CHELSEA, MA - Gold Bell and Morning Kiss Organic is pleased to announce the availability of organic and conventional sweet potatoes, a delicious and nutrient-rich staple perfect for Easter celebrations and holiday meals. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, sweet potatoes offer both exceptional taste and numerous health benefits. Rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, and essential minerals such as potassium and manganese, sweet potatoes support immune health, digestion, and overall well-being. Their natural sweetness and versatility make them a favorite ingredient in a variety of dishes, from classic casseroles to roasted sides and even baked goods.

Morning Kiss Organic offers a variety of sweet potatoes, including traditional, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, Japanese sweet potatoes with their distinctive reddish-purple skin and creamy white interior, garnet yams known for their deep orange flesh and rich flavor, and white sweet potatoes, which have a milder taste and firmer texture. With such a diverse selection, consumers can enjoy different flavors and textures suited for any culinary creation.

Gold Bell works closely with East Coast suppliers, including local New England farms, to ensure the highest quality sweet potatoes are available to consumers. With a naturally long shelf life and vibrant flavor, these root vegetables are a must-have for holiday feasts and everyday meals alike.

“Sweet potatoes are a holiday favorite, whether served mashed, roasted, or baked into pies,” says Mike Guptill of Morning Kiss Organic in a recent press release. “We are excited to provide a high-quality option that consumers can feel good about serving to their families.”

As part of its commitment to sustainability, Gold Bell and Morning Kiss Organic use just-in-time inventory management to reduce food waste and ensure freshness. Retailers benefit from minimized spoilage and efficient stocking, while consumers enjoy top-quality produce that meets the highest organic standards.

CHELAN, WA - Usually, as the day ticks by, I grapple with the loss of time, and how much I wish I had more. But when it comes to the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference (WFPC) slated for April 13–15 in Carlsbad, California, time cannot move fast enough. With the event on the horizon, Lorinda Oscarson, Brand Content Manager, Chelan Fresh, joined me to share her thoughts on the event and what has piqued her interest this year.

“What I am most looking forward to at this year's WFPC is introducing our new employees to all of the opportunities that come at the event,” Lorinda shares with me. “Women's Fresh Perspectives gives every company the opportunity to send both new and seasoned employees to an event where they can discover untapped potential and strengthen their ability to lead.”

Having been a witness to Lorinda and her powerhouse approach to the categories she manages, I asked her how her experience allows for a unique perspective.

“Women's emotional intelligence brings a unique opportunity to navigate workplace dynamics effectively,” Lorinda expresses. “What I have learned is that there is a seat at the table for everyone, so keep striving to find and make your seat. And, sell yourself.”

This unique space offers a host of opportunities no matter where you are in your career.

“At events like the Women's Fresh Perspectives Conference, women can sharpen a variety of key skills that are essential for personal and professional growth. Some of the skills include career strategy, learning how to set goals, negotiate, and advocate for your career progression—all while also gaining leadership development skills for effective communication, decision-making, and team-building.”

The excitement only continues to build! See you all in April!

WASHINGTON - International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) CEO Cathy Burns issued the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement:

"The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) appreciates the administration’s decision to allow the continued trade of specialty crops, including fruits and vegetables, covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

"Fresh fruits, vegetables, and florals are among the most highly traded commodities across North America and beyond. Reducing trade barriers ensures that consumers continue to have access to fresh, affordable produce and floral products while supporting the growers and businesses that sustain the industry.

"However, IFPA remains concerned about the broader application of tariffs on global trading partners and the resulting disruptions to supply chains, market stability, and food prices worldwide. The global trade of fresh produce is essential to the health and well-being of people in every nation. Targeted use of tariffs can be a tool for addressing inequities between trading partners, but broad application of this blunt tool often disrupts markets, raises consumer costs, and places unnecessary strain on growers and producers across the supply chain.

"Fresh produce trade is uniquely complex, shaped by seasonal and regional factors that require a well-functioning market for year-round availability. Once businesses lose market share, reclaiming it is difficult—if not impossible—dealing a lasting blow to an industry vital to food security and economic stability.

"We appreciate the administration’s commitment to easing regulatory burdens and supporting American agriculture. We urge continued efforts toward long-term solutions that benefit fresh produce growers and businesses, including equitable trade agreements, regulatory reform, and policies that promote a stable agricultural workforce.

"IFPA looks forward to working with the administration on balanced solutions that protect growers, businesses, and consumers alike."

PORTERVILLE, CA - Homegrown Organic Farms is pleased to announce the addition of Carrie Briones as its newest Citrus Category Manager. With over two decades of experience in the produce industry, Briones will play a key role in strengthening Homegrown’s citrus program and driving strategic growth. She will report to Craig Morris, Citrus & Grape Category Director.

Briones began her career in produce at just 19 years old, working as a clerk at a citrus exchange in Riverside, CA. She later transitioned into sales and grower relations, working with both conventional and organic produce, and spent the last decade specializing in organic citrus sales. Her deep understanding of the organic market, combined with a passion for building strong customer and grower relationships, makes her a natural fit for the Homegrown team.

“We’re always looking for experienced, forward-thinking produce leaders who align with our mission to provide the best organic fruit and create long-term value for our partners, and Carrie is a perfect fit,” said Craig Morris, Citrus & Grape Category Director, in a recent press release. “She understands the nuances of this category and knows how to navigate the complexities of organic sales. Her ability to connect with growers and buyers alike will be invaluable as we continue expanding our citrus program.”

As Homegrown continues to expand its citrus program, Briones’ expertise in organic sales and grower partnerships will play a vital role in enhancing customer programs and ensuring a seamless supply chain from farm to shelf.

“When I first got into sales, I was given a Blue Book and told, ‘Here is your guide.’ I loved the idea of picking up the phone and creating a relationship that could change a business,” said Briones. “I’m excited to bring that same energy and passion to Homegrown, working closely with customers and growers to deliver the best organic fruit at the right time in the season.”

Briones was drawn to Homegrown for its strong reputation, long-standing relationships, and deeply rooted values. “What really stood out to me was the company’s commitment to its growers and customers,” she said. “Homegrown isn’t just a sales company—it’s a fully integrated operation, working from the field to the store to provide the best solutions at every step of the supply chain.”

With citrus season in full swing, Briones and the team are ready to support customers with a full range of organic citrus—from core varieties like Navels and Mandarins to specialty offerings like Blood Oranges and Pummelo. Contact the sales team at [email protected] or (559) 306-1770 to learn more.

DETROIT, MI - Ben B. Schwartz & Sons, a leading wholesale distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables, recently launched its custom-built Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform. Ben B. Access, expanding on its legacy Produce Pro system, helps to expedite orders, deliver with greater precision, automate administrative tasks, and analyze data that helps the company better predict future purchasing decisions.

Ben B. Access brings together:

• Supply Chain Planning: Ben B. Access leverages Transportation Management System software to manage purchase orders based on a variety of factors, such as mileage, temperature, pallet count, and weight, and then sources, assigns and pays carriers directly for loads - eliminating cumbersome, administrative steps in the purchasing process. With this feature, staff also receive real-time notifications regarding team truck driver locations and internal truck temperatures to guarantee on-time delivery and peak product freshness.
• Third-Party Integration: Ben B. Access has the agility off-the-shelf options don’t, integrating with third-party solutions like Samsara, Project44 and MacroPoint to track owned and third-party trucks using GPS or ELD to flag late deliveries, providing greater visibility into freight movement using trusted and industry-leading tools.
• Real-time Delivery Status & Driver Updates: With Slack integration, Ben B. Access allows team members to connect directly with drivers for real-time updates on delivery status to maintain a high-level of customer service, as well as record and report safety and health issues for complete transparency and make procedural improvements as quickly as possible.
• Actionable Data Insights: Using both internal data about purchasing patterns and external factors such as market indicators, Ben B. Access helps the company evaluate commodity performance and predict demand to adjust volume ordering with greater accuracy and stabilize pricing for customers.

“Technology is key to staying competitive, but we felt the options available today are limited because they only deliver certain, isolated features that won’t significantly move the needle for our business,” said Bill Loupee, Chief Operating Officer at Ben B. Schwartz & Sons, in a recent press release. “That’s why we built our own platform, one that could execute and absorb all of the functions needed to future-proof our business, satisfy our customers and keep things moving. We’ve been operating at a high standard for nearly 120 years, and Ben B. Access elevates our performance yet again - giving us the opportunity to continually build out a system with the latest tools to address operational and customer pain points as they arise.”

Additional features of Ben B. Access are slated to roll out later this year, including tools for sales forecasting. Stay tuned to learn more about how Ben B. Schwartz & Sons is integrating cutting-edge technology solutions to drive efficiency.