Buying mangos can bring clean water to those in need
World Water Day 2026 is coming up. UN-Water, the coordinating body of the United Nations’ water and sanitation efforts, sets an official theme and campaign each year. In 2026, the theme is “Water and Gender,” and the accompanying campaign is “Where water flows, equality grows.”These messages accurately frame water and sanitation as a human rights issue that affects health, education, dignity and opportunity. For Continental Fresh, a grower, shipper and importer of fresh fruits and vegetables from Latin America, the message is deeply personal.
USDA lifts PACA sanctions on Washington produce business
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that Alvarez Farms LLC, operating from Everett, WA, has satisfied a $39,004 reparation order resulting from unpaid produce transactions under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The company is now free to operate in the produce industry. Ruben Alvarez was listed as the member/manager of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.
Sunkist expands leadership team with new directors
Sunkist Growers is continuing to invest in operational strength and global growth with the addition of two new leadership roles: Joshua Carr, director of procurement, and Stephen Sheldon, director of global business development. Both roles report to Christian Harris, chief operating officer, and reflect Sunkist’s continued investment in top talent to strengthen its operations, expand global opportunities and deliver long-term value for its grower-members.
Nourish the Moment campaign shows that spring gatherings start at the table
Prime Time Produce, Grimmway Farms, Cal-Organic Farms and Tasteful Selections have partnered to launch #NourishTheMoment, a spring campaign celebrating nutritious produce as the centerpiece of spring gatherings.Rolling out across social media today, the collaborative campaign will feature seasonal recipes, influencer-driven content and entertaining inspiration designed to encourage consumers to bring vibrant, fresh produce to the center of their spring tables. A giveaway inviting followers to join the conversation and celebrate the season will be announced on March 23.
Salinas grower-shipper association weighs in on Cesar Chavez allegations
March 31, dubbed Cesar Chavez Day in 2014 by then President Barack Obama, was supposed to be a celebration. A celebration of Cesar Chavez, who was president of the United Farm Workers Union, which he co-founded in 1962 and who did more for farm workers than perhaps anybody in the history of this country.
Grimmway names new CEO as Jeff Huckaby transitions to chief ag officer
Grimmway Produce Group announced that current President and CEO Jeff Huckaby will transition to a new role effective March 23. Huckaby, who has been the company’s chief executive since 2016, will focus all of his time on GPG’s farming operation as chief agricultural officer.
Texas firm posts $50K bond for PACA license
Mission Driven Distributors LLC, operating out of Houston, TX, has posted a $50,000 surety bond with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Pursuant to the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act regulations, the company was required to post the bond following its principals’ involvement in bankruptcy. The company posted the bond as a prerequisite to obtain a new license to operate in the produce industry.
Mushroom Council announces newly elected board members, officers
At its recent meeting in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico, the Mushroom Council welcomed one new board member and elected its officers for 2026. The nine-member council is composed of eight domestic growers and one importer representing four regions. The program’s purpose is to maintain and expand existing mushroom markets and uses. The newly elected board member is Ed Wuensch (Region 2); Michael Stephan of Monterey Mushrooms (Region 1) was reappointed for a second term.Newly elected officers are:
Trinity Fruit campaign supports breast cancer research
Trinity Fruit Co. has launched Peaches for Pink, a 2026 summer peach campaign developed in partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The initiative will debut during the 2026 California stone fruit season and feature pink ribbon-inspired promotional packaging on Trinity’s Farm2You two-pound peach pouch bags, combining peak-season flavor with meaningful impact.
PRO*ACT Crop Update: Running early, running hot
If you’ve spent any time watching the desert deal this year, one thing is clear: the crop is running early and now the heat is showing up to match it.With roughly four weeks remaining before the seasonal transition from Yuma to Salinas, fields across the Arizona-California desert region continue to track roughly three weeks ahead of schedule after a winter marked by early rainfall followed by sustained above-average temperatures.