MIAMI, FL - Continental Fresh is proud to announce that it has been awarded First Place in the Brand Citizenship category at the National Agri-Marketing Association’s (NAMA) 2025 Best of NAMA Awards.

Recognized as the premier organization for agri-marketing professionals, NAMA hosts the annual Best of NAMA program to spotlight excellence in agricultural communications. Following regional recognition in January, Continental Fresh advanced to the national competition, receiving top honors for its Water For All campaign—a purpose-driven marketing and PR initiative highlighting the company’s commitment to improving access to clean water in Latin America.

The Brand Citizenship category is a public relations award that evaluates campaigns based on strategic planning, execution, and measurable results. A panel of industry experts judged, first at the regional level and then nationally, for qualifying winners.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition from NAMA,” said Albert Perez, CEO of Continental Fresh, in a recent press release. “The Water For All campaign represents more than a message; it’s a movement. We believe that fresh produce can serve a greater purpose, and this award reinforces our mission to use agriculture as a force for good.”

Continental Fresh collaborated with Ten Acre Marketing, a full-service agency focused on that positioned advance agriculture. Together, the team developed and executed a comprehensive campaign that elevated the Water For All message across digital platforms, media outlets, and trade events.

“Our vision is to amplify the power of agriculture,” said Leah Halverson, Founder and CEO of Ten Acre Marketing. “Promoting Continental Fresh’s Water For All program is a direct example of how we can measure this vision in action. It’s fitting that this work earned us our first, First Place award at Best of NAMA.”

The Water For All initiative is rooted in the belief that every box of fresh produce can have a larger impact. A portion of the proceeds from specially labeled mango boxes funds clean water and sanitation projects through BLUE Missions, transforming lives in rural communities throughout Latin America.

To learn more about the Water For All program, visit www.continentalfresh.com.

WENATCHEE, WA - CMI Orchards, a recognized leader in the apple, pear, and cherry industry, is pleased to announce a series of transformative updates that further solidify its position as one of the world’s premier fruit suppliers. Fueled by sustained growth and strategic alignment, CMI continues to expand both its operational footprint and its team to meet rising global demand.

Following the closure of Sage Fruit Company, CMI Orchards proudly welcomed Chelan Fruit, Legacy Fruit, and Pacific Coast Cherry Packers into its family of packing facilities. The integration of these warehouses, along with the increased volume of apples and cherries, positions CMI as the world’s leading supplier of both commodities.

Through the recent expansion, CMI has significantly broadened its growing regions to include the Yakima Valley, Hood River, and The Dalles, while also adding acreage in the Columbia Basin, and the Wenatchee Valley - ensuring access to some of the most premium fruit-growing areas in the country.

In a milestone development, cherry packing operations are returning to Yakima, WA for CMI, after many years. This facility, strategically situated near southern Washington orchards, enhances operational efficiency, strengthens quality control, and increases access to the region’s high-quality cherry supply.

CMI remains dedicated to innovation and excellence, especially in the high-flavor apple category. The company now handles nearly half of the total SugarBee® apple crop, reinforcing its leadership in this sought-after variety and satisfying the growing appetite for premium, flavor-forward apples.

Additionally, the combined strengths of former Sage Fruit partners in Yakima have bolstered CMI’s regional distribution network, ensuring faster, more efficient delivery and service across the country.

“As we grow, our commitment to quality and long-term partnerships remains unwavering,” said Bob Mast, President of CMI Orchards, in a recent press release. “We’re thrilled to welcome three new team members from Sage Fruit, Kaci Komstadius, Doug Hearron, and Rich Mendonza, whose experience and expertise will further elevate our service and capabilities.”

To accommodate its expanding team and operations, the CMI corporate headquarters will be relocating to a new, state-of-the-art facility at the Confluence Technology Center in Wenatchee in late April. These exciting updates reflect CMI’s ongoing mission to lead with integrity, deliver exceptional fruit, and build lasting partnerships across the produce industry.

GLENNVILLE, GA - As announced by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Vidalia Onion Committee, it is the official start of Vidalia Sweet Onion season. Bland Farms has completed its first round of harvesting and will begin shipping to retailers nationwide.

While overall volume is expected to be lower than last year’s unusually large harvest, the 2025 season is projected to follow a more typical cycle and continue through early September. Despite cooler and wetter growing conditions, Bland Farms reports that this year’s crop is showing strong quality and consistent flavor.

“This year’s crop may be slightly lighter in volume, but the quality is excellent,” said Troy Bland, CEO of Bland Farms, in a recent press release. “We’re seeing great flavor and uniformity across the fields, and our team is fully prepared to meet demand throughout the summer.”

Headquartered in Glennville, Georgia, Bland Farms represents approximately one-quarter of the total Vidalia Sweet Onion market, making it the largest grower, packer, and shipper in the industry. The company also operates the largest controlled-environment storage facility in the category, ensuring optimal freshness and extended availability throughout the season.

Bland Farms continues to lead in both agricultural innovation and sustainability. Among its latest initiatives is the introduction of laser weeders in its organic Vidalia fields—a method designed to eliminate the need for chemical herbicides, reduce labor, and promote faster, healthier growth. The company currently dedicates over 100 acres to organic Vidalia production, with plans to expand as consumer demand continues to rise.

“We’ve always believed that farming should be as responsible as it is productive,” said Delbert Bland, Owner of Bland Farms. “Our team continues to invest in innovation while staying rooted in the values that built this company—quality, transparency, and care for the land.”

In response to evolving consumer preferences, Bland Farms has doubled its bagged onion production over the past five years. The company now operates eight full-time bagging lines, reflecting the growing demand for packaged and traceable produce.

“Keeping our retailers and consumers happy is our top priority,” said Sloan Lott, Director of Sales at Bland Farms. “We pivot based on market trends and are always looking for meaningful ways to engage consumers—which, in turn, drives value for our retail partners. This season, we're focusing on families and encouraging everyone to slow down and savor the simple pleasures of summer.”

To support this initiative, Bland Farms is launching its new consumer campaign, Savor Summer’s Sweetest Moments.

The campaign will feature Vidalia-based recipes, seasonal giveaways, engaging social media content, and branded in-store merchandising designed to increase awareness and drive sales throughout the season.

The 2025 Vidalia Sweet Onion season is expected to run through early September, in line with typical seasonal availability.

HOUSTON, TX - Sysco Corporation announced its new partnership as the official wholesale food distributor for the MICHELIN Guide.

The collaboration links the world’s largest food distributor to one of the world’s most celebrated culinary events. The partnership will be celebrated at the 2025 MICHELIN Guide Florida Ceremony in Orlando on April 17 and will bring Sysco’s high-quality, premium products and culinary expertise to one of the world’s most celebrated culinary events.

The MICHELIN Guide is renowned for its prestigious ratings and in-depth reviews of restaurants worldwide, representing the pinnacle of gastronomic achievement.

“We are delighted to join forces with the MICHELIN Guide to honor chefs who are committed to delivering extraordinary dining experiences. Florida’s restaurant scene is incredibly dynamic and diverse, and we are excited to see many of our Sysco customers recognized with MICHELIN Stars or other distinctions,” said Jane Grout, Sysco Region President – North Florida Region, in a recent press release. “Sysco is honored to support these exceptional culinary professionals with top-quality ingredients and resources.”

In addition to distribution and its industry-leading product range, Sysco provides culinary consultations and innovative solutions to elevate menu concepts for chefs to stand out in the ever-evolving restaurant industry. Grout is presenting the MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award at the ceremony on April 17, celebrating the vital role that emerging culinary talent plays in shaping the future of the industry.

“It is an honor to present the Young Chef Award, which highlights the incredible passion, skill, and determination of the next generation of culinary talent making their mark at Sysco, we are committed to nurturing these rising stars, helping them to create unforgettable culinary experiences and to inspiring innovation in their kitchens,” says Grout.

This is Sysco’s second partnership with Michelin, following the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Texas Ceremony in November 2024.

Learn more about the 2025 MICHELIN Guide Florida Ceremony here.

SOUTH AFRICA - A critical supplier to the United States market, Summer Citrus from South Africa helps ensure U.S. consumers have access to citrus year-round. In a recent newsletter, Chief Executive Officer Suhanra Conradie offered the industry a glimpse into current operations and vital information to help partners prepare.

“From our side, March and April are very important months, as we plan all aspects throughout the total supply chain, based on the demand for the U.S. market,” Suhanra noted. “From a production point of view, we expect a very normal crop, with sufficient supply of citrus to adhere to the demand of the market during the summer months in the U.S. Our mission is to complement local production when otherwise unavailable.”

Clementines are likely to arrive in the U.S. toward the end of May into early June. Navel varieties may begin to arrive in mid-June onward, and Star Ruby is expected to arrive from the end of June into early July. Mandarins are expected around July onward.

Suhanra made an additional note regarding tariffs and what customers need to know regarding the company’s positioning.

“A lot has been said regarding the tariffs, but it is normal that any tariff could have an impact on any kind of trade,” she wrote. “In terms of the Summer Citrus from South Africa program, we can state the following: We have sufficient supply to adhere to the retail demand for our product, and we are confident regarding:

1. The exceptional eating quality of our fruit
2. Our reliable and sophisticated supply chain
3. The support and collaboration from all our service providers

It is now for all the individual and relevant parties to make the economics work!”

AndNowUKnow will continue to keep you updated on all things fresh, so stay tuned.

WASHINGTON, DC - American tomato farmers nationwide and the Florida Tomato Exchange applauded the announcement by the U.S. Department of Commerce to terminate the 2019 U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement, effective July 14, 2025.

“This is a major victory for American agriculture,” said Robert Guenther, Executive Vice President of the Florida Tomato Exchange, in a recent press release. “For decades, American tomato farmers have suffered from unfair trade practices by Mexican tomato exporters. Terminating this agreement and enforcing U.S. trade laws is the only way to finally give domestic growers the relief they’ve long deserved. We thank the Administration for standing strong in support of American farmers and the rule of law against unfair foreign trade practices.”

The Department’s decision comes in response to a 2023 petition from the U.S. tomato industry, which was backed by more than 60 bipartisan Members of Congress from 11 states, the American Farm Bureau Federation, state Farm Bureaus from all nine major tomato-producing states, and 15 fruit and vegetable trade associations across the country.

Despite five suspension agreements since 1996, Mexican tomato companies have continued to dump product into the U.S. market, undercutting American growers and circumventing enforcement mechanisms. Since the first agreement, Mexican tomato imports have surged nearly 400%, capturing over 70% of the U.S. market. During that same period, the U.S. industry’s market share has dropped from 80% to 30%.

In 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce found Mexican tomatoes were being dumped in the United States at high margins, and the U.S. International Trade Commission unanimously confirmed the material injurious effect of that dumping on the American tomato industry. The decision enforces those findings and moves to restore fair competition in the marketplace.

“The tomato suspension agreement failed American farmers,” said Guenther. “It has been impossible to enforce and easy to evade. The action finally ends the cycle of harm that has decimated the American tomato industry over nearly three decades.”

Background

• The original U.S. antidumping investigation of Mexican tomato imports began in 1996 but was suspended through successive agreements with the Mexican industry.
• In 2019, at the request of U.S. growers led by the Florida Tomato Exchange, the Commerce Department resumed the investigation. It found that Mexican tomatoes were being dumped.
• The U.S. International Trade Commission unanimously confirmed the injurious effect of the Mexican dumping on American tomato producers.

Next Steps

• The termination of the Suspension Agreement will take effect July 14, 2025.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection will begin requiring antidumping cash deposits on entries of Mexican tomatoes as of that date.
• No additional investigative steps are required, as the underlying antidumping case was completed in 2019.