HOUSTON, TX - Sysco Corporation announced financial results for its 13-week fourth fiscal quarter and its fiscal year ended June 28, 2025.

Key financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025 include the following (comparisons are to the same period in fiscal year 2024):

• Sales increased 2.8%; U.S. Foodservice volume decreased 0.3%;
• Gross profit increased 3.9% to $4.0 billion;
• Operating income decreased 9.0% to $889 million, and adjusted operating income increased 1.1% to $1.1 billion;
• Net earnings decreased 13.2% to $531 million, and adjusted net earnings increased 3.3% to $716 million;
• EBITDA decreased 6.5% to $1.1 billion, and adjusted EBITDA increased 1.8% to $1.3 billion; and
• EPS3 decreased 10.6% to $1.10, and adjusted EPS1 increased 6.5% to $1.48.

“Sysco's Q4 results exceeded expectations, as improved financial outcomes were driven by Sysco-specific initiatives and improved restaurant industry traffic. Specific to our business, USFS local volumes improved sequentially by 200 bps, including a strong exit rate in June. Importantly, drivers of our progress accelerated during the quarter, with the momentum continuing in July, an encouraging signal as we begin the next fiscal year of profitable growth,” said Kevin Hourican, Sysco’s Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, in a press release.

“Building on our sales and adjusted EPS growth in FY25, we expect sales growth of approximately 3% to 5% to approximately $84 billion to $85 billion and adjusted EPS growth of approximately 1% to 3% to approximately $4.50 to $4.60 in FY26. This includes an approximate $100 million ($0.16 per diluted share) headwind from lapping lower incentive compensation in fiscal 2025. Excluding this impact, our outlook reflects EPS growth of approximately 5% to 7%, with the midpoint in-line with our long-term algorithm. Our teams are focusing on operational execution in the backdrop of continued macro uncertainties. We also plan to reward our shareholders with approximately $1 billion in dividends and approximately $1 billion in share repurchases for FY26,” said Kenny Cheung, Sysco’s Chief Financial Officer.

View the report in its entirety here.

NOGALES, AZ - A menu is a commitment.

Having served many tables, I’ve known firsthand the look on a customer’s face when they hear an item they selected from all the others is not available. And this week at the International Fresh Produce Association's (IFPA) Foodservice Conference, Prime Time Produce is sharing the steps it is taking to mitigate those conversations from the veg side.

“At Prime Time, we recognize that consistency is critical in foodservice, especially when it comes to menu planning. One of the greatest challenges our customers face is surety of supply. If a product is featured on a menu, we need to ensure it is available—no questions asked,” Patrick Cortes, Director of Business Development, shared. “To meet this need, we’ve built a diversified supply chain by growing in multiple regions and countries year-round.”

This multi-region, year-round strategy protects against disruptions from unpredictable weather, logistical setbacks, or market fluctuations. Patrick explained that it also gives customers confidence in continuity and quality, allowing them to meet consumer demand without compromise.

“By staying ahead of these challenges, we help our foodservice partners focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, knowing they have a dependable produce partner behind them,” he assured.

This week at booth #302 in Monterey, California, the supplier is proud to spotlight its premium mini sweet peppers, which Marketing Manager Desirae Perez told me continue to be a top choice in foodservice, especially in schools.

“Prime Time’s mini peppers are the ultimate grab-and-go snack, perfect for K–12 cafeterias or any setting where nutritious, colorful options are in demand. These vibrant peppers not only meet school menu color requirements but also support healthier eating habits among students,” she said. “Prime Time takes pride in being a trusted supplier, and we’re always striving to raise the bar. Behind the scenes, we’re developing new tools and educational resources to help our foodservice partners drive innovation and stay ahead in an evolving market.”

Attendees of IFPA’s Foodservice Conference can explore this and more July 31–August 1.

“Visit us at booth #302 during the IFPA Foodservice Conference to sample our fan-favorite Rainbow Pinwheels. Discover why Prime Time should be your go-to mini pepper partner, and how we deliver unbeatable flavor, quality, and consistency,” Desirae concluded.

As we report further from this critical industry event, continue to follow AndNowUKnow for all the latest.

GERMANY - Bayer advances its blockbuster pipeline submitting registration applications for icafolin-methyl in the European Union, following completed applications in Brazil, United States and Canada, the company announced today. Icafolin is agriculture's first new mode of action for post-emergent weed control for broadacre crops in over 30 years. With estimated peak sales potential around €750 million, Bayer expects Icafolin will be launched from 2028 onward with initial availability in Brazil. The new operating model DSO has been instrumental for advancing Icafolin regulatory submissions ahead of schedule.

Icafolin belongs to a new chemical class providing unique properties that allow for lower dose rates, more targeted applications, and is expected to demonstrate an exceptional safety and sustainability profile. In addition, Icafolin is complementary to existing herbicides, such as glyphosate, adding a novel solution in the fight against weed resistance, a top priority for farmers. According to a press release, weed resistances have increased globally over the last years and are a threat to food security as resistant weeds are competing with crops on sunlight and nutrients, thus significantly reducing yield and harvest quality.

“Weeds threaten food security and farmer livelihoods, which is why investing in game-changing innovations like Icafolin is so vitally important,” said Mike Graham, Head of Research & Development for the Crop Science division of Bayer. “Access to an entirely new herbicide class that complements the existing toolbox not only helps farmers combat and prevent weed resistance, but it also helps farmers adopt and maintain no-till and reduced tillage practices that improve soil health, which is a cornerstone of regenerative agriculture.”

Icafolin has been developed for initial uses in soybean, cereals, pulses, and oil seed crops, as well as pome and stone fruits, tree nuts, grapes, and citrus. As a novel mode of action, it has unique properties and benefits. Treated weeds become “frozen” in the fields, meaning they stop competing with crops for water, nutrients and sunlight, but the dead weeds remain in the field longer because they largely maintain their structure. This creates a mulch layer that helps prevent erosion and trap moisture in the soil. By providing effective weed control it reduces the need for tillage, supporting regenerative practices in agriculture that can improve soil health.

Additionally, Icafolin's intrinsic properties make it suitable for targeted spray applications and lower dose rates, which allowed Bayer to submit registration applications under reduced risk status. Icafolin is the first product to utilize CropKey, Bayer’s breakthrough R&D approach to developing new crop protection products, which optimized the formulation recipe by considering multiple dimensions including efficacy, safety and sustainability criteria, and farmer convenience. CropKey will continue to accelerate how researchers design instead of screen for new molecules, supporting faster development of future products targeting specific proteins in weeds, pests, and crop diseases.

“With CropKey we're not just responding to current agricultural challenges more quickly, we're being proactive and anticipating future needs,” said Rachel Rama, Senior Vice President and Head of Small Molecules at Bayer's Crop Science division. “Leveraging artificial intelligence greatly accelerates our journey from concept to market, so farmers gain access to the most effective and environmentally responsible crop protection products.”

Following the first expected launch from 2028 onward in Brazil, Bayer anticipates selling Icafolin in the U.S, Canada, EU and other geographies over subsequent years.

COLLINSVILLE, IL - Sev-Rend is proud to announce the promotion of Jeremy Andrews to the position of National Sales Director. This strategic move reflects Sev-Rend’s continued commitment to leadership development and customer-focused growth across its flexible packaging and tagging solutions.

Since joining Sev-Rend in 2023, Jeremy has served as Director of Sales – East, bringing with him fifteen years of sales experience and team leadership within the packaging industry.

His ability to foster strong client relationships, drive sales performance, and deliver packaging solutions tailored to customer needs has made him an invaluable part of the Sev-Rend team, a press release stated.

“Jeremy’s leadership and deep understanding of our customers’ evolving needs have played a significant role in Sev-Rend’s growth,” said Rob Williams, CEO/Owner. “His promotion to National Sales Director positions us for continued success as we expand our footprint and develop innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for the fresh produce industry and beyond.”

In his new role, Jeremy will oversee national sales operations, support strategic account development, and lead Sev-Rend’s experienced and devoted sales team in driving results and delivering value to customers across the country.

“It’s an honor to step into this role,” said Jeremy Andrews. “Sev-Rend is a company that truly values its customers, team, and innovation. I am excited to help guide our sales strategy on a national level and continue building partnerships that move the industry forward.”

Please join us in congratulating Jeremy Andrews on his well-earned promotion.

MONTEREY, CA - Hopefully, shoppers are learning and not realizing. This phrase, and all that it implies, has tumbled around in my head since Reyna Graves, Director of Merchandising, National Produce at Sprouts Farmers Market, spoke it on the stage of Monterey’s historic Golden State Theater. Under a decadent ceiling, Scot Olson, President at FreshSource, queried about the retailer’s unique strategy in the organic and grocery spaces.

“We have five pillars—we made it a point to keep it to a low number so we know what to focus on—and one of those five pillars is organic,” Reyna said of Sprouts’ strategy. “How we're doing that is making sure we have an organic-first mindset. That means from an assortment standpoint, that means from a promotion standpoint, that means from a merchandising standpoint, how do we make sure we're trying to make it easy for our customers who are looking for organic to find it; to be able to afford it; to be happy with the quality, the flavor, and to see that first when they walk into our stores.”

This has demonstrably worked for the company in terms of ensuring organic supply. But, Reyna explained it also means an organic foundation upon which Sprouts continues to build.

“Our organic growth continues to grow and grow with a really big penetration into our business, and we hope to keep building on that,” she stated. Part of what makes this work, Reyna emphasized, are events around these attributes so customers understand Sprouts’ intentions. “Organic events where the whole store is behind it, where we're doing cross-merchandising, the ads around organic, so that it's a bigger message than just organic produce. I don't have to try to tell that story with just our department. We're telling it as a store.”

To ensure all are playing off the same sheet of music, as the saying goes. The symphony of Sprouts Farmers Market is one of both education and fun, while ensuring no surprises that might upend the consumers’ understanding of what they are purchasing.

“The messaging really is 'How do we help our customers live better?' So, across the stores, the signage is around ‘How is this healthier?,’ ‘Why buy this?’ and a lot of that education, but we also want to make it fun. We don't want to scare anyone, we want them to know the positives of organic, the positives of eating healthy fruits and vegetables. So we try to have that kind of fun educational purpose spin from a messaging standpoint to get people excited about the events and purchasing organic.”

A little knowledge, a little fun, and, as we began with, the hope shoppers are learning and not realizing, and so are purchasing more organic.

“I think as retailers, our job is to exceed and meet our customers’ demands. We're there to satisfy what our customers are asking for. So what keeps me up at night is the gap between what we can deliver to what they're expecting,” Reyna disclosed.

As for the solution—the dream—it is everything that falls into that gap between perception and true participation in the industry that brings fresh food to market.  

“How do we make sure the amazing stories that are in this room get out there?” Reyna posed this question to the audience, pulling from her own lack of knowledge when she first joined the produce industry a couple of years ago. “I was like, how is this [product] not a million dollars? It's these stories that we need to tell—that's what we need from an industry standpoint.”

Pivoting to Sprouts-specific needs from suppliers, Reyna’s ask was a simple one: Keep growing organic, “plus”. Plus sustainability, plus utilization of the whole plant, plus freshness, plus quality, or another addition to bolster the segment.

“‘Plus’ is a big ask from the industry. The bigger one is organic, plus flavor,” Reyna emphasized. “That's a big thing, I feel, still being new in the industry—we don't talk enough about organic flavor, specifically in vegetables. I always get jealous of the fruit team who sit next to me. They're talking about the brix. They're talking about the flavor and the sweetness. And, when we were in a session earlier about what produce item made you go ‘wow,’ most people said it was a fruit.”

So, organic “plus,” and continued growth in the organic space. The big question has been asked, and we cannot wait to report how the industry answers. Stay tuned, we’re all ears.