RUSSELLVILLE, AK - Denali, the nation’s leading and largest organic recycling company, is proud to announce the acquisition of Wallace Farm, Inc., a family-owned composting, soil, and mulch products company operating two large-scale facilities in North Carolina. Wallace Farm recycles food waste, green waste, and other organics into high-quality compost, mulch, and soil products.

The acquisition strengthens Denali’s large and growing organic collection operations in the Southeast by adding organics processing capacity through the two Wallace compost sites. Additionally, the move will support expanded production and distribution of Denali’s sustainable soil products, including the ReCirculate® bagged compost and soil product line.

Wallace Farm began commercial composting on the family’s farm 30 years ago. The company has two facilities, a 75-acre operation in Huntersville, near Charlotte, and a 162-acre facility in Advance, near Greensboro/Winston-Salem.

“We’re pleased to welcome Wallace Farm and its team to the Denali family,” said Todd Mathes, CEO of Denali, in a recent press release. “We look forward to continuing their operational excellence and building on their strong regional presence to further our commitment to building a resilient circular economy by transforming organic waste into renewable products.”

With the addition of Wallace Farm's facilities, Denali now operates a network of 26 composting sites across the U.S., leveraging innovative technology to maximize organic waste landfill diversion. The acquisition also reflects Denali’s broader strategy of building a robust, integrated system as the market leader in organics recycling.

“I’m proud of my family’s legacy in the communities we serve and joining Denali, which shares our family values, goals, and high standards of quality and customer service,” said Eric Wallace, President of Wallace Farm, Inc. “This is an exciting next chapter for Wallace Farm because we’ve always believed in the power of growing a greener environment, and with Denali’s scale and vision, we can take that positive impact even further.”

GREENSBORO, NC - On Saturday, May 3, The Fresh Market celebrated the grand opening of its new store in Mount Pleasant, S.C, bringing the total of stores for The Fresh Market to 172.

The doors to the new store opened early Wednesday morning to great fanfare from the local community. The Fresh Market’s Greater Charleston area debut proved popular for the specialty grocer, with huge crowds of guests throughout opening day.

“We are extremely pleased with the response to our new store,” said The Fresh Market CEO Brian Johnson in a recent press release. “We have a great team that is excited to bring our brand of impeccable hospitality to the town of Mount Pleasant.”

New guests partook in a myriad of The Fresh Market opening traditions including a bread breaking ceremony and the cracking of an 80lbs wheel of parmesan cheese. Additionally, the first 120 guests received a free, 4-inch potted orchid and the first 500 guests were given a The Fresh Market, Mount Pleasant reusable grocery bag.

The Fresh Market also continued its commitment of supporting a local food bank with every new store launch. On Saturday, the team kicked off their partnership with the Lowcountry Food Bank and presented a $2,000 donation to the organization.

The Mount Pleasant location is The Fresh Market’s latest in a trio of new store openings; Wethersfield, Connecticut, and Jensen Beach, Florida, opened exactly one week earlier. The three stores cap an exciting period of growth for the specialty grocer, which has opened 11 grocery retail locations and the new Spirits & Wine concept in the past six months.

The new 25,000 square foot store is stocked with a carefully curated selection of high-quality meats and seafood, along with fresh produce, local finds, and a unique collection of international products. For guests in search of a convenient, high-quality meal, The Fresh Market boasts a broad selection of restaurant-quality prepared meals and sides and ready-to-cook, ready-to-heat options.

FRESNO, CA - Baloian Farms, a grower, packer, and distributor of premium-quality fresh produce, is proud to announce the promotion of Jeremy Lane to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Jeremy has been a part of the Baloian Family for over 26 years. He has worked in all company divisions, from quality control to shipping, transportation logistics, field operations, and sales. Jeremy has served as Sales Manager for the past ten years, where he was responsible for developing and executing the company's sales and marketing goals, managing commodities, and overseeing the in-house transportation logistics and quality control departments. Jeremy has been a part of Baloian's Leadership Team for over 18 years.

Tim Baloian, owner and CEO, stated, "Jeremy has been a driving force behind Baloian Farms' growth and innovation. His leadership skills, vision, and contributions have been invaluable to the company. He is well-equipped to assume a more prominent role where he can continue to lead the team. I am thankful for the privilege of working alongside Jeremy all these years. He is what makes this company so special."

"I'm deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to take on the role of Vice President of Sales and Marketing after ten incredible years as Sales Manager”, Lane expresses in a recent press release. “I have so much appreciation for the Baloian family whose leadership, vision, and support have been instrumental in my growth. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to the amazing people within our company. It's their passion, commitment, and resilience that truly make this company what it is. As we look ahead, I'm excited about the future of our company and the opportunities ahead of us. Together, we'll continue to grow, innovate, and push forward, ensuring that this family farm thrives for generations to come."

ANTIGO, WI - In the following blog post, registered dietitian Jenny Heap explores how potatoes can play a surprising role in supporting immune health, especially during allergy and respiratory virus seasons.

As winter fades and spring blooms, so do seasonal allergies. With lingering challenges of COVID-19 and flu season, supporting a resilient immune system is more crucial than ever. While the peak of respiratory virus season varies, maintaining a strong immune system is crucial year-round. Despite fluctuations in COVID-19, flu, and RSV hospitalizations, the importance of immune health remains constant.

Registered dietitians understand that the interest in immune health has been significantly heightened since the COVID-19 pandemic, with many people turning to supplementation for enhanced immune function. While it is well documented that malnutrition and certain nutrient deficiencies impair immune function, whether immunity can be enhanced by consuming high levels of these nutrients via supplementation still lacks scientific consensus.

Though nutrient supplementation might be necessary in some cases to ensure adequate intake, all of these immune-supporting nutrients can be found in common foods. No single whole food provides all, but some – like potatoes – can deliver a surprising dose in just one serving.

Nutrients that support immunity

Several nutrients, including zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C, D, and E, are required to support an immune system capable of mounting a healthy response to invading pathogens. Potatoes and potato dishes can help boost consumption of several of these immune-critical nutrients, along with others, essential for general health and wellness.

Read the full piece here.

WASHINGTON, DC - The International Fresh Produce Association ANZ has awarded its first-ever Lifetime Membership to Michael Simonetta, chief executive officer (CEO) of Perfection Fresh Australia, recognising his decades of leadership and services to the fresh produce and floral industry.

Presented at IFPA ANZ’s exclusive Diamond-Platinum Executive Dinner in Sydney on April 30, the award was delivered by incoming IFPA Global chair Patrick Vizzone and introduced by IFPA ANZ chair Dean Gall.

“Michael has exemplified what it means to drive impact across business, community, and industry. His leadership and vision have shaped the fresh produce landscape for over three decades,” Mr Gall said.

Michael Simonetta has been an active member and contributor of IFPA (formerly the Produce Marketing Association) since 1988 and twice chaired the ANZ board. His leadership helped establish the association’s presence in the region, building a strong foundation for what is now a $24 billion industry across Australia and New Zealand.

“Michael’s legacy goes beyond business success,” Mr Vizzone said in a recent press release. “He has cultivated new markets, championed collaboration, and reminded us that trust and relationships are at the heart of our work. His influence is felt across growers, suppliers, retailers and the broader community.”

Tributes included a video message from IFPA CEO Cathy Burns and a message from David Marguleas, executive chair of Sun World International.

Michael Simonetta, who will retire as CEO on June 30 but remain on the Perfection Fresh board, was joined by his wife Maryann and sons James and Anthony at the dinner.

“I am humbled and grateful to receive this honour from my peers,” Mr Simonetta said. “The connections and insights gained through IFPA over the years have shaped both the business and the person I am today.”

The Simonetta family’s contribution continues, with John Simonetta recently joining the IFPA ANZ Board. The award celebrates not only a personal milestone but also the generational impact of a family committed to the future of fresh produce.

MICHIGAN - With May marking the official start of the long-awaited Michigan asparagus season, I see no better time to put a spotlight on some of the over 100 farm families committed to harvesting quality product year after year. In celebration of the start of the season, which extends through the end of June, this series sought to tap the expertise of a few long-standing family farms thriving in the asparagus space.

As a fifth-generation farm located in Mears, Michigan, Riley Orchards prides itself on growing quality Michigan asparagus for the consumer. Asparagus was added to the company’s crop rotation in the 1970s and has been a staple part of the family business ever since. Steve Riley, Owner/Operator, recently discussed the company’s legacy and more.

What are the benefits of local, Michigan-grown asparagus, and what are some of the ways Riley Orchards works to ensure quality and freshness?

Michigan fresh asparagus offers the best quality and flavor available for consumers between May and June. The key to its taste lies in its freshness due to having a longer shelf-life compared to imported asparagus. On average, it takes only three to four days to ship Michigan asparagus nationwide, compared to weeks for imported asparagus. It also does not undergo the chemical fumigation process that imports do when coming through customs. This gives the retailer a product with a look and feel consumers know and love. It’s not only more nutritious but has a longer shelf-life—a great advantage for promoting locally grown, locally sold product.

To achieve optimal quality and freshness, farmers practice timely picking and rapidly remove field heat through hydrocooling. They monitor their fields to ensure asparagus is picked at the optimal height to ensure quality product. Many times, when it is hot, growers will harvest the same field twice in the same day to avoid asparagus over-maturing. Oceana County has great infrastructure for handling asparagus post-harvest. We have multiple growers and receiving stations that have hydrocoolers and cold storage to quickly cool down harvested asparagus and store it until it is ready for the fresh packers or processors.

What makes this growing region so unique?

West Michigan is a unique growing area known for its mild climate, abundant water resources, and fertile soil. Our region is known for asparagus, apples, tart and sweet cherries, and many other vegetables. The farming community is tight-knit and works hard to produce top-quality produce for consumers. Over the years, Michigan asparagus has become an anticipated crop in much of the country. It is a crop that we, as growers, take pride in growing.

We are thankful for the buyers who prioritize American-grown crops. We understand this is a conscious decision to support locally grown produce and the families it represents.

Further supporting American-grown crops, how can retailers help maximize demand for asparagus throughout the Michigan season?

Michigan asparagus is an anticipated crop by many locals; however, we want to broaden our net of consumers. By advertising that they carry Michigan asparagus through point-of-sale, in-store signage, and digital advertising, retailers can highlight seasonality, locally grown messaging, and availability, encouraging impulse purchases.

How has the asparagus category and market evolved during your time in the industry? How have consumer demands changed?

Asparagus is a demanding crop that requires constant management during harvest to produce a high-quality product for the consumer. Consumer preference has shifted to fresh asparagus, as it is available year-round.

The processing market plays a vital role by creating shelf-stable products that can reduce fresh market pressure during our harvest season and producing high-quality products that can be used year-round in the frozen and canned markets. Canned, frozen, and pickled asparagus are great ways to have Michigan asparagus outside of the seasonal window.

Continue to make the most of your seasonal merchandising efforts with category insights from AndNowUKnow!