Mission Produce Inc., a global leader in sourcing, producing and distributing fresh Hass avocados, announced a planned leadership transition. Co-founder and CEO Steve Barnard will assume the role of executive chairman of the board, and President and Chief Operating Officer John Pawlowski will become CEO, effective at the close of the company’s annual meeting of shareholders in April 2026.

The transition reflects Mission’s long-term succession planning and the depth of its leadership team across retail, wholesale and foodservice channels for avocados and mangos.

Duncan Family Farms announced that its founder, Arnott Duncan, has been named the 2025 Grower of the Year by the Organic Growers Summit.

The honor was presented last week at the organization’s annual event in Monterey, CA, where Duncan was selected from four finalists and announced as the winner during the summit.

John Cerasuolo Co. is a family-owned business proudly operating since 1972 at the New England Produce Center. 

G&R Farms, a third-generation Vidalia and Peruvian sweet onion grower based in southeast Georgia, has been named a 2025 Sustainability in the Food Industry Award winner, recognizing the company’s leadership in precision agriculture, resource conservation and responsible farming innovation.

The award honors companies driving measurable environmental progress across the food supply chain — a commitment company leaders say has long defined G&R Farms.

As the industry heads into Christmas week, markets are settling into a familiar late-December pattern. Holiday demand is beginning to wind down while winter growing regions continue to build volume, resulting in generally good supplies across most categories, with a few exceptions. With improved overall availability, the focus is shifting to execution and quality.

A coalition of leading floral and fresh produce trade associations in the United States and internationally has joined forces to support the That Flower Feeling Foundation, signaling an unprecedented industrywide commitment to national consumer marketing. The collaboration includes trade memberships, in-kind promotional support and financial contributions, reinforcing the foundation’s role as a unified voice promoting everyday flower consumption.