RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA - FiveStar Gourmet Foods™, home of Simply Fresh, the leader in fresh, innovative meal solutions, announces the expansion of its operations team with the appointment of three experienced executives. Key leadership hires include Paul Harrison as Senior Vice President of Operations, Michael Cheung as Vice President of Supply Chain, and Danny Gutierrez as Director of Operations.

The strategic appointments support FiveStar’s goal of accelerating national production. The company recently opened a new, state-of-the-art facility in Southern California, its flagship hub for innovation, production, and nationwide distribution of its SF-360 fresh food solutions.

“We are transforming FiveStar Gourmet and its brands into bold, fast, and uncompromising global category leaders. Achieving these outcomes requires leaders who are experienced, hungry, hands-on, and fully committed to our mission,” said Tal Shoshan, CEO of FiveStar Gourmet Foods, in the recent release. “Paul, Michael, and Danny each bring a track record of operational excellence and the grit and vision to help take FiveStar and Simply Fresh to the next level.

Paul Harrison, Senior Vice President of Operations, brings more than two decades of leadership experience in the fresh food industry. He previously held positions at Calavo Growers and Renaissance Food Group, where he gained recognition for driving operational efficiencies, ensuring food safety, and enhancing team performance across multi-site operations.

“FiveStar’s momentum and passion for excellence are contagious,” said Harrison. “This is a company that moves with purpose, and I’m honored to help lead its next phase of operational growth.”

Michael Cheung, Vice President of Supply Chain, joins FiveStar after his successful tenure at Bonduelle Fresh Americas. With extensive expertise in procurement, logistics, and ERP implementation, Michael will oversee the company’s end-to-end supply chain strategy, emphasizing material availability, vendor optimization, and cost control.

“I’m excited to join a team that values innovation, speed, and execution,” said Cheung. “FiveStar is redefining what supply chain excellence looks like in the fresh food industry, and I look forward to building a best-in-class network that supports that vision.”

Danny Gutierrez, Director of Operations, also joins from Bonduelle Fresh Americas, where he held multiple leadership positions overseeing high-volume manufacturing. At FiveStar, Danny will concentrate on online efficiency, labor optimization, and daily plant execution to support the company’s rapid growth and national distribution.

“FiveStar’s commitment to quality and innovation is unmatched,” said Gutierrez. “It’s exciting to be part of a company where operational discipline and creative energy go hand in hand.”

This enhanced leadership team reinforces FiveStar’s commitment to delivering fresh, safe, and high-quality food at scale while maintaining operational discipline and culinary excellence at every stage of the process.

To learn more about FiveStar Gourmet Foods and Simply Fresh, visit here.

KEASBEY, NJ - Wakefern Food Corp. announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase Morton Williams stores in the New York metro area. The acquisition combines the grocery expertise of the family-owned cooperative and the Morton Williams family, which has owned and operated its stores for three generations.

New Jersey-based Wakefern will retain the Morton Williams name. A wholly owned subsidiary of Wakefern will operate the 17 stores in the tradition New Yorkers have come to expect, with special emphasis on fresh prepared foods, produce, and Wakefern’s award-winning private label brands. The Food Partners (TFP), headquartered in Washington, D.C., served as financial and strategic advisor to Wakefern during the transaction.

“We are very excited to welcome Morton Williams to our Wakefern family of supermarket banners. This acquisition is an incredible opportunity to continue the legacy of a storied New York City grocer while building on the business and adding even more product offerings, value, and quality for shoppers,” said Wakefern President Mike Stigers in the recent release. “Wakefern is committed to honoring the traditions of Morton Williams by bringing high-quality fresh foods and groceries to residents of one of the greatest cities in the world.”

“The acquisition is part of Wakefern’s aggressive growth strategy to expand both its market share and wholesale distribution reach,” added Wakefern Chairman Sean McMenamin. “Wakefern’s leadership team and Board of Directors have a vision for our cooperative that is transformative. We are positioning Wakefern for sustainable, lasting growth that will impact future generations of our Membership.”

Like Wakefern, Morton Williams is family-owned. The company was founded in 1952 by brothers Joe and Irving Sloan. Joe’s sons Morton and William later built upon the business and expanded to supermarkets in the New York City area. They would go on to reinvent the business again in the 1970s, when they began opening new, reimagined markets in Manhattan. They changed the name of the new stores to Morton Williams and opened locations with kitchens, chefs, and a focus on fresh prepared foods for customers on the go.

Carrying on the legacy, Morton Williams is now guided by the third generation -- Avi Kaner, Morton Sloan’s son-in-law; David Sloan, his son; and Steven Sloan, the son of William Sloan.

“Like Wakefern, which was founded by neighborhood grocers, we are also a family business and proud of the company we’ve built over the decades. Supermarkets are an important part of the fabric of the neighborhoods they serve. Wakefern understands that,” said Avi Kaner, speaking on behalf of the Sloan and Kaner family. “We know our company, its team members, and loyal customers are in good hands as it moves into the future under Wakefern’s leadership.”

Kevin McDonnell, currently president of Wakefern’s wholly owned subsidiary PRRC, Inc., will serve as the Wakefern executive leading Morton Williams. PRRC, Inc. operates stores under the Price Rite Marketplace banner. “I look forward to working with the team at Morton Williams to ensure we continue delivering the service and quality the brand is known for and at the same time offering greater value that comes from being part of a cooperative,” noted McDonnell. “The buying power of the cooperative, which has more than 360 stores in nine states, and the legacy of Morton Williams' service is a winning combination.” McDonnell is a 40-year supermarket industry veteran with broad experience in store operations, merchandising, marketing, and management, as well as extensive experience in operating stores in the New York City area.

Morton Williams offers online shopping and operates 15 stores in Manhattan, a store in the Bronx, and another in Jersey City at the following locations:

• 130 Bleecker Street
• 278 Park Avenue South (22nd Street)
• 311 East 23rd Street (2nd Avenue)
• 908 Second Avenue (48th Street)
• 1031 First Avenue (56th Street)
• 140 West 57th Street (between 6th & 7th Avenues)
• 917 Ninth Avenue (59th Street)
• 15 West End Avenue (Corner of 60th Street)
• 1066 Third Avenue
• 2015 Broadway (68th Street)
• 1331 First Avenue (71st Street)
• 1251 Third Avenue (Corner 72nd Street)
• 1565 First Avenue (81st Street)
• 1211 Madison Avenue (87th Street)
• 2941 Broadway (115th Street)
• The Bronx: 15 East Kingsbridge Road (Jerome Avenue)
• New Jersey: 105 River Drive - Jersey City

YAKIMA, WA - The Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) released its forecast for the 2025 Washington state fresh apple crop. The crop is estimated at 142 million standard forty-pound boxes of fresh apples. While the forecast would match the previous record harvest for the fresh apple crop, growers reported that labor shortages and market conditions may drive down the actual number of harvested apples.

Growers faced a record drought in the state to deliver a high-quality crop across all varietals. Cosmic Crisp (WA-38), developed by Washington State University specifically for Eastern Washington's growing conditions, continues its meteoric rise in popularity just five years after its introduction in 2020. For the first time, it enters the forecast as one of the top five varietals.

"This year Washington has experienced favorable growing conditions and good fruit sizing despite drought conditions in the state that curtailed water supplies to some orchards," said Jon DeVaney, WSTFA President, in the recent release. "Growers anticipate a large crop with great eating quality. However, challenging economic conditions, including concerns about labor supply during harvest, mean that many growers will be more selective in what they pick. As a result, there is a high probability that the final harvested crop will be smaller than the potential reflected in this forecast."

The WSTFA forecast includes interesting changes in the five most popular varietals. Gala is number one at 18% of production, followed by Honeycrisp at 15% (for the first time moving ahead of both Red Delicious and Granny Smith), Granny Smith at 14.7%, and Red Delicious at 12%. Cosmic Crisp makes its first appearance in the top five at 9.6%, up from just 1% in 2020 and 6% in 2023.

Fuji is forecast to be nearly 9.1% of the forecasted crop, Cripps Pink is projected at 6.4%, with Envy and Golden Delicious both at approximately 3.5%, and Ambrosia at 1%. All other varieties represent about 7%.

Washington's growers are keeping up with consumer demand for organic apples. Organics again represent 15% of this year's overall crop, a sign that growers' long-term investment in organics is paying off for them and the consumers they ultimately serve. Washington state produces more than 90% of the nation's organic apples. All organic production is packed and marketed as USDA organic, and WSTFA members continue to work on new strategies and techniques to deliver more organic apples. "Staying in step with consumer demand is something that our growers work hard to accomplish," added DeVaney.

Washington apples are sold around the world and are a strong mover in the domestic grocery market. They are also vital to the state's economy and are Washington's leading agricultural commodity. Apples represented 16% ($2 billion) of the state's total farm-gate agricultural value in 2022. Nearly 30% percent of the harvest is exported.

"Washington apples are truly a signature crop for our state — economically vital and globally recognized," said Derek Sandison, Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture. "This year, even amid unusually warm and dry conditions, growing conditions remained strong overall, and we are expecting another large harvest with high-quality fruit. That's a testament to our growers' expertise and the strength of Washington's apple industry. It's good for our economy, our communities, and consumers everywhere."

The apple forecast is based on a survey of WSTFA members and represents the best estimate of the total volume of apples harvested in 2025 that will be packed and sold on the fresh market. The estimate excludes apples sold to processors. Apple harvest typically begins in August and continues into November. As a result, this forecast is still subject to several months of variable weather, labor supply, and market conditions that can affect the final harvest total.

Video and audio of Jon DeVaney commenting on the 2025 Apple Forecast and B-roll of apple orchards and apple harvesting are available for media use upon request.

ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - Ahold Delhaize recently released its second-quarter results. By sticking to its Growing Together strategy and leaning heavily into e-commerce capabilities, the retail giant is making steady moves across the United States and Europe.

"I am pleased to report solid second quarter performance, with strong sales growth supported by positive volumes in both regions. In an environment where customers prioritize value and convenience, our Growing Together strategy stands out as a key strength. Our brands’ unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer value has enabled us to maintain or improve our market positions and continue to drive momentum in growth. At the same time, through strong operational execution by our teams and associates, we delivered a healthy and stable underlying operating margin of 4.0% and IFRS operating income of €861 million,” commented Frans Muller, President and Chief Executive Officer, in the press release.

The report outlined several other highlights, which included:

• In the first half of 2025, we already achieved a key milestone by reaching e-commerce profitability on a fully allocated basis. This underscores the strength and scalability of our omnichannel model, which is a key long-term driver of market share growth.
• Q2 net sales were €23.1 billion, up 6.5% at constant exchange rates and up 3.3% at actual exchange rates. Net sales were positively impacted by 3.4 percentage points at constant exchange rates from the acquisition of Profi and negatively impacted by 1.2 percentage points from the closure of Stop & Shop stores and the cessation of tobacco sales in the Netherlands and Belgium
• Q2 comparable sales excluding gasoline increased by 4.0%, up 3.4% in the U.S. and 4.9% in Europe. Comparable sales excluding gasoline were positively impacted by 0.9 percentage points in the U.S. and by 0.7 percentage points in Europe, due to calendar shifts. Europe was negatively impacted by 1.6 percentage points due to tobacco
• Our investments in expanding our omnichannel infrastructure and enhancing our digital loyalty programs are yielding strong results. Ahold Delhaize online sales increased by 14.4% in Q2 at constant exchange rates and 11.8% at actual exchange rates. This was driven by double-digit growth in online grocery in both regions and a strong performance at bol

“During the first half of the year, we already achieved a key milestone by reaching e-commerce profitability on a fully allocated basis,” added Muller. “This underscores the strength and scalability of our omnichannel model, which is an important long-term driver of market share growth. Our improved online profitability is the result of several key factors, including our orientation towards less asset-intensive same-day delivery models, increasing fulfillment capacity, automating operations, and leveraging retail media propositions. It is particularly encouraging to see that, more and more, customers are finding value in the convenience and flexibility of our brands' omnichannel offerings.”

For more details, check out the report here.

DANVILLE, VA - AeroFarms, an indoor vertical farming company and the leading supplier of microgreens to the U.S. retail market, has refinanced its debt to support the ongoing operations at its farm in Danville, Virginia, and has raised equity financing to further support existing operations and fund pre-construction activities for its expansion to a second farm.

“Our vision is to provide local food production of nutritious microgreens to regions around the world, while preserving natural resources,” said Molly Montgomery, Executive Chair and CEO of AeroFarms, in a press release. “We have recently demonstrated that vertical farming can indeed be sustainable, profitable, and produce fresh greens at scale. I would like to extend my gratitude to our financial partners who believe in our vision and have provided financing to support our operation in Danville and commencement of pre-construction activities for expansion to a second farm.”

Equity was provided by existing investors including Grosvenor Food & AgTech (GFA), Ingka Investments, Cibus Capital, and ACEG, and others.

“We believe AeroFarms can play a significant role in the global fresh food supply chain, by providing nutritious greens at scale to local regions around the world,” said Stephan Dolezalek, Managing Partner of GFA. “AeroFarms has now proven the ability to deliver the transformative benefits of vertical farming through a viable, profitable business. To support these efforts, GFA, along with our investing partners, committed funding to support existing operations and enable the company to embark on its next phase of growth.”

An asset-based loan provided by Siguler Guff was used to fully pay off the previous debt facility from Horizon Technology Finance, with additional funds to support ongoing operations at the Danville Farm.

The new loan, which closed in May 2025, provides a more favorable interest rate than the previous debt, interest-only terms, and a carve-out for eligible equipment financing.

Matthew Bernstein, Managing Director in Siguler Guff’s Credit and Special Situations Strategy, stated, “We are excited to partner with AeroFarms in Danville, Virginia, to help them reach their full operational capacity.” Siguler Guff joined with one of the top USDA Guaranteed lenders in the space to provide interim financing that will bridge the company until the permanent, USDA-guaranteed loan is expected to close later this year by that lender.

Waterside Commercial Finance served as the exclusive USDA finance advisor to AeroFarms, leveraging its proprietary Bridge-to-USDA Program to structure the transaction. Waterside originated the opportunity, led the underwriting process, coordinated the bridge loan, and sourced the permanent USDA lender.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Continuing its rapid growth and innovation in the premium beverage sector, Generous Brands has completed a major acquisition to expand its value in the space. The Butterfly portfolio company has formally acquired Health-Ade, a fast-growing leader and innovator in kombucha tea beverages, from private equity firms First Bev and Manna Tree Partners (“Manna Tree”), who will also continue on as minority shareholders in Generous Brands.

“Consumers have entirely redefined the role of beverages, and it’s reshaping the future. They have shifted from just prioritizing taste and exciting flavors to looking for beverages that are also enhanced with healthier ingredients and nutritional benefits,” said Steve Cornell, Chief Executive Officer of Generous Brands. “With its purpose-led brand and products that are positioned at the intersection of delicious taste and modern health trends, Health-Ade fits perfectly into our platform and growth strategy. This exciting addition to the Generous Brands portfolio will accelerate our mission of inspiring more people to thrive through the power of vibrant nutrition.”

The acquisition of Health-Ade will bring the Generous Farms portfolio of premium beverage brands to four; joining the star power of Bolthouse Farms, Evolution Fresh, and SAMBAZON beverages.

The portfolio will be distributed across a diverse set of channels and is expected to generate nearly $1 billion in retail sales. Generous Brands also produces and sells premium refrigerated dressings under the Bolthouse Farms brand. With significant owned manufacturing capabilities, a differentiated distribution network, and a best-in-class commercial organization, Generous Brands is well-positioned to deliver growth and innovation for retailers and consumers alike for years to come.

"We're excited about the addition of Health-Ade to the Generous Brand's platform, which delivers on our commitment that started with adding Evolution Fresh, then Sambazon, to build out the most relevant, functional, healthy refrigerated beverage platform and position it where consumers are actively seeking these functional solutions— within the produce set," said Phil Kooy, Chief Revenue Officer. "This platform allows us to bring the freshest trends, most functional beverages, and leading innovation to deliver breakthrough category insights and growth to our produce partners who have been the core of our success for years."

As health-conscious consumers continue to prioritize a healthy lifestyle, Generous Brands is well-positioned for the future with its leading brands, which offer an assortment of beverages packed with clean ingredients, including nutritional shakes and smoothies, as well as super premium juices. Generous Brands was established in May 2024 as a leading pure-play premium refrigerated beverage platform with Butterfly’s separation of Bolthouse Farms into two standalone entities: Bolthouse Fresh Foods, which encompasses the legacy produce operations of Bolthouse Farms and is a leading supplier of fresh carrots, and Generous Brands.

Health-Ade is one of the leading brands in the kombucha segment, which has been propelled in recent years by consumer interest in gut health products; Health-Ade’s category-leading kombuchas offer delicious functionality powered with probiotics and immune-boosting antioxidants.

Since its founding in 2012, Health-Ade has evolved from selling its flagship kombucha at local farmers' markets into what is now a top-selling functional beverage brand in the U.S., with retail sales approaching $250 million annually and products in 65,000 outlets nationwide, spanning all major retail channels. The kombucha segment has experienced consistent growth over the last five years, and Health-Ade is on track to continue growing in this expanding category. With the addition of Health-Ade, Generous Brands expects to bring the benefits of scale to consumers and retailers – faster and more transformative innovation, broader availability, and additional investments to drive overall category growth for retail partners.

IRVINE, CA - Western Growers (WG) was awarded $486,000 from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of the 2025 Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program, which will allow WG to spearhead a partnership between fresh produce industry stakeholders to develop and implement sustainable fresh produce packaging alignment across North America. The TASC program funds U.S. entities to conduct projects to resolve barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops.

"The current landscape for sustainable produce packaging is an incongruent mish-mash of contradictory regulations that differ between retailers in different countries, as well as between federal and state governments," said Dr. Jeana Cadby, Director of Environment and Climate at WG, in a recent release. "It is critical that we maintain the functionality of fresh produce packaging while innovating for sustainability to bring safe, fresh produce from farms to the tables of consumers. Thanks to this funding from the USDA, we can continue the important work of collaborating with retailers, packaging suppliers, technology companies, and growers to reach sustainability goals that can realistically apply across the supply chain."

The funding will continue the work started in June 2024, when WG joined forces with the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) to form a working group, the Sustainable Produce Packaging Alignment for North America (SPPA), to address the evolving landscape of packaging requirements imposed by both governments and retailers throughout North America.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Igo Fresh Produce LLC, operating from McAllen, Texas, has satisfied an $11,857 reparation order resulting from unpaid produce transactions under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The company is now free to operate in the produce industry. Oscar Manuel Corral Vega, Juan Enrique Gonzalez Gutierrez, and Liliana Rios Saenz were listed as managers and members of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions. This may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. 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.

Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are no outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individuals. USDA also requires any unlicensed company that fully satisfies all unpaid reparation awards to obtain a license if it continues to operate in the industry.

For more information, contact Penny Robinson-Landrigan, Chief, Dispute Resolution Branch, at (202) 720-2890 or [email protected].