enjoyable. Bold colors, contemporary photography, and a more engaging visual system showcase the versatility of mushrooms and encourage consumers to experiment with new varieties, recipes, and occasions.

The rebrand also establishes a platform for Giorgio to build on its leadership in mushrooms while pursuing opportunities for future growth. As part of the refresh, Giorgio updated giorgiofoods.com to serve as a more comprehensive resource for consumers. The redesigned website offers a destination for consumers to learn more about mushrooms, discover new recipes, explore cooking tips, and uncover new ways to incorporate mushrooms into everyday meals.

“Giorgio has nearly 100 years of equity behind its name, and our goal throughout this process was to protect what makes the brand distinctive while ensuring it is ready for where consumers and the marketplace are going next,” said Naba Bakar, in the recent release, vice president of marketing at Golden Sun Insights, who was involved in the rebrand process. “This new identity gives Giorgio a stronger platform to take its products into the future, accelerate growth and create opportunities to expand into new categories while remaining unmistakably true to the brand consumers have trusted for generations.”

A key component of the transformation is Giorgio's redesigned packaging, which brings the new identity directly to the retail shelf. The more modern, eye-catching design improves brand visibility and makes it easier for consumers to recognize and navigate Giorgio's products while retaining the quality and heritage associated with the brand.

Giorgio has also revamped its website to serve as a more comprehensive destination for mushroom lovers and home cooks. The enhanced site helps consumers explore mushroom varieties, learn preparation and cooking techniques, discover recipes and find new ways to incorporate mushrooms into everyday meals.

“We want Giorgio to be more than a brand consumers recognize in the produce aisle,” Shelton said. “We want to be the trusted resource they turn to when they need a new recipe, want to learn how to prepare a different mushroom variety, or are simply looking for inspiration for their next meal.”

The new identity will extend across Giorgio's digital and social channels, creating a consistent brand experience from the retail shelf to the kitchen. While the company's appearance is evolving, its foundation remains firmly rooted in the values that have guided Giorgio for nearly a century.

“We are still a family-owned company, and it's important that we stay true to the values that have guided us for nearly 100 years,” said Mark Currie, CEO of The Giorgio Companies. “That includes our commitment to being vertically integrated from the ground up and to the people who make everything we do possible. This evolution would not be possible without the generations of employees who have helped build Giorgio into what it is today.”

The rebrand marks an important step toward Giorgio's next century — celebrating the expertise, people, and values that built the company while creating a modern, flexible brand designed to reach new consumers, inspire new uses, and support new avenues for growth.

MILLEN, GA - Consumers are handing more of their food decisions to artificial intelligence: what to cook, what to buy, what to eat. For an industry that has spent decades competing for attention in the aisle and in the weekly circular, that raises an uncomfortable question — when the recommendation comes from a chatbot, is fresh produce part of it?

The Southeast Produce Council's (SEPC) What's New? 2026 consumer research takes on that question directly. Anne-Marie Roerink of 210 Analytics will present the research on Thursday, Sept. 10, during Southern Innovations 2026 in Nashville.

The study measures how consumers are already incorporating AI into food-related decisions, what they may expect from these tools in the future, and how AI could influence the foods and products that ultimately make it onto their shopping lists. The underlying research examines AI across recipes, meal planning, grocery lists, nutrition, budgeting and other food-related applications.

It also captures the counterpoint. The research examines where consumers hesitate, looking at concerns about authenticity, misinformation and pricing accuracy — and at what consumers expect from AI-driven food recommendations before they will act on them. The research also raises a bigger question for the produce industry: As consumers increasingly ask AI what to cook, what to buy and how to eat, how does fresh produce make sure it is part of the answer?

"AI has the potential to fundamentally change how consumers discover and make decisions about food," said David Sherrod, president and CEO of SEPC, in the recent release. "For our industry, understanding that shift early gives us an opportunity to think about how we remain relevant and visible wherever consumers are looking for answers."

The findings are part of SEPC's sixth annual What's New? research. This year's study draws from 1,500 consumers, along with an additional sample of 150 GLP-1 medication users. SEPC welcomes all Southern Innovations attendees to join the session, where they'll have the opportunity to explore the findings and exchange perspectives with fellow industry members. Southern Innovations 2026 takes place Sept. 9-12 in Nashville, Tenn. Registration and the full education schedule are available at seproducecouncil.com.

How influential is AI already? Make sure to attend Southern Innovations in Nashville to hear the findings and explore what they could mean for the industry.

WASHINGTON, DC - The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is saddened to share with its members and the industry news of the recent passing of Joe Watson, who served as the organization’s Vice President of Retail, Foodservice, and Wholesale, after a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer.

“Joe was synonymous with many of our connections and engagement with the buying community in our industry,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns in the recent release. “A true retailer at heart who was quick with a handshake and who knew practically every buyer by face and name. His stories about his ‘retail days’ were legendary, sharing merchandising success stories and pictures of stores he has since visited. The industry consistently looked to him for his insights and analysis of our sales data and consumer trends. His passion for our industry was only surpassed by his faith and love for his family.”

Watson joined IFPA legacy organization PMA in June of 2015, where he was hired as Vice President of Domestic Business Development. Prior to joining PMA, he was the director of produce for Thibodaux, Louisiana-based Rouses Supermarkets, where he managed the produce departments’ operations of the chain's 46 retail stores.

Per his obituary, family and friends are invited to a visitation on Monday, August 31 at Chauvin Funeral Home in Houma, Louisiana, from 5-9 p.m. Visitation and service will continue on Tuesday, September 1 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montegut, Louisiana at 9:00am until service time at 11 a.m.

IFPA extends its heartfelt condolences to his wife Jeannie, his two daughters, granddaughter, family members, and countless industry friends who knew him.

Joe was beloved and will be sorely missed by the many IFPA staff and volunteers who had the pleasure of knowing and working alongside him to make the global fresh produce community better.