MIAMI, FL - Continental Fresh LLC, a leading grower, shipper, and importer of fresh fruits and vegetables from Latin America, is set to return to Viva Fresh in Houston, Texas, from April 10-12, 2025. This year, the company will highlight its largest mango program of the season, featuring Mexican mangos exclusively packed under its Water For All label. This program channels a portion of every purchase toward clean water initiatives in Latin America.

Committed to blending business with purpose, Continental Fresh continues to use its platform to drive meaningful change. Through the Water For All label, a portion of proceeds from every box of Mexican mangos sold supports BLUE Missions, funding vital clean water and sanitation projects in Latin American communities.

In addition to showcasing its premium mango offerings, Continental Fresh will celebrate a milestone moment at Viva Fresh 2025. Albert Perez, CEO and Founder of Continental Fresh, will be the keynote speaker at the Young Texas International Produce Association (Y-TIPA) reception. His "Finding Your Drop" address will encourage young professionals to discover their unique purpose and create a lasting impact in the industry. A long-time advocate for developing future leaders, Perez remains dedicated to inspiring the next generation to align business success with social responsibility.

"The future belongs to those who find a purpose beyond profit," said Perez in a recent press release. "At Continental Fresh, we believe that profit and purpose go hand in hand. This philosophy isn’t just a slogan—it’s how we operate every day."

This mission-driven approach has been integral to Continental Fresh’s growth, shaping its relationships, business practices, and industry influence. Beyond just selling mangos, the company fosters opportunities for its customers, communities, and partners to contribute to something greater.

AVE MARIA, FL - Lipman Family Farms successfully hosted its 11^th Annual 5k Run for Backpacks on Saturday, March 29, in Ave Maria, Florida. This family-friendly event brought together nearly 1,000 participants all racing towards one common goal: supporting local students by providing backpacks, bicycles, shoes, and essential school supplies.

This year’s event raised an impressive $93,000, with donations still being accepted. Funds were generated through runner and walker registration fees, community and corporate donations, and virtual race sign-ups — ensuring multiple ways for participants near and far to support the cause. Every dollar raised directly supports Lipman’s Annual Backpack Giveaway, scheduled for August in Immokalee, where thousands of students will receive the supplies they need to start the school year prepared and empowered.

Now entering its 15^th year, the Backpack Giveaway has provided over 20,000 backpacks to local children, thanks to the generosity of donors, sponsors, and community participants. The 5K Run for Backpacks plays a vital role in funding this initiative and has grown into a meaningful tradition that continues to bring people together to give back.

The race brought together community members of all ages for an exciting day filled with music, refreshments, and family-friendly activities—all in support of a meaningful cause: supporting local students. It was more than just a race; it was a celebration of community and giving back. Families, students, and corporate teams laced up their running shoes, with many returning year after year to show their continued support. The race itself featured competitive categories with trophies for top male and female runners while welcoming participants of all fitness levels to join in the fun.

“This event is a reflection of the power of community,” said Jaime Weisinger, Director of Community and Government Relations at Lipman Family Farms, in a recent press release. “For 11 years, we’ve watched the 5K grow, and every step taken on race day directly benefits students in need. We’re grateful to our participants, sponsors, and donors who continue to make this initiative a success.”

Healthcare Network returned as the presenting sponsor for the third consecutive year, and Winn-Dixie played a key role by donating all the refreshments for race participants. Support from partners like these plays a critical role in keeping the event thriving while making a lasting impact on our community.

“Education is at the heart of our community efforts,” said Elyse Lipman, CEO of Lipman Family Farms. “We believe in investing in the next generation, and this event is a key part of that commitment. Seeing so many people come together for this cause is truly inspiring.”

For more information about Lipman Family Farms and their community initiatives, please visit lipmanfamilyfarms.com/our-story/our-community.

SANTA BARBARA, CA - Fresh Formulaics’ Flair S1™ is what Denise Junqueiro, Vice President of Marketing, calls the “next generation of post-harvest solutions.” Completely plant-based, it’s becoming a more effective alternative to conventional waxes while still achieving high shine and shelf-life extension.

“You commonly see multiple conventional waxes in the postharvest space; for example, one for shelf-life extension and another for shine. Flair S1 is a one-stop shop. You’ll get shelf-life extension and shine without having to apply multiple products,” Denise begins. “Our product doesn’t need fruit tempering, either, and can be applied to cold or wet fruit and still leave a very uniform shine.”

As Denise points out to me, many other products require a drier or heating element. Flair S1 eliminates that need.

“A grower/packer/shipper can end up paying a lot in energy for heating, and the high cost of drying equipment alone is quite expensive. We’re able to help reduce those costs with this product,” Denise adds.

Another one of Flair S1’s points of differentiation is a pretty amazing piece of ag innovation if I do say so myself.

“The use of our product Flair S1 improves the process in which the fruit is coated on packline, minimizing the use and reliance on other products such as fungicides,” Denise tells me.

Fresh Formulaics’ products do not have MRLs (Maximum Residue Limits), which Denise explains many other products do have. This helps give companies more assurance that they’ll meet MRL requirements.

“Overall, Flair S1 reduces the reliance on traditional waxes that are typically non-responsibly sourced chemicals and synthetics with something that is completely plant-based and more supportive of your bottom- and top-line but also your sustainability needs,” Denise notes. “It also increases your fruit throughput and gets more fruit off the line faster. The uniform coating coats the fruit itself. With other waxes, you might see spots and whatnot, but our product’s uniformity helps with that throughput—and that can really make a difference for a packhouse’s bottom-line.”

Increasing your top-line and reducing your bottom-line certainly sounds like a winning formula to me!

With more products soon to come, Fresh Formulaics is an exciting player in the postharvest solutions space. AndNowUKnow will continue to keep an eye out for updates.

WASHINGTON, DC - The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is gearing up for its highly anticipated Retail Conference and Golf Tournament, an exclusive event bringing together top retailers, suppliers, and industry leaders for two days of exclusive market insights and relationship-building. With key retail decision-makers, influential speakers, and leading buyers in attendance, this event is a must-attend for those looking to strengthen partnerships and drive business growth in the fresh produce industry. The event highlights participation from major buyers, including Albertsons, BJ’s Wholesale, Meijer, Sprouts and Walmart, showcasing the diversity and scale of this year’s attending retailers.

“This conference provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect with retail leaders who are shaping the future of fresh produce,” said Joe Watson, IFPA’s VP of Retail, Foodservice & Wholesale Membership, in a recent press release. “Retailers, suppliers, and industry experts will come together to discuss challenges, opportunities, and strategies that impact the entire supply chain.”

New in 2025, The Retail Conference and Golf Tournament will feature Kevin Coupe, renowned author of Retail Rules! and owner of Morningnewsbeat.com, as the Conference Emcee. Coupe will be hosting a lineup of industry experts—who will share insights into consumer trends, retail innovation, and category growth. Key sessions include:

State of Retail in Produce

• Speaker: Joe Watson, Vice President of Retail, Foodservice & Wholesale, International Fresh Produce Association
• About: Joe and Emcee, Kevin Coupe, will discuss the current state of retail and its implications for the fresh produce industry. This session will explore key trends shaping the market, including evolving consumer purchasing habits and shifting supplier dynamics. Gain valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges retailers are currently facing and learn how these factors are influencing the future of retail and produce.

100 Days In: How the New Administration is Impacting the Produce Industry

• Moderator: Rebeckah Adcock, Vice President, U.S. Government Relations, International Fresh Produce Association
• Panelists
  • Dante Galeazzi, President and CEO, Texas International Produce Association
  • Stefanie Katzman, CEO, S. Katzman Produce
• About: With the first 100 days of the new administration behind us, key policy shifts are beginning to impact the produce industry. Join industry leaders as they discuss how these changes have affected them and their businesses from an industry perspective. Gain insights into what retailers and suppliers can expect in the months ahead.

Unlocking Produce Growth

• Speaker: Jonna Parker, Vice President/Team Lead, Circana - Fresh Foods Group
• About: Leverage the power of Circana’s retail sales and consumer behavior data to uncover the key drivers of produce sales. After what has been a banner year for produce in 2024, this session will analyze the current U.S. retail and consumer landscape, highlight growth opportunities across fresh produce categories, and explore emerging trends in shopper preferences. Gain actionable insights into how to sustain momentum in a post-2024 market and identify strategies for continued growth and success in the produce department.

“This event is where meaningful business partnerships are created and nurtured,” said Manuel Michel, Columbia Avocado Board’s Managing Director. “Having the opportunity to connect directly with retailers in both formal and informal settings allows us to better understand their needs and work together to bring high-quality fresh produce to consumers.”

While the 2025 Golf Tournament has already sold out again this year, there are plenty of opportunities for networking and collaboration with retail produce industry leaders over the course of two days in Dallas.

With a highly engaged drive-in audience and a lineup of top industry players, IFPA’s Retail Conference and Golf Tournament is set to be an impactful event for retailers, suppliers, and industry professionals alike.

For more information or to register, visit: https://www.freshproduce.com/events/the-retail-conference.

LEAMINGTON, ON - Topline Farms®, a family-owned leader in premium greenhouse-grown produce, announced the appointment of Dr. Justine Taylor as Chief Sustainability Officer. Having spent the last 15 years in various agriculture leadership roles, Taylor brings a wealth of science-related experience to the newly created role to support Topline Farms®’ aggressive growth strategy.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Justine Taylor to our leadership team at a pivotal time of growth and expansion across North America,” said Max Mastronardi, Executive Vice-President, in a recent press release. “As a vertically integrated organization, we are guided by traceability, transparency, and trust—principles that Dr. Taylor will help shape as we advance our sustainability journey.”

“I’m excited to join Topline Farms® as Chief Sustainability Officer, embedding sustainability into every aspect of our business”, said Dr. Justine Taylor. Most recently, Dr. Taylor was the Executive Director, Stewardship & Sustainability & Executive Director, Agrichemical Warehousing Standards Association (AWSA) for Croplife Canada. Taylor holds a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Alberta and an MBA from Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business.

“From reducing our environmental footprint to strengthening long-term resilience, I’m excited to lead initiatives that drive smart, sustainable growth while aligning with regulatory and retailer goals,” said Dr. Justine Taylor.

Taylor brings deep expertise in controlled environment agriculture, having previously served as Science & Government Relations Manager for the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) before joining CropLife Canada.

“We’re building a resilient supply chain that creates value at every stage—from our greenhouses to the grocery aisle,” she added. An active member in the community, Taylor sits on the Board of Directors for both the Windsor-Essex Community Health Centre and Multicultural Council of Windsor & Essex County. Dr. Justine Taylor will also take a seat on the CPMA’s new Sustainability Committee that convenes this week in Montreal as part of the association’s annual convention & trade show.

In addition to its new Roma Revolution Campaign, Topline Farms® will also be launching new Sustainable Snack Packs to support its Grab N’ Go Program at the upcoming CPMA Show in Montreal, April 8-10. “Demand for our snacking items is growing rapidly,” said Mastronardi. “By offering multi-format options—convenient 3-packs, retail-ready 4-packs, and family-sized 6-packs—we’re able to meet the needs of both customers and consumers alike.”

Topline Farms® will showcase these new packs at Booth 1715 and in the New Product Showcase’s Sustainable Packaging section. For more information about Topline Farms®, visit www.toplinefarms.com.

CASTROVILLE, CA - Ocean Mist Farms, North America's leading grower and shipper of fresh artichokes, has officially kicked off its spring season. With its annual migration north complete, the company’s transition to its spring/summer growing region – in Castroville and Salinas Valley, CA – is in full production.

“The spring crop is looking great,” said Ben Wilson, commodity account manager, in a recent press release. Continuing, “If these first harvests are any indication of what our season will bring…it’s going to be a good one!” Wilson emphasized, “With the exceptional quality we’re seeing, we expect a strong crop through the Easter holiday and beyond.”

Easter is a big artichoke holiday, and this year will be no exception. “We will have promotable volumes in a variety of pack sizes to support customer demand,” Wilson stated. Adding, “Now is the perfect time for ads and promotions that will create excitement in Produce Departments and remind consumers of the exceptional crops they can expect this spring and summer.” In addition to ads and promos, building destination displays and taking advantage of cross-promotional opportunities will also generate excitement and result in artichokes in baskets.

In addition to its ample supply of green artichokes, Ocean Mist Farms' purple artichokes are a real fan-favorite and hard to keep on the shelves when retailers stock them. “These first spring harvests of purple artichokes are yielding a beautiful crop; we expect good volumes for Easter and through April and possibly into May,” said Wilson.

SHELBY, MI - Peterson Brands, LLC, a leading provider of high-quality fruit and vegetable beverages, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Tropical Paradise DBA Cool Tropics, a preeminent and popular brand known for its K-12 presence with its nutritious and refreshing fruit and vegetable-based beverages. This acquisition marks a significant step in Peterson Brands’ commitment to expanding its innovative beverage portfolio and strengthening its presence in the school and foodservice markets.

Cool Tropics has built a strong reputation for delivering fruit-first, better-for-you beverages that meet the needs of health-conscious consumers. By joining Peterson Brands, Cool Tropics will benefit from enhanced production capabilities, expanded distribution, and continued innovation in the fruit and vegetable-based beverage industry.

“We are excited to welcome Cool Tropics to the Peterson Brands family,” said Aaron Peterson, CEO of Peterson Brands, in a recent press release. “Their commitment to providing great-tasting, nutritious beverages aligns perfectly with our mission. This acquisition allows us to expand our reach and continue delivering high-quality, fruit and vegetable-based products to schools, foodservice providers, and consumers nationwide.”

With this acquisition, Peterson Brands will leverage its expertise in fruit processing and beverage innovation to further develop the Cool Tropics brand, ensuring its continued growth and success.

Frank Massabni, CEO of Cool Tropics, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for Cool Tropics. In Peterson Brands, we have found the perfect partner to build on our 31-year legacy in our beloved K-12 community, expanding our brand and presence. From the people, culture, and systems, Peterson Brands will take Cool Tropics to new heights leveraging their unique farm-to-table and farm-to-school capabilities.”

Peterson Brands remains dedicated to quality, sustainability, and innovation. The addition of Cool Tropics strengthens its position as a leader in the fruit and vegetable-based beverage industry while maintaining its commitment to customer satisfaction and community impact.

For more information about Peterson Brands, visit www.petersonbrands.com. To learn more about Cool Tropics, visit www.cool-tropics.com.