Honeybear Brands, a prominent player in the apple industry with over 40 years of experience, originated as a grower/packer of regionally produced apples in southern Minnesota. Over the years, the company has evolved into a multi-region dual hemisphere apple operation, strategically positioned across North and South America. Operating in Washington, the Midwest, Nova Scotia and Chile, Honeybear Brands growing, packing and distribution operations cater to a diverse market.

Valentine’s Day is always a major holiday for the floral industry, and if last year’s trends continue, we could be looking at the biggest Valentine’s Day ever. To help florists know where to focus marketing efforts, Rio Roses provided five key trends you need to know about from 2023:

Weather is one of the most popular daily topics and is a neutral subject that people discuss. We talk about it every day within the produce industry because it plays a major role in growing, harvesting and shipping fresh produce to wholesalers and retailers everywhere in the world.

In the ever-evolving landscape of the apple industry, Stemilt Growers stands as a testament to adaptability, innovation and a commitment to sustainability. Brianna Shales, director of marketing for Stemilt, provided insight into the company’s journey, highlighting its milestones and focus on meeting consumer demands.

Around 32 percent of the energy used in the whole food supply chain is for distribution and processing, according to a report released by the Environmental Protection Agency in October 2023. Distribution and processing is also the stage that most post-harvest loss happens — as much as 30 percent in America, according to recent statistics.

Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, concluded its most-recent programming season with incredible numbers as a result of support from key industry partners.