WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Oscar Produce, operating from Brooklyn, N.Y., has satisfied a $17,058 reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions. The company is now free to operate in the produce industry. Oskar Krakhmal was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.

USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it, as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are no outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individuals.

For more information, contact Penny Robinson-Landrigan, PACA Dispute Resolution Branch, at (202) 720-2890 or [email protected].

CASHMERE, WA - Two words, my friends: Southern Innovations. The event is marked on our calendars and is approaching quickly, which means fresh produce innovation is top of mind! Bringing an exciting lineup to the show floor, Crunch Pak will showcase a wide range of fresh, convenient snacking solutions.

“Southern Innovations brings together leading retailers, wholesalers, and produce industry decision-makers, making it an ideal place to demonstrate how Crunch Pak continues to blend convenience, fresh produce, and innovation,” shared Billy Martin, Director of Retail Sales. “We’re excited to have this opportunity to share our latest ideas, strengthen partnerships, and spotlight products that help retailers create excitement at the shelf while meeting consumer demand for healthier-for-you snacking that feels good.”

Crunch Pak will highlight a variety of innovative products, including its core sliced apple products, Mini Snack Paks and Snack Paks, CharFruiterie Trays, and a growing portfolio of licensed offerings featuring some of the world’s most recognized entertainment brands.

“It’s exciting to connect face-to-face with customers and partners at Southern Innovations. The event provides valuable opportunities to gather feedback on emerging trends, merchandising, and new product concepts. For Crunch Pak, it serves as a catalyst for discussions around category growth, licensed produce programs, shopper engagement, and fresh snacking innovation,” Billy adds. “These conversations often spark new partnerships and ideas that extend beyond the show floor, driving growth throughout the produce category.”

During the show, Crunch Pak will also be drawing attention to new innovation concepts that reflect changing consumer preferences and the evolution of healthy snacking.

“We’re proud to be recognized for our leadership in the fresh snacking category, built on expertise, innovation, and trusted customer partnerships,” Billy continues. “Our focus on making fresh snacking more accessible drives continuous investment in product development, packaging innovation, consumer insights, and licensed partnerships. Recent achievements include expanded licensed programs, new snack formats, and ongoing development of products that appeal to a wide range of consumers and occasions.”

Additionally, Crunch Pak recently refreshed its brand identity, creating a stronger, more recognizable shelf presence and delivering a clearer, more cohesive shopping experience for consumers.

“This reflects our commitment to keeping the brand modern and relevant while staying true to our mission to make it easier for busy people everywhere to eat a little healthier,” Billy shares. “Southern Innovations comes at a particularly exciting time for Crunch Pak as we continue to evolve both our brand and product portfolio. We look forward to connecting, sharing new ideas, and exploring opportunities for shared growth.”

For more exclusive insights in the lead-up to Southern Innovations, keep clicking on ANUK.

ATLANTA, GA - BrightFarms is no stranger to breakthrough innovation. The Cox Farms brand and indoor farming leader continues to be one of the players driving our industry forward and reinventing the way we bring fresh produce to consumers. Recently recognized as the AgTech Breakthrough Awards Indoor Farming Company of the Year, BrightFarms is further cementing its reputation as an industry trailblazer.

Jessica Soare, Assistant Vice President of Marketing at Cox Farms, and Eric Dobbins, Executive Vice President of Operations at BrightFarms, recently discussed this honor and how it reflects the company’s internal values.

What does being recognized as AgTech Breakthrough Awards Indoor Farming Company of the Year mean to the BrightFarms team?

Jessica Soare: “Being awarded as the Indoor Farming Company of the Year affirms the importance of our mission—to provide customers with fresh, clean leafy greens that are better for people and better for the planet.

We’re proud that our approach to rethinking where food grows, not just how it is sold, is being recognized within the industry. By growing regionally in climate-controlled greenhouses, we can bring greens closer to where consumers live, all while using less land, less water, and a smaller footprint per acre compared to traditional field-grown agriculture. Our controlled growing environment and highly automated processes give us greater consistency, traceability, and control throughout the growing process, helping us grow safe, clean, fresh greens in a protected environment and without pesticides. For our team, this award is a reflection of the people behind BrightFarms who work every day to make a better way of growing possible.”

How does this recognition reflect BrightFarms’ company values and commitment to innovation?

Eric Dobbins: “This recognition reflects BrightFarms’ belief that the future of agriculture requires us to think differently about how and where food is grown. Innovation is at the center of this model—from fully climate-controlled greenhouses and automated growing systems to precision yield management, RFID tracking, and modular facility design.

Our approach is designed to solve real challenges across the food system: growing closer to consumers, using less land and water, reducing waste in transit, and creating a more consistent supply of greens regardless of season or weather.

Being recognized as Indoor Farming Company of the Year reinforces that innovation and responsible growth do not have to be competing priorities. BrightFarms is demonstrating that technology can make food more efficient, more consistent, and more accessible while supporting a more regional food system.”

What makes BrightFarms a strong player in the indoor farming arena? How do these advantages translate into benefits for the company’s retail partners?

Eric Dobbins: “BrightFarms stands out in the indoor farming space through its strategically located, advanced greenhouses, scalable growing model, and experienced teams. Our regional greenhouse network allows us to grow leafy greens closer to consumers and provide a fresh, reliable supply 365 days a year, while our modular greenhouse design gives us the flexibility to expand as demand for greenhouse-grown greens continues to grow. Each greenhouse can expand up to three times its initial size and is designed to produce up to 25 million pounds of lettuce once fully built out. Behind that technology is a team of experienced growers, engineers, and managers who oversee each facility and help ensure we’re consistently harvesting fresh, high-quality, long-lasting greens.”

Jessica Soare: “For our retail partners, these advantages translate into a more reliable supply of fresh greens, regardless of season or outside weather conditions, along with the confidence that comes from working with a scalable, experienced growing partner. And because BrightFarms grows regionally, our greens can move from harvest to retailer in as little as 24 hours, helping deliver fresher, cleaner, longer-lasting products to shoppers. The recent Cyclospora crisis also revealed a strong opportunity for more greenhouse-grown salads, and it’s meaningful to be able to tell our story to more audiences who are actively seeking greenhouse-grown produce. It gives us a chance to reinforce the “why” behind BrightFarms and the mission that has remained at the heart of our business.”

Something tells me more exclusive insights from the Cox Farms team are on the way, so keep clicking on AndNowUKnow for the latest updates.

GLENNVILLE, GA - G&R Farms is painting the produce aisle red. A return to the supplier’s bold crimson letters signals a subtle but strategic brand refresh for the onion supplier. It is a move that reflects G&R’s commitment to long-term growth and keeping consumer eyes trained on the onion category.

“Celebrating our 80th anniversary gave us a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the G&R Farms story—where we started, how far we’ve come, and how we want to carry that legacy forward,” Blake Dasher, Chief Executive Officer, told me. “As we looked back through our history, we were inspired by some of our earlier branding, particularly the bold red that was once a prominent part of the G&R Farms identity. Rather than creating an entirely new brand, we wanted to bring that heritage back to the forefront, but in a way that feels fresh and relevant for today. The new brand builds around that signature red with a modern palette of green and gold, creating a look that feels both rooted in our history and representative of today’s G&R Farms.”

After 80 years, this refresh wasn’t about reinventing the company. It was about taking the strongest parts of G&R’s heritage and giving the brand a fresh, modern expression that can carry the supplier into the next generation.

The updated identity is being carried across virtually every G&R Farms consumer and customer touchpoint, but Steven Shuman, General Manager and Vice President of Sales, is especially excited about the new packaging.

“Our new consumer packaging is bold, colorful, and designed to stand out in the produce department. Our new bag designs are built to stand out at retail, but they also tell a piece of our story,” he explained. “Featured in the background is an illustration of G&R Farms’ original barn—a direct visual connection to our heritage and the generations that came before us. We love that juxtaposition: an image rooted in our history presented through bold colors and a fresh, modern design.”

G&R has also updated its boxes and retail bins, moving from traditional kraft to a crisp white that showcases the red, green, and gold branding while creating a cleaner, more elevated presence in the produce department that reinforces the premium quality shoppers expect from G&R Farms.

“Beyond packaging, our marketing materials and in-store point-of-sale have been refreshed with the updated identity, messaging, and recipes, and we’ve completely redesigned our website. The result is a cohesive brand experience from the produce aisle to the digital space,” Steven stated. “Whether someone sees us on a bag, a display in the produce department, a box in the supply chain, or online, we want them to immediately know: that’s G&R Farms.”

At the consumer level, it comes down to visibility, recognition, and ultimately driving purchase, Steven pointed out. The produce department is incredibly competitive, and consumers make decisions quickly; the company wanted packaging that commands attention at the shelf, clearly communicates quality, and gives shoppers a reason to choose G&R Farms.

“The new design creates a stronger visual presence that helps differentiate our onions and builds greater recognition for the G&R Farms name,” he continued. “But getting noticed is only the first step. We also want to turn that visibility into a stronger relationship with consumers. Through clearer messaging, recipes, and a more consistent brand experience, we have an opportunity to reinforce why G&R Farms Vidalia and Premium sweet onions are special, inspire additional uses and occasions, and encourage repeat purchases. For our retail partners, that means a brand designed not only to look great in the department, but to help create excitement, increase consumer engagement, and ultimately support sales.”

On a final note, Blake emphasized that what makes this evolution especially meaningful is the balance between 80 years of heritage and the future of the brand.

“There are very few brands that have the opportunity to look back on eight decades in agriculture. That history gives us tremendous pride, but it also gives us a responsibility to keep evolving. Consumer expectations change, retail changes, and the way we communicate with shoppers changes, but the importance of quality, trust, and authenticity does not,” Blake concluded. “This new identity brings those ideas together. It gives G&R Farms a stronger presence for the future without losing sight of the family, the land, the people, and the passion that has continued to build G&R Farms over the past 80 years. The look may be updated, but what it represents has been part of G&R Farms for generations: Grown with Passion, Served with Pride.”

As the bright red letters of G&R continue to make an impact in the produce aisle, AndNowUKnow will be here to bring you the latest.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Pacific Trellis Fruit is pleased to announce the promotions of Earl McMenamin to Category Director, North American Grapes, and Eve Kaudze to Senior Manager, Food Safety & Compliance, as well as the appointment of Sergio Rodriguez as Sales Executive in the company’s Fresno office.

McMenamin has been with Pacific Trellis Fruit since 1999 and brings more than 25 years of produce industry experience and category expertise to his new role. Previously serving as Category Manager for Mexico & California Grapes and Senior Sales Executive, McMenamin has played an integral role in growing the company’s grape business and building strong relationships with growers and customers. In his new role, he will continue to lead the company’s North American grape category and support its continued development.

Kaudze joined Pacific Trellis Fruit in July 2022 and has become an integral part of the company’s food safety program. Her expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to operational excellence have helped uphold high standards across the organization. As Senior Manager, Food Safety & Compliance, she will lead key food safety and compliance initiatives and continue advancing the company’s commitment to operational integrity.

Rodriguez joined Pacific Trellis Fruit this month as a Sales Executive in the company’s Fresno office. He brings more than 35 years of produce industry experience, including extensive expertise in citrus and a strong track record managing major retail accounts across both the East and West Coasts. Rodriguez brings valuable industry knowledge and well-established relationships to the company. In his new role, he will expand his focus on strengthening customer partnerships and identifying opportunities for continued growth.

“Earl’s extensive experience, industry relationships and deep understanding of the grape category have been instrumental to our business,” said Eric Coty, EVP of Fruit, in the recent release. “His promotion, along with Eve’s expanded leadership role in our food safety division, and the addition of Sergio to our sales team, further strengthens our organization as we continue to grow and serve our customers and grower partners through our investment in experienced professionals, growing our internal talent, and industry expertise.”