Watermelon tops 3.5B pounds at retail
The watermelon category surpassed 3.5 billion pounds at retail in 2025, and new research from the National Watermelon Promotion Board delivers a clear roadmap for sustained growth. NWPB released its 2025 State of the Category Marketing Guide, equipping retailers, marketers and category managers with fact-based insights to drive year-round watermelon sales. The new research highlights how whole and cut watermelon play distinct, but complementary roles throughout the year.The findings point to three clear opportunities for the industry to maximize retail sales:
Driscoll's launches The Berry Patch Book Club
Driscoll's launched The Berry Patch Book Club, a free children's storytelling platform that extends the brand's focus on shared moments from the family table into story time. The inaugural collection of four original books for early readers ages 5–6 is available now as free digital downloads on Driscolls.com.
Dirty Dozen list again smears safe, healthy produce
The Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” report once again villainizes safe, healthy and affordable fruits and vegetables by misrepresenting U.S. Department of Agriculture pesticide data.In its usual approach, EWG overstates the risk of consumer pesticide exposure by leaving out a key detail: more than 99 percent of the commodities sampled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in its annual Pesticide Data Program (PDP) report (the source material for the EWG report) have residues well below the stringent safety standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Gee Whiz collaborates with Sprouts for Goldsnap apple launch
Gee Whiz has a new partnership with Sprouts Farmers Market, introducing its Goldsnap apple — a vibrant, flavorful variety available exclusively at Sprouts stores.
California Avocado Commission kicks off 2026 advertising
This season, California avocado growers will take center stage in the California Avocado Commission’s “Voice of the Grower” consumer marketing ads, an evolution of the award-winning “What’s Inside a California Avocado” campaign. By integrating the voices and the personal experiences of growers into the storytelling narratives established in the 2025 campaign, the commission will deepen consumers’ desire for premium California avocados and reinforce what makes California avocados special — the local growers who nurture the harvest with great care.
AWG looks to boost basket size with AI shopping assistant
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. has moved its AI-powered meal planning and shopping assistant — SmartMeals — from pilot to wide-scale deployment.
Ahold Delhaize CEO JJ Fleeman resigns
JJ Fleeman will depart from his role as CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA, effective end of June 2026, to pursue another career opportunity.
Create lasting color impact with bold, shade-loving impatiens
Beacon impatiens colors arriving this spring add fresh hues and mixes that bring a refined, cohesive feel to shaded gardens and containers.Curb appeal that looks intentional and feels authentic doesn’t rely on filters or editing — it relies on plants that perform consistently. Beacon impatiens from PanAmerican Seed deliver dependable results in the shade, with vibrant color for porches, patios and landscapes.
Zespri RubyRed kiwifruit expands, including three new markets
More than five million trays of Zespri’s RubyRed kiwifruit will soon be available for consumers across 16 markets this season.The increased volume, up from 3 million trays last year as more orchards produce commercial volumes of fruit, will see consumers in Australia, Vietnam and Canada able to enjoy the sweet berry-like taste of Zespri’s RubyRed kiwifruit for the first time.
Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co. launches carrot juice
Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co., part of the Perricone Farms family, launched its new carrot juice – a freshly handcrafted juice that joins the brand’s expanding lineup of premium, non-citrus offerings. The new carrot juice is now available at all Wakefern/ShopRite locations across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic and will be coming to additional grocery partners in the weeks ahead.