INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) announced the selection of three sets of agricultural retailers and their farmer partners as the 2025 4R Advocates. These grower-retailer partners are being recognized for their outstanding commitment to implementing nutrient management practices grounded in 4R principles: applying the Right fertilizer source, at the Right rate, Right time, and Right place.

“Our 2025 4R Advocates are leading the charge in three unique regions when it comes to sustainability and stewardship in agriculture,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch, speaking at TFI’s Agronomy Conference and Expo in Indianapolis, IN. “Their dedication to the 4Rs supports healthy soils, strong yields, and a more resilient food system. We’re honored to recognize these grower-retailer teams for advancing science-based practices that benefit both the environment and the bottom line.” 

Now in its 13th year, the 4R Advocate program showcases the tangible benefits of 4R Nutrient Stewardship through real-world application and field-level results. The 4R framework is designed to provide farmers with research-based, practical tools to improve crop productivity, enhance environmental outcomes, and promote sustainable farming for future generations.

Representing a wide range of crops and regions, the 2025 4R Advocates will engage in TFI-led outreach and education efforts throughout the year. These activities include speaking at on-farm field days, industry panels, and local engagement opportunities to help share their stories and encourage broader adoption of 4R practices. 

2025 4R Advocates:

• Retailers: Felipe Aguilar and Fernando Ceja: Helm, CA – Wilbur-Ellis Company
• Farmer: Sal Parra, Jr.: Helm, CA – Burford Ranch; Coyula Farms
• Retailer: Anthony Furlin: Trenton, MO – MFA Inc.
• Farmers: Mark and Kristi Urich: Laredo, MO – Urich Farms
• Retailer: Taylor Ivy: Stuart, FL – Nutrien Ag Solutions
• Farmer: Elizabeth Malek: Naples, FL – Lipman Family Farms

The 4R Advocate program is a key element of TFI’s efforts to raise awareness and adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices. This initiative underlines the critical role of efficient nutrient utilization in sustainable crop production systems. To learn more about 4R practices, please visit the TFI website.

Additionally, TFI announced in June that 65 million acres of U.S. cropland are under 4R nutrient management practices, well ahead of an industry goal of reaching 70 million acres by 2030. A 4R acre is defined as an acre of U.S. cropland under management using 4R practices, such as crediting organic sources and removal rates, variable rate technology, split applications, the use of cover crops, accounting for weather during application, etc.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - GrubMarket, the AI-powered technology enabler and digital transformer of the American food supply chain industry, as well as one of the largest private food eCommerce companies globally, proudly reflects on the incredible progress made with its Sustainable California initiative since its inception in 2023. 

In just two years, the program has made strides in environmental stewardship and farmer empowerment, teaming up with the non–profit organization, One Tree Planted, to reforest critical regions of the State; partnering with California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) to provide grants and mentorship that help socially disadvantaged farmers obtain organic certification; and offering AI-powered software to help California-based farmers streamline their operations. The impact of Sustainable California has stretched from restoring watersheds and boosting biodiversity to promoting more equitable access to organic markets.

In its work alongside the global reforestation non-profit, One Tree Planted, GrubMarket has successfully planted over 130,000 trees across California, including drought-stricken areas ravaged by wildfires and deforestation. This extensive reforestation effort has not only helped preserve key watersheds and agricultural ecosystems but also helped enhance biodiversity, fight the impacts of climate change, and sequester carbon dioxide. As part of this tree-planting project, dozens of different tree species have been planted, and hundreds of hectares of land have been reforested, benefiting both the local wildlife and farming industry.

Looking forward, in partnership with One Tree Planted, GrubMarket has committed to planting an additional 100,000 trees in the Sierra Nevada region, which was severely damaged by the 2013 Rim Fire. This effort aims to rebuild forest landscapes, increase habitat for wildlife, and improve watershed health. By focusing on an area that still bears scars from wildfires, GrubMarket hopes to accelerate ecological recovery and ensure that California's working landscapes remain resilient for generations to come.

As part of its Sustainable California initiative, GrubMarket has also supported farmers transitioning to organic agriculture as a sponsor of the CCOF Organic Transition Program for the past two years. GrubMarket and CCOF have provided grants, mentorship, and technical assistance to underserved California-based farmers making the challenging leap to organic production. In 2023, the program kicked off with a strong cohort of 10 farmers selected out of dozens of applicants, collectively representing hundreds of acres of farmland located across 10 different counties in California. This group cultivates a diverse array of vegetables, berries, grapes, livestock, and poultry. By fostering inclusivity and opportunity within the farming community, GrubMarket has helped promote the adoption of organic farming practices. In 2025, GrubMarket renewed its commitment to continue supporting socially disadvantaged farmers in the CCOF Organic Transition Program.

"We have been honored to partner with One Tree Planted to restore California's landscapes with the planting of over 200,000 trees," said Mike Xu, CEO of GrubMarket, in the recent press release. "We will continue to work together to bring the forest back to life, create habitats for wildlife, and protect the watersheds that sustain California's farms, including in the Sierra Nevada region, a special place in California's natural heritage where vast swaths of forest remain scarred by the Rim Fire. At the same time, our continued partnership with CCOF underscores our long–term commitment to empower socially disadvantaged farmers to adopt organic practices and thrive in a more sustainable food system."

The third pillar of the Sustainable California initiative was introduced in the wake of the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area in early 2025 and has focused on directly helping California farmers facing challenges associated with a deteriorating environment. To help them improve the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of their farming practices and operations, GrubMarket committed to offering free software subscriptions to all farmers based in California for the entire year of 2025, including its suite of AI-powered SaaS products:

• WholesaleWare ERP - the only Enterprise AI-enabled ERP solution for the industry, which assists farmers with efficient and accurate inventory, order, and operations management.
• Orders IO - eCommerce technology that provides farmers with mobile apps and online ordering portals to increase their sales capacity and digitally transform the cumbersome offline ordering process.
• GrubAssist AI - Artificial Intelligence agents specifically aligned and trained for the agriculture industry, to help farmers expedite and enhance operational efficiency across tasks such as business analysis, inventory analysis, order entry, and cashflow analysis.

Over the past two years, Sustainable California has grown into a multi–faceted, company–wide effort dedicated to preserving California's farming environment, empowering farmers, and reinvigorating the state's fragile agricultural ecosystem.

"Reflecting on these past 2 years, we are immensely proud of the accomplishments we have achieved through our Sustainable California initiative," added Mike Xu. "From planting trees to supporting cohorts of underrepresented farmers to offering cutting-edge technology solutions to help farmers achieve greater efficiency, every milestone has represented a step forward in GrubMarket's mission to create a more sustainable and equitable food system. Our dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainability is ingrained in every part of our company, and we are deeply committed to continuing to expand upon our Sustainable California initiative, to build the foundation for a healthier and more resilient future for the food industry."

California farmers and community members interested in GrubMarket's Sustainable California initiative are encouraged to learn more at sustainability.grubmarket.com or by emailing [email protected].

TRAVERSE CITY, MI - In a recent roundtable discussion, Ryan Lockman and Philip Symons explored key shifts in the U.S. and Europe berry market, from evolving retail demand to challenges in consistent supply.

Current Market Trends and Preferences

Q: What are the latest trends in berry varietals that you are observing in the United States and the EU markets?

A: “Genetics continue to be very important across all berry categories, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blues. The arms race for genetics with superior flavor, texture, appearance, shelf life, and being grower-friendly will continue to intensify within growers and marketers worldwide.” - Lockman

Q: How are these trends influencing the overall berry market share in both regions?

A: “We believe that due to improved genetics, we are witnessing a rise in consumption across all berry categories.” - Lockman

Q: How have consumer preferences in the US and the EU shifted in recent years regarding berry consumption?

A: “In the US, a good example of this would be consumers willing to pay higher retail costs for premium berries such as the NBP Reserve 9.8oz Jumbo pack due to the consistent eating experience.” - Lockman

“In Europe, the premium market in berries is growing well ahead of the standard. Retailers are looking to premium offers across all berries. We also need to consider that berries are a very convenient format for consumption. This increases the eating occasion opportunity," said Symons in a recent release.

Innovative Varietals

Q: Are there any emerging varietals that are gaining popularity due to these shifts?

A: “Again, I think varietals with flavor, texture, appearance, shelf life, and being grower-friendly will be the main target here - across all 4 berries.” - Lockman

“The interesting thing in Europe is that the buyers are often very clear on the varietals they are buying and what they want to have in their premium ranges. Often, this means that we need to have these new premium varieties available to supply. Without these, even getting a PO is difficult in many cases.” - Symons

Q: Can you discuss any new or innovative berry varietals that North Bay Produce is focusing on?

A: “Currently, NBP is focused on SEKOYA® and the University of Florida for blueberries; Splendor Genetics for Blackberries; Berry Tek and Molari for Raspberries.” - Lockman

“It is the same for Europe. We are looking to roll these varieties out globally for our Reserve premium brand," said Symons.

Q: How do these varietals differ from more traditional options in terms of flavor, texture, and size?

A: “All of the genetics lines that we are using again have the same characteristics in play - Flavor, texture, appearance, shelf life, grower-friendly. You can also add size in these as a quality as well.” - Lockman

See the full round table discussion here.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Food solutions company SpartanNash® turned up the flavor at its annual two-day Food Solutions Expo, bringing together nearly 2,000 grocery industry leaders to dish out trendspotting, deal-hunting, and community-building. Independent retailers, suppliers, and SpartanNash Associates swapped insights, shared samples, and snagged hot deals at the DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids.

SpartanNash showcased curated 2025 Consumer Taste Trends displays, highlighting the top food trends of the year, backed by flavor forecasts and consumer insights. The event also featured supplier and customer award ceremonies and live auctions. The Expo concluded with a donation of leftover product to Feeding America® West Michigan, equivalent to providing approximately 45,000 meals to local families in need.

Independent grocers represent 33% of retail grocery industry sales, equating to $253.6 billion annually and 1.2% of the United States’ gross domestic product, according to the National Grocers Association®. SpartanNash serves more than 2,100 retail locations, empowering customers with tools to stay fresh, competitive, and community-focused.

“Independent grocers are the heart and soul of neighborhood supermarkets, and they bring a distinctive, vital perspective to the industry," SpartanNash CEO Tony Sarsam said in the recent press release. "The Food Solutions Expo offers our attendees the opportunity to turn shelf space into success stories. They come for the savings and stay for the strategy. Most importantly, it helps SpartanNash, our customers, and our vendors find new ways to partner together, ultimately elevating the grocery shopping experience for consumers.”

The Company celebrated five exceptional customers and four vendors who have gone above and beyond in the last year to deliver value to independent customers and their communities during the SpartanNash Vision Awards and Impact Awards, respectively.

The 2024-25 SpartanNash Impact Award winners are:

• Johnsonville®
• Ferrara Candy Company®
• Sunkist®
• The Campbell’s Company®

The 2024-25 SpartanNash Vision Award winners are:

• Discount Drug Mart®: The Medina, Ohio-based chain with 79 stores earned the We Serve Award by raising more than $400,000 to support charitable initiatives and community programs in 2024, including funds for Hurricane Helene and California wildfire relief efforts.
• Berens Market: This grocer earned the We Have Fun Award by bringing their Milbank, S.D., community together. Berens Market organized impactful – and fun – events for its hometown last year, holding produce truckload sales in the summer and outdoor frozen food sales in the winter.
• Harding’s Friendly Markets: With 28 locations across Michigan and Indiana, the retailer earned the We Create Solutions Award by launching a new digital platform in April 2025 in response to evolving guest needs. The team introduced a mobile app, digital coupons, a rewards program, and weekly deals that transform the shopping experience and strengthen customer engagement.
• Neiman’s Family Market: The Michigan-based grocer took home the We Win Award for their impressive sales growth in 2025, with deli, bakery, meat, and private label sales all seeing double-digit increases. Neiman’s Family Market was also named The Shelby Report’s Exceptional Independent Award winner for its marketing and technology investments.
• Northland Foods: Last year, this northern Michigan-based grocer rolled out additional Our Family® and other SpartanNash OwnBrands products at its two locations in northern Michigan, increasing private label sales by nearly 25% and earning it the Delivering the Ingredients for a Better Life Award. The stores are also deeply rooted in their community, sponsoring the Kalkaska Trout Festival annually.

“At SpartanNash, our vision is that we see a day when our customers will say, ‘I can’t live without them,’ and these five independent retailers embody that vision in their stores and in their communities,” Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Amy McClellan said. “Across the country, independent grocers serve as critical food destinations where neighbors can connect, careers can grow, and family meals and traditions can be created. We are honored to serve these grocers, supporting the role they play in nourishing our communities.”

For more highlights from the 2025 SpartanNash Food Solutions Expo, follow SpartanNash on Instagram or visit the event website for full event coverage.

CINCINNATI, OH - The Kroger Co. shared easy tips to make a fresh family meal together, centered around in-season fruits and vegetables, that even the youngest kids can enjoy preparing.

"Cooking and eating together as a family can be a rare pleasure," said Carlo Baldan, Kroger group vice president of Fresh Merchandising, in the recent release. "Eating fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables is a healthy and simple way to gather, especially in the summertime. With endless ways to prepare a meal, often highlighting the incredible natural flavors found in Kroger's produce section is simply the best and made even better together with family."

Enjoy summertime with produce at its peak of freshness:

• Vegetables: Avocados, Beets, Bell Peppers, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Green Beans, Okra, Onions, Peas, Summer Squash, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, and Zucchini
• Fruits: Apricots, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Honeydew Melon, Mangos, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Raspberries, Watermelon, Strawberries, Apples, Pineapple, and Bananas
• Citrus: Lemons and Limes

Have fun in the kitchen and explore how fresh foods impact health and wellness with these tips from Kroger, including:

• Eat the rainbow: Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables ranging in colors like red, green, orange, yellow, and purple provides maximum nutrition benefits that help fight chronic and preventable diseases. Toss together a crisp salad using vegetables in season, such as tomatoes, corn, carrots, and cucumbers. The smallest helpers can wash the produce with a thorough check from adults. Little ones can also have fun building the salad, creating their own array of vibrantly colored vegetables.
• Make it a craft: With the help of an adult, build a skewer with prepared onions, bell peppers, zucchini, and summer squash. Create fun patterns using the ingredients, rotating colors, shapes, and sizes. A few minutes on the grill will keep the vegetables crisp and add a delicious caramelization.
• Experiment with spices and herbs: Dress up fresh items with natural ingredients like rosemary, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper, or cumin to bring out the incredible flavors of vegetables such as green beans, eggplant, okra, summer squash, and more. Measure out spices and herbs ahead of time for young chefs, allowing them to experiment, taste, and season.
• Cool down with dessert: Make simple popsicles using in-season berries and watermelon. Try blending fruits with Greek yogurt, honey, and a squeeze of citrus—lemon or lime—for a treat kids will have fun making and eating. Or keep it simple with frozen bananas and let the family pick toppings like peanut butter or dark chocolate.
• Try something new: Be bold and try Kroger's exclusive seasonal offerings. New this summer are super sweet, exceptionally juicy Private Selection® Black Diamond Watermelons. Perfect for cookouts, snacks, and even breakfast. Do not miss out on the limited-time-only Private Selection® Hatch Chiles, a seasonal customer favorite straight from the farm fields of Hatch, New Mexico. Available in mild, medium, hot, and extra hot, there are chiles for every palate, but be sure to get them while they last.

In addition to fruits and veggies, create a balanced meal with lean proteins like chicken and fish, and include heart-healthy grains such as whole wheat pasta, brown rice, or quinoa.

Eating fresh, seasonal produce is an excellent way to incorporate healthy foods into diets. Beyond the produce section, Kroger customers can easily find nutrition options by utilizing the OptUP program and checking the FoodHealth Score of their favorite products. Kroger Plus loyalty customers can OptUP™ their nutrition further by unlocking one free 30-minute dietitian visit for customized product recommendations, meal hacks, and delicious, budget-friendly meal planning inspiration to identify new ways to connect with food. These convenient virtual sessions fit customer schedules, providing connections with a registered dietitian from anywhere. Click here to sign up today.

Many fresh foods, including fruits and vegetables, are eligible for purchase using food and over-the-counter (OTC) benefit cards. Eligible individuals could include Medicare Advantage members, some Medicaid, and some commercial payors. Recipients of these benefits may use food and OTC benefit cards in-store for eligible groceries, over-the-counter medications, and more. Kroger is committed to making healthy choices available for everyone, providing value to customers along the way. For a complete list of available items, check individual health provider plans. If applicable, these benefit cards can be used alongside other supplemental benefits programs. To learn more, visit here.

At Kroger, customers do not have to choose between a good meal and a good deal. That means customers can get the products they need, want, and love for their families with clear savings right at the shelf. In addition to its everyday low prices, Kroger is simplifying promotions and has lowered prices on thousands of items from summer essentials to most-loved staples. With Kroger's Fresh & Quality Guarantees, customers never have to compromise high quality for low prices. Families can also save with Kroger's Big Deal! bulk packages, a great way to help parents stock up on the kids' favorite items and save.

NEW ZEALAND - In a first for New Zealand’s horticulture sector, the country’s avocado exporters have joined forces to secure a collective FernMark Licence, marking a new chapter in the industry's global positioning.

The FernMark - New Zealand’s official country of origin mark is awarded by the Government to products that meet strict standards of authenticity, quality, and governance. While individual avocado Exporters have held licences in the past, this new coalition licence represents a unified front, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to collaboration and excellence.

The Honourable Minister of Trade, Todd McClay, said in the recent release, “New Zealand avocado growers and exporters can be proud that their produce is now carrying the official FernMark, demonstrating quality and trust. This excellent example of industry collaboration will help push New Zealand further centre stage in a competitive global market and closer to our goal of doubling export value in 10 years. The FernMark accreditation showcases this country’s skill in producing safe, high-quality food”.

A mark of trust in global markets

The FernMark is recognised by nearly half of consumers in key export markets, with 44% of them more likely to purchase products bearing the mark. New Zealand avocados offer a powerful accreditation - one that aligns with the industry’s values of sustainability, ethical growing practices, and premium quality.

David Downs, CEO of New Zealand Story, welcomed the avocado coalition to the FernMark Licence Programme: “The FernMark helps tell the story of New Zealand’s high-quality, premium products - and this coalition amplifies that story. This is a fantastic example of exporters working together to amplify their impact and elevate New Zealand’s reputation in competitive international markets.”

The FernMark will feature prominently in upcoming NZ Avocado promotional campaigns across Asia, North America, and other strategic markets.

From pristine orchards to global tables

New Zealand avocados are grown in nutrient-rich soils under high UV light, contributing to their rich taste and nutritional profile. But it’s not just the environment — it’s the people behind the product. The industry’s commitment to sustainable practices and community values is central to its success.

Brad Siebert, CEO of NZ Avocado, said the coalition licence reflects the industry’s shared vision:

“It’s a powerful example of how working collectively raises the bar for quality and builds even greater trust in New Zealand avocados across international markets.”

With exports reaching more markets than any other avocado-producing nation, New Zealand’s avocado industry is poised to grow its global footprint - now backed by FernMark’s seal of trust.