LEAMINGTON, ON - Highline Mushrooms has been awarded Best Rebrand at the 2025 Besties Awards presented by The Snack Magazine and AndNowUKnow. This recognition honors Highline’s bold visual transformation and strategic brand repositioning, designed to elevate shopper engagement and bring mushrooms into a new era of grocery retail. The Besties Awards are determined by a committee of respected retail buyers and produce leaders, making this win especially meaningful within the fresh produce industry.

“We didn’t just update our packaging—we set out to redefine how mushrooms show up on a shelf,” said Jose Cambon, CEO of Highline Mushrooms, in the recent release. “For too long, the category has remained unchanged while the rest of the store has evolved. Our vibrant design stops consumers in their tracks and draws them to the mushroom set. Every detail, from the clear till to the bold colors, reflects our drive to lead through innovation and expand the category for the benefit of all.”

Now available across North America, Highline’s rebrand features bold, color-forward packaging, clear tills that highlight freshness, and a modernized brand voice that resonates with today’s consumer. The shift extends beyond packaging to include a new website, digital content, and in-store tools—all focused on making mushrooms easier to find, understand, and enjoy.

“This award is a true team achievement,” Cambon added. “From marketing and sales to operations and production, it took cross-functional effort and belief in a shared vision to bring this rebrand to life. I could not be prouder of the Highline team.”

Cambon also thanked retail partners across the U.S. and Canada: “We’re grateful for your trust and support in helping this rebrand stand out on the shelf and gain real momentum.”

As the largest organic mushroom grower in North America, Highline continues to lead with data-driven insights, regenerative growing practices, and a future-forward mindset.

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SANGER, CA - Kings River Packing, LP is pleased to announce the promotion of Prescott Leyba to Sales Manager, reflecting the company’s continued investment in its people, partners, and long-term growth strategy.

Since joining Kings River in 2023, Leyba has brought deep industry experience, a strong customer-first mindset, and a passion for team success. Over the past two years, he has not only taken on key retail accounts but also helped elevate and expand those partnerships through a personalized, solutions-driven approach.

“Prescott has made a huge impact in a short amount of time,” said Jesse Silva, VP of Sales, in the recent release. “His strong work ethic, creativity, and team-first outlook make him a natural fit to help lead our sales organization.”

Prescott’s new role will focus on supporting a broader customer base while continuing to collaborate closely with the sales team. “I’m most excited for the opportunity to zoom out a bit,” he said, “and develop relationships across our entire base—retail, wholesale, and foodservice alike.”

Throughout his time at Kings River, Leyba has come to value the company’s flexible, customer-centric philosophy. “Every retailer has a unique approach catered to the needs of their customers,” he noted. “That tailor-made approach will remain the cornerstone of our Sales and Marketing company.”

The promotion also reinforces Kings River’s commitment to strengthening its internal structure in step with its growth. “This new role is necessitated by our continued expansion,” Leyba said. “It helps build the structure we need to continue making the goals of our customers, our goals.”

Silva emphasized that this move benefits the entire team: “This isn’t just about one individual—it’s about reinforcing the strength of the group. We’re investing in leaders who elevate those around them.”

As Kings River continues to grow, the company remains rooted in the values that have defined it for generations—service, consistency, and partnership.

“Our families will continue to reinvest in the business and its people,” Silva said. “We make decisions that position us—and our customers—for what’s next.”

GLENNVILLE, GA - With its 2025 campaign, Savor Summer’s Sweetest Moments, Bland Farms invites families to do more than enjoy a harvest—it encourages them to pause, connect, and savor the simple joys of the season: meals shared, memories made, and the unmistakable sweetness of summer.

“Bland Farms has always been about family, and this campaign is a natural extension of the values the company was built on,” says Sloan Lott, Director of Sales at Bland Farms, in the recent release. Centered around farm-grown Vidalia® Sweet Onions, it blends timeless nostalgia with fresh ways to connect—from music and recipes to giveaways and retail support.

To kick things off, Bland Farms gave away VIP tickets to the Vidalia Onion Festival to see country music icon Clint Black. The campaign also includes a curated Sweet Summer Playlist on Spotify, seasonal recipes featuring Vidalia Sweet Onions, and a variety of giveaways to keep the celebration going.

For retail partners, Bland Farms has created a robust promotional kit that includes ready-to-use visuals, social media content, and ad materials to help support in-store campaigns and shopper engagement.

“Vidalias have earned their place at the summer table, and we’re proud of that,” says Lott. “But what really excites us is knowing we get to be part of the memories—whether it’s a cookout, a recipe passed down, or a summer night shared with family.”

Bland Farms expects to keep Vidalia Sweet Onions available through September, aligning with peak grilling season and consumer demand.

Rooted in tradition but committed to progress, the company continues to invest in more sustainable and efficient ways to grow, pack, and deliver. Inside the packing shed, state-of-the-art systems are improving efficiency and shelf life. A glycol-based climate system allows onions to be dried and cooled in a controlled environment, reducing shrink and extending freshness. AI-powered sorting and sustainable drying techniques have made the process faster, cleaner, and more consistent.

“We’ve gone from 77 compressors just five years ago to 3 today,” says Troy Bland, CEO of Bland Farms. “The technology not only saves energy—it helps us bring a better product to the shelf.”

Additionally, Bland Farms tested new laser weeding technology in their Organic Vidalia Sweet Onion crop this growing season. “Today, technology is advancing so quickly and a big part of my job is trying to figure out how to incorporate that technology. We're very fortunate that we were able to work with a company called Carbon Robotics to test a laser weeder which uses 32 NVIDIA chips to identify and eliminate weeds without harsh herbicides,” says Bland. “This innovation is especially promising for organic onion production, helping to reduce stress on the crops and minimize chemical use.”

FOWLER, CA - As California's citrus season draws to a close, the Bee Sweet Citrus sales team has turned its focus to its summer citrus line.

"Over the past few decades, the Bee Sweet Citrus team has worked hard to develop a program that supplements shoppers' needs during our off-season," stated Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Representative Jason Sadoian in the recent release. "This summer, we're pleased to provide our customers with both offshore and domestic products to meet their needs."

Bee Sweet Citrus currently offers imported mandarins, as well as domestic grapefruit, lemons, and Royal Red oranges, for its customers. Offshore Naval oranges are expected to arrive next week, while offshore lemons are due to arrive at the end of the month.

"Once imported product arrives at our facility, it undergoes a thorough quality inspection to ensure freshness before it's shipped to shoppers," continued Sadoian. "We also have the ability to pack products in any bag style that’s preferred by our customers.”

The company's production and food safety teams work in tandem to ensure that Bee Sweet's summer varieties meet the company's standards in quality, and its sales team oversees all import clearance, logistics, and inventory management. As families continue to seek out healthy options to enhance their diets, they can look to Bee Sweet Citrus to supplement their citrus needs.

To learn more about the company's summer citrus program and its variety availability, please call a sales representative at 559-834-4200 or visit www.beesweetcitrus.com.

WASHINGTON - As the International Fresh Produce Association continues to address packaging regulations and proposals that will adversely impact its members and the global fresh produce and floral community, the organization is pleased to announce it has recently received accreditation status for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which has plastics as among one of its many environmental concerns.

“As part of our strategic plan, IFPA is focused on growing its worldwide influence and future-proofing the industry, one example of which is through sustainability efforts,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns in the recent release. “The UNEP accreditation is a significant advocacy milestone for IFPA as we expand our presence within the UN system and ensure that the voice of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and plants is heard in global forums and at tables of influence.”

This accreditation marks the second opportunity IFPA has obtained to collaborate with and contribute to UN initiatives – the first being the observer status the association received last fall for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

“Our engagement with UNEP – via participating in high-level meetings, providing industry perspective and insight to working documents, and testimony to committees and working groups) – will allow us to engage in global environmental dialogues, which complements our position within the UNFCCC to negotiate on behalf of our industry in climate discussions,” said IFPA Vice President Tamara Muruetagoiena.

Given that the UNEP’s purview includes plastic pollution, IFPA’s accreditation is another example of the organization’s advocacy in action, which includes the grant funding the IFPA Foundation for Fresh Produce and its partners received in the fall of 2024 to establish a Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab. The lab will assist packaging engineers and researchers working in the fresh fruit and vegetable industry to develop or commercialize sustainable packaging solutions.

In early 2025, IFPA Australia-New Zealand became a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, underlining its commitment to supporting the fresh produce industry's journey to more sustainable packaging practices as part of APCO’s problem-solving collective, working in collaboration with local and global sustainability leaders in government, industry, community groups and academia.

LOS ANGELES, CA - The Wonderful Company, one of the most philanthropic companies in the United States, is pleased to announce that its $1 million Wonderful Central Valley Community Grants application period is now live. Over the past 10 years, The Wonderful Company and its co-owners, Lynda and Stewart Resnick, along with their foundations, have awarded more than $8.5 million in grants to more than 142 nonprofits and 165 schools in the San Joaquin Valley.

Building on Wonderful’s long-standing commitment to supporting local organizations and schools in California’s Central Valley, these grants directly support transformative initiatives focused on health and wellness, education, recreation, community beautification, art, and social services.

Each year, The Wonderful Company, the Resnicks, and their foundations invest more than $35 million in community development, education, and health and wellness initiatives across the Central Valley and beyond. The Wonderful Central Valley Community Grants program is at the heart of the company’s ongoing commitment to being Wonderful Neighbors by supporting the communities where its employees live and work.

“Many nonprofits, particularly those serving in rural communities, face an uncertain financial future in today’s environment,” said Andy Anzaldo, chief operating officer of corporate social responsibility at The Wonderful Company, in a recent press release. “This is where private philanthropic investments like the Wonderful Community Grants program can make a crucial difference, supporting essential programs that residents and families rely on. There is no greater priority than ensuring the Central Valley remains a place where everyone can thrive.”

Organizations with programs serving the communities of Avenal, Delano, Del Rey, Firebaugh, Lost Hills, Mendota, Sanger, Shafter, and Wasco are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about the application process and eligibility requirements, join the Wonderful Philanthropy team for an upcoming virtual information session on Thursday, July 10, at 2:00 p.m. Register here or visit bit.ly/2025-wonderful-community-grants.

All applications must be received by midnight PDT on Aug. 31 to be considered. The 2025–26 class of Wonderful Community Grants recipients will be announced in October 2025.

For more information or to submit an application, visit www.wonderfulcommunitygrants.com or email [email protected].