PLANT CITY, FL - Sysco Corporation celebrated the grand opening of its newest facility, Sysco Tampa Bay, the ninth site opened in the past year as the company continues its global growth and expansion.

Sysco Tampa Bay, the sixth broadline facility in Florida, will create more than 300 jobs in one of the state’s most booming regions and is further evidence of the corporation’s commitment to grow with its communities and customers.

Sysco has opened or expanded 13 facilities in the past year, including in Allentown, Pa., Calgary, Canada, Ireland, London, and Sweden. Sysco’s Greco Italian food specialty company has opened three facilities since the start of 2024, and four facilities, including in Wisconsin and Scotland, have expanded their footprint.

“Sysco is committed to growing with our customers and our communities and making sure we are there to help them succeed by providing diverse, quality products at good value and superb customer service. We are doing this here in Florida, in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, London, Ireland, Sweden, and across the globe,” said Sysco Chairman and CEO Kevin Hourican in a recent release.

“Sysco’s global growth has created hundreds of jobs globally in the past year, and we are confident our reach and community impact will expand as we meet the needs of our customers,” Hourican added.

Sysco Tampa Bay will cater to a 100-mile area of Florida and provide the growing food-away-from-home sector with access to hundreds of thousands of well-priced, quality products.

“Florida is one of the most rapidly growing areas of our country, and we are excited to be a part of that journey,” Sysco West Florida Region President Jane Grout said. “Our growth is evidence of Florida’s growth – we outgrew our Orlando facility, and so to support our current and our future customers, we are expanding with them. Today we celebrate our mutual growth.”

AMADO, AZ - Wholesum, a leading grower and shipper of 100% organic, Fair Trade Certified produce, proudly announces the release of its 2024 Conscientious Company Report, titled People, Power, Progress. This annual report is a comprehensive reflection of the company’s values in action, from environmental innovation to human empowerment. The report demonstrates Wholesum’s commitment to responsible agriculture.

“Reflecting on 2024, we see a year defined not only by tangible achievements, but by the company’s enduring values and remarkable people behind them,” said Ricardo and Theojary (Theo) Crisantes Jr., brothers, co-owners, and executive leaders at Wholesum. “This report transcends data and is a reflection of our shared vision, principled leadership, and the collective momentum driving us toward a more sustainable and purposeful future.”

Highlights from the 2024 Report:

• People on the Move: Growing the Next Generation of Leaders
  • The launch of NextGen Academy, a homegrown leadership development initiative designed by employees to prepare emerging leaders within the company.
  • Jose Covarrubias, General Manager at Wholesum Farms Arizona, participated in Western Growers’ prestigious Future Volunteer Leaders Program, representing the company's commitment to advocacy and cross-industry collaboration.
• Power of Innovation: Smart Agriculture & Renewable Energy
  • A major leap in biocontrol technology at Wholesum Farms Arizona improved pest management while empowering employees through transparent performance tracking.
  • Expansion of solar-powered trolleys and carts, reducing energy use and increasing efficiency in greenhouse operations.
    58% renewable energy utilization at Wholesum Farms Sonora, and ongoing work to restore and improve systems at other sites.
• Progress for Communities: Fair Trade and Impact-Driven Partnerships
  • Over $726,000 in Fair Trade funds reinvested in community health, transportation, and education programs.
  • Wholesum Farms Sonora hosted its largest-ever Preventative Health Campaign – the biggest in the company and region’s history, benefitting over 950 participants with health screenings, workshops and follow-up care plans.
  • Expanded workforce transportation program, replacing 89 individual cars with shared shuttles, reducing 966,102 lbs of CO₂ emissions.
• Organic Integrity at Scale
  • Over 61 million pounds of 100% organic produce delivered to market.
  • In-house production of 360 lbs of organic seed and the production and release of over 2.3 million ladybugs and 970,000 parasitoid wasps as part of advanced biological control efforts.
• Sustainability with Purpose
  • 63 tons of carton and 82 tons of metal recycled.
  • 40 native plants restored in local ecosystems.
  • Water-use efficiency continues to advance at greenhouse sites, using only 5 gallons per pound of tomato production, up to four times more efficient than field-grown tomatoes.
• Championing the UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Wholesum’s efforts directly support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a focused impact on:
  • SDG 5: Gender Equality — with 42% female representation company-wide and targeted efforts to increase leadership representation at production sites.
  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production — renewable inputs reached 65.6% in 2024, with significant gains in raw and packaging materials.

“From fair wages to fair trade, from greenhouse innovation to grassroots community projects, our report shows how real progress happens when people are empowered,” said Vanessa Cordova Hernandez, People and Culture Manager, in a recent release. “We’re not just growing food. We’re growing futures.”

As a third-generation family farming operation, Wholesum has long believed that transparency, equity, and stewardship are essential to a thriving agricultural system. With farms in both the U.S. and Mexico, and a heritage of over 90 years in farming, Wholesum continues to demonstrate that ethical and sustainable business practices can go hand in hand with innovation and growth. “We invite our partners, consumers, and fellow growers to walk with us on this path and power progress together,” said Ricardo Crisantes.

The full report can be found on Wholesum’s website at the following link: CCR 2024.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Welcoming a fresh crop of Envy™ apples from the Southern Hemisphere, leading grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce Oppy, ensures a seamless transition from the Washington season. With fruit arriving from New Zealand, then Chile and South Africa in the coming weeks, Oppy’s global program continues to deliver the industry’s most sought-after varieties with uninterrupted supply alongside exceptional quality, flavor and crunch.

“Strategic alignment with our international partners has enabled us to execute a smooth and efficient transition between growing regions,” said Director of Apples and Pears Roger Aguirre. “Oppy has marketed New Zealand products since the 1950s. These decades of connectedness have positioned us as a trusted bridge to the Kiwi nation's premium pipfruit in the North American market.”

Following wrap-up of the Washington crop, Oppy’s import program will start from New Zealand the beginning of August, bringing the freshest apples into key distribution hubs on the coasts of both the U.S. and Canada. Quality is strong across all origins, with Chile peaking on larger sizes and South Africa offering smaller fruit, accommodating a range of size preferences and retail strategies.

Executive Director of Apples, Pears and Category Development Piers Hanbury shared, “The transition this year has been especially smooth. From growing conditions to logistics, the Southern Hemisphere crop positions us to keep pace with growing demand. Envy™ continues to outperform other proprietary varieties, and we’re well prepared to support retail programs all summer long.”

According to a press release, Envy™ apples remain a standout in the competitive apple category. Demand continues to rise, with two in five Envy™ shoppers being new to the variety within the past 52 weeks. Consumers are highly engaged, spending 1.8 times more than the average apple shopper, and loyal, with units per trip ranking second among all branded apples.

Hanbury noted, “Everything is in place to ensure no gaps in availability, providing our retail partners with consistent supply and shoppers with the crisp, sweet Envy™ experience they expect.”

With extensive marketing support and a supply chain that recently spans New York alongside Washington, New Zealand, South Africa and Chile, Oppy ensures a reliable source of Envy™ apples year-round. The company also offers a wide range of fresh picked premium and everyday apple varieties including JAZZ™, Ambrosia, Braeburn, Smitten, Royal Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith and Pink Lady.

“Our year-round program is built on the foundation of delivering the very best eating experience, and it’s what our retail partners can continue to count on from Oppy,” concluded Aguirre.

OXNARD, CA - Mission Produce, Inc., a world leader in sourcing, producing, and distributing fresh Hass avocados and mangos, announced it will demonstrate its Mastery in the Art of Ripening at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Foodservice Conference in Monterey, Calif., from July 31 to August 1, 2025 (booth #218). With a focus on delivering fresh, ripe-and-ready avocados and mangos, Mission will highlight the value its custom ripe programs bring to the foodservice kitchen.

“Our foodservice customers rely on precision and consistency, and at Mission, we deliver just that with fruit ripened to spec—day in and day out,” said Brooke Becker, Senior Vice President of Sales., in the recent release “We’ve spent decades building the infrastructure, technology, and expertise needed to provide ripe avocados and mangos that elevate the menu and streamline back-of-house operations.”

To promote the consistent delivery of high-quality avocados and mangos, every order is managed by a Mission Produce Ripe Master, who tailors Mission's science-based ripening process according to fruit origin, maturity, and other characteristics. With 8 ripe centers across the U.S., and offerings that include daily deliveries and multi-stage shipments, Mission’s custom ripe programs are designed for the fast-paced demands of foodservice.

“While avocados remain a popular ingredient in foodservice, mangos are gaining momentum– in fact, mango mentions on menus have increased 11% since 2021,” added Becker. “Consumer interest in nutrient-dense, flavorful produce is a driving factor. Two-thirds of U.S. consumers are actively seeking healthier food options, and both avocados and mangos offer several health benefits that bring value to the menu.”

At the show, Mission will feature two of its top ripe stages for foodservice: Stage 5 avocados, ideal for guacamole and mashing applications, and Stage 3 mangos, selected for their crisp texture and suitability for slicing and spears. Attendees can sample both in a custom dish crafted by Executive Chef Amalia Scatena, the culinary talent behind last year’s award-winning mango panna cotta.

SALINAS, CA - Gearing up for this year’s Foodservice Conference, Ippolito International is shining a spotlight on its innovative Brussels Bites™ offering. With quality and convenience in mind, the Brussels Bites™ lineup helps increase back-of-house efficiency and bring Brussels sprouts to more menus.

"Brussels Bites™ are an innovative and specialized cut of Brussels sprouts," explains Dan Canales, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Processing. "These are cut into perfectly bite-sized pieces, then washed, packaged, and ready to use in 5 lb bags for foodservice customers."

With the demand for pre-cut, convenient finished goods, health and wellness, and a preference for companies with a sustainable foundation and focus on the rise, Ippolito International’s Brussels Bites™ allow foodservice operators to tap into a variety of demands.

"Ippolito International covers all points by offering an array of value-added, fresh vegetable products that hit the health and wellness mark," Dan shares. "We also provide options for foodservice operators that minimize prep time in the kitchen. Our new Brussels Bites™ are a great example of that. We are also the first produce company in Monterey County to have been certified as ZERO WASTE, dating back to 2018, and we continue to benchmark our operations to these metrics each month."

Backed by these advantages, Ippolito International prides itself on being a responsive and nimble partner in the foodservice space.

"We have long-standing relationships with many different types of foodservice customers, both large and emerging," Dan adds. "Our business’s foundation is built on the quality of our products and our service to the customer. We are a streamlined company, and so we can make decisions and respond to customer requests quickly."

As Ippolito continues to be a formidable partner in the fresh arena, the Foodservice Conference presents a vital opportunity for strengthening relationships.

"This conference allows us to meet with the vast customer base in the foodservice sector. And while we always enjoy hosting tours, breaking bread, and furthering our relationships, it is even more important that we learn from our customers while they’re in our own backyard," Dan notes. "This is the added bonus, that after a show like this, our takeaways are many, so we’re grateful that this show is such a huge draw."

Ippolito International will showcase its mouthwatering Brussels Bites™ at booth #811 as part of the Fresh Ideas Showcase. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore this convenient, time-saving offering!