Last week's brief heat wave brought the warmest temperatures of the year to the Salinas Valley. Most crops have come through in decent shape from the short-lived hot spell. Texture and overall shelf life will likely be impacted for the short term, especially in the tender spinach, spring mix and baby leaf items.

Brighter Bites has launched its annual Summer and Back-to-School Fundraising Campaign: Nourish Their Potential. The campaign aims to provide thousands of children and families in under-resourced communities with access to healthy food, nutrition education and wellness resources as schools close for summer and prepare to reopen in the fall.

Wholesum, a leader in organic produce innovation, announced the debut of its revolutionary new snacking tomato, Lil’Ones. 

Smaller than the average snacking tomato and bursting with flavor, these pearl-sized tomatoes are poised to become a game-changer in the organic snacking category.

The Vineland Produce Auction has long been the premier produce auction in the country, and its success is important to New Jersey and the Northeast’s ag industry overall.

Located on 44 acres in Vineland, NJ, the cooperative is comprised of hundreds of member farmers and an elected board of directors. The facility has nearly 130,000 square feet of cross-dock loading which the member farmers, brokers and distributors utilize.

Star Roses and Plants, a leading genetics company involved directly in breeding roses, edibles, perennials and woody plants, is excited to announce two of its top-performing roses won awards from The American Rose Trials for Sustainability (A.R.T.S.) program. A.R.T.S. identifies the most sustainable, hardy, pest-resistant, and beautiful rose cultivars for use in American landscapes and gardens. Both varieties received A.R.T.S.

Last month The United Family donated 50,000 pounds of apples to food banks and food pantries across Texas and New Mexico as part of the annual Take a Bite Out of Hunger program.

This year’s donation marks the 15th year of the Take a Bite Out of Hunger program. Thanks to the partnership between The United Family and FirstFruits Farms, more than 650,000 pounds of apples have been donated, helping countless families across both states.