AUBURNDALE, FL - Crawford Packaging is proud to announce the opening of its new U.S. facility in Auburndale, Florida, marking an important milestone in the company’s continued growth and broader North American strategy.

The opening also marks the establishment of Crawford Packaging Corporation and reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to the U.S. market through a dedicated local operation with Crawford employees, inventory, and technical support resources based in the region.

After months of planning and preparation, the new Central Florida facility strengthens Crawford Packaging’s ability to serve customers across North America. Customers will benefit from local inventory, faster access to consumables and equipment, local technical support - including service and spare parts - and improved speed to market, making it easier to access the packaging solutions and expertise they rely on.

The expansion reflects Crawford Packaging’s ongoing commitment to delivering reliable, innovative, and customer-focused packaging solutions across many industries that rely on packaging automation and end-of-line solutions. The Central Florida location was strategically selected in part to support the company’s growing produce packaging business and provide enhanced service to one of North America’s most important agricultural regions.

“Our goal has always been to be where our customers are and provide the highest level of service and support,” said John Ashby, President of Crawford Packaging, in the recent release. “The opening of our new U.S. facility allows us to respond faster, improve accessibility, and continue delivering the proven value and expertise that Crawford Packaging is known for.”

“This expansion also allows us to work more closely with customers throughout the U.S. market,” said Andy Craig, Executive Vice President of Crawford Packaging. “By having a stronger operational presence in the region, we can provide quicker response times, better service, and a more seamless experience for both existing and future customers.”

The Auburndale facility will support Crawford Packaging’s growing North American customer base through enhanced operational capabilities, localized support services, and improved access to the company’s full range of integrated packaging solutions.

SANTA MONICA, CA - Gem-Pack Berries is proud to announce the promotion of Marcia Marble to Assistant Vice President of Retail Sales. In her new role, Marble will provide expanded leadership across the company’s retail sales efforts while continuing to oversee key customer relationships.

Marble joined Gem-Pack Berries in March 2023 as Senior Director of Sales and has since played a key role in strengthening the company's relationships with retail partners across the United States and Canada. Her promotion reflects her strong leadership and extensive sales experience within the fresh produce industry.

"Produce has been part of my life from the beginning. I was born into a farming family and have had the opportunity to work at every level of the business. My favorite part has always been the people; working as a team, getting the seemingly impossible done, and at the end of the day, making our customers happy."

"Marcia has continued to strengthen and enrich key retail account relationships. She has proven to be an integral part of our Sales management team, and I look forward to seeing her in a stronger leadership role," shared Paul Kawamura, Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Sales, in the recent release.

Gem-Pack Berries congratulates Marcia Marble on her promotion and looks forward to her continued leadership as she supports the company's retail customers and strengthens valued partnerships.

LOS ANGELES, CA - As summer gives way to fall, California fig season continues at Melissa’s with a colorful assortment of fresh, California-grown varieties. Black Mission, Heirloom, and Emerald figs offer shoppers distinct colors, flavors, and textures to enjoy while the season lasts.

Among this season’s standouts is Emerald, one of the newest additions to California’s fresh fig crop. Similar in appearance and flavor to the beloved Calimyrna fig, Emerald has smooth yellow-green skin, a golden-hued interior, and a delicately sweet flavor with subtle honey notes.

“Fig season is something people look forward to, and there’s still so much variety to explore,” said Robert Schueller, Director of Public Relations for Melissa’s Produce, in the recent release. “Seeing the different varieties together really shows shoppers that there’s more to fresh figs than they may realize. Each one brings something a little different to the table.”

For retailers, the assortment creates an opportunity to make the most of the season. Bringing several varieties together creates a colorful display and encourages shoppers to compare, mix and match, or discover a new favorite. Figs also pair naturally with specialty cheeses, charcuterie and bakery items, opening the door to cross-merchandising beyond the produce department.

Fresh figs need little preparation and can be enjoyed right out of hand or added to both sweet and savory dishes. Add them to grazing boards with cheeses, cured meats, and nuts; slice them into salads; spoon them over yogurt; layer them onto toast; grill them alongside meats; or bake them into late-summer and early-fall desserts.

Melissa’s offers organic and conventional Black Mission and Heirloom figs, along with Emerald figs. Pack options include full tray packs, family packs (half trays), cardboard pints, 8/1-lb. packs, and 12/8-oz. packs, providing flexibility for a range of retail needs.

HOLLAND LANDING, ON - ATV Farms and Green Earth Organics have named Albert Clements Head of Procurement, adding a 38-year veteran of the grocery and produce business to the leadership team of one of Canada’s largest fresh vegetable suppliers.

Clements leads procurement for ATV Farms effective immediately, working with both growing partners to supply retailers in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean.

The appointment follows two years of fast growth. ATV Farms acquired Edmonton-based Sunfresh Farms in February 2025, a deal that made the company Canada’s largest grower, packer, and distributor of root vegetables, with more than 7,000 acres of farmland and roughly 300,000 square feet of processing and packaging space.

Clements has spent his entire career in produce, most of it building long-term supplier relationships grounded in collaboration, trust, and straight communication. He joins ATV Farms at a point when Canadian retailers are pushing for shorter supply chains, steadier volumes, and more domestic sourcing.

"Albert has spent 38 years earning the trust of growers and buyers across this industry, and we are excited to have someone with such a strong reputation as part of our team. We have grown quickly over the past four years, and with Albert on board, we foresee continued growth as well as dependable support for our growing partners,” says Travis Agresti, Partner, ATV Farms, in the recent release.

“My goal is to truly understand our grower partners' priorities and translate that understanding into sourcing programs that consistently deliver exceptional quality and a reliable year-round supply for our retail customers," says Albert Clements, Head of Procurement.

The Head of Procurement role sits at the center of the company’s relationships with growers, packers, and shippers. Clements will work directly with the Growing Partners network, strengthening existing supply agreements and bringing on new partners as demand grows across both the conventional and organic sides of the business.

KINGSVILLE, ON - Celebrating 70 years of growing excellence, Del Fresco Pure® is bringing seven decades of greenhouse expertise and year-round produce innovation to Nashville for Southern Innovations. As first-time exhibitors, attendees are invited to visit Booth #414 to explore the company’s expanding line of certified organic produce, premium greenhouse commodities, and industry-leading social accountability standards.

70 Years of Forever Summer

Since its founding seven decades ago, Del Fresco Pure® has evolved from a local agricultural pioneer into a premier greenhouse grower operating under controlled environment agriculture. Grounded in its signature ethos, “You Bet We’re Fresh!” the grower delivers consistent, high-flavor tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and sweet peppers to retail partners 365 days a year—proving that quality produce knows no off-season.

At Southern Innovations, the company will prominently feature its certified organic offerings grown alongside its full greenhouse-grown lineup. Highlighting seven decades of continuous improvement in growing practices, Del Fresco Pure® also proudly operates as an Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) certified facility. This certification reinforces the company's commitment to rigorous food safety, environmental stewardship, and ethical workforce conditions.

"Reaching our 70th anniversary is a remarkable milestone for our team, our grower family, and our retail partners," said Ray Mastronardi, Vice President of Sales at Del Fresco Pure®, in the recent release. "Over seven decades, our priority has never wavered: innovating our growing practices while maintaining the highest standards for quality and taste. Southern Innovations in Nashville gives us the perfect backdrop to celebrate this legacy while showcasing our certified organic lineup and EFI-backed commitments for the future."

Visitors at Booth #414 can meet with the Del Fresco Pure® team to discuss tailored retail programs, explore eco-friendly packaging solutions, and see how 70 years of greenhouse mastery translates into produce aisle growth.

OXNARD, CA - Mission Produce, Inc., a world leader in sourcing, producing, and distributing fresh Hass avocados, reported its financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended July 31, 2026.

Fiscal Third Quarter 2026 Financial Overview:

• Total revenue of $450.0 million, with avocado volume growth of 38% compared to the same period last year
• Net loss attributable to Mission Produce of $6.5 million, or $(0.08) per diluted share, which includes Calavo acquisition-related costs of $25.4 million on a pre-tax basis, compared to income of $14.7 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the same period last year
• Adjusted net income was $15.0 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, as compared to $18.2 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for the same period last year
• Adjusted EBITDA of $32.4 million exceeded expectations, reflecting disciplined execution across the Marketing & Distribution segment, good performance in the acquired Calavo business, and higher-than-anticipated earnings from International Farming

CEO Message

John Pawlowski, President and CEO of Mission, stated in the recent release, “Our third-quarter results demonstrate the strength of our business and the team’s continued focus on operational execution. Performance benefited from solid results in Marketing & Distribution, stronger-than-forecast contributions from International Farming, and encouraging results from Calavo. We are also seeing the benefits of our commercial execution, with meaningful year-to-date U.S. retail market share growth for the legacy Mission business, reflecting our ability to reliably support customer programs through dynamic supply conditions.

“Our early work with Calavo has reinforced our confidence in the strategic and financial merits of the combination. Based on higher-than-anticipated SG&A savings and network efficiencies, we are raising our estimated annualized synergy opportunity to more than $30 million. There is meaningful work ahead, and our priority is to execute the integration thoughtfully, making the right changes in the right sequence while maintaining business continuity and delivering dependable service to our customers.

“Looking ahead, our priorities remain straightforward: extend our marketplace momentum, execute consistently across our global network, integrate Calavo thoughtfully, and translate our expanded scale into stronger earnings and returns. We believe the progress made this quarter provides a strong platform for Mission’s next phase of growth, which we’ll discuss further at Investor Day in October.”

Fiscal Third Quarter 2026 Consolidated Financial Review

Total revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2026 increased 26% to $450.0 million compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by an increase in avocado volume sold of 38%, partially offset by a decrease in per-unit avocado sales prices of 9%. Volume increased from the integration of the acquired Calavo operation as well as the impact of increased Mexican avocado supply due to higher yields in the current year.

Gross profit was $44.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2026, compared to $45.1 million in the prior year, while gross margin decreased 270 basis points compared to the same period last year, to 9.9% of revenue. International Farming segment gross profit decreased due to lower average sales prices attributed to higher global supply of avocados in the current year. Marketing and Distribution segment gross profit was higher due to the inclusion of Calavo’s post-acquisition results, which were reduced by the impact of purchase accounting adjustments. Blueberries segment gross profit improvement was driven by the one-time impact of IEEPA tariff refunds in the current year.

See the full release here.