MONTREAL, CANADA - What comes first, innovation or demand? For companies across fresh produce, this relationship is reciprocal. As demand drives innovation, so does innovation drive demand. As the Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s (CPMA) Convention and Tradeshow kicks off this week, the best of the best in fresh produce will be gathering in Montreal, Canada, April 8-10, 2025, to spark the conversation around fruit and vegetable marketing, ingenuity, sales, and more. Mucci Farms is one such exhibitor destined to leave its mark.

“At this year’s CPMA, Mucci Farms is reinforcing its leadership in Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables. With over 600 acres of production in Ontario and an industry-leading grow light program, we’re highlighting our ability to deliver fresh, local produce year-round,” Stephen Cowan, Senior Director of Sales, shares with me. “Consumers are increasingly looking for local options, and our scale allows us to meet that demand while giving retailers key advantages like extended shelf-life, reduced food miles, and produce that delivers outstanding flavor.”

With a vision manifested across its product line, Mucci Farms is bringing a host of innovations to wow attendees.

“Our focus remains on two standout products: Savorries Sweet Strawberry Tomatoes and Senza Seedless Sweet Peppers. Savorries have been a big success since we introduced them, thanks to their premium flavor, unique strawberry shape, eye-catching presentation, and versatility for snacking and salads,” Stephen says. “Demand has been so strong that we’ve increased production by 400 percent, and it keeps growing. Retailer benefits include the product’s strong trusses that keep tomatoes firmly on the vine and its natural disease resistance that ensures a reliable supply.”

An additional benefit for Mucci partners is the company’s control over acreage, which allows the team to stabilize pricing. This is especially valuable in today’s unpredictable economy.

Events such as these are essential to the health and growth of fresh produce, driving relationships forward and breeding solutions across challenges and issues.

“CPMA does a fantastic job of showcasing Canada’s thriving agriculture industry, and this year is especially significant. With CPMA celebrating its 100^th anniversary, it’s a great time to reflect on how much the association has done to support the industry. They’ve been instrumental in advocating for members and working with national and provincial leaders to open new opportunities that help us strengthen Canadian production and grow the sector,” Emily Murracas, Director of Marketing, reflects.

For attendees who need a little R&R on the show floor, check out CPMA’s relaxation lounge, sponsored by Mucci Farms. Dubbed the “Recap Lounge,” Mucci’s design team has created a visually stunning space to celebrate CPMA’s 100-year milestone.

“We are giving attendees a perfect backdrop to take a break. Whether you need a spot for a meeting, a place to charge your device, or just a moment to rest after walking the show floor, it’s a great place to unwind,” Emily concludes.

Please check out Mucci Farms booth #1414 to meet the team behind the vision and learn more about innovation in the fresh produce department.
 

CHARLOTTE, NC - Dole Food Company is taking another step forward in its sustainability journey with the expanded commercial use of Oxifilm®—an innovative, macro-perforated , 100% recyclable stretch film—across its banana and pineapple operations in Latin America.

The expansion—set for late April 2025—will further replace use of corner boards, straps and clamps from the palletization process, eliminating approximately 85% of traditional palletizing materials, reducing waste by 2.2 kg (4 lbs.) per pallet.

As the program stands today, Dole realizes a reduction of 2,200 kg of plastic per week across bananas and 5,280 kg of plastic per week across pineapples. Beginning with the scale up programmed for week 18, those reduction numbers will grow to 7,920 kg per week for each of these core products, totaling more than 15,800 kg per week in total.

Further, this innovation will increase operational efficiency for Dole by automating part of the palletizing process in participating packhouses, improving ergonomics for workers and allowing them to focus on quality. Regarding ventilation, there are no statistical differences compared to the traditional system.

“Scaling up pallet wrapping across our operations is a win for both the environment and our business,” said Ana Cristina Obregon, Vice President of Logistics, Dole Tropical Products, in a recent press release. “We’re significantly reducing the use of plastic while also enhancing efficiency in our supply chain and fruit quality. It’s another step forward in Dole’s commitment to innovation and sustainable agricultural practices.”

Dole’s adoption of Oxifilm® demonstrates a scalable, high-impact solution to reducing waste. While traditional corner boards are made from recycled materials, disposition routes for further recycling are difficult to establish and corner boards are rarely processed a second time. This product not only reduces overall material use but also ensures simpler, better recyclability, making it a very sustainable option for fruit palletization. This aligns with the company’s broader goals of reducing waste, enhancing efficiency, and driving sustainability across its global supply chain.

Dole launched pallet wrapping commercially in bananas in June 2023 and pineapples in August 2024 at farms in Costa Rica and Honduras. With this implementation, the company is on track to achieve a dramatic reduction in palletizing material—an estimated 686,400 kg (1.5 million lb.) in 2025.

Additional wrapping equipment is scheduled to be delivered to packhouses in Guatemala and Ecuador in Q2 2025.

For more information on Dole’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.dole.com.

UNITED STATES - When Trader Joe’s kicks off a geographical expansion, the retailer rarely announces the opening of a single store. Once again, the chain is adding multiple new stores to its footprint with the addition of several strategically placed locations.

The following new stores were announced on the company’s website on April 6.

• Woodbridge - Iselin, New Jersey
• Glenmont, New York
• Boston - West Roxbury, Massachussets
• Westminster, Colorado
• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Oklahoma City (Northwest), Oklahoma
• Exton, Pennsylvania

An official opening date has not yet been announced for each of the newly unveiled locations.

This seven-store expansion follows another recent growth play last month, in which Trader Joe’s unveiled three additional stores in Louisiana and California.

ANUK will continue to monitor the grocer’s ongoing expansion, so stick around as we provide more updates.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - GrubMarket, the AI-powered technology enabler and digital transformer of the American food supply chain industry, as well as one of the largest private food eCommerce companies globally, announced it has completed the acquisition of Nogales, AZ-based Delta Fresh Produce, a leading distributor specializing in tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, grapes, watermelons, and various other fresh produce commodities sourced from Mexico.

Delta Fresh manages an extensive farming and distribution network across Mexico, including over 900 acres of open-field production, 1,400 acres of indoor production, and state-of-the-art packing facilities across Baja, Sonora, Sinaloa, and Central Mexico. Strong, longstanding grower relationships allow Delta Fresh to access thousands of additional acres of production throughout Mexico, enabling the company to supply customers year-round. The company's extensive customer base includes prominent grocery retailers such as Walmart and Kroger; national restaurant chains including Subway, Jack in the Box, In-N-Out Burger, and Chipotle; as well as national distributors such as Sysco and AWG.

Established in 1928, Delta Fresh Produce is a multi-generational business success story. Today, Atanasio Panousopoulos leads Delta Fresh, after taking over from his father, a produce industry pioneer in both the U.S. and Mexico. In his 30 years of experience with the business, Atanasio has grown Delta Fresh's expansive U.S. operations to include a sprawling 156,000 square foot warehouse in Nogales, AZ; an 80,000 square foot facility in McAllen, TX; and a 30,000 square foot space in San Diego, CA, while continuing to strengthen the company's grower relationships, some of which have spanned decades of partnership.

Furthermore, Delta Fresh is highly regarded for its proactive approach to food safety. The company maintains Primus GFS certification and has been an industry leader in establishing rigorous standards for safety practices that go beyond regulatory requirements, including frequent random audits of both its growing operations as well as distribution facilities. After the acquisition, the business will continue to be managed by its current experienced, mission-driven leadership team led by Atanasio.

Atanasio Panousopoulos comments in a recent press release: "Joining GrubMarket marks an exciting new chapter for Delta Fresh Produce. We are proud of our deep-rooted heritage and the operational excellence we've achieved through the generations. GrubMarket's commitment to AI technology and innovation aligns perfectly with our vision to further elevate our capabilities through integrating technology into our operations at scale, strengthening our customer relationships, and driving future growth. We look forward to the incredible opportunities that lie ahead of us, as part of the GrubMarket family."

Mike Xu, CEO of GrubMarket, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Delta Fresh Produce to the GrubMarket family. Delta Fresh's longstanding legacy in the produce industry in both the U.S. and Mexico, extensive grower and distribution networks, and exceptional reputation for food safety make them an ideal partner for GrubMarket as we continue to expand our strategic presence across North America. This acquisition significantly enhances our capabilities to serve customers nationally with high-quality, reliable produce year-round."

As part of GrubMarket's portfolio, Delta Fresh will have access to GrubMarket's proprietary, AI-powered software solutions, including; WholesaleWare, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) ERP platform that provides food industry wholesalers, distributors, and shippers with seamless financial management, powerful sales support, online ordering, precise inventory management, lot traceability, grower accounting, and automated routing and logistics; GrubAssist, GrubMarket's groundbreaking suite of agentic enterprise AI assistants that empower food supply chain businesses with deep insights, intelligent analysis, and automated order processing; Orders IO, GrubMarket's custom-branded, mobile eCommerce solution; and GrubPay, the company's digital payments platform specifically designed for the needs of the food supply chain industry.

WASHINGTON - The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) submitted policy recommendations to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, reinforcing its commitment to reducing diet-related diseases and improving public health nationwide.

In a letter addressed to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., White House Domestic Policy Council Executive Director Vince Haley, and the MAHA Commission members, IFPA highlighted evidence-based solutions that prioritize fruit and vegetable consumption as essential to national health strategies. Emphasizing the urgency of addressing diet-related chronic diseases, IFPA noted that 90 percent of Americans fail to meet recommended fruit and vegetable intake levels and called for a systemic approach to increase consumption and drive meaningful, lasting change.

“With current rates of chronic diet-related disease, we must act swiftly and decisively to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption nationwide,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns in a recent press release. “Our recommendations offer tangible, evidence-based solutions that will create a lasting impact on public health. We look forward to working with the MAHA Commission to turn these policy ideas into action.”

Key policy recommendations include:

• Embed Produce Prescriptions as a Covered Benefit within the Health System – IFPA advocates for incorporating produce prescriptions into federal healthcare programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to support diet-related disease prevention and reduce healthcare costs.
• Enhance Nutrition Clarity in Food Labeling – IFPA calls on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to mandate transparent labeling for food products claiming fruit and vegetable content, enabling consumers to make informed dietary choices.
• Expand Financial Incentives for Fruit and Vegetable Purchases – IFPA proposes making fresh produce eligible for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs), along with a federal tax credit for purchases that align with Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA).
• Expand the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) – IFPA recommends extending FFVP access to all low-income elementary schools and eventually middle and high schools, helping students develop healthy eating habits early.
• Modernize USDA Purchasing Programs – IFPA calls for recalibrating U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) procurement strategies to include a broader range of fresh produce and increase distribution to underserved communities through nonprofit organizations.
• Increase Fruit and Vegetable Access for SNAP Recipients – Citing USDA research, IFPA suggests incentivizing produce purchases through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help recipients meet dietary recommendations.
• Enhance Data Collection for Federal Nutrition Programs – IFPA supports a systematic approach to track and analyze federal feeding and nutrition program data, ensuring alignment with public health goals.

IFPA is dedicated to working with the administration, policymakers, and industry leaders to advance these initiatives, ensuring a healthier and more vibrant future for all Americans.

UNITED STATES - After days of steady spring rain, rivers across the Midwest and South are running high, and still rising in places. NBC News reports that several states are recovering after last week’s storms brought widespread flooding.

The weather started its track late last week, moving east after bringing heavy rain and storms to parts of Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, and more.

In Kentucky, where rainfall broke state records, crews have been working around the clock to check on neighbors, reroute traffic, and clear out the standing water where they can. In Anderson County, the water got high enough to reach power stations, so some areas had to be shut off as a precaution.

Across the region, folks are seeing fields hold water longer than usual, and roads that normally connect rural routes are temporarily out of reach. Rain continues today from Georgia up through the Carolinas, and lighter showers are making their way through the Northeast.

Looking ahead, the next few days will bring calmer skies for much of the South, while the Pacific Northwest sees a turn for cooler, wetter weather.

We’ll continue following how this stretch affects spring movement. Check back with ANUK for updates.

WENATCHEE, WA - It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of Scott Marboe, a beloved leader, mentor, and friend in the Washington apple, pear, and cherry industry. At 66, Scott leaves behind an enduring legacy, having spent 39 years shaping the fresh Northwest tree fruit industry both domestically and abroad. His passion, innovation, and tireless dedication made a positive impact on countless lives.

Scott was more than a marketing visionary—he pioneered new marketing strategies, fostered deep industry relationships, and mentored the next generation of professionals always leading with heart and purpose. His wisdom and integrity earned him deep respect and his contributions to organizations like the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and Pear Bureau Northwest, will be felt for years to come.

Beyond his professional achievements, Scott was known for his generosity, kindness, and remarkable sense of humor. A lifelong sports fan, he found joy on the golf course and remained a proud supporter of the University of Idaho Vandals, where he once played football.

Scott spent over 33 years with Oneonta Trading Corporation and Starr Ranch Growers before retiring to Phoenix, Arizona. When Starr Ranch joined CMI Orchards in 2023, CMI President Bob Mast knew Scott’s leadership was invaluable. "Even in retirement, Scott’s impact on our industry led to a conversation that brought him back to the work he loved," said Mast.

“When Scott and I were competitors, I developed a profound respect for his character. His values aligned perfectly with ours at CMI, making him an automatic fit. Bringing him on board wasn’t just a business decision, it was an opportunity to welcome a true industry leader and remarkable individual into the CMI family,” Mast added. Upon learning his cancer had returned, Scott approached the challenge with courage, coining the phrase "Win the Day," a mantra that continues to inspire the CMI team.

“Scott embodied what it meant to ‘Win the Day’. Even in the toughest of battles, he uplifted and inspired those around him through his actions, his resilience, and his unwavering spirit,” said Mast. “His legacy in the industry will always be remembered and we ask for prayers for his loved ones as they navigate their profound loss.”

A Celebration of Life service will be held in Wenatchee, WA, to honor his life, one defined by passion, integrity, and a commitment to the people and industry he loved. Scott’s presence will be deeply missed, but his impact will never be forgotten.