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!

NEWARK, DE - The Foundation for Fresh Produce presents The Consumer Connection Conference, an exclusive opportunity for produce marketers and advocates to meet with leading Food and Nutrition Influencers. Featuring retail dietitians, foodservice tastemakers, and expert voices across nutrition, lifestyle, and agriculture, the conference gathers these key influencers to share their insights on how to impact consumer purchasing decisions for a healthier world. This premier event fosters strategic collaboration, where attendees will gain insider knowledge on how to drive fruit and vegetable consumption.

“With such a diverse mix of industry leaders, this conference provides a unique opportunity to build valuable connections that can make a great impact,” said Lauren M. Scott, President at The Foundation for Fresh Produce. “Retail dietitians, foodservice professionals, and credentialed lifestyle digital influencers all play a crucial role in helping consumers make informed, nutritious choices. The Consumer Connection Conference is a platform for these experts to elevate how we talk about produce across all channels.”

Attending Food and Nutrition Influencers include:

• Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Media Dietitians
  • Brooke Baird, RDN, LD, Simply Divine Nutrition
  • Gisela Bouvier, MBA, RDN, LDN, Gisela Bouvier Nutrition
  • Heather Campbell, MS, RDN, Heart of Alabama Food Bank
  • Tony Castillo, MS, RD, LDN, Nutrition for Performance
  • Annessa Chumbley, RD, annessaRD.com
  • Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, Maya Feller & Associates
  • Alexandra Turnbull, RDN, LD, The Family Nutritionist
  • Sarah Williams, MS, RDN, Nutritional Sarah
• Culinary & Foodservice Nutrition Leaders & Institutional Chefs
  • Micheline Cormier, MSAN, RDN, LDN, Sodexo
  • Shannon Ebron, MS, RDN, LD, Richmond City Public Schools
  • Gena Gerth, MBA, RD, LD, Bloomin Brands
  • Chavanne Hanson, Google Food
  • Andrew “Kappy” Kaplan, Chef, Rachel Ray/Watch Entertainment; Rachael Ray's Yum-o! Organization | On Kappys Plate
  • Sarah Kiel, RDN, CSSD, Yale Hospitality
  • David Ruiz, Chef, Overland Park Convention Center | Oak View Group
  • Ken Toong, UMass Amherst
• Retail Dietitians
  • Stacy Bates, RD, CDE, H-E-B
  • Laura Brown, MS, RDN, LDN, Kroger
  • Jillian Griffith, MSPH, RDN, LDN, Amazon
  • Thu Huynh, MDA, RD, LDN, Giant Food
  • Kilene Knitter, MS, RD, Giant Company
  • Morgan Kratzer, MS, RDN, Inserra ShopRites
  • Elaine Magee, RD, Albertsons
  • Emily McGee, RD, LDN, Stop and Shop
  • Amy Petersen, MPPD, RDN, LD, Coborn’s
  • Allison Primo, MS, RD, LD, Schnucks
  • Marisa Scarlet, MS, RDN, CD, Harmon’s
  • Meghan Sedivy, RD, LDN, Fresh Thyme
  • Yvette Waters, MS, RDN, CISSN, Raley’s

The Consumer Connection Conference offers valuable education sessions from Google, Giant Food, Kroger, and other industry leaders, along with networking and signature meal experiences designed to connect produce marketers with Food and Nutrition Influencers.

The Foundation for Fresh Produce invites industry professionals to take part in The Consumer Connection Conference to discover new strategies, build partnerships, and gain insights from the industry’s top Food and Nutrition influencers, who are on the front lines inspiring consumers to eat more fruits and vegetables.

For more information or to register, visit The Consumer Connection Conference site.