SALINAS, CA - Never lose the personal connection in this business. Without that, it’s all just P.O.s and sales orders. Those are Dan Canales’ words—and they’re more than wisdom. They’re the foundation of how he leads and inspires. Being able to honor Dan Canales is a gift unto itself. With people like him securing the foundation of this industry, our growth will be not only unwavering but also enduring. This year, our team at AndNowUKnow and The Snack honored Dan with the 2025 Besties Lifetime Achievement Award. It is easy enough to detail his list of accomplishments, but I thought it more important to let the man himself share the words, values, and beliefs that truly paved his path.

“First and foremost, integrity is the first thing that is foundational in this business. If you don’t have that, your success will be short-lived,” Dan, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Processing, Ippolito International, tells me. “You might have a few successes with a short-term win with a P.O., but it won’t last long if you don’t have integrity. Reputation is everything.”

For Dan, one philosophy to ensure you're taking care of your business and your customers is to pick up the phone.

“I know emails and texts are so easy, but there are times when a phone conversation is best,” Dan says, reminding me that this one simple act has a ripple effect. “Don’t put your head in the sand when things get tough. I have forged many long-term relationships by having those tough conversations on the phone when a challenge arises, instead of just sending an email.”

When I ask Dan to share more of his wisdom with me, his humility kicks in, but I pry, and, of course, he graciously opens up, offering insights that stay with me.

“I would say that as much as you think you know, there is always someone who knows more and possibly has more information than you have—whether it be a manager or buyer. Be open to new information, filter through it, and make educated decisions,” Dan shares. “Also, prioritize building relationships. As best as possible, I tried to retain relationships with buyers even after they didn’t have a P.O. for me. Foster that relationship, as you never know where they will end up, but do it with sincerity.”

Dan gives much credit to the people he surrounds himself with. Collaboration, accountability, and growth are made even more possible by having a team of amazing individuals around him, he notes.

“I learned early on that you can’t do it all by yourself. We’re all a team. I wouldn’t have anything to sell if all of the other departments didn’t do their job,” he expresses. “One of the things I always tell my sales team is that customer service doesn’t apply just to customers, it applies to every other department in our organization. There will be times when you need something from them to do your job, and you want them to provide that same level of service to you. Treat them with respect and provide them with great customer service when they need something from you. Growth will occur if you have strong foundations based on trust within the team, rather than blame.”

While Dan Canales is always the first one to share a thank you, it is we who are thanking him today—for all that he does, all that he represents, and all that he cherishes.

While we select the Lifetime Achievement Award internally, I want to take the opportunity to also extend a heartfelt thank you to our Besties Committee for their time, dedication, insights, and, of course, their votes for our 2025 award winners. Their contributions are deeply valued.

This year, the committee voted on every category except Retailer of the Year, Best Marketer to Work With, and the Lifetime Achievement Award—three honors selected by our leadership team due to their special significance.

Thank you to all who make the Besties possible. And, thank you, Dan, for simply being you.

SALINAS, CA - Church Brothers Farms is proud to announce the launch of Stack Pack, a new packaging format for Ready Leaf and Green Leaf fillets that redefines cleanliness, efficiency, and yield in whole leaf lettuce. Stack Pack features a unique stacking design that aligns lettuce leaves like coins and vacuum-seals them into compact columns, ensuring consistent sizing, reduced breakage, and easier handling. Each leaf undergoes a singular leaf wash followed by a triple wash, delivering product that is 40% cleaner than other whole leaf bagged products. Stack Pack is available in a 2x5lb carton for Ready Leaf, and 2x5lb and 10lb cartons for Green Leaf.

“Stack Pack represents more than just a packaging innovation; it reflects our ongoing commitment to reimagining what’s possible in fresh produce,” said Brian Church, CEO of Church Brothers Farms, in the recent press release. “We’re helping foodservice operators do more with less — less labor, less waste, and less worry — while delivering on the quality and consistency their customers demand. This is the future of whole leaf lettuce.”

Key Benefits of Stack Pack:

• Cleaner Product: Innovative wash system for superior cleanliness.
• Higher Yield: More usable leaves per pound and lower cost per leaf.
• Less Waste: Reduced mechanical damage and breakage.
• Labor Saving: Uniform orientation and sizing mean less sorting and faster prep.

“Stack Pack is a direct response to the pain points we hear about from operators every day — from labor shortages to inconsistent yields,” said Ernst van Eeghen, Vice President of Business Development. “We designed this solution to meet those challenges head-on, with a product that streamlines prep, reduces waste, and delivers a level of cleanliness that customers can count on. It’s a smarter way to bring whole leaf to the plate.”

Church Brothers Farms will feature Stack Pack at the upcoming IFPA Foodservice Conference on August 1, 2025, at Booth #801.

Attendees are invited to stop by for a hands-on look at the product and to learn more about how Stack Pack can elevate foodservice operations.

To learn more, watch the Stack Pack product video here or visit www.churchbrothers.com.