CARLSBAD, CA - I have always loved speaking with Cathy Burns. She has a captivating way of tuning into your world, no matter your circumstances, and connecting with you in meaningful and unexpected ways. Maybe it is her intense curiosity or the way she still listens like a student, keen to learn and experience the world around her. Whatever passion and dedication it is that drives her, it has a gravity that is contagious. As we approach the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference (WFPC) on April 13–15 in Carlsbad, California, the Chief Executive Officer of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), allowed me entry into that wonderful mind and her commitment to the WFPC.

Cathy, you make each attendee feel individually seen and heard every year. It is quite a feat and an inspiration. I know this cause holds a special place in your heart. Can you take me back to the beginning, what was the original inspiration behind creating the Women's Fresh Perspectives Conference?

The inspiration for the first conference goes back to before IFPA was formed, when the legacy organization Produce Marketing Association, in 2011, identified a need to support female leaders in produce and floral who were underrepresented at the top management level and provide opportunities for connection and professional development. The first conference was held in 2012, and was created to address the unique challenges women face to expand their leadership impact. By focusing on core leadership skills and addressing broader issues that uniquely affect women leaders, the conference aims to strengthen the industry and promote inclusion and belonging.

This program not only supports women at all stages of their careers it also fosters a supportive community and encourages collaboration among women in the industry.

Can you share this year’s priorities and vision, and how the conference addresses the specific needs of women at different stages of their careers?

Each year, we develop content and topics that address the pressing needs of women's leadership through a combination of data, input from our committee, and observation of global challenges and opportunities. This year’s theme is Together We Grow! and will address authentic leadership, courage, focus, self-awareness, online image, work-life integration, finding your voice, and more. We are very intentional about setting up our program so that it meets all attendees’ needs, regardless of their experience or segment.

Everyone should feel like they are getting a personalized experience through programming and networking opportunities. We learn and grow individually, but the design allows us to learn from one another and embrace new tools. It also positions us to share key takeaways with others when we return to our day-to-day operations.

The WFPC fosters a supportive community and encourages collaboration among women in the industry. How is the event able to achieve this when there are so many category competitors, age groups, life experiences, and leadership levels all in the same room?

The Women's Fresh Perspectives Conference is about creating a welcoming and safe space where everyone can truly be themselves, regardless of their titles or affiliations.

We believe in fostering an atmosphere of honesty, openness, and vulnerability, encouraging everyone to step out of their comfort zones and embrace growth. From the very beginning, we set a tone that makes everyone feel at ease, ready to share their experiences and insights. Our sessions are thoughtfully designed to blend learning with collaboration. Through a mix of interactive workshops, engaging panel discussions, and ample networking opportunities, we offer a personalized experience that speaks to each participant's unique journey. This collaborative approach ensures that attendees not only gain valuable knowledge and skills but also form meaningful connections with their peers.

Together, we build a supportive community that extends well beyond the two days of the conference.

You have always shared wonderful words of wisdom with me over the years. Going into this conference, what is one piece of advice that you live by that is especially significant at this moment?

In many of the e-mail digests I get each day, there is a growing emphasis on the crucial role leadership plays today. I’ve always felt true leadership comes down to one word: Will—used three different ways:

A question: Will you lead? Will you help your team and your customers through a crisis or new opportunity? Will you unleash the best in others to grow your business faster?

A noun: Do you have the will to serve others? Do you have the self-awareness to do so?

If the answer to the first two is “Yes,” then declare “I will …..” and have the confidence and courage to make things happen.

Cathy, thank you for your time and passion always. I have highlighted, noted, and earmarked these words of advice indefinitely.

Ladies, see you in Carlsbad!

DANVILLE, VA - AeroFarms, the leading supplier of microgreens to the U.S. retail market, announced the launch of its newest microgreen: Micro Bok Choy. AeroFarms Micro Bok Choy is the first of its kind in U.S. retail, delivering a unique and versatile flavor for everyday meals. The mild and sweet flavor of Micro Bok Choy serves as a perfect complement to sandwiches, stir-fries, smoothies, and tacos, while its texture and bite-size appeal create an ideal lettuce substitute for center-of-the-plate salad greens. The company’s new microgreen is available for purchase at leading retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, Giant Food, and H Mart.

Micro Bok Choy is the newest addition to the company’s portfolio of seven microgreen products that deliver an exciting culinary experience across a wide FlavorSpectrum™. Each product coincides with a color on the company’s FlavorSpectrum, that represents a specific flavor profile. For example, cool blue colors deliver sweet and mild notes, while reds exude a bold and zesty kick. Micro Bok Choy is categorized as “purple” in the FlavorSpectrum, signifying a mellow, clean flavor with hints of sweetness.

“At AeroFarms, our obsession with flavor fuels our innovation, but nutrition is our true passion. Microgreens contain four-to-40 times more nutrients than their mature vegetable counterparts,” said AeroFarms CEO Molly Montgomery, in a recent press release. “It’s not only the quantity of calories that you consume that is important, but the quality of calories. Microgreens, including our new Micro Bok Choy, are a nutrient-dense source of essential phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals that can elevate taste AND nutrition at every meal.”

All AeroFarms microgreen varieties are grown and packaged at the company’s indoor vertical farm located in Danville, Virginia. AeroFarms microgreens are grown using AeroFarms patented aeroponics technology and use 90% less water and 230 times less land than traditional farming. No pesticides are used on the plants, eliminating the need to wash before eating. When consumers choose to include AeroFarms microgreens in their daily meal plan, they can feel confident that they are choosing greens that are both highly nutritious and sustainably grown.

Today, AeroFarms owns more than 70% of the U.S. retail market share for microgreens. To find AeroFarms’ Micro Bok Choy and the company’s portfolio of microgreens at a store nearby, visit aerofarms.com/store-locator.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - On Sunday, April 6th, Grimmway Produce Group (GPG) President and CEO, Jeff Huckaby, announced the recipients of the 2025 Grimmway Produce Group Scholarship Program, formerly the Grimmway Farms Scholarship Program. This annual initiative, open exclusively to the children of GPG employees, supports high school seniors in their pursuit of higher education and vocational training. Recipients were celebrated during an awards ceremony held at our annual company picnic.

The GPG Scholarship Program is awarded to the children of employees who are high school seniors seeking to further their education by either attending a two or four-year college or university, many of whom are the first in their family to attend college. This year, we were also excited to announce our new Vocational Scholarship, designed specifically for high school seniors pursuing education at vocational or trade schools. The scholarships are granted based on academic achievement and are renewable for four years. Applicants of the program who have a grade point average of 4.0 or greater also received a laptop computer in addition to their monetary scholarship.

“At Grimmway Produce Group, we are proud to support our family of employees and the next generation of professionals, leaders, and innovators. Supporting these students as they take the next step in their education journey is a privilege, and I look forward to seeing all they accomplish. They represent the future, and we’re proud to play a role in helping them build it,” said Jeff Huckaby, President and CEO, in a recent press release.

“These students have shown incredible dedication and determination throughout their academic journey. We’re proud to stand behind them as they pursue their goals,” said Dana Brennan, Vice President of External Affairs and Corporate Responsibility. “Their achievements reflect the strong values and work ethic shared by our GPG family of employees, and we’re excited to see how they continue to grow and contribute to their communities.”

This year’s recipients plan to attend a wide range of universities, community colleges, and trade schools, pursuing studies in fields such as agriculture, healthcare, engineering, education, and business. The scholarship program has awarded hundreds of scholarships since its inception, creating long-lasting opportunities for students and their families.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DoorDash, a leading local commerce platform globally, and Coco Robotics, a leading food delivery robotics company, announced an expansion of their partnership to offer sidewalk robot delivery for DoorDash customers in select U.S. markets. This builds on an existing pilot program with Wolt—DoorDash’s international arm—where Coco robots have been making deliveries in Helsinki since earlier this year. The U.S. rollout is now live in Los Angeles and Chicago, where eligible customers can see the availability of Coco’s fleet of emissions-free sidewalk robots and may have one assigned to their order from nearly 600 participating merchants through the DoorDash app.

During the initial pilot phase, Coco completed over 100,000 deliveries for DoorDash customers. This expanded partnership reinforces DoorDash’s ongoing commitment to advancing last-mile logistics by building the most efficient, sustainable, and scalable multi-modal delivery platform.

“Not every delivery needs a 2-ton car just to deliver two chicken sandwiches,” said Harrison Shih, Senior Director of DoorDash Labs, in a recent press release. “We believe the future of delivery will be multi-modal, and we’re thrilled to partner with Coco to expand sidewalk robot deliveries that complement the Dasher network as we continue to enhance the DoorDash experience for customers and merchants.”

Robot delivery is part of DoorDash’s broader global multi-modal delivery platform strategy—integrating Dashers, drones, and autonomous robots to meet increasing demand while lowering costs and emissions.

“We’re excited to expand our partnership with DoorDash, combining Coco’s AI robocourier platform with DoorDash's national scale and reach,” said Zach Rash, co-founder and CEO of Coco Robotics. “This collaboration marks an important step forward in reshaping urban delivery in the US, starting with Los Angeles and Chicago, to offer merchants and customers a reliable, sustainable, and delightful delivery experience.”

“Partnering with Coco and DoorDash has allowed us to consistently deliver fresh food to our customers on time,” said Eric Dela Cruz, owner of Main Chick Hot Chicken in Los Angeles. “We worked with Coco to establish a ‘taxi line’ of robots so we can get food out to our customers faster, even during our busiest hours. The improved operational efficiency translates directly into happier guests and stronger repeat business. We’re excited about what this partnership means for our growth.”

Coco has been operating in Los Angeles since 2020 and recently launched in Chicago, Miami and Helsinki, Finland. Coco has a fleet of over 1,000 emissions-free delivery robots.

Building on nearly a decade of investment and development in its autonomy platform, alongside its world-class logistics infrastructure, DoorDash is uniquely positioned to enable commercialized autonomous delivery. The partnership with Coco was developed through DoorDash Labs, DoorDash’s robotics and automation arm. DoorDash Labs expanded its investment in autonomous delivery through its partnership with Wing, which introduced drone deliveries to the U.S. after an initial pilot in Australia. By leveraging a multi-modal approach that integrates Dashers, robots, and drones into DoorDash’s logistics network, the goal is to ensure the most effective fulfillment method for every order while driving increased demand for local merchants and creating more earning opportunities for Dashers.

To learn more about DoorDash Labs and its latest advancements, visit the DoorDash blog here.

CHARLOTTE, NC - An industry-leading banana provider, frozen dessert maker, and home composter have kicked-off the week leading up to National Banana Day on April 16 with an educational initiative and sweepstakes focused on the full sustainable lifecycle of the world’s most popular fruit and most-purchased item in the supermarket.

The “Farm-to-Table-to-Garden National Banana Day Sweepstakes” launches this week as a purpose-driven collaboration between Dole Food Company, Ninja, and Reencle to show the banana-loving public how easy it is to use the iconic fruit to make ice cream, soft-serve desserts and even the beloved Dole Whip® and then compost the peels to create a farm-to-table-to-garden food cycle right in your own home.

Continuing through National Banana Day on April 16, banana and dessert fans can enter to win a Farm-to-Table-to-Garden Prize Pack featuring a one-year supply of DOLE® Bananas, a Ninja SwirlTM by CREAMi® Soft-Serve & Ice Cream Machine and Reencle Home Composter, valued at more than $950.

A co-branded National Banana Week webpage (www.Dole.com/bananahaul) is now live with sustainability-themed digital downloads, videos and other free assets including a Dole Whip® Recipe Booklet and Bucket List. The three partners are sharing recipes and usage ideas featuring different exotic banana varieties available at U.S. retailers with a special focus on the 14 official Dole Whip® recipes on the Dole Whip® Wonderland page -- 12 of which call for DOLE® Bananas.

Dole will also present a National Banana Week edition of its popular “Dole Fresh Living” video series on April 15 at 10am ET on the Dole Instagram channel. Melanie Marcus, MA, RD, and Rachel Young, Dole’s resident nutrition and social experts, will walk viewers through the sustainable preparation and composting of Dole’s Classic DIY Dole Whip® and Blue Hawaiian Dole Whip® using a Ninja Swirl™ and Reencle Home Composter.

After its April 15 premiere, the video will post to the National Banana Week webpage.

The three National Banana Week partners are optimistic that the launch will remind consumers that sustainability and healthy, delicious eating are not mutually exclusive

“Dole’s goal with this year’s National Banana Week was to share the entire life cycle journey of a simple banana beyond one dimension of peeling and eating by including Ninja and Reencle in a deliciously sustainable collaboration that’s as good for the planet as it is for banana lovers – and I think we’ve succeeded,” said William Goldfield, Dole Food Company’s director of communications.

"Our customers love using the Ninja Swirl™ by CREAMi® to create their own personalized versions of the iconic Dole Whip, so this collaboration was a perfect fit, said Kaitlyn Hebert, chief marketing officer at Ninja, in a recent press release. “We're excited to be able to give banana enthusiasts the tools they need to create quality frozen treats at home while supporting eco-friendly initiatives."

"Our vision for National Banana Day was similar: enjoy the delicious fruit, transform it into amazing frozen treats, and compost the peels to complete nature's perfect cycle,” said Sung Ho Park, marketing lead at Reencle. “We hope this leads to more households discovering the satisfaction of watching banana peels disappear and turn into nutrient-rich compost to grow tomorrow's produce."

To enter the sweepstakes, shoppers need to post a photo of a DOLE® Banana taken at their favorite supermarket with the hashtag #BananaHaul on Dole’s Facebook or Instagram page before 12 Noon ET on April 16. Participants can also post a photo of a Ninja SwirlTM by CREAMi® Soft-Serve & Ice Cream Machine or Reencle Home Composter using the same hashtag. No purchase is necessary to enter.

For full sweepstakes rules, go to https://www.dole.com/bananahaul.

DALLAS, TX - Who's ready to feast? This Cinco de Mayo, Avocados From Mexico® is putting guacamole at the center of every table with a new strategy that highlights what makes the holiday so special — the food — with the vibrant flavor that only avocados can offer. The number one selling avocado brand in the U.S. is set to become the top-of-mind food brand for the occasion, as the perfect ingredient for Cinco celebrations with unique authenticity and freshness. This idea comes to life in the brand's Guac Makes the Fiesta campaign, inviting consumers to get excited and plan ahead with plenty of fresh Avocados From Mexico.

With 43% of those who celebrate Cinco de Mayo associating the day with food, followed by friends and family1, this campaign underscores the true meaning of the holiday. After all, Cinco isn't just about raising a glass — it's about sharing the goodness that's in your molcajete with loved ones. As an iconic staple in Cinco spreads, Avocados From Mexico is well-positioned to lead the charge with authentic flavor that inspires people to gather and bond over a meaningful meal.

After all, a true fiesta is about the sizzle of the carne asada on the grill, the zip and tang of a freshly squeezed lime and flavors that rally your block — all backed by a storied culture of care and love. Adding Avocados From Mexico lets you dip into the magic of connection and shared experiences over food, transforming any spread into a vibrant sensory experience that's both joyfully indulgent and communal.

"Cinco de Mayo is a time to celebrate the rich culture and flavors of Mexico, and nothing embodies that better than a big bowl of guacamole," said Alvaro Luque, CEO of Avocados From Mexico, in a recent press release. "This year, we're reminding consumers that avocados turn an ordinary gathering into a real fiesta, bringing vibrant flavor and fun to every table. We're proud to be a part of so many celebrations, making good times even better with the freshest, most delicious avocados."

As the second most popular day for avocado consumption, Cinco de Mayo is the perfect occasion for consumers to add something delicious to their festivities. And, it's no surprise that shopping for the fruit spikes as May approaches. Getting avocados ahead of time is part of the annual Cinco-prepping ritual for many as they plan to make guac the star of the menu.

The brand's Guac Makes the Fiesta campaign aims to drive the growing demand for the fruit on Cinco with omnichannel activation including:

• Engaging content: With a new :30 digital spot, Avocados From Mexico is highlighting just how much guac brings your fiesta to life.
• Vibrant in-store marketing: Branded packaging and in-store displays are designed to excite consumers ahead of Cinco. Retailers will also receive tailored digital toolkits for easy execution.
• Recipe inspiration: Consumers can visit https://avocadosfrommexico.com/cincodemayo/ to find delicious ideas for their celebrations, starring fresh Avocados From Mexico.

With Cinco right around the corner, Guac Makes the Fiesta ensures the food-first holiday will be one to remember, bringing an extra level of both excitement and taste. Talk about a "guac star" of a celebration!