LOS ANGELES, CA - Pacific Trellis Fruit, home to the renowned Dulcinea® brand, is proud to introduce a new line of premium melons: Dulcinea Pure Perfection™ Melons. This collection of high-flavor, high-quality melons is designed to elevate the consumer eating experience with exceptional sweetness, texture, and juiciness.

“We are enthusiastic to introduce the Pure Perfection™ line to our customers,” said Rob Markel, VP of Sales – Melon Division at Pacific Trellis Fruit, in a recent press release. “These melons represent the pinnacle of flavor and quality, meeting the consumer demand for superior-tasting fruit that delivers an unforgettable eating experience.”

The lineup will launch with three distinct varieties, available June through September:

• Pure Sweetness™ – An extra sweet cantaloupe-like variety with an incredibly juicy, melt-in-your-mouth flavor.

• Pure Sunshine™ – A firm yet juicy honeydew-like melon with a smooth, sweet taste.

• Pure Crunch™ – An oblong Chinese Hami melon featuring a crisp, refreshing texture with hints of honey and pear.

Josh Leichter, CEO, added: “With consumers increasingly seeking out unique and delicious melon varieties, our new Pure Perfection™ melons offer a fresh, premium option that stands out on the shelf.” The company anticipates strong consumer interest as the melons roll out across the market.

The Dulcinea Pure Perfection™ Melon line will be supported with high-graphic, eye-catching packaging, in-store merchandising support, and a digital marketing campaign. Additionally, in-store sampling events and point-of-sale materials will help educate shoppers on the superior taste and texture of the Pure Perfection™ Melon line, encouraging trial and repeat purchases. This comprehensive approach will highlight the melons' exceptional quality, flavor, and freshness, creating a premium consumer experience.

Beyond the launch of Pure Perfection™ Melons, Pacific Trellis Fruit continues to offer a diverse and robust melon program. The company remains the innovator of the Mini-Seedless Watermelon, PureHeart®, and grows the Full-Size Seedless Sugar Daddy® Watermelon, both available in organic options. Other premium offerings include the Tuscan-Style® Extra Sweet Cantaloupe and the SunnyGold® Yellow Mini-Seedless Watermelon.

The company ships its mini-seedless and full-size watermelons year-round from growing regions in Mexico, Arizona, California, and Idaho, with an offshore program in Guatemala. Seasonal melon programs include the Tuscan-Style® Extra Sweet Cantaloupe and the SunnyGold® Yellow Seedless Mini Watermelon. The Tuscans will begin shipping from Arizona in May and California in July, whereas the SunnyGold will start in May from Mexico, moving to Arizona in June and California in July. The Dulcinea program will have a steady melon supply throughout the summer months, ripe for promotional opportunities.

RHOME, TX - This Cinco de Mayo, ¡Yo Quiero! Brands is turning up the heat with an exciting marketing and PR campaign designed to solidify the brand as The Ultimate Dip Destination™ for consumers and retailers alike. Putting the cinco in Cinco de Mayo, ¡Yo Quiero! is unleashing a fiesta of five creative activations to make sure their dips take center stage at every celebration.

¡Yo Quiero! will kick things off with themed TV segments featuring Registered Dietitians, who will be sharing simple yet delicious recipes made with the brand’s products, all while highlighting the nutritional benefits that make these dips a better-for-you choice. These segments are in key retailer markets and are a fun way to inspire consumers to grab ¡Yo Quiero! for their holiday spread, knowing they’re getting both exceptional homemade flavor and quality ingredients.

On social media, the brand is partnering with top influencers, who are long-term brand advocates, to create mouthwatering content that shows off the versatility of their dips. From traditional dishes like Arrachera Marinada to party platters and quick snack hacks, these influencers will be bringing the 'YO!' to Cinco de MaYO! celebrations, showing how ¡Yo Quiero! dips can elevate any gathering. Along with this, the brand is launching targeted social ads and a fun series of meme-like posts designed to create viral engagement and drive traffic to the brand’s store locator.

And it's not just about social buzz—¡Yo Quiero! is issuing a consumer press release to inspire food media editors and writers to include the brand in their holiday product roundups and themed stories. By generating press coverage, ¡Yo Quiero! aims to make sure their dips are featured as a top pick for any Cinco de Mayo feature or celebration list.The press release is expected to generate significant media coverage, helping to amplify the brand’s presence as a top choice for holiday entertaining.

"Cinco de Mayo is a prime opportunity for retailers to showcase ¡Yo Quiero! as The Ultimate Dip Destination™ for holiday gatherings," said Tara Murray, Vice President of Marketing at ¡Yo Quiero! Brands, in a recent press release. "With our innovative marketing initiatives, cross-merchandising ideas, and high-impact media presence, we’re confident that this year’s campaign will help our retail partners drive sales and make ¡Yo Quiero! a household name for Cinco de Mayo and beyond."

In addition to the digital and media-driven efforts, ¡Yo Quiero! is encouraging cross-merchandising opportunities for retail partners to maximize Cinco de Mayo sales. Retailers can create eye-catching displays by placing the brand’s dips nearby complementary items like chips, fresh tortillas, spices, and margarita mix for easy, one-stop shopping. In the cold case, retailers can boost sales by placing ¡Yo Quiero! dips with fresh ingredients like limes, cilantro, peppers, and Mexican cheeses, creating a seamless shopping experience for party hosts.

For more information about Yo Quiero’s Cinco de Mayo plans or to discuss partnership opportunities, contact Jay Alley at [email protected].

BURLINGTON, ON - As EarthFresh continues its rapid expansion across North America, it is pleased to announce a series of strategic appointments within its ranks. These changes come as part of an ongoing effort to align teams and operations following the recent acquisition of Mountain King and in preparation for the company’s next chapter of growth.

“As we continue to grow, it is essential to empower our Team Members who have demonstrated dedication and skill. These appointments not only acknowledge their contributions, but also strengthen our foundation for future growth,” said Tom Hughes, President in a recent press release.

New appointments Include:

• Dan Martin will extend his role and has been appointed to Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President. In this expanded role, Dan will lead EarthFresh’s regional model for strategic market expansion and oversee Corporate & Strategic Development and Operations across Canada and the U.S.

• Pedro Lopez has been appointed to Vice President of Operations, U.S. Pedro will oversee EarthFresh operations in Atlanta, GA, Houston, TX, and its three packing facilities in Colorado: Monte Vista (Mountain King Potatoes), Centre (Spud Growers), and Hooper (Alpine).

• Alex Paladino has been appointed to the role of Vice President of Operations, Canada and Process Improvement in Canada and the U.S. Alex will oversee capital expenditures, lean manufacturing processes, development of key metrics and reporting to align operations across all facilities.

• Jessica Anderson has been appointed to Vice President of Marketing & Innovation for Canada and the U.S. Jessica will lead product innovation, packaging, branding, and marketing initiatives to strengthen EarthFresh’s presence in both markets.

• Andrew George has been appointed the Chief Sales and Procurement Officer. Andrew will oversee all sales and procurement functions across Canada and the U.S., driving strategic sales plans and implementing efficient, cost-effective procurement strategies.

• Kevin Sorichetti has been appointed Vice President of Key Accounts & Business Development. Kevin will focus on managing Key Accounts, driving new opportunities across Canada and the U.S., and providing strategic leadership to the Sales Team.

• John Pope has been appointed the position of Vice President of Sales, U.S. John will build EarthFresh’s U.S. Sales Team and provide mentorship and leadership to the entire Sales Team while also managing Key Accounts across the U.S.

• Derrick Rayner has been appointed Senior Vice President of Grower Relations & Business Development. Derrick will provide strategic leadership to the Sales and Procurement teams, helping strengthen grower relationships and drive new customer opportunities across Canada and the U.S.

• JD Layton has been appointed Director of Procurement, U.S. JD will lead the U.S. Procurement Team, implement procurement strategies for U.S. sourced products, and streamline processes to drive departmental alignment.

• Jason Graves has joined EarthFresh as Vice President of Human Resources, based in Houston, TX, effective April 14, 2025. Jason will lead our HR team, drive organizational development and talent strategy, and foster a culture of growth and engagement.

• Bryan McNamara has been appointed Director of Procurement, Canada. Bryan will lead the Procurement team in Canada, strengthening EarthFresh’s programs and grower relationships and processes for all products sourced from Canada.

• Gretel Herranz has been appointed Inside Sales Director. Gretel will lead the Inside Sales teams across Canada and the U.S., focusing on aligning EarthFresh’s Inside Sales processes and customer service standards across the organization.

These shifts are part of a long-term strategic vision that ensures the EarthFresh team is positioned to deliver the highest value to customers, partners, and the broader industry.

MARGATE, FL - Publix recently shared a press release announcing the opening of a new location in Margate, Florida:

“We are excited to welcome customers to their new Publix,” said Lindsey Willis, Publix media relations manager, in the release. “We look forward to introducing them to an array of new offerings and providing them with the service and quality products they know and love. This new store also features a seating area for customers to stop and enjoy their favorite Publix finds!”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

• Deli — features a full-service deli counter, as well as handcrafted old-world delicacies, cured sausages, soppressata and aged prosciutto. The deli also offers an international selection of olives, antipastos, hummus and more than 200 artisan cheeses from the United States and around the world.
• Produce — carries organic and conventionally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, with locally grown produce and exotic choices from around the world. The floral department stocks bouquets bursting with colors depicting the changing seasons.
• Bakery — scratch bakery that offers an array of cakes, cookies and pies as well as wedding cakes and decadent desserts made by skilled decorators. Breads and rolls are baked fresh throughout the day. Customers will be tempted by bakery treats like cheesecake, cupcakes and jumbo muffins.
• Meat — features custom cuts of meats, including Publix private label all-natural and organic GreenWise chicken. Customers seeking a home-cooked meal with minimal prep time can choose from ready-to-cook items prepared fresh daily.
• Seafood — carries fresh seafood delivered throughout the week. It includes wild and farm-raised fish, as well as a wide variety of shellfish. Publix’s whole fish and fillets are fresh, never frozen. Sushi chefs create delectable hand-rolled selections daily.
• Pharmacy — full-service pharmacy that also includes a large variety of body care products and a wide selection of natural and conventional vitamins, minerals and supplements.
• Wine — offers an expanded variety of premium and specialty wines from the United States and around the world, along with a large selection of champagnes and sparkling wines. The selection also includes fine wines made with organic grapes.

To read more, click here.

NEW ZEALAND - One of our most recent exclusive features with kiwifruit maven Zespri™ dug into the various benefits of its ZAG fund, highlighting multiple innovation pilots set to advance the company’s sustainability goals. With these strategic pilots underway, the supplier took a moment to discuss the importance of advancing sustainable ag practices.

“There is significant potential for further improvement in sustainable practices, especially in the areas of precision agriculture, waste reduction, and supply chain optimization,” shares Jiunn Shih, Chief Marketing, Innovation, and Sustainability Officer. “The integration of more advanced technologies, such as automated harvesting and enhanced soil management techniques, can dramatically reduce the need for chemicals and improve overall resource efficiency. We also see an opportunity to further reduce carbon footprints through an increased focus on renewable energy sources and packaging innovations. Additionally, there’s potential for collaborating more extensively with the wider agricultural community to share insights and best practices for sustainability.”

While increasing its prowess in the kiwifruit space, Zespri’s purpose is to help people, communities, and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. The supplier is constantly innovating alongside its industry partners with the goal of delivering nutritious, low-impact, and great-tasting kiwifruit to consumers while promoting environmental resilience and protecting industry value. 

“Working with a product delivered by nature brings health and well-being benefits to communities and society. As a premium fruit brand, we believe it’s also important to have a strong voice in advocating for how to innovate and propel a transformation of the food system,” Jiunn shares.

One shining element of the brand’s sustainability efforts is its packaging. The percentage of Zespri’s consumer packaging that is now recyclable, reusable, or compostable has reached 80 percent, compared to 70 percent last season and 66 percent at baseline. This reflects the positive steps the supplier has made in transitioning away from non-recyclable plastics to fiber-based alternatives in China, Japan, Korea, and Singapore.

As the company continues to seek ways to increase kiwifruit consumption while improving sustainability, Zespri continues to uncover opportunities through innovation, guided in part by pilots implemented through the ZAG Fund.

“Zespri remains committed to fostering a sustainable future for both the kiwifruit industry and the planet. We recognize that sustainability is an ongoing journey that requires collaboration, innovation, and perseverance,” Jiunn concludes. “We are incredibly excited by the advancements we've seen as a result of the ZAG Fund pilots and look forward to continuing to work with industry partners, research institutions, and local communities to achieve even greater milestones in sustainable agricultural practices.”

Stay tuned as we bring more exclusive insights straight to the pages of ANUK.