Matt Zapczynski believes membership in industry organizations has its privileges, especially when you’re looking to create strong relationships with other potato pros. A year and a half into his position as Northeast/Midwest retail promotion director for the Idaho Potato Commission, Zapczynski said he sees firsthand the value that his broad industry involvement brings to both his customers and the IPC team.

The U.S. Apple Association forecast the overall 2025-2026 U.S. apple crop at 278.5 million 42-pound bushel boxes, up slightly from the previous season’s 260 million and 3.6 percent higher than the five-year production average.

The association forecast New York to harvest 30.5 million boxes and in range of the state’s 32.6 million average, Michigan to come in around 30 million boxes and Washington to harvest 180 million boxes, up slightly from its 2024-25 figures. So far, these numbers seem to be on track. 

Chef, entrepreneur Emmy Award-winning executive producer and television personality Matty Matheson will be the lead spokesperson for the Mushroom Council’s 2026 consumer campaign, It’s Not Magic. It’s Mushrooms. Known for his boisterous style and refreshingly practical approach to cooking, Matheson brings credibility with Gen Z and Millennial audiences that want food that’s easy to make, tastes great and delivers more in every bite. 

Wakefern Food Corp. supermarket banners ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market are inviting job seekers to explore exciting career opportunities during a series of walk-in hiring fairs on Saturday, Jan. 31.

With more than 100 years of retail merchandising, buying and category management experience among them, the Idaho Potato Commission retail promotion directors know their stuff. Here are their top tips for boosting sales of “gourmet potato” 24-ounce pack sizes.

1. Focus on the right product mix

Currently Sprouts Farmers Market corporate offices are located above an express version of the specialty store in a North Phoenix development that includes retail, office and residential buildings. In mid 2026, the headquarters will move a few hundred yards east as Sprouts is building a new, larger headquarters campus in the adjacent City North development.