LOS ANGELES, CA - What better way to celebrate a 25-year milestone than with strategic advancements across multiple advantageous programs? Setting the stage for a successful remainder of the year, Pacific Trellis Fruit has announced significant updates to its stonefruit, grape, and melon programs just as it rings in its 25^th anniversary.

“Our grape program continues to expand, and we’re excited to provide consistent, high-quality grapes through the remainder of the year and beyond,” noted Josh Leichter, Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Trellis Fruit.

The supplier is kicking off its import grape season with Cotton Candy grapes currently shipping from Spain and Brazil and available through December before transitioning to Peru. High-quality Autumn Crisp™ grapes are also currently available from Brazil, as are the supplier’s high-flavor Jam grapes. As a press release shared, Pacific Trellis was among the largest importers of grapes from the Southern Hemisphere last season, providing consistency of supply despite tight market conditions. The company also noted that strong consumer demand was driven by the Dulcinea® brand, which garnered over 100 million consumer impressions across its product lines.

In addition to its table grape offering, Pacific Trellis Fruit is introducing three new premium varieties to its stonefruit program. The addition of extra sweet peaches, apricots, and cherry plums complements the supplier’s strong extra sweet plum, extra sweet nectarine, and watermelon plum program to offer a diverse portfolio to retailers. The short but profitable season is available from January through April, so get your supply now!

“We are proud of how our stonefruit portfolio continues to grow,” said Dan Carapella, Jr., Vice President of Sales, Fruit Division. “The introduction of these new items highlights our commitment to bringing fresh, flavorful varieties to our supporting retail partners and fulfilling consumer demand.”

Rounding out its strategic portfolio updates, Pacific Trellis Fruit anticipates a strong melon market through the end of the year. The provider reported that December will see lighter volumes until Guatemala and Colima, Mexico, production begins. A promising crop is expected from Hermosillo this month, and Colima will provide the company’s proprietary branded PureHeart™ mini-seedless watermelons through Nogales. Guatemala is on track with two production cycles expected in late December to early January and again in late March to early April.

The company is also gearing up for a strong winter citrus season and a promising import cherry program.

Eager to learn more about this comprehensive portfolio? Stop by booth B1665 at the Global Produce & Floral Show to talk with a sales rep!

SACRAMENTO, CA - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has highlighted preparations for more extreme weather events this season, following a record hot summer across much of California and a looming La Niña pattern. The California new Water Year starts on October 1.

“California has experienced the full range of climate challenges in recent years, from extreme drought to severe flooding, and we will be seeing more of that in the future,” said Karla Nemeth, Director, Department of Water Resources. “To meet these dramatic challenges, California is starting this water year with more accurate forecasting and additional investments in flood protection and groundwater recharge.”

California is seeing climate extremes right now, with above-average temperatures forecasted into October, with no rain in the current forecast as well. These climate extremes have posed significant challenges to water managers, especially the extremely hot and dry conditions that frequently persist well past the summer months and into the fall.

At the same time, the water that California does receive will arrive from more powerful storms, and hotter temperatures will mean less winter precipitation falls as snow and more will arrive as rain, increasing flood risk, explained a release.

“California experienced record heat and dry conditions this summer, drying out the landscape and putting our hydrology behind before the water year even starts,” said Dr. Michael Anderson, State Climatologist. “While there is still a lot of uncertainty around how La Niña could impact the state this year, we know we can count on it to include extreme conditions.”

DWR and partner agencies are making California more climate resilient, taking actions to protect and boost California’s water supplies by taking an all-of-the-above approach to creating a resilient water supply in the face of a changing climate.

Investments in Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations and improved data collection on hydrological conditions across the state through DWR’s $7 million California Stream Gage Improvement Program (CalSIP) will allow California to incorporate the best available science and data into its water management decisions.

For more details, click here to read the full press release.

AndNowUKnow will continue to report on important weather events, so stay tuned.

SANTA CLARITA, CA - Are you aware of the status of your microgrid? Vallarta Supermarkets sure is, as it recently entered into a contract with energy-as-a-service provider, GreenStruxure®, to design, build, operate, and maintain an onsite renewable energy microgrid.

“By partnering with GreenStruxure, Vallarta Supermarkets is taking significant steps toward sustainability and reducing our environmental footprint,” said Joel Silva, Chief Financial Officer, Vallarta Supermarkets. “We look forward to offering this service to additional locations in the future.”

As a press release explained, the project will help Vallarta Supermarkets avoid significant energy costs from the first year of operation and limit the impact of rising utility prices. The project will also lower the supermarket's carbon emissions by 60 percent, aligning with its sustainability commitment.

“We are thrilled to partner with Vallarta Supermarkets in their transition to clean energy. Our onsite microgrid supplies clean, reliable, affordable energy and optimizes energy costs to deliver the best outcomes,” said Jose Lorenzo Lista, Chief Executive Officer, GreenStruxure. “We believe this partnership will inspire other midsize companies to embrace clean and affordable energy.”

Utilizing solar panels, battery storage, and advanced energy management systems to deliver a clean, reliable, and affordable energy supply, GreenStruxure will be able to maintain the innovative microgrid. Vallarta Supermarkets will benefit from zero-carbon energy, peak demand management, optimized use of energy from the grid and its onsite system, and complete performance insights through an AI platform, BeyondtheGrid®.

Vallarta Supermarkets can expect significant energy cost avoidance from the first year of the microgrid's operation, as this solution protects against rising utility prices, offering the supermarket greater control over its energy expenses and future-proofing its operations against market volatility.

Curious to learn more? Click here for the full press release.

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