SALT LAKE CITY, UT - ReposiTrak, the world’s largest food traceability and regulatory compliance network, leveraging its established inventory management and out-of-stock reduction SaaS platform, is proud to add 50 new grocery suppliers to the queue of companies joining the ReposiTrak Traceability Network® (RTN). These companies will efficiently exchange intricate, FDA-required Key Data Elements (KDEs) for each Critical Tracking Event (CTE) in their supply chains with the goal of meeting traceability requirements before the FDA’s 2028 deadline.

These new grocery suppliers represent a diverse mix of long-standing brands known for quality and consistency. One has been a trusted supplier of bold and spicy condiments with flagship products dating back to 1980. Another is a supplier of small-batch, handcrafted ice cream with traditions and history that stretch back more than 150 years. The third is a family-owned pickling operation, producing high-quality, hand-packed private label products for national retailers since the 1960s.

“We help detect and resolve traceability data errors and ensure that the data suppliers share is clean and accurate,” stated Randy Fields, chairman and CEO of ReposiTrak in a recent press release. “Whether a retailer requires data in a specific format or structure, we make it simple for suppliers to deliver exactly what’s needed. It’s a streamlined approach that saves time and builds trust and transparency across the supply chain.”

The ReposiTrak Traceability Network requires no additional hardware or software and the ReposiTrak team assists in making the connections needed under the new regulation. Suppliers can connect to an unlimited number of trading partners and share data for a low, flat fee.

ISSAQUAH, WA - Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $25.51 billion for the retail month of March, the five weeks ended April 6, 2025, an increase of 8.6 percent from $23.48 billion last year.

Net sales for the first 31 weeks were $158.87 billion, an increase of 8.3 percent from $146.64 billion last year.

March had one additional shopping day versus last year, due to the calendar shift of Easter. This positively impacted total and comparable sales by approximately one and one-half percent. Costco currently operates 903 warehouses, including 623 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 109 in Canada, 41 in Mexico, 36 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 19 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, two in France, and one each in Iceland, New Zealand and Sweden. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia.

View the full report here.

TUBAC, AZ - The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) recently brought together industry leaders, experts, and partners for its annual Spring Policy Summit, a two-day event full of meaningful conversations about the key challenges and opportunities facing the produce industry today.

The summit kicked off with a conversation about social responsibility and how companies are navigating today’s shifting trade landscape. Speakers included Virginia Bullington from the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute, Marion Avril of AHIFORES, and Ana Ambrosi from the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association. The panel was moderated by Georgina Felix, FPAA’s Director of Operations and International Affairs, who helped guide the discussion on how trade and worker responsibility are evolving together.

One of the day’s biggest highlights was the Tariff Town Hall, hosted in partnership with Farmers for Free Trade. The timing couldn’t have been more relevant. Just before the federal government rolled out new reciprocal tariffs, the panel went live. The lineup featured leaders from across the industry: Sheldon Jones, Deputy Director of Programs at the Arizona Department of Agriculture; George Frisvold from the University of Arizona; Luis Ribera of Texas A&M; Skip Hulett from NatureSweet; and John Pandol from Pandol Bros. With Farmers for Free Trade’s Brian Kuehl leading the discussion, attendees got a deep dive into what these new tariffs could mean for agriculture and trade.

The summit also dove into what’s happening at the U.S.-Mexico border, especially when it comes to regulatory changes and Customs processes. From new inspection technologies to ongoing infrastructure improvements, the focus was on keeping the cold chain intact and making sure fresh produce keeps moving quickly and safely.

Day 2 of the summit focused on the one thing that impacts everyone in the supply chain - food safety. The North American Produce Food Safety Summit gave attendees practical tools and insights to better understand new regulations, prepare for inspections, and strengthen their food safety programs. With audits on the rise and stricter standards both in the U.S. and abroad, these conversations couldn’t be timelier for companies working hard to stay compliant and deliver safe, quality produce.

“From trade uncertainty to food safety, our members are facing a rapidly changing environment,” said FPAA President Lance Jungmeyer in a recent press release. “The Spring Policy Summit is a space to address these changes and work together to keep North American produce trade strong, safe, and sustainable.”

As the industry faces new challenges, the FPAA is proud to bring people together to talk through solutions and ensure the future of fresh produce trade across North America. The Spring Policy Summit is a reminder that by sharing knowledge, the industry can adapt, grow, and keep moving forward.

Industry members who are not yet a members of the FPAA, are encouraged to join the growing network of industry leaders working together to protect and advance the future of produce trade.

For more information about the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas and upcoming events, please visit www.freshfrommexico.com.

CASTROVILLE, CA - Deepening connection is a desire we all share. Whether it is on a show floor or a phone call, in an email, or over a meal, most of us gravitate to experiences that pull back the curtain on the world and help us to feel like we belong. With the upcoming Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference April 13–15 in Carlsbad, California, investing in connection will be top of mind for a committed and passionate group of people. Lori Bigras, Communications Manager, Ocean Mist® Farms, joins me to share what she is most looking forward to and how a conference like this can be valuable to us all.

“What I am truly looking forward to is seeing fellow female friends and colleagues, many of whom I have had the pleasure of working with, for, or alongside in this industry for many years. Each ‘reconnection’ is an opportunity to share stories and successes, lessons, and journeys, and to continue to learn from each other,” Lori shares with me. “Every interaction is a little piece of empowerment that, collectively, creates a strong, supportive environment. And I know I will leave with new insights gleaned and a renewed sense of inspiration.”

With her passion for the cause beautifully laid out, Lori continues by describing why events like this are so important—no matter your tenure in fresh produce.

“Events like this serve as a powerful reminder of our strength in numbers. They provide ideas and solutions tailored specifically to women, for women, and by women, helping us to navigate—among other things—the sometimes convoluted paths in our careers. Opportunities like this demonstrate how lifting each other up makes all of us stronger and adds greater value in our respective roles at work,” Lori tells me. “I also recognize that I sit on the shoulders of many intelligent, collaborative, empathetic, and strong female leaders who have paved the way for me over the years. I strive to weave the qualities I value most from their examples into my daily efforts to lead by example; especially for the young women starting off their careers in the produce world.”

Lori expands on the profound impact women have had on the fresh produce industry. Especially in their abilities to approach and solve challenges in uniquely different ways.

“Women add value and diversity to conversations and solutions that were traditionally male-dominated. We are also the primary shoppers, food preparers, label-readers, nutrition researchers, perfect-produce-seekers, family feeders, and recipe users,” Lori expresses. “We have a deeper understanding of–and relationship with–food. And we bring these insights and experiences to the fresh produce industry. I believe these insights have played a significant role in the introduction and evolution of the value-added and meal-solution categories.”

Lori leaves me with some wonderful words of advice and one of her favorite sentiments from the late Madeline Albright.

“One of my all-time favorite sentiments is from the trailblazing dynamo who was our first female Secretary of State,” Lori says. “She often referenced her ‘special place for women who don’t help other women’ quote, reminding us that we–as women–are so much stronger when we stand together and lift each other up.”

These spaces created by women are special and unique, and they are not just on the horizon—they are here.