SACRAMENTO, CA - Rä Foods LLC, parent company of Wild About Sprouts®, a leader in fresh, nutrient-dense sprouts, announces the appointment of Dr. Shane Parker as Chief Operations Officer. This strategic hire aligns with the growing consumer demand for clean-label, healthier foods and sustainable growing practices.

Dr. Parker brings over 25 years of expertise in research, leadership, and strategy with additional special focus on seeds, traits, and agricultural innovation. Dr. Parker has held leadership roles in Operations, Research and Development, and product development at Syngenta, Bayer CropScience, and BASF. His extensive background will support Wild About Sprouts® in scaling its operations to meet the surging demand for clean, non-GMO, herbicide- and pesticide-free produce.

“Wild About Sprouts® is at the forefront of the fresh produce industry being the only national sprout brand found in over 7,000 stores and continuing to expand, delivering safe, Cold Grown®, living sprouts that are packed with nutrients like sulforaphane that contribute to consumers longevity, gut-health and more,” said Barry Didato, President of Wild About Sprouts®, in a recent press release. “Dr. Parker’s leadership will enhance our ability to innovate and expand, ensuring we continue to provide health-focused, clean-label products that resonate with today’s consumers and align with national priorities for healthier eating.”

Dr. Parker added, “As consumers increasingly prioritize honesty, transparency, sustainability, and nutrition, Wild About Sprouts® and Wild About Mixmi™ are uniquely positioned to meet these needs with its non-GMO, nutrient-rich sprouts and frozen yogurt. I’m thrilled to join a company that champions clean-label foods and sustainable agriculture, and I look forward to driving operational excellence to support this health-first mission.”

Wild About Sprouts® has revolutionized sprout production with its patented Cold Grown® process, eliminating pathogen risks and delivering the safest, freshest sprouts on the market. Grown directly in 3-ounce retail packages, these living sprouts remain untouched from planting to plate. Packed with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, protein, and fiber, they are a powerhouse of nutrition perfectly suited to clean-eating trends. Every shipment undergoes rigorous final product hold and release testing to ensure unmatched safety and quality.

Dr. Parker’s appointment underscores Rä Foods’ commitment to meeting the evolving needs of health-conscious consumers and supporting the administration’s focus on clean, sustainable food systems. Wild About Sprouts® and Wild Abut Mixmi™ continue to lead the fresh produce and frozen novelty sectors by offering innovative, nutrient-dense options that make healthy eating simple, delicious, and accessible.

WENATCHEE, WA - Stemilt is proud to announce the newest addition to its marketing team: Dashan Dookhu, who joins as the company’s East Coast Merchandising Manager. With more than three decades of experience in the produce industry, Dookhu brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and creativity to support Stemilt’s continued growth and retail success across the eastern U.S. and Canada.

In his new role, Dookhu will oversee merchandising efforts in key markets including Toronto, Montreal, New England, New York, and the Mid-Atlantic region. His focus will be on delivering exceptional service to Stemilt’s retail and wholesale partners while also leading the charge on fun and engaging promotional events, in-store samplings, food shows, and the company’s well-known Cherry and Apple Colleges.

“We’re excited to welcome Dashan to the Stemilt team,” said Brianna Shales, Marketing Director at Stemilt, in a recent press release. “He’ll be stepping into the role currently held by our esteemed Sr. Merchandising Manager, Tim Harrington, who is retiring in 2026 after more than 16 remarkable years with us. While we’ll deeply miss Tim and the impact he’s made, we’re equally enthusiastic about the expertise Dashan brings from his keen insight into the retail landscape to his passion for fresh produce and natural talent for growing connections. We’re confident he’ll be a tremendous asset to our retail partners and their shoppers.”

Dookhu joins Stemilt with over 36 years of experience, having held roles with notable retailers including ShopRite and Whole Foods Market. Known for his energy and creativity, Dookhu is poised to be a key player in expanding Stemilt’s presence and enhancing the shopper experience in produce departments across his territory. Based just outside Queens, New York, Dashan brings a strong local connection to one of Stemilt’s main market locations.

“What I’ve always loved about this industry is the people,” said Dookhu. “Meeting them, training them, and watching them grow is the most rewarding experience. Having spent lots of time in the produce and floral world, I understand what resonates in produce departments. I’ve lived it, and I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running with our partners across the East Coast.”

Stemilt’s merchandising program is a cornerstone of its retail support strategy, designed to help retail partners grow the category with premium fruit and effective in-store execution. With dedicated experts like Dashan on the ground, Stemilt continues to elevate the shopper’s experience and drive results at the store level.

"I see this role as more than just merchandising,” added Doohku. “It’s about inspiring confidence, building trust, and helping our retail partners succeed. Whether I’m setting up a promotion or walking a store floor, I’m focused on bringing energy, ideas, and a deep understanding of what drives results in produce."

REIDSVILLE, GA - The Healthy Family Project’s 23rd bi-annual Publix Produce for Kids cause marketing campaign is underway through June 25. This year, 15 produce companies are helping provide 800,000 meals to 35 Feeding America® partner food banks within Publix’s market area. Since 2002, the campaign has raised more than $4.2 million to support causes that benefit families and children in Publix communities and has helped provide over 15 million meals to local Feeding America food banks.

Bright, colorful signage featuring fresh produce and easy meal inspiration will be displayed in all 1,404 Publix stores alongside participating produce partners. Designed to spark healthy choices, the signs showcase simple, delicious ways families can enjoy more fruits and vegetables. New this year, shoppers can also tune in to expert tips from a Publix dietitian, who will be sharing practical nutrition advice and balanced plate ideas across Healthy Family Project’s digital channels - bringing even more fresh inspiration straight to families' kitchens.

"At Publix, giving back to our communities is at the core of everything we do," said Dwaine Stevens, Publix Director of Community Relations, in a recent press release. "We are proud to once again partner with Healthy Family Project to offer fresh solutions for families and make a real difference for those facing food insecurity."

Produce partners supporting the 2025 Publix Produce for Kids cause marketing campaign include: Coast Tropical, Ayco Farms, Driscoll’s®, The Wonderful Company, Shuman Farms, Mucci Farms, SUNSET®, CMI Orchards, Fresh Express®, GT Living Foods, Vegpro International Inc., T. Marzetti, Chiquita, Ranier Fruit Company, and Bay Food Brokerage.

"Each year, we are humbled by the incredible impact this campaign makes for families," said Trish James, Vice President, Healthy Family Project. "Thanks to the partnership with Publix, our produce sponsors, and supportive shoppers, we're inspiring healthy habits while working together to fight hunger in our communities."

The USDA estimates that 1 in 5 children in the United States experience hunger. The participating produce companies are helping to meet this urgent need through meals donated to local Feeding America food banks throughout the Publix footprint.

The campaign will raise funds for local Feeding America partner food banks including: Feeding Northeast Florida, Food Bank of North Alabama, Montgomery Area Food Bank, Inc., All Faiths Food Bank, America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Feeding America Tampa Bay, Feeding South Florida, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Feeding the Valley Food Bank, Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Dare to Care Food Bank, Golden Harvest Food Bank, Middle Georgia Community Food Bank, Second Harvest of South Georgia, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Lowcountry Food Bank, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Feed More, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Food Bank of Abermarle, Fredricksburg Area Food Bank, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, MANNA Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, Second Harvest Food Bank of NE Tennessee, Second Harvest Food Bank of SE North Carolina, Treasure Coast Food Bank, and Virginia Peninsula Food bank.

For more information about the Publix Produce for Kids campaign, visit healthyfamilyproject.com.

STILLWATER, MN - CUB and CUB Wine & Spirits are proud to announce the grand opening of their newest store at 6 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, at 1750 County Road 42 in Burnsville, Minnesota. This marks a homecoming for Cub, reestablishing its presence in the Burnsville neighborhood with a reimagined shopping experience after the original store closed in 2024.

“This store represents more than a rebuild—it’s a bold step forward in Cub’s future, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have that step take place in Burnsville,” said Andre Persaud, President and CEO of UNFI Retail / Cub, in a recent press release. “Beyond opening the store’s doors, we’re also proud to launch our new brand platform, Shop Happy. From our fresh new look and feel to the way we talk about joy and simplicity, our new platform and store design are part of the way Cub is repositioning for the next generation of grocery. You’ll see this new vision come to life all summer across our stores—but we’re excited to kick that off right here!”

Rooted in Cub’s Minnesota heritage, Shop Happy is a creative platform that celebrates small joys—like discovering a fresh and local find, getting a great deal, or being greeted with a warm smile. It reflects Cub’s evolving commitment to freshness, friendliness, and community pride—delivered simply and consistently.

Expanded Experience at Burnsville Cub

The Burnsville location is designed to offer customers an elevated shopping experience, with upgraded services and expanded departments, including:

• A bold new store façade and shopper-friendly layout
• Enhanced produce section with a broader organic assortment
• A modernized deli experience including more grab-and-go meals, hot foods, and a relaunch in partnership with Dietz & Watson, featuring:
  • More than 60 curated items, including bulk meats, grab-and-go, shelf-stable condiments, and exclusive charcuterie items
  • Clean-label, antibiotic-free, and artisan deli selections
• A new sushi station prepared in-house
• Expanded floral section, bakery (with custom cake decorating), seafood, meat, Kitchen Shop, and Vitamin Shop departments
• LED video monitors throughout the store
• Drive-thru online order pickup lane to support Cub’s growing e-commerce business

Relaunch of Health & Beauty

The Burnsville location will also enhance Cub’s focus on wellness with an all-new pharmacy featuring drive-thru and walk-up options as well as a revamped Health & Beauty department designed to engage wellness-driven shoppers and meet modern expectations. A refreshed product assortment features the latest trending brands in clean beauty and wellness supplements.

A New Cub Wine & Spirits Experience

The new Cub Wine & Spirits is more than four times the size of the previous location and deliver a significantly upgraded experience:

• Vastly expanded selection of beer, high-end wines, and premium spirits
• A new tasting bar for sampling, education, and event programming
• Interactive displays and enhanced merchandising to support discovery and inspiration

DELTA CANADA - With the arrival of spring, WINDSET FARMS® is excited to kick off another growing season of fresh, locally grown greenhouse produce in British Columbia. Following the successful conclusion of their first winter growing season at the recently expanded Delta facility, Windset is now ramping up production to bring even more BC-grown vegetables to Canadian tables.

Thanks to its centralized location in Delta, BC, Windset’s greenhouse operation helps reduce food miles, ensuring that produce reaches local stores faster and fresher. “When you can grow closer to home, everyone benefits, from the environment to the end consumer,” says Ryan Cherry, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Windset Farms, in a recent press release. “We’re proud to be growing in BC, for BC and beyond.”

To celebrate the start of the season, Windset partnered with Executive Chef Ned Bell for a live cooking segment on CTV Morning Live, where he prepared a flavour-packed Unstuffed Maestro® Bell Pepper recipe using Windset’s greenhouse-grown BC bell peppers. This recipe is part of a new 2025 culinary collaboration with Chef Ned, building on last year’s successful Recipe Series. You can check out the segment here.

Together, Windset and Chef Ned will share exciting new recipes, each celebrating the flavour and freshness of greenhouse-grown vegetables. Accompanying the recipes will be a Fresh Takes™ video series that takes viewers behind the scenes at the Delta facility. The videos will explore what it means to grow sustainably year-round, the importance of healthy produce for families, and how we collectively can support our local communities.

“At Windset, we believe food should nourish people and the planet,” says Cherry. “It's about showing how local food is grown and why it matters.”

Recipes, videos, and updates will be released monthly on Windset’s website and social media platforms throughout the season! Be sure to follow @windsetfarms on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates!

FOWLER, CA - While many California-grown citrus varieties are nearing the end of their season, the Bee Sweet Citrus team reports that Star Ruby Grapefruit will be available through summer.

"Bee Sweet's Star Ruby grapefruit is an excellent commodity to highlight during the summer months because of its availability, versatility, and health benefits," stated Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Representative Anders Skooglund in a recent press release. "As one of the sweetest grapefruit varieties on the market, we're confident shoppers will enjoy grapefruit throughout the summer months."

Bee Sweet's Star Ruby grapefruit is currently harvested in California's Central Valley and will be available through August. The variety is popular for its blushed rind, red interior, and sweet, tangy flavor profile. 

The company also reports that the fruit’s quality is great and eat well.

"While many people enjoy eating grapefruit fresh, there are so many different ways consumers can utilize them in meals," stated Bee Sweet Citrus Director of Communications, Monique Mueller. "Their sweet, tangy flavor beautifully complements summer salads, cocktails, parfaits, and more."

In addition to grapefruit, Bee Sweet Citrus also has mandarins, lemons, and Royal Red oranges available for customers. Navel oranges remain light as the company prepares to transition to its summer import program.

To learn more about Bee Sweet's grapefruit and summer variety availability, please call a sales representative at 559-834-200 or visit www.beesweetcitrus.com.