SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Stater Bros. Markets is pleased to announce the grand reopening of its extensively remodeled supermarket at 71727 29 Palms Hwy., Twentynine Palms, CA 92277.

As customers approach the store, they will immediately be greeted by a new, large American flag installed on a 66-foot flagpole. Stater Bros. Markets Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Pete Van Helden said in the recent release, “This flag will fly tall and proud and signify our respect for the patriotic local community and nearby Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center.” A flag-raising ceremony will take place during the grand reopening ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the occasion.

The store exterior has been redone with a modern façade, and extensive renovations were made to the interior as well to match the level of the chain’s newer stores. When shoppers first walk in, they will immediately notice the new décor, flooring, and checkstands.

Making their way through the rest of the store, shoppers will now find highly popular and convenient food solutions such as fresh sushi created in-store by professionally trained sushi chefs, and fresh-cut fruit straight from a fruit-cutting station. Customers who are pressed for time can quickly stop in for some of our expanded ready-to-eat meal solutions, including burritos, sandwiches, salads, and our famous double-breaded Cleo & Leo fried chicken. Shoppers who are in search of an elevated meat-eating experience can now purchase Certified Angus Beef® brand steaks.

“We undertook the significant investment to modernize this store so that the area’s residents can enjoy the same amenities and benefits they would receive in our newer stores,” said Van Helden. “This remodel and the newly installed flag are tangible symbols of our commitment to providing quality groceries for the city of Twentynine Palms and its surrounding communities for years to come.”

The entire store team is eager to welcome the community of Twentynine Palms to see all that the store has to offer during its grand reopening celebration that begins on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. During the celebration, customers will also have an opportunity to win free groceries for a year. Visit here for more details.

In addition, Stater Bros. Charities will be donating a total of $20,000 to local nonprofit organizations. The following organizations will receive $5,000 each:

• Mil-Tree
• USO Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms
• Morongo Basin Station Sheriff’s Citizens on Patrol
• San Bernardino County Fire Benevolent Foundation

ALPHARETTA, GA - Aptean, a global leader in mission-critical enterprise software solutions, announces the launch of Aptean Fresh Produce ERP, the evolution of its industry-leading Produce Pro Software. Designed to tackle the unique challenges of the fresh produce industry, this powerful solution combines decades of deep industry expertise with Aptean’s global innovation and cutting-edge technologies, ushering in a new era of productivity, intelligence, and adaptability for companies.

For over 30 years, Produce Pro Software has been a trusted ERP platform for fresh produce distributors, wholesalers, foodservice providers, growers, packers, shippers, processors, and terminal markets across North America. Renowned for setting the gold standard in operational efficiency, traceability, and compliance, Produce Pro transformed how the fresh industry leverages technology to compete and grow. That legacy continues, strengthened by Aptean’s powerful technology ecosystem, delivering next-generation solutions that drive innovation, efficiency, and growth for fresh produce businesses.

Built on the robust Microsoft Business Central platform, Aptean Fresh Produce ERP delivers a secure, scalable, cloud-native solution designed for modern produce operations. AI-powered capabilities transform complex data into real-time, actionable insights, empowering teams to make better decisions faster. With seamless Microsoft integration and a sleek, user-friendly interface, daily operations have become more efficient, intelligent, and more connected than ever.

“Aptean Fresh Produce ERP isn’t just an upgrade—it’s the future of fresh produce technology,” said Marc Hatfield, Regional Account Director for Fresh Produce at Aptean, in the recent release. “We have taken everything customers love about Produce Pro and supercharged it with Aptean’s advanced technology and cloud-native architecture. Designed for a fast-moving, high-stakes market, this next-ERP empowers produce operations to stay ahead.”

Aptean Fresh Produce ERP offers:

• Proven Legacy: Over 30 years of produce-specific innovation, now elevated.
• Cloud-Powered Performance: Secure, scalable, and continuously optimized with Microsoft Cloud.
• AI-Driven Insights: Transforming complex data into real-time intelligence for sharper decision making.
• User-Friendly Design: A sleek, modern interface built for seamless team adoption and enhanced productivity.
• Seamless Integration: Native compatibility with Microsoft 365 and Aptean’s complementary suite, including TMS, EDI, E-commerce, and BI.
• Future-Ready Adaptability: Designed to evolve with your business and keep pace with demands.

“Aptean Fresh Produce ERP is a smarter way forward—intuitive, intelligent, and built to grow with your business,” said Hatfield. “It unites the proven functionality of Produce Pro Software with the power of the cloud, offering greater scalability, accessibility, and ongoing innovation. Backed by Aptean’s deep software expertise and a suite of integrated technologies like TMS, EDI, Ecommerce, BI, and more, fresh produce businesses evolve and thrive with solutions made specifically for them.”

FELLSMERE, FL - A story of convenience, strength, and flavor is turning the page toward a new chapter in the foodservice sector. Empowering menus while minimizing labor, B&W Quality Growers is relaunching its impactful Power4™ blend in a 1.5 lb foodservice bag and a 3 lb box.

“This most nutritious blend on the planet is triple-washed, gently air-tunnel dried, and packed to maintain freshness and extend shelf life. Ready-to-eat right out of the bag, Power4 offers chefs a consistent, high-quality greens blend that’s convenient and reliable in fast-paced kitchen environments,” Anna Klawitter, Marketing Manager, shared with me.

With a balanced mix of watercress, baby spinach, baby arugula, and baby kale, Power4 not only fits into a wide range of menu applications seamlessly, it expands salad and culinary capabilities with a single addition to buyers’ back-of-house orders.

“It serves as a flavorful base for salads, blends smoothly into sauces and purées, and holds up well when sautéed or added to warm dishes like omelets, flatbreads, and grain bowls,” Anna detailed. “Its versatility and nutrient density make it a practical, high-performing ingredient for any culinary setting.”

And being a revitalized launch of an existing success story makes it an even stronger bet in an industry where any new move is a gamble.

With the International Fresh Produce Association’s Foodservice Conference rolling in with the Monterey, California, fog July 31–August 1, the timing is ideal to connect with B&W on this and all its foodservice offerings at booth #406. Let them know ANUK sent you!

PORT SAINT LUCIE, FL - Publix recently shared the following press release announcing its newest location in Florida.

“We are excited to welcome customers to their new Publix,” said Lindsey Willis, Publix media relations manager. “The store reflects our commitment to quality, service, and fresh offerings. It also features an upstairs area with both indoor and outdoor seating for customers to sit and enjoy their favorite Publix finds!”

Customers may catch a glimpse of the large, motorized Publix shopping cart traveling around the community on opening day. The shopping cart is another way Publix is showcasing the company’s new location with the community and driving awareness for customer convenience.

95th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

• Deli — features a full-service deli counter with a variety of meats and cheeses, an international selection of olives, antipastos, hummus, and more than 200 artisan cheeses from the United States and around the world.
• Produce — carries organic and conventionally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, with locally grown produce and exotic choices from around the world. The floral department stocks bouquets bursting with colors depicting the changing seasons.
• Bakery — scratch bakery that offers an array of cakes, cookies, and pies as well as wedding cakes and decadent desserts made by skilled decorators. Breads and rolls are baked fresh throughout the day.
• Meat — features custom cuts of meats, including Publix private label all-natural and organic GreenWise chicken. Customers seeking a home-cooked meal with minimal prep time can choose from ready-to-cook items prepared fresh daily.
• Seafood — carries fresh seafood delivered throughout the week. It includes wild and farm-raised fish, as well as a wide variety of shellfish. Publix’s whole fish and fillets are fresh, never frozen. Sushi chefs create delectable hand-rolled selections daily.
• Pharmacy — full-service pharmacy that also includes a large variety of body care products and a wide selection of natural and conventional vitamins, minerals, and supplements.

Special services

• Publix Liquors — offers beer, wine, spirits, and a variety of soft drinks and accessories all in one convenient adjacent location.
• Publix Delivery — powered by Instacart.
• Pharmacy drive-thru — convenient drive-thru option for prescription pickup.

LEAMINGTON, ON - Nature Fresh Farms®, one of North America's leading growers of sustainable greenhouse produce, announced that Josianne Légaré, is joining as Senior Vice President, North American Sales and Strategic Growth.

With more than two decades of commercial leadership experience, Légaré has built a distinguished career forging partnerships and driving mutual value creation with leading North American retailers. This appointment reinforces the company's commitment to helping customers achieve sustainable growth while strengthening the collaborative approach that defines Nature Fresh Farms' reputation.

Reinforcing Excellence

"Josianne's appointment sends a clear signal about our priorities," said Patrick Criteser, CEO of Nature Fresh Farms, in the recent release. "We are deeply committed to being a true partner that delivers on our promises and helps customers achieve their category objectives. This builds directly on the strong foundation of trust, performance, and collaboration we've established over the years."

Légaré's proven ability to transform customer relationships into enduring alliances will further strengthen the company's ability to deliver value across every dimension of partnership.

Driving Shared Success

"In today's rapidly evolving produce landscape, our ambition is to be the go-to partner for retailers," said Josianne Légaré. "By aligning with our customers' goals and working shoulder-to-shoulder to tackle challenges, we can deliver meaningful innovation, sustainable category growth, and success through true collaboration."

With bilingual capabilities and extensive cross-border market experience, Légaré is positioned to advance these objectives while maintaining the personalized, responsive approach that has distinguished Nature Fresh Farms' reputation.

"We're not just adding talent—we're strengthening our promise to be the kind of partner customers can count on for the long haul," added Criteser.