OXNARD, CA - Mission Produce, Inc., a world leader in sourcing, producing, and distributing fresh Hass avocados, announced the appointment of Laura Flanagan to its board of directors, effective June 30, 2025. Flanagan is appointed as an independent Class III director with a term expiring at the Company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In connection with this appointment, Mission Produce’s board of directors has increased the size of the board from nine to ten directors.

Flanagan is a highly accomplished executive with over 25 years of leadership experience driving growth and innovation across the food and beverage industry. With deep expertise in strategic growth, marketing, supply chain efficiency, and cross-functional team development, Flanagan has a proven ability to lead organizations through complex challenges while delivering measurable improvements in revenue, profitability, and market share.

Flanagan most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and board member of Ripple Foods, a leader in plant-based dairy alternatives. During her tenure, she drove significant improvements to the company’s revenue and profitability, as well as led the launch of a category-leading innovation platform. Prior to Ripple, she was the CEO of Foster Farms, the largest branded poultry producer in the western United States, where she led meaningful growth in company performance and market share. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles at ConAgra Brands, PepsiCo, and General Mills.

“We warmly welcome Laura to the board of Mission Produce,” said Steve Barnard, CEO of Mission Produce, in the recent release. “Laura’s extensive leadership experience across the food and beverage industry, combined with her proven ability to drive innovation, operational excellence, and strategic growth, makes her a strong addition to our board. Her insights will be instrumental as we continue to expand our global presence and pursue new opportunities to deliver value to our customers and shareholders.”

“I’m honored to join the board of Mission Produce,” said Flanagan. “Mission’s commitment to quality, innovation, and global expansion aligns closely with values I’ve championed throughout my career. I look forward to supporting the Company’s vision, strategic initiatives, and long-term growth in the worldwide fresh produce industry.”

Flanagan currently serves on the board of Performance Food Group (NYSE: PFGC) and previously held board roles at TopGolf Callaway Brands, and Core-Mark International. She holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. She also holds a certificate for Accountability and Effectiveness in the Boardroom from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

SANTA PAULA, CA - Calavo Growers, Inc., a global leader in fresh avocados, announced the introduction of distinctive new PLU stickers for its largest avocado sizes. These vibrant, oversized labels are designed to prominently feature Calavo's "Super Jumbo" avocados, enhancing their visibility and appeal on retail shelves.

The new labels measure 36mm x 26mm, a size specifically chosen to correspond with the larger fruit. Featuring a bright, eye-catching pink color, the stickers prominently display "Super Jumbo" at the top, making it easy for consumers to spot them. The stickers will be applied to Calavo avocados of 36 count or larger, carrying the 4770 PLU number.

This update comes as Calavo’s Peruvian imports from longtime partner Viru Group peak on 36’s & larger, while also anticipating a more typical size curve from its upcoming Mexican crop, with a greater abundance of 32 and 36 count fruit.

"Our largest avocados, the jumbos, are truly special," commented Gordon Breschini, VP of Fresh Sales for Calavo, in the recent press release. "We've designed this extra-large PLU sticker to highlight them on the shelf and draw consumer attention to their exceptional value."

Shoppers consistently seek out jumbo avocados for their generous portions, finding them to be the hit of the party with their ability to satisfy larger servings for sharing with family & friends. Beyond their impressive size, these avocados offer incredible versatility, perfect for shareable guacamole, smoothies, and of course, party-sized salads and burger platters, providing health benefits for the entire family.

Breschini added, "This presents a fantastic opportunity for retailers to enhance, not replace, their current avocado programs by incorporating jumbos. Offering consistent choices of both smaller fruit and jumbos empowers shoppers with options and solutions for healthy meals or party planning. Calavo is also equipped to work with our customers on customized ripening programs to ensure optimal value."

Calavo Avocados adorned with the new "Super Jumbo" PLU stickers began rolling out the first week of July and will continue to brighten produce departments wherever Calavo Jumbos are sold.

ST. CLOUD, MN - Coborn’s, Cash Wise, and Marketplace Foods have once again partnered with Healthy Family Project and leading produce brands to launch the 2025 Produce for Kids campaign. Running from July 1 through August 12, the campaign encourages families to make healthier choices at home while supporting local Boys & Girls Clubs. This year’s effort will result in a $7,000 donation to fund youth development programs in the region, bringing the total impact of the campaign to $19,000 donated since 2021.

Shoppers will discover vibrant, summer-themed produce signage throughout Coborn’s, Cash Wise, and Marketplace Foods stores. Each sign features a QR code that leads directly to a campaign landing page, where families can access full recipes, campaign details, and RSVP for the virtual cooking class. All featured recipes are shoppable online, allowing for a seamless transition from inspiration to cart.

A highlight of the 2025 campaign is the Kids Cook at Home virtual cooking event on July 16, hosted by Coborn’s, Inc. Registered Dietitian Macey Brickweg. Families are invited to join Macey for a fun, interactive class featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients from campaign partners. Access to the event will remain open through July 23, giving families the flexibility to participate on their own schedule.

“We love celebrating summer produce with our shoppers, and the Produce for Kids campaign is a meaningful way to do just that while also giving back to our community,” said Macey Brickweg, Registered Dietitian at Coborn’s, Inc., in the recent release “Through initiatives like Kids Cook at Home, we’re proud to connect with families and provide the tools they need to build healthier lifestyles year-round.”

Shoppable, dietitian-approved recipes featured throughout the campaign spotlight nutritious, family-friendly ingredients from this year’s partners: CMI Orchards, SAMSONS Grapes, Kid’s Choice Watermelon, T. Marzetti, RealSweet® Vidalia® Onions, Tasteful Selections, and ¡Yo Quiero! Brands.

By purchasing these fresh items and using the campaign’s free resources, families can make a difference with their grocery carts while making mealtime easier and healthier.

To learn more, register for the cooking event, or explore all shoppable recipes, visit www.coborns.com/produceforkids.com.

SALINAS, CA - With strong double-digit growth in organic strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, Naturipe Farms is harnessing the power of the berry category with a dedicated focus on strategic differentiation, delivering solutions that meet the evolving needs of its retail partners. With the Organic Produce Summit (OPS) quickly approaching on July 9 in Monterey, California, the company’s Director of Business Development, Brian Vertrees, joins me to discuss Naturipe’s organic platform and its vision for success.

“At Naturipe, we see the future of organic berries as consistent, collaborative, and closely connected to what today’s shoppers really want. Our goal is simple: make organic berries a reliable, year-round staple—not just a seasonal or specialty item,” Brian shares with me. “To achieve this, we’ve built a strong, diverse network of growing regions that enables us to keep organic fruit on shelves week after week. That kind of consistency gives our retail partners the confidence to plan promotions, stock up, and deliver great-tasting fruit to customers all year long."

With one finger on the pulse of its customers' needs and the other on the pulse of the consumer, Naturipe has a deep understanding of what is developing in the marketplace.

“We’re paying close attention to who’s buying. Younger shoppers are increasingly opting for organics, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. That’s why we believe it’s more important than ever for buyers and suppliers to stay aligned—to make sure organic berries are available, affordable, and easy to find,” Brian details. “Organic shelf space is growing, and berries are leading the charge. They’re already one of the top drivers in the produce department, and we’re here to keep that momentum going—with smart planning, creative promotions, and a focus on flavor that brings shoppers back for more.”

A huge part of Naturipe’s success is its brand story, one rooted in legacy, innovation, and scale.

“This story is what makes us different. We’re a grower-owned company with over 100 years of experience, yet we continue to make strides in proprietary breeding, diversified growing regions, and long-term investment in organics,” Brian explains. “For our customers, that means more than just premium fruit—it means a reliable partner with the expertise and infrastructure to support promotions, adapt to demand, and consistently deliver on quality. We’re also one of the few companies breeding berries in the U.S., which gives us a unique edge: we can develop and grow varieties that not only taste better but are bred for better shelf-life, sustainability, and organic performance.”

If you can believe it, this is just a snapshot of the Naturipe Farms story. Learn more by visiting booth #305 at the upcoming Organic Produce Summit. See you all soon!

IRVINE, CA - Bryan Nickerson serves as Director, Membership at Western Growers (WG), where he leads the development and execution of initiatives designed to grow and retain the organization’s membership, including programs aimed at enhancing member engagement and expanding utilization of WG’s broad portfolio of services and resources.

Additionally, Bryan continues to provide commodity and supply chain support to WG members, including dispute resolution services, sales guidance, PACA training, and other supply chain matters under federal jurisdiction. He also oversees the Western Growers Leadership Program, one of the association’s most prominent initiatives for professional development in agriculture.

A third-generation agriculturalist, Bryan was born and raised in California’s fertile Coachella Valley. He brings a deep-rooted understanding of agricultural production and operations to his role at WG. Prior to joining the association, he served as Director of Packing Operations for Prime Time International, the nation’s largest year-round grower, packer, and shipper of colored peppers.

Bryan holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from San Diego State University. He currently serves on the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation Board and the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Market Enforcement Advisory Committee. He is also an alumnus of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (Class 48).

NOVI, MI - Lineage, Inc., the world’s largest global temperature-controlled warehouse REIT, announced that its Seattle–Garfield facility, located at the Port of Seattle, is now an approved Class 3 Public bonded storage facility. This is Lineage’s first customs-bonded facility in the state of Washington and one of the first refrigerated storage facilities with customs-bonded space in the Seattle market.

With this new certification, the site is now better equipped to help customers navigate the complexities of international logistics, enabling greater precision, flexibility and ease by providing safe temperature-controlled storage of imported goods under U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) supervision until they are cleared for domestic commerce or re-export. These services provide a crucial gateway for temperature-sensitive imports arriving via the Port of Seattle.

Located at 2001 W Garfield Street on Pier 90, Lineage’s Seattle – Garfield facility offers cold storage, drayage, temperature-controlled rail and on-demand trucking. The new customs bonded warehousing service complements the site’s existing USDA and FDA inspections, drayage and intermodal services, strengthening Lineage’s ability to help make the import process easier and more streamlined for customers.

“Our certified customs bonded warehouse space in Seattle marks an exciting milestone for Lineage, reflecting our commitment to anticipate and meet customer needs in a dynamic global trade environment,” said Brian Beattie, President, North America West, at Lineage. “By expanding our import service capabilities in a critical hub for global trade, we aim to offer our customers greater flexibility to respond to shifting market conditions while maintaining compliance and protecting product integrity.”

The Seattle – Garfield facility joins Lineage’s growing network of bonded warehouses and I-Houses in key markets across the U.S. strategically positioned for global connectivity. The company now operates 10 bonded warehouse locations and 42 USDA-approved I-House facilities nationwide, streamlining both regulatory compliance and import logistics for food shippers.

To learn more about Lineage’s global facility network and integrated transportation solutions, visit onelineage.com.

CALIFORNIA - Good demand and a steady market are being reported across the board for cauliflower in several California growing regions.

In its National FOB Review for July 1, 2025, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported the following for cauliflower supplies in Salinas-Watsonville, California: SUPPLY LIGHT. DEMAND FAIRLY GOOD. MARKET ABOUT STEADY. Extra services included. White cartons film wrapped 9s 23.50-30.50 mostly 24.45-27.75 occasional lower 12s 25.50-31.75 mostly 26.45-28.75 occasional lower 16s 22.45-30.50 mostly 23.50-27.75 occasional lower.

In the same report, the USDA reported the following for cauliflower supplies in Santa Maria, California: DEMAND GOOD. MARKET ABOUT STEADY. Extra services included. Wide range in price, quality, and condition. White cartons film wrapped 9s 15.00-22.55 mostly 17.00-19.35 occasional higher 12s 19.00-23.35 mostly 20.25-22.85 occasional higher 16s supplies in too few hands to establish a market.

Lastly, the report stated the following for cauliflower supplies in the South and Central District of California: DEMAND FAIRLY GOOD. MARKET ABOUT STEADY. ORGANIC White cartons film wrapped 9s 32.00-38.00 mostly 34.00-38.00 occasional higher and lower 12s 31.00-38.00 mostly 35.00-38.00 occasional higher and lower.

We will continue to keep an eye on the cauliflower market, so keep clicking back to ANUK.

DELTA, CANADA - WINDSET FARMS® is gearing up for the Organic Produce Summit (OPS), taking place July 9 - 10 in Monterey. This will be Windset’s second year exhibiting at OPS, and the team is looking forward to returning after a busy and productive show in 2024.

Ryan Cherry, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, shares: “We’ve focused on expanding our organic offerings to meet growing demand. We’re here to show retailers that Windset is a one-stop shop for all things organic. Tomatoes, Peppers, and Cucumbers, to name a few, we have all the staples covered to match conventional offerings.”

At the show Windset will be connecting with attendees, showcasing its ability to supply fresh, high-quality, greenhouse-grown produce, both conventional and organic, throughout the year. With a dependable network of growing operations across Western Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, Windset continues to deliver the service, quality, and consistency customers count on.

Following a successful organic rebrand in 2024, Windset will have its full organic lineup on display at OPS. Be sure to stop by booth #708 to learn more.