SALINAS, CA - On March 20, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) moved the compliance deadline for the Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204) from January 20, 2026, to July 20, 2028. This reprieve was greeted as good news by companies struggling to determine how they were going to collect, track and report the required information, but the actual requirements of FSMA 204 remain unchanged, and many companies are seeing the value of continuing to prepare now for FSMA 204 through the digital transformation of their supply chains.

FSMA 204 requires reporting within 24 hours of certain Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) and Key Data Elements (KDEs) not only for each company notified by the FDA of a food borne illness outbreak or food recall, but for the companies they received the product or ingredients from, and the companies they shipped the product to. CTEs are triggered any time a food product moves (including from one location to another at the same company), is transformed (e.g. cooled or processed) or is handled significantly. “Looking at their existing record keeping and data collection, many companies got a reality check on how much there is to do, not only within their own four walls, but with their supply chain partners as well,” said Gary Fleming, Inteligistics CEO, “at the same time, companies were beginning to see how the data could be used to improve operations, so they are continuing to move forward.”

Much of the product tracking and record keeping of perishable products as they move from field to consumer has historically been manually recorded, captured in unconnected applications, or not been captured at all. This limits the ability to spot bottlenecks and problems that could be costing companies significantly. Assigning GTIN, Traceability Lot Codes and applying PTI labels to each case is the first step in creating a tracking mechanism. Collecting all the data into a system that can track, report and analyze all the end-to-end data is the ultimate goal. This digital transformation automates data collection and tracking across data platforms to enhance visibility, efficiency, agility, and decision-making, transforming traditional processes into intelligent, data-driven operations. For companies producing and selling perishable products, this reduces costs, labor and waste.

"FSMA 204 was created because the FDA was not able to quickly perform trace-back and trace-forward investigations. This meant that tainted products remained in the supply chain for a longer period than was necessary, resulting in more people getting sick and additional people dying.” Fleming continued in a recent press release, “While delayed, FSMA 204 is here to stay as it will solve the problems by speeding up FDA investigations, resulting in quicker, more precise conclusions. This will help save lives, prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, and will minimize exposure to implicated companies and the broader market affected by recall notices. Beyond the food safety elements, the data capture and sharing now available from Inteligistics gives the industry visibility we have not had before, which enables us to be more efficient and strategic, reduce supply chain management costs and address problems that affect all our bottom lines today, while we prepare for FSMA implementation.”

AUSTIN, TX - Whole Foods Market announces its highly anticipated Supplier All-Star Awards, recognizing 16 exceptional brands that have significantly impacted their aisles through quality, innovation, value, reliability, and sustainability.

These awards honor both emerging and established brands, ranging from two to thirty years on the retailer’s shelves, as the company celebrates 13 years of acknowledging outstanding partnerships. Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at Whole Foods Market, said in a recent press release, “Each of these Supplier All-Stars brings something truly special to our shelves—whether it’s raising the bar on quality, driving innovation or helping deliver more value to our customers.”

The Supplier All-Star Awards winners are chosen by a team of experts, including Whole Foods Market leaders, category experts, sourcing leaders, and foragers, spanning all departments and product categories.

Recipients include:

• Acme Smoked Fish Co.

• Aurora Organic Dairy

• Café Spice

• Driscoll’s

• E&E Foods, Inc.

• Golden West Food Group

• Homegrown Organic Farms

• Jovial Foods, Inc.

• Laoban

• Siggi’s

• TCHO

• Teton Waters Ranch

• The Campbell’s Company

• Tony’s Chocolonely

• Vive Organic

• Willamette Valley Pie Company

LOS ANGELES, CA - Wonderful® Pistachios returns as the Official Snack sponsor for Combo Breaker 2025, marking its second year at the renowned video game and tournament series.

The brand will introduce its new Dill Pickle flavor of No Shells at the event, offering free samples to attendees who are watching or participating in the competition.

Expected to draw 8,000 attendees with additional viewers tuning in online, Combo Breaker is the second largest video game convention and tournament series in the U.S. dedicated to competitive fighting games. The brand will engage the crowd through sampling stations, where attendees can try the new flavor and other No Shells varieties. Wonderful Pistachios will also connect with esports fans via Twitch livestreams, showcasing No Shells advertisements that highlight the brand’s commitment to fun and healthy snacking.

Diana Salsa, Vice President of Marketing, said in a recent press release, “Our second year kicks off with a bold, brand-new flavor that’s going to be a game-changer.” She added, “Dill Pickle is the flavor of 2025, and consumer taste tests put it right up there with our bestsellers. It’s got the perfect punch to appeal to everyone—especially gamers looking for a tasty snack to level up with.”

The 2024 U.S. Video Game Industry report revealed that 61% of Americans play video games, with approximately 190.6 million weekly players spanning various demographics. Reports also show that nearly half of U.S. consumers snack three or more times per day, with 64.1% actively seeking snacks perceived as "good for them."

As consumers continue to gravitate toward healthier snack options, Wonderful Pistachios No Shells include trendy flavors like Dill Pickle, perfect for fueling gamers during extended sessions. With six grams of protein, three grams of fiber, and unsaturated fats, the product offers a guilt-free snack option to keep snackers full.

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.