LAS VEGAS, NV - As bridges continue to build around the store's perimeter, Sun World International recently shined a spotlight on its AUTUMNCRISP® grape variety—a sweet addition to the gourmet snacking space—for the specialty side of the industry at the Specialty Food Association's Winter Fancy Food Show.

“AUTUMNCRISP® is one of our varieties launched by Sun World,” Elena Hernandez, Director of Global Marketing Insights, shared exclusively with AndNowUKnow's sister publication, Deli Market News. “We have over 3,000 growers globally growing in 17 different countries, so we're able to offer year-round global supply.”

Drawing consumers in with quality and flavor, AUTUMNCRISP® grapes are sweet and juicy with a great crisp texture. As Elena shared, they go really well with savory options like different cheeses and meats for charcuterie boards, serving as a staple for gourmet snacking. If you’re looking for a way to promote specialty sales with a standout offering, look no further!

“Chefs really love having that flavor profile go with savory options,” Elena added. “We're open to talk to anyone that would like to have fruit in a fresh offering that would be a great bonus to options like meats and cheeses.”

Check out our exclusive video above to learn more!

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - This April, Chiquita is taking bananas to the next level with the launch of its national Chiquita Day campaign, rallying fans across the country to Be Bananas in the boldest, brightest, most joyful way possible. Rooted in the brand’s global Pop by Nature platform, the multi-channel campaign reimagines National Banana Day as a full-blown cultural moment—one that encourages people to embrace their silly side, celebrate color and creativity, and share feel-good energy with the world.

“Be Bananas is more than just a theme—it’s a mindset,” said Juliana Furlan, Director of Marketing at Chiquita North America, in a recent press release. “From surprise giveaways, art collaborations and feel-good moments, we’re inviting fans everywhere to tap into the vibrant spirit of Chiquita. It’s about showing up as your most joyful self—and having a little fun while you’re at it.”

At the heart of the campaign is the four-day Chiquita Day activation in Miami, a free, interactive pop-up that transforms the Aventura Mall into a Be Bananas zone of delight and discovery. Running April 16–19, the experience brings Chiquita’s iconic blue sticker to life through immersive art, technology and plenty of unexpected moments. This year’s activation is part of Chiquita’s global Pop by Nature campaign, a vibrant celebration of the brand’s bold personality and creative spirit, designed to connect with fans through color, movement and moments of delight.

Be Bananas: What to Expect

The National Chiquita Day campaign and activation at Aventura Mall features:

• Artist Meet & Greet Press Conference + Ribbon Cutting: Special media moment with artist Sebastián Curi, the creative force behind the 2025 Pop by Nature campaign. The event in Miami will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Curi and attendees will get an exclusive look at the inspiration behind his vibrant work.
• UGC Moments & Nationwide Giveaway: Fans across the U.S. are encouraged to show us how to Be Bananas on social with #ChiquitaDaySweepstakes and tagging @ChiquitaBanana on Instagram or @ChiquitaBananaOfficial on TikTok for a chance to win fun surprises, including one of 50 instant cameras customized with Curi’s artwork.*
  Immersive Kinect® Experience: Event visitors become the banana in an interactive, body-tracking digital game.
• Colorful Instagrammable Zones: Because Chiquita knows a banana day isn’t complete without a few shareable snaps in the banana-inspired backdrops.
• Creator Campaign: Dynamic creators will amplify the Be Bananas spirit, posting high-energy content, encouraging their audiences to join the fun, generate user content and enter the nationwide giveaway.
• Back Pack Social Giveaway: In continued celebration of Chiquita Day, the brand is hosting a social promotion to give away 1,000 “Pop by Nature” backpacks now through April 27. Visit @chiquitabanana on Instagram for more details!

Fans can visit the Aventura Mall in Miami to experience the Chiquita Day activation from April 16 to 19, 2025, running daily from the mall’s opening to closing. The event is completely free and open to the public, so whether you're swinging by for a quick selfie in front of the banana-inspired backdrops or planning to stay and dance like a digital banana in our Kinect® zone, there's something for everyone. Expect bold colors, big energy, surprise moments and a whole lot of bananas. Don’t forget to join the fun online using #ChiquitaDay and #ChiquitaDaySweepstakes—because this is one celebration that’s too a-peel-ing to miss.

Chiquita Day aims to spotlight the banana as the most joyful fruit on the planet—and no brand is better suited to lead that charge than Chiquita. The brand will also be providing exclusive behind-the-scenes access, event photography, and video content for press use. Additional amplifications and internal events are planned worldwide to extend the celebration even further.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Five Star Produce Central Alabama LLC, satisfied a $750 reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.

The Birmingham, Ala., company has met its obligations and is now free to operate in the produce industry. Donald P. Hinkle was listed as the manager and member of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.

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.

Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individuals.

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

HOUSTON, TX - The 2025 Viva Fresh Expo commemorated its 10^th anniversary this year, and the momentum has never been stronger. With a completely sold-out show floor, attendee registration of 2,760 participants—including 438 buyers—the 2025 event is a powerful testament to a decade of progress and purpose.

The show opened with an unforgettable keynote from José Hernández, the former migrant farm worker who became a NASA astronaut. His deeply personal story of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of a dream struck a powerful chord with the audience. More than 100 attendees waited in line following his talk to shake his hand, take a photo, and thank him personally—many visibly moved by the connection between his journey and their own experiences or family histories. His presence not only inspired but set the tone for a weekend centered on the people and the pride they have in the produce industry.

Educational sessions throughout the show delivered powerful insights and sparked critical conversation, with a standout session on tariffs drawing overflow attendance. The room was packed with a standing-room-only crowd and dozens of questions from attendees eager to understand both the immediate impacts and long-term implications of global trade shifts. The session closed with a call to action for a follow-up webinar to be held on April 17 at 12:00 p.m. CT, featuring former Walmart and Costco executive Manolo Reyes. Titled OTIF 2.0, From KPI to Culture, Strengthening North America’s Fresh Supply Chain, the webinar will dive into the future of vendor relationships and the growing need for transparency and collaborative partnerships based on human-centered supply chains during this new tariff-driven era. Registration for the free Zoom webinar is now open.

“This year is more than just a milestone—it’s a movement,” said Dante Galeazzi, President of The Texas International Produce Association, in a recent press release. “We’ve seen this show grow from a regional event into a nationally respected platform for innovation, community, and meaningful industry dialogue. And this year’s energy is unmatched, with more industry engagement than ever, with everyone ready to network and build new relationships.”

As the doors opened this morning, attendees were met with high-energy networking, vendor showcases, product tastings, and the many acknowledgments of the growers, retailers, and industry leaders whose vision and dedication have built the foundation of Viva Fresh over the past decade.

A special highlight of the celebration is the 10^th Anniversary Mural that welcomed everyone in the hotel lobby, a vibrant, large-scale installation composed of more than 4,000 photos captured during the previous nine years and showcasing the Viva Fresh community. The mural serves as a powerful visual tribute to the people and stories that have shaped the show into what it is today.

From its beginnings as a regional gathering to its status as a must-attend event in the produce industry calendar, Viva Fresh continues to lead with a focus rooted in the vison of elevating the people and products of the Tex-Mex corridor. Here’s to the next ten years!

KENNETT SQUARE, PA - In a bold move to support U.S. retailers and health-conscious consumers, Caputo & Guest, the largest U.S.-based grower of fresh exotic mushrooms, has cut prices across its organic mushroom line.

The price drop comes as part of a strategic expansion in domestic production designed to reduce America’s reliance on imported mushrooms—many of which have been quietly labeled as “Product of the USA” despite being grown in China and other Asian countries.

With demand for organic specialty mushrooms like Shiitake, King Oyster, Lion’s Mane, and Pearl Oyster surging—up 58.6% over the last three years —Caputo & Guest is meeting the moment with more accessible pricing, improved nationwide distribution, and a strong message: Buy 100% U.S.-grown. Eat well. Know your food’s roots.

“We’ve invested heavily in expanding our operations so we can offer premium, organic mushrooms at everyday prices—no imports needed,” said Jeffery Guest Jr., General Manager. “This move is about food transparency, sustainability, and giving customers more value.”

A Tariff-Proof Alternative to Imported Mushrooms

Many consumers may be unaware that a significant portion of organic mushrooms are actually grown in China or Southeast Asia, then shipped to the U.S. for packaging. In contrast, Caputo & Guest mushrooms are cultivated start-to-finish in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, known as The Mushroom Capital of the World.

With tariffs and supply chain uncertainty looming, Caputo & Guest’s investment in 750,000 square feet of sustainable farming space helps ensure a reliable, transparent, and tariff-proof supply chain.

Caputo & Guest, LLC

Caputo & Guest mushrooms are certified organic and grown using upcycled materials like oak and poplar sawdust, and grain—without any fertilizers or pesticides.

“We’re not just growing mushrooms—we’re growing a better food system,” said Louis Caputo, COO, in a recent press release. “We’re here to help retailers elevate their produce aisles and give shoppers the sustainable options they deserve.”

• Exceptional Flavor and Organic Mushroom Experience – Created with home chefs in mind, every pack includes a QR code linking to original recipes like Lion’s Mane “Steak”, Wood-Fired Pizza, and Exotic Mushroom Tacos.
• Certified USDA Organic – Grown with a proprietary blend of clean, sustainable inputs.
• Sustainable Farms – Full vertical integration means mushrooms are grown, harvested, and packed on-site in Pennsylvania.

Expanded Sliced Varieties

Including popular gourmet mushrooms like Shiitake, King Oyster, and Lion’s Mane, ready for retail. A Full Line of Premium Specialty Mushrooms Caputo & Guest’s certified organic lineup includes:

• Shiitake (whole or sliced) – America’s favorite specialty mushroom.
• Lion’s Mane (whole or sliced) – Brain-boosting, steak-like, and flavorful.
• King Oyster (whole or sliced) – Meaty, versatile, and ideal for grilling.
• Pearl Oyster – Nutty, tender, perfect for stir-fries and sautés.
• Maitake – Deep, earthy, and packed with savory umami.