ELGIN, MN - Honeybear Brands is a leading grower, marketer, and developer of premium conventional and organic apples, pears, and cherries. As the largest importer of apples and pears from the Southern Hemisphere and a company with strategic packing locations throughout the U.S., Honeybear brings retail customers year-round organic solutions that satisfy the most discriminating shoppers.

Stop by booth 403 to meet the team and learn how Honeybear delivers on the growing consumer demand for organic at the Organic Produce Summit in Monterey Conference Center, Monterey, California July 9-10, 2025.

Organic apple sales continue to grow, representing 18.7% of total apple sales last year. Honeybear’s imported organic apples and pears began arriving in May, injecting fresh flavor and quality into their retailers’ shelves.

“Honeybear Brands continues to expand its apple and pear organic offerings to keep retail partners flush with fresh fruit to feed the increasing appetite for organics. Among the key apple varieties available are the always-popular Honeycrisp from the Southern Hemisphere. Our products from Chile and Argentina ensure retailers have flavorful fruit in supply year-round, giving consumers an exceptional experience with every purchase,” said Chuck Sinks, president of sales, Honeybear Brands, in a recent press release. “Our commitment to quality and service is the gold standard we strive for every day”.

Honeybear Insights Team Helps Retails Make Smart Choices

To ensure retailers are positioned correctly to benefit fully from that organic demand, the Honeybear Insights Team has done the up-front work for its retail partners, utilizing data to inform the exact right assortment and price.

Quality products and seamless logistics are accentuated by unbiased analytics that allows retailers to make informed decisions around assortment, pricing, and promotion. The Honeybear Insights Team provides data-driven insights that can be integral to the success of a customer’s apple category, both conventional and organic.

“We want to help our customers be successful even if that means encouraging the promotion of something that isn’t ours,” said Don Roper. “That honest, uncensored level of communication is key to the trusted relationships Honeybear has developed throughout the industry.”

PRESTON, WA - Find the meet-cute of the summer in Sparkling Ice® mini cans featuring Cuties® Lil’ Zipper mascot alongside the beverage’s iconic fruit-filled ice cube. Crafted by Talking Rain Beverage Company®, Sparkling Ice’s freshest and most adorable union has produced two new flavors, Mandarin and Orange Cream, in easy-to-grab mini-cans. This limited-time collab is primed for sunny days and will benefit underserved youth ahead of back-to-school season.

“We know that Sparkling Ice consumers crave refreshing citrus flavors, and Cuties are the deliciously healthy snack they and their families reach for every time,” said Tiffany Boyd, vice president of omnichannel marketing at Talking Rain, in the recent release. “Strategic partnerships like these strengthen connections with our loyal fans and spark curiosity with new communities of flavor fanatics.”
Earlier this year, Sparkling Ice responded to consumer requests for smaller sizes by squeezing its most popular full-flavored sparkling waters into mini cans. Shoppers said they wanted versions right-sized for packing lunch boxes, for gatherings, and as an on-the-go treat.

Sparkling Ice mini cans have consistently grown in both dollar and volume sales. Now with Sparkling Ice x Cuties Mandarin and Orange Cream in the mix, there are five core flavors, including Fruit Punch, Kiwi Strawberry, and Classic Lemonade. As with all Sparkling Ice refreshments, these zero-sugar beverages contain vitamins and antioxidants, as well as colors and flavors from natural sources.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Sparkling Ice to offer consumers a delightful new way to enjoy the sweet flavor of Cuties,” said Sarah Deaton, director of marketing at Sun Pacific. “Cuties is an iconic fruit brand loved by so many, and we’re excited for consumers to try Sparkling Ice x Cuties Mandarin and Orange Cream flavors.”

Just in time for backyard barbeques, park picnics, and back-to-school, the Sparkling Ice Cuties 7.5oz mini cans come in 10-packs and can be found at nationwide retailers starting in July.

Adding extra zest to its support for families, Sparkling Ice, and Cuties have teamed up with the Kids In Need Foundation (KINF), a nonprofit that partners with teachers and students in under-resourced schools to create equitable learning spaces for all students. KINF believes every child in America should have equal opportunities and access to quality education resources.

Beginning July 14, consumers will have the chance to nominate a community in the U.S. through Sparkling Ice’s online rewards program, Sparkling Ice Rewards, to receive a donation of school supplies provided by Sparkling Ice and Cuties. Four winners will be chosen after September 30.

“Our partnership with KINF allows us to do one of the things we do best – sharing our success with our communities,” said Boyd. “Bringing resources and school supplies to under-resourced schools has the potential to change lives, and we’re excited to be a part of that.”

ORANGE COUNTY, CA - The U.S. is Zespri’s #1 organics market globally, and to support this position, it launched a new campaign, Grown by Nature’s Rules, which showcases grower stories and their commitment to growing high-quality, great-tasting organic fruit. To highlight their distinctive growing process that has helped drive demand and sales for Zespri’s premium Organic SunGold and Green Kiwifruit, the Zespri team will be available at booth 813 during the Organic Produce Summit.

“Retail sales for Organic Zespri have had a strong start to the season in the U.S., with both SunGoldTM and Green Kiwifruit selling well across the market,” explains Bianca Fiedler, Zespri’s Trade Marketing Director, North America.

Zespri has been the primary driver of kiwi category growth, accounting for 58% of total organic kiwi sales, up from 42% last year.

Zespri’s 1lb and 2lb Organic SunGold packs are the top two selling organic kiwi items this season, followed by Zespri Green as the #4 best-selling organic Green Kiwi SKU.*

“Our communication platform helps explain what sets us apart in our organic way of doing things as the #1 organic kiwi brand,” states Fiedler. “Our organic growers are led by nature and to bring this concept to life, we have created a short video featuring Helen Scott, a New Zealand organic kiwifruit grower. Helen shows us how she works with nature to grow great tasting and nutritious Zespri Organic Kiwifruit.”

The organic ads featuring Helen and the Grown by Nature’s Rules tagline will be displayed during the tradeshow. The organic ad conveys Zespri’s strong partnership with nature; its bold mindset advocating for what it believes in, and its long-term lens with a focus on sustainability and the health of the planet. To further drive purchase and sales growth for Organic SunGold and Organic Green Kiwifruit, in-store POS material, a dedicated microsite, and social media activations are in development.

For helpful industry information, graphic assets, and customized organic programs, the Zespri team will be available to meet with retailers at booth 813 to discuss how to grow their Zespri Organic sales. Retailers and industry personnel can stop by and sample the refreshingly sweet Organic SunGold Kiwifruit and grab a fun booth giveaway – Zespri-branded socks with kiwifruit graphics. Additionally, as the leading brand in organic kiwifruit, Zespri will sponsor the Educational Session, “The Pros and Cons of Private Label & Branded Organic Produce” on Thursday, July 10th from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the Marriott, San Carlos Ballroom.

BRONX, NY - Katzman Produce, part of Katzman’s family of companies, has announced its expansion into organics. The 100+-year-old wholesaler, based in the Hunts Point Produce Market, has created a dedicated organics department to better service its customers.

“Our growth has always been driven by demand from our customers,” said Katzman’s CEO, Stefanie Katzman. “As organics' popularity has risen, we needed to create a dedicated organics department, warehouse, and team, not only to fulfill existing demand for organics but also to advise and support all of our customers regarding the opportunities within this growing market segment.”

Katzman Produce’s Organics Department has been fully operating since 2024 and includes a full line of over 200 SKUs of organic fruits and vegetables that are sourced locally, domestically, and internationally.

“We’ve partnered with the top organics growers and brands in the industry to bring the very best offerings to our customers,” said Stefanie.

In addition to offering a wide range of high-quality organic products, the Katzman Produce Organics Department also provides the essential expertise and services to ensure its customers’ success, including walk-up and delivery service, merchandising, ads, training, and insights on projections, seasonality, and market trends.

In recent years, organic produce has consistently outpaced conventional produce in volume growth, driven by growing consumer interest in health and wellness. According to Circana, the total retail value of organic produce sold in the U.S. grew by 4.9% in 2024, and volume increased by 7.1% compared to the previous year.

“If you’re interested in launching or increasing your business with organics, we’d love to discuss how we can partner together and support you,” said Stefanie.

Katzman Produce’s Organics Department can be reached at [email protected].

VALENCIA, CA - This year’s Organic Produce Summit (OPS) marks more than a milestone for Sunkist Growers. Previewing refreshed packaging, tailored marketing support, and tools for integrated citrus merchandising, this event will be one to remember for the co-op and those it supports throughout the supply chain.

“Sunkist® continues to lead in the organic citrus space, and this year marks over 20 years of USDA-certified organic citrus for us,” Cassie Howard, Senior Director of Category Management and Marketing, says. “We’re showing up to Organic Produce Summit with new packaging, deeper category insights, and expanded specialty offerings—all designed to help our partners grow the citrus category with year-round, no-gap supply.”

Marking two decades of offering USDA-certified organic citrus, Cassie tells me this is just one more legacy stat under an umbrella of longevity in our dynamic industry.

“As the longest-standing ag co-op in the U.S., Sunkist brings trust, heritage, and premium quality with a legacy in organics,” she shares. “With operations in California and Arizona, Sunkist offers organic citrus availability throughout the year, rotating across varieties to meet demand while maintaining premium quality.”

Additionally, Sunkist continues to see strong traction with its specialty organic citrus—like Cara Cara, Blood, and Valencia oranges—available in vibrant giro bag packaging that was introduced last season and has been gaining momentum across key demographics.

“Specialty citrus is gaining momentum and resonating with health-conscious, flavor-seeking shoppers. Organic citrus sales are up over 10 percent year over year; younger shoppers (Millennials and Gen Z) are driving demand based on health, appearance, and value,” Cassie points out.

To maximize this further, Sunkist provides a number of retail support tools that address consumer trends and drive category growth, including:

• Sustainable packaging (SFI certified)
• Shopper insights
• Digital assets
• Display Guidance
• Cross-merchandising strategies, such as breakfast sets and wellness zones

This and more will be at Sunkist booth #219 as the show doors open on July 10 in Monterey, California. See you there!

NOVI, MI - Lineage, the world’s largest global temperature-controlled warehouse REIT, announced it has completed acquisitions of two cold storage facilities in Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville, Quebec from Entrepôt Congelé 10/35 (“EC”) and its affiliates. Lineage has also acquired a separate cold storage facility in the growing city of Laval, Quebec. Both acquisitions are strategically located near Montreal and expand Lineage’s footprint in Canada, a critical hub for the North American food supply chain.

The three newly acquired freezer facilities further bolster Lineage’s Canadian presence, which now spans more than 30 cold storage facilities, a press release stated. The additional capacity, paired with the strategic positioning of Lineage’s facilities and transportation network, strengthens the Company’s ability to help meet strong demand for temperature-controlled warehousing and end-to-end logistics solutions in the Canadian market.

In addition, Lineage is also expanding three of its existing sites in Canada. The Company held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 27 to mark the expansion of its Côte de Liesse facility in Montreal, which is ideally positioned for serving customer needs in Quebec and Atlantic Canada. Additional expansion projects are currently underway at Lineage’s Foothills location in Calgary, Alberta and its location in Vaughan, Ontario. The Foothills facility project includes an expected 1,500 pallet positions for blast freezing, a critical feature for the export of products like proteins. The Vaughan expansion will serve to meet additional demand in the highly populated Toronto market.

“Canada plays a vital role for food logistics in North America and globally. Our facilities are strategically situated near vital infrastructure that keeps goods moving – whether that’s down the road, across the border or beyond,” said Matt Cramer, President, North America East at Lineage. “Through our recent acquisitions and ongoing investments in our existing facilities, we continue to expand our footprint to meet the needs of our customers, aiming to be a trusted partner capable of handling their most complex supply chain challenges with our global facility network and wide range of services.”

The acquisitions and facility expansions, once completed, are expected to add a total of more than 13 million cubic feet and 68,335 pallet positions to Lineage’s Canadian footprint by mid-2026.