FPFC opens remaining Holiday Showcase opportunities
As companies finalize their late-summer marketing and retail event calendars, the Fresh Produce and Floral Council is urging produce and floral suppliers to reserve sponsor and exhibitor space now for its 2026 Produce and Floral Holiday Showcase before remaining opportunities are filled. The event takes place Aug. 26–27 at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.
Sustainabloom puts industry spotlight on The Giant Co.: Cutting waste one bouquet at a time
Sustainabloom, a supplier of sustainable floral packaging, is putting an industry spotlight on The Giant Co. for the grocer's efforts to reduce plastic waste. By rethinking its floral plastic sleeves, The Giant Co. reduced six tons of plastic annually — a seemingly small change with outsized results.
Vick Family Farms promotes sweetpotatoes as a healthy, versatile menu option
Vick Family Farms has a compelling message to buyers and menu developers at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Foodservice Conference: sweetpotatoes are a top trending menu item.Charlotte Vick, partner/sales and marketing manager at Vick Family Farms, based in Wilson, NC, said influencers promoting healthy lifestyles have helped the category grow.
Pure Flavor to highlight expanding U.S. organic program, greenhouse innovation at OPS
Pure Flavor will be at the 2026 Organic Produce Summit in Monterey, CA, showcasing its latest organic greenhouse innovations and U.S.-grown offerings that are helping shape what’s next in fresh produce. Attendees are invited to visit booth No. 201 to preview the company’s organic portfolio highlights firsthand and see how its expanding organic program is supporting strong retail performance and year-round availability.
Uncool cucumber smuggler busted with $3.7M of cocaine in produce shipment
U.S. Customs & Border Protection officers at Pharr International Bridge seized cocaine valued at $3.7 million in a single enforcement action.Officers referred a commercial tractor trailer hauling a shipment manifested as “cucumbers” for a secondary inspection. A canine inspection resulted in an alert, and a nonintrusive imaging system scan revealed anomalies in the trailer. Upon physical inspection, CBP officers discovered 112 packages containing a total of 126.5 kilograms (278.88 pounds) of suspected cocaine hidden within the trailer.
USApple's Lynsee Gibbons promoted to VP of communications
The U.S. Apple Association announced the promotion of Lynsee Gibbons to vice president, communications. The move recognizes Gibbons' leadership in elevating USApple's communications, strengthening the association's advocacy efforts and expanding its visibility among policymakers, media and the broader apple industry.
SunFed expands foodservice footprint with year-round supply and nutrition-focused solutions
Long recognized as a leader in retail produce, SunFed is increasingly leveraging its expertise in sourcing, merchandising and product quality to expand its presence throughout the foodservice sector.The Rio Rico, AZ-based company has spent the past several years strengthening relationships with foodservice operators, distributors and institutional buyers, while applying many of the same principles that have driven its success at retail.
Pacific Trellis strengthens fruit division with two new sales executives
Pacific Trellis Fruit added two industry professionals to its fruit division sales team: Adam Erceg as sales executive, based in the company's Philadelphia office, and Ty Bamford as sales executive and operations lead, based in the Fresno, CA, office.
CalFlowers honors floral industry legend Red Kennicott with 2026 Distinguished Service Award
As CalFlowers marks its 85th anniversary, the association announced that Harrison (Red) Kennicott III, chairman of Kennicott Brothers Co., has been selected for the 2026 CalFlowers Distinguished Service Award, recognizing a lifetime of leadership, innovation and service to the floral industry.
Industry Viewpoint: A third-generation packer's outlook on organic citrus for 2026–27
I didn't choose the citrus business. The citrus business chose me — and I mean that as the highest compliment I know how to pay.