ORLANDO, FL - The Colombia Avocado Board (CAB) reports that the country’s avocado production and export operations remain largely unaffected following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia on August 10.

CAB Managing Director Manuel Michel has contacted CAB exporter association members and spoken with avocado growers operating in several of the affected regions to assess conditions across the industry. Based on those conversations, reports indicate that avocado orchards, packing facilities, infrastructure systems and principal transportation routes are operating without limitations attributable to the earthquake.

The earthquake was centered near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó in western Colombia. Effects were reported across the coffee- and avocado-producing region departments of Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda, as well as Valle del Cauca. Most serious damage reports were from older buildings and areas in cities including Pereira, Cali, Quibdó, Armenia, and Manizales.

Landslides temporarily affected roads in avocado-producing areas, but major routes have been cleared, and smaller roads are expected to return to normal operations shortly.  Antioquia, Colombia’s largest avocado-producing department, reported little to no disruption to avocado orchards, infrastructure, or agroindustry operations.

“CAB’s assessment indicates that Colombia’s Hass avocado industry remains capable of supplying the U.S. market during the upcoming season without any expected changes,” Michel said in the recent release. “Although the industry’s infrastructure was spared, we understand that some employees, their families, and their communities have experienced personal losses, and the industry is supporting them. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected as recovery efforts continue.”

Colombia’s main-season harvest has begun in some areas and is expected to build gradually as we move toward October and November, with the peak harvest period anticipated around January.

One report from Colombia stated, “We did not experience significant damage to our operations in the departments of Quindío and Caldas or at our packing facility in Antioquia,” said Sergio Plata, country manager for Baika Fruits in Colombia. “Our employees are safe, and we are actively supporting affected communities in their recovery efforts. Our main-season harvest began in August, and we expect to have fruit available for shipment to the United States beginning around week 38.”

Ricardo Mejia, general manager of Fruty Green, which has operations in Risaralda, also reported that the company is operating normally after the earthquake. “We began harvesting during week 33, and the main-season crop is showing encouraging quality and volume. El Niño and the possibility of below-normal rainfall remain a concern, but growers are preparing and taking the steps available to manage those conditions.”

While avocado orchards and packing facilities generally avoided damage, the full extent of personal losses is still being assessed. Industry support efforts are being coordinated with Corpohass, Colombia’s association of Hass avocado growers and exporters. Those interested in additional information on how to contribute may contact Katheryn Mejia, executive director of Corpohass at [email protected]

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on two produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers from whom they purchased produce and for failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval.

The following business and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

Sorbatto Fresh LLC, operating out of Wapato, Wash., for failing to pay a $121,650 award in favor of an Oregon seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jeff Weijohn and Terrilee Weijohn were listed as members/managers of the business.

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.  

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

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

BENSON, NC - The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission Foundation has been awarded a $138,173 grant from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC) to support a new project, “Unified Approach in Eradicating GRKN,” focused on the threat of Guava Root-Knot Nematode (GRKN).

The funding will advance a comprehensive, coordinated strategy designed to protect the integrity of North Carolina’s agricultural economy and strengthen safeguards for the state’s sweetpotato industry. The grant agreement began Nov. 1, 2025, and provides resources for the Foundation to develop and carry out a specialized Scope of Services focused on addressing GRKN and supporting long-term industry sustainability.

“This partnership with the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission allows us to take a proactive stance against a pest that threatens our agricultural heritage,” said Michelle Grainger, executive director of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission Foundation, in the recent release.

The project reflects a shared commitment to protecting North Carolina agriculture through coordinated action, responsible stewardship, and industry collaboration. The Foundation will work closely with the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission to fulfill project goals through Oct. 31, 2027, and will provide regular semiannual programmatic and financial reports to the state.

Since receiving the grant, the Foundation has engaged retired North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services plant pest specialist Ann Gallagher to support the project. Gallagher brings more than 20 years of service with the department, along with extensive hands-on knowledge of sweetpotato production and plant pest management. Her experience and strong reputation within the industry will be valuable in advancing the Foundation’s efforts to address GRKN. We are fortunate to have Ann and her expertise leading this charge.

ORANGE COUNTY, CA - The 2026 Kiwifruit Innovation Award has been awarded to Dr. Mike Currie in recognition of his work developing orchard management tools and the development and commercialization of new kiwifruit varieties.

One of Dr Currie’s most significant contributions has been helping develop and promote girdling as an orchard management tool to improve fruit size and dry matter. Originally introduced to support organic growers, the practice was quickly adopted more broadly across the industry and has become an important part of the Taste Zespri program.

Dr Currie is currently the Head of Clonal Evaluation (Stage 2) at the Kiwifruit Breeding Center, a joint venture between Zespri and the Bioeconomy Science Institute, and has played a key role in the development and advancement of new kiwifruit cultivars including Hort16A (Zespri Gold), Gold3 (Zespri SunGold), Red 19 and Red80 (Zespri RubyRed).

Kiwifruit industry regulator Kiwifruit New Zealand (KNZ) Chair and award judge Samantha Sharif says in the recent release that Dr. Mike Currie’s work has helped improve orchard productivity, fruit quality and cultivar development, delivering lasting value for growers in New Zealand and across Zespri’s international growing regions.

“His research has fundamentally shaped modern kiwifruit production systems and contributed to the global success and reputation of New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry.

“Mike is widely respected for his ability to communicate highly technical information and commitment to finding practical solutions that deliver value for growers and the wider industry. His work spans research, grower extension and mentoring, and cultivar development - and the impact of that work will continue to be felt across the industry for many years to come.”

The Kiwifruit Innovation Award was established in 2015 by former Chairman of Kiwifruit New Zealand, Sir Brian Elwood, and recognizes people who have demonstrated exceptional innovation through initiatives that have made a real difference to the kiwifruit industry by solving a problem or creating lasting value.

In 2025, the award was won by Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor Brett Wotton for his initiative - the introduction of covers for picking bags to support lifting fruit quality across the industry. Previous recipients have been recognized for a range of significant contributions, including Zespri’s Kanako Inomata for the creation of the popular brand mascots the KiwiBrothers, Dr Annette Richardson for her work on improving budbreak, Dr Steve Green for transforming approaches to water and nutrient management, Cathy McKenna for pest management work that has helped preserve market access and Russell Lowe for his breeding work, including the first commercialised red kiwifruit cultivar.

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, FL - Winn-Dixie will open a new store in Keystone Heights on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 7380 State Road 100, Unit 1. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 7:30 a.m., with grand opening festivities continuing throughout the day. The ceremony will also include a $1,000 check presentation to Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High School, reinforcing Winn-Dixie’s commitment to supporting the local community.

The first 100 customers in line when the doors open at 8 a.m. will receive a Winn-Dixie mystery gift card valued between $10 and $100.

Customers are invited to explore the new store while enjoying DJ entertainment, product sampling, giveaways, and kids’ activities. Prizes will be raffled each hour, including three $500 Winn-Dixie gift cards, a YETI cooler, a Masterbuilt 710 Wi-Fi Digital Electric Smoker and a Blackstone grill. (Must be 18 or older and present to win.)

The opening reflects Winn-Dixie’s continued investment in its home state of Florida and will bring a fresh, modern shopping experience, convenient meal solutions, and everyday value to Keystone Heights and surrounding communities.

According the recent release, the new Keystone Heights Winn-Dixie store offers:

• Fresh, modern design with a vibrant exterior façade and contemporary interior signage inspired by Winn-Dixie's century-long heritage.
• Extensive produce department featuring a wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, including organic and Hispanic options.
• Dedicated seafood department featuring fresh seafood on ice and the popular Seafood Made Easy program with ready-to-cook seafood, vegetables, and seasonings.
• Full-service deli with freshly sliced meats and cheeses, self-serve hot foods, prepared sandwiches and salads, plus Winn-Dixie’s iconic Lip
• Lickin' Chicken offerings, including rotisserie chicken, popcorn chicken and wings.
• Full bakery featuring fresh breads, pastries, cakes and desserts, including Cuban and Puerto Rican rolls and tres leches cakes.
• Complete meat department offering a wide assortment of fresh meats, including USDA Choice selections.
• Assortment of authentic Hispanic products across every department, including culturally relevant grocery staples, fresh foods, and prepared favorites that reflect the diverse tastes and preferences of local customers.
• Award-winning Own Brand products, including Essentials, SE Grocers, Prestige and Know & Love, helping customers save an average of 20% compared to national brands.
• Self-checkout lanes for added convenience and quicker shopping trips.

SALINAS, CA - Every time we write a market update or a Snack Magazine feature, our editorial team and the subject are taking on a fraction of the gamble suppliers make every time they project a crop. Experience informs educated guesses, but try as we all might, there is always the catch that things could change on a dime.

In Famous Software’s recent post, Packing Optimization: How Predictive Planning Transforms Pack-Out Decisions, the company points out that vast resources of institutional knowledge can be tapped through ERP historical data.

“The system looks at the year-over-year trend for each account, identifies the week, the commodity, the volume, and the packaging configuration—and tells your production team, ahead of the EDI drop, what to pack and for whom. Not with 100 percent certainty. With 90 percent confidence based on everything that has actually happened in your operation. Your team still makes the call. The AI tells them what the data says,” the team states.

The tool is offered at a time when our industry is in constant discussion about the transition of information as many experienced veterans retire and information gaps occur.

Pointing to itself, the company shared that the operators who've run Famous Software the longest are sitting on years of order history inside their ERP, with an example many in our industry can relate to.

“...what Costco ordered in week 27, what the East Coast accounts needed the second week of July. Right now, those patterns live in one person's head, surfacing in a Thursday-morning meeting as a hunch—‘we usually see a big Costco run this time of year, let's get ahead of it.’ That knowledge is real, but it's fragile. It walks out the door when that person retires,” the post points out.

With order history, packaging requirements, and commodity data that Famous has been building into a produce-specific data infrastructure for 50 years, this is technology’s latest step bringing us ever closer to the crystal ball the produce industry is always longing for.

CASHMERE, WA - Crunch Pak®, a leader in licensed fresh produce and snacking solutions, and Alpine Fresh, a premier grower and distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables, have partnered to launch a first-to-market Bluey™ branded blueberry program.

Launching at the end of August, shoppers will find fresh blueberries featuring Bluey, one of the world's most beloved entertainment properties, on specially designed pint packaging created to bring added fun and familiarity to the produce department. Building on the momentum of Crunch Pak’s Bluey organic apple program, the blueberry launch expands the character-driven fresh produce platform into the berry category at retail.

The collaboration brings together Crunch Pak's expertise in licensed produce programs and Alpine Fresh's commitment to delivering premium-quality blueberries, creating a product designed to engage families, encourage consumption, and stand out at shelf through fully integrated packaging.

"Bluey has become a trusted favorite among families, making it a natural fit for the fresh produce category," said Jay Zimmerman, Licensing and Innovation Manager at Crunch Pak, in the recent release. "Our goal is to create products that make healthy choices more engaging for kids while providing retailers with innovative programs that capture shopper attention and drive excitement in the produce aisle."

The Bluey blueberry pints are designed to offer parents a nutritious snack option while providing children with packaging featuring characters they know and love. Unlike a standard sticker application, the program uses a custom top-seal film that integrates Bluey artwork directly into the package design, creating a more premium, ownable presentation and helping the product command attention in the refrigerated berry set.

"Bluey is one of the most recognizable family brands in the marketplace today, making it a powerful vehicle for driving consumer engagement in fresh produce," said Ashley Yager, Director of Marketing, Alpine Fresh. "This partnership provides retailers with a unique merchandising opportunity that differentiates the berry category, attracts young families, and reinforces the value of fresh fruit as an everyday choice for families. We're proud to work alongside Crunch Pak to bring this innovative program to market and make it available to retail partners looking to add excitement to the berry set."

Licensed produce programs continue to create opportunities for retailers to differentiate their assortments and connect with family shoppers. Through this partnership, Crunch Pak and Alpine Fresh aim to inspire more produce purchases while delivering a fun, engaging shopping experience.