LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO, CANADA - The Organic Produce Summit is only weeks away, and visitors at booth #405 will soon be welcomed to explore a game-changing rebrand, strategic innovation roadmap, and more as Highline Mushrooms brings its high-demand portfolio to the event. Diving further into the supplier’s upcoming showcase, I recently spoke with Sabrina Pokomandy, Director of Marketing and Business Development, who shared a few exclusive details.

What will Highline Mushrooms be showcasing at this year’s OPS—and what’s new for the company in 2025?

“We’re excited to return to OPS to celebrate a major milestone: our bold rebrand is now officially live across North America. It’s already reaching retail shelves across the U.S., giving organic mushrooms the modern, transparent presence they deserve on the shelf. At OPS, we’ll showcase our full lineup of mushrooms, including white, brown, and specialty varieties like shiitake, oyster, and king oyster—all certified organic and carefully grown to meet the expectations of today’s health-conscious consumer.

We’re also excited to share more about our expansion efforts and what's next for Highline. This includes the development of our farm of the future—a brand new, state-of-the-art facility in Canada that will be certified organic. This future-proof facility is built on automated technology, data-driven growth, and a long-term vision of feeding the future. It’s not just a farm—it’s the next evolution of organic mushroom production.”

What trends have you witnessed arising in the organics category? How can retailers/foodservice operators utilize Highline’s portfolio to meet consumer demand?

“There’s no question—organic is growing, especially in mushrooms, and we’re all in. Consumers are seeking clean-label, plant-based foods that support both personal health and the planet. Mushrooms have emerged as a standout performer in that space. According to Mushroom Council data, organic mushroom dollar sales are up 2 percent and volume is up 3.9 percent, while the conventional segment has declined.

Retailers and foodservice operators can harness this momentum by positioning organic mushrooms as a multi-occasion ingredient—perfect for everything from meatless mains to wellness-forward snacking. Cross-merchandising with produce staples, featuring easy-use formats, and tapping into educational content around mushroom health benefits can all help meet consumer expectations.”

What sets Highline Mushrooms’ program apart in the organic arena?

“Highline brings something few others can: a balance of scale, innovation, and care. We are the largest organic mushroom grower in North America, and our Dutch-style growing techniques help us consistently deliver premium quality and shelf-life. But what sets us apart is our future focus.

From our rebrand in stores across the U.S. to the development of our Farm of the Future, we’re investing in the systems and technologies that will carry this category forward. Our collaboration with Christiaens Group is unlocking next-level automation, data, and sustainability, ensuring we stay ahead of what consumers and customers need next.

We’re proud of our position in the organic space, but even more excited about what’s ahead.”

As OPS serves as a prime opportunity to discuss all things organic, be sure to stop by booth #405 to explore the many ways Highline Mushrooms can help you achieve category growth.

And for more updates leading up to the event, be sure to leave a tab open to AndNowUKnow!

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Fresh Solutions Network® (FSN) will showcase its Side Delights® Organic potatoes and onions at the 2025 Organic Produce Summit (OPS), taking place July 9-10 in Monterey, California. FSN partners Basin Gold Cooperative (Pasco, WA) and the Masser Family of Companies (Sacramento, PA) will represent the Network at the event.

OPS is the only conference in North America dedicated entirely to the organic fresh produce industry, providing a focused platform for growers, shippers, processors, retailers, and buyers to engage directly on trends shaping the sector.

“We’ve participated in OPS since its beginning in 2016, and we’re proud to return again this year as an exhibitor and a sponsor of the Organic Roots cocktail reception,” said Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network, in a recent press release. “This event reflects the importance of organic produce to today’s consumers and the opportunities it presents across retail and foodservice.”

The organic category continues to gain momentum. According to 2025 Retail Insights® data, U.S. natural organic food sales reached a record $110.75 billion in 2024, representing more than 10% of the nation’s $1.073 trillion food retail market.1 Continued consumer demand for health, transparency, and sustainability is driving growth across fresh categories.

At this year’s show, FSN will feature its full Side Delights® Organic portfolio, including Russet, Red, and Yellow potatoes as well as organic onions in multiple varieties and sizes. The company emphasizes its shopper-friendly packaging solutions, including BioFlex sustainable bags, combo mesh, and recyclable poly options for potatoes. Organic onions are available in colossal, jumbo, and medium sizes across Red, Yellow, and White varieties.

Triou notes that packaging innovation plays a growing role in meeting consumer expectations. “The Side Delights brand extends naturally into organics by delivering high-quality produce in packaging that reflects both sustainability and value,” she said.

Industry research released in June 2025 highlights sustainability, transparency, and digitalization as key growth drivers in the organic sector. Clean-label ingredients, eco-friendly packaging, and traceable supply chains are becoming increasingly important to consumers, particularly as interest in packaged organic produce continues to grow.2

Fresh Solutions Network's family-owned partners continue to invest in farming practices and packaging solutions that align with these evolving preferences. “As a network of growers and marketers, we’re committed to advancing innovation that supports our customers’ success and connects with today’s consumer priorities,” Triou added.

Side Delights® offers a wide assortment of organic products, including Petite Organic Potatoes, Organic Potatoes, and Organic Onions. More information is available at FreshSolutionsNet.com, SideDelights.com, and GrownWhereItMatters.com.

STELLARTON, NS - Empire Company Limited announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended May 3, 2025. For the quarter, the Company recorded net earnings of $173 million ($0.74 per share) compared to $149 million ($0.61 per share) last year. For the quarter, the Company recorded adjusted net earnings of $173 million ($0.74 per share) compared to $154 million ($0.63 per share) last year, an increase of 12.3% (or 17.5% per share).

"This was a very strong quarter for Empire, and I am pleased with the way our team finished the year, delivering positive results across all major financial measures," said Michael Medline, President & CEO, Empire, in the recent press release. "Our momentum continued to build throughout fiscal 2025 resulting in fourth quarter market share gains, and our adjusted EPS growth of 8.8% was within our financial framework."

Dividend Declaration

The Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share on both Non-Voting Class A shares ("Class A shares") and Class B common shares, that will be payable on July 31, 2025 to shareholders of record on July 15, 2025. This reflects an increase in the annualized dividend rate of 10.0%. These dividends are eligible dividends as defined for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and applicable provincial legislation.

Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB")

On June 18, 2025, the Company renewed its NCIB by filing a notice of intention with the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") to purchase for cancellation up to 11,500,000 Class A shares representing approximately 9.6% of the public float of 120,095,524 Class A shares as of June 17, 2025, subject to regulatory approval. As of June 17, 2025, there were 133,524,593 Class A shares issued and outstanding.

The Company intends to repurchase up to $400 million of Class A shares in fiscal 2026. The purchases will be made through the facilities of the TSX and/or any alternative Canadian trading systems to the extent they are eligible. The price that Empire will pay for any shares will be the market price at the time of acquisition. The Company believes that repurchasing shares at the prevailing market prices from time to time is a worthwhile use of funds and in the best interests of Empire and its shareholders. Purchases under the renewed NCIB may commence on July 2, 2025 and shall terminate not later than July 1, 2026.

See the full report here.