GULF COAST - Rain continues to settle in across parts of the Gulf Coast this week, bringing scattered showers and elevated moisture levels to areas from Texas through the Florida panhandle. While not severe at this time, CNN reports that the system has prompted local advisories and gentle reminders for communities to stay weather-aware.

Forecasts from national weather officials place south-central Louisiana under a Level 3 of 4 risk for rainfall-related impacts, with surrounding areas—including New Orleans, Mobile, and Gulfport—under a Level 2 risk through Friday. Though development into a tropical system appears unlikely, the potential for repeated rainfall in localized areas is being monitored.

The system, which began forming earlier this week, has moved slowly, drawing moisture from the warm Gulf waters. Some cities, like New Orleans, have responded by opening sandbag sites and temporarily closing public buildings as a precaution. Saturated soil from earlier rain could contribute to minor pooling or runoff in certain low-lying areas.

So far, the weather pattern has remained manageable, with local forecasts emphasizing preparedness over concern. The rain may offer some seasonal relief in select growing regions, though operational teams continue to monitor for potential delays or field impact.

For continued coverage and insights, check back with ANUK.

TUCSON, AZ - Ready to heat up your business game under the Arizona sun? Registration is now open for SWIPE 2026 taking place January 22-24, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona.

“There’s nothing like the energy at SWIPE. It’s where business gets done, ideas get exchanged, and relationships that drive real growth are built,” says Raquel Espinoza from Produce House, Chairwoman of the FPAA, in a press release.

The Southwest International Produce Expo (SWIPE) is produced by the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas and held at the stunning JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson. This is where the boldest and brightest in fresh produce gather for an exhibitor trade show like no other. From hot-topic educational sessions to a buzzing exhibitor floor, SWIPE is your ticket to take center stage in the Southwest produce scene.

During the educational sessions, attendees will hear from retail and food service buyers on the latest trends in the industry, issues impacting buyer/seller relationships, and more. Talk to the experts about the latest in trade and supply chains.

SWIPE 2026 is also home to the 56th annual Desert Golf Classic golf tournament. Held on Thursday, January 22, this event is the premier spot to do business while on the green.

“Out on the course, the walls come down and real connections happen. That’s what makes the Desert Golf Classic such a great kickoff to SWIPE 2026,” says Kyle McGrath of Tricar Sales. “The Desert Golf Classic gives attendees a relaxed, fun setting to build real business relationships.”

Spots are limited for booths and the Desert Golf Classic, and they are moving fast. Click here to learn more about exhibiting, attending and golfing at SWIPE 2026. See you in Tucson!

WATSONVILLE, CA - Driscoll’s announced that its Sweetest Batch™ Blackberries were named a winner in Good Housekeeping’s 2025 Snack Awards. The full list of awards can be found here.

Bold and lusciously flavored with a smooth and velvety texture, Sweetest Batch™ Blackberries offer a multi-dimensional flavor experience curated through years of careful breeding selection, testing, and perfecting, a press release stated. Sweetest Batch™ Blackberries come from proprietary blackberry varieties traditionally bred by a dedicated team of agronomists, breeders, sensory analysts, plant health scientists, and entomologists exclusively for Driscoll’s network of independent farmers to grow and harvest. These berries are juicier and less tart than traditional blackberries and require specific growing conditions, which is why they can be found in limited amounts during certain times of the year.

Sweetest Batch Blackberries™ earned high praise from Good Housekeeping’s judging panel. One tester said, “I wasn't expecting much from these, but was so surprised in the best way. They are unbelievably good!” Others underscored the berries’ unique flavor profile with comments like “out-of-this-world delicious,” “consistently plump and juicy,” and “next-level.”

To find the best snacks on the market, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s registered dietitians and culinary experts rigorously analyzed the ingredient lists, nutrition facts labels, packaging claims, and flavor profiles of hundreds of submissions. Next, more than 1,000 consumer testers tried the snacks to share feedback on taste and provide additional real-life analysis. Winners were selected based on innovations in the food space that taste great and meet nutritional criteria, such as caps on per-serving calories, sugar, and sodium.

Driscoll’s mission is to continually delight consumers with Only The Finest Berries™. It was one of the first produce companies to introduce a formal blackberry breeding program, using traditional breeding methods to create patented varieties. Driscoll’s research and development team set out to change the perception of a tart, sour, inconsistent berry that was seen as an ingredient to add sugar to, rather than a fruit to enjoy on its own.

In this constant pursuit of flavor innovation, Driscoll’s introduced its Sweetest Batch™ berries in 2019, becoming the only produce company to market a complete berry patch of premium strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Sweetest Batch berries use Driscoll’s proprietary genetics to satisfy increasing consumer demand for premium food offerings and bolder flavor experiences. Driscoll’s Sweetest Batch™ blackberries burst with natural sweetness and are uniform in shape and consistency.

In addition to winning Good Housekeeping Snack Awards in 2024 and 2025, Driscoll’s has been recognized as a Fast Company Most Innovative Company and received other accolades for the flavor innovation of its Sweetest Batch™ berries.