Fruit World Unveils California Grape Season

Fruit World, Reedley, CA, is expanding its specialty organic grape program with the introduction of new and unique heritage varieties. Fruit World will kick off the season with Champagne grapes available in mid-July, followed by Thomcords, and new heritage varietals at the end of July.

The organic program will also include Natural Flames, available in late July, followed by Natural Thompsons in early August.
Additionally, Ribier, Grenache and other wine grape varietals that are well-suited for fresh consumption will be available.

Fruit World will also continue to ship conventional Kyoho grapes, particularly popular in Asian markets. As the grape season progresses, Fruit World will also offer stone fruit and summer citrus.

California Giant Berry Farms Commits to Ethical Sourcing

California Giant Berry Farms, Watsonville, CA, is now a supplier of Fair Trade Certified strawberries.

California Giant Berry Farms represents the first large-scale berry operation to achieve Fair Trade USA’s certification for California-grown strawberries.

This initiative aligns with California Giant Berry Farms’ broader sustainability program, furthering its commitment to providing sustainable berries to consumers. By integrating Fair Trade USA Certified strawberries into its product offerings, the company continues to prioritize environmental conservation and social responsibility.

California Avocado Month Activity Kicks Off

The California Avocado Commission (CAC), Irvine, CA, initiated its annual “June is California Avocado Month” marketing program with media outreach and announcement activities. The California Avocado Month activities celebrate the fruit’s peak availability.

The organization continues its “What’s Inside a California Avocado” advertising and social media campaign, spotlighting the California difference — locally grown and sustainably farmed. The CAC is doubling down with California Avocado Month marketing support throughout June.

CAC also is working with content provider Family Features to spotlight California avocado summer recipes and brand messaging.
Other customized California avocado retail support in June includes in-store activations, signage, display bins, digital advertising and social support.

Mucci Farms Acquires Hacienda North Farms

Mucci Farms, Kingsville, Ontario, an industry-leading grower and marketer of fresh fruits and vegetables, announces its acquisition of Hacienda North Farms, a 159-acre state-of-the-art greenhouse facility in Coatsworth, Ontario. Hacienda North Farms has been a valued grower partner of Mucci Farms for nearly a decade, specializing in the cultivation of quality bell peppers.

Mucci Farms is part of the newly launched Cox Farms business. The partnership between Mucci Farms and Cox Farms continues to yield fruitful results, as the company expands its presence across North America.

In addition to the greenhouse facility, the acquisition includes a land bank spanning 120 acres, providing room for future expansion and innovation.

FirstFruits Farms, Opal Apple Present Youth Grants

FirstFruits Farms, Yakima, WA, announces the recipients of the Opal Apple Youth Make A Difference initiative. This program is tailored to bolster youth-led endeavors that effect positive change within local communities, particularly emphasizing youth assuming leadership roles. This year, with a record number of 60 applicants, 11 organizations have been selected to receive a total of $45,000.
The grant recipients include: Appetite for Change, Minneapolis, MN; BrainPower in a Backpack, Burnsville, MN; Classroom in Bloom, Winthrop, WA; Global Leaders, Fort Collins, CO; Greener Partners, Fairview Village, PA; Growing Hope, Ypsilanti, MI; Happy Roots, Salisbury, NC; Roots Rising, Pittsfield, MA; Student Basic Needs Coalition, Chicago, IL; Titan Equity Nourish Network, Detroit, MI; and The Garden Club Project, Blacklick, OH.

Gem Avocado Partners With Costco

Index Fresh, Corona, CA, California’s largest shipper of GEM avocados, announces that its seasonal GEM offering will now be available at Costco warehouses in select cities.

The Costco launch reflects the increased supply capabilities and market demand for the GEM avocado variety. Index Fresh and agronomists at the University of California have broadly promoted the GEMs for their lower resource requirements and high productivity.

The gold-flecked GEMs characteristically are larger in size, with an easy-to-peel skin and present a buttery, nutty flavor. GEMs will be offered by Costco in five-count bags.

The GEM line is sold to the North American market in value-added bags or individually in 25-pound lugs. In addition to Costco, GEMs can be found at Safeway, Raley’s, Gelson’s and other fresh produce departments.

GoVerden Expands Distribution Nationally

GoVerden, Laredo, TX, a maker of all-natural, ready-made guacamole, has announced nationwide retail expansion of its products. The brand’s distribution in Walmart will increase from 200 to 1,050 stores across the country, offering the brand’s Guacamole Mild and Guacamole Spicy to a larger customer base.

Following the expanded nationwide distribution in Walmart, GoVerden’s Guacamole Mild will be available nationally at Whole Foods starting in June.

Colombia Avocados Continue to Grow in US Market

Colombia, a global supplier of Hass avocados, is currently at the peak of its traviesa season. The traviesa season typically runs April through August and can peak anytime between May and June.

During the peak of this season, the U.S. market can expect arrivals of more than 50 containers a week of avocados from Colombia, and the volume will decrease gradually over the course of the season.

Colombian avocados are available year-round and due to the region’s tropical climate, have varied blooms and harvest times with two distinct harvest seasons. The seasons include the current traviesa season and the main season that runs September to January.

Continental Fresh Featured in Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid

Continental Fresh LLC, Miami, FL, announces its collaboration with Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid.

The collaboration between Continental Fresh and Viewpoint is posed to promote education and awareness about the dynamics of the food supply chain and corporate social responsibility.

“We are on a mission to break the poverty trap while bringing empowerment, opportunity, and joy to communities in need,” shares Continental Fresh Founder and Chief Executive Albert Perez. “Our collaboration with Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid allows us to reach a broader audience with our story, impacting lives outside of the produce supply chain.”

Pepper Secures $30M in Funding to Empower Foodservice Distributors

Pepper, New York, NY, technology partner for the food distribution sector, is announcing the closure of a $30 million Series B funding round. This investment was led by ICONIQ Growth, with continued participation from existing partners at Index Ventures, Greylock, Imaginary and Harmony Partners.

In conjunction with the funding, Richa Mehta, principal at ICONIQ Growth, will be joining Pepper’s board of directors. The newly secured funds will be directed toward advancing product innovation in several key areas, such as the core eCommerce experience, CRM tools, generative AI, rich product content, and analytics to support Pepper’s growing network.

Red Sun Farms Named Canada’s Best Managed Company

Red Sun Farms, Kingsville, Ontario, has been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the 12th year in a row and retaining Platinum Club status.

Celebrating over 30 years, Canada’s Best Managed Companies program awards excellence in private Canadian-owned companies with revenues of $50 million or greater. To attain the designation, companies are evaluated on their leadership in the areas of strategy, culture and commitment, capabilities and innovation, governance and financial performance.

Food Safety Focus of EPC Leadership Class Seminar

Training on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was a focal part of the most recent activities of the 2024 Eastern Produce Council (EPC) Leadership Class. The FSMA seminar was held April 30, prior to the general EPC membership meeting at Top Golf in Edison, NJ.

The members of the class discussed various aspects of FSMA and food safety issues as they relate to current business. The food safety seminar was led by Meredith Melendez, associate professor at Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Ewing, NJ.

Participants selected for this year’s program include: Jackson Brady, Crispy Green; Kate Degan, JOH; James Ferrier, organicgirl; Jessica Huber, America’s Grow-a-Row; Devin Hunt, T.M. Kovacevich; Nick Kraus, MamaMia Produce; David Linthicum, Wakefern Food Corp.; Dustin Manento, Four Seasons Produce; Therese Mauch, Zespri; Chantal McCrossin, F&S Fresh Foods; Jason Morris, Oppy; Cassi Nicodemo, Highline Mushrooms; Ryan O’Neill, Four Seasons Produce; Mohini Patel, Wakefern Food Corp.; Michael Porcile, JOH; Jillian Rudolph, John Vena Inc.; and Jessica Ziglar, Oppy Transport.

Driscoll’s Announces Return of Berry Mobile Tour

Driscoll’s, Watsonville, CA, is bringing its Berry Mobile Tour back to the Northeast this summer. With 21 planned stops, including New York, Boston and Washington, D.C., the tour spotlights Driscoll’s Sweetness Worth Sharing campaign.

The Berry Mobile will be centrally positioned at highly attended community gatherings, mainly in New York and Boston, with 12 new events for 2024. This expansion is anticipated to increase total attendance by 39%. The experience will feature free berry sundaes and berry bowls served from Driscoll’s eye-catching Berry Mobile.

The set-up will also offer cornhole, giant four-in-a-row and an on-site mailbox where attendees can share the experience via postcard. Attendees are encouraged to post their memories with the Berry Mobile on social media and tag the brand.

Produce & Floral Watch are regular features of Produce Business. Please send information on new products, personnel changes, industry, corporate and personal milestones and available literature, along with a high resolution image to: Managing Editor, Produce Business, 551 NW 77^th Street, Suite 101, Boca Raton, FL 33487 or email us at info@producebusiness.com.