The 2025 International Fresh Produce Association Consumer Connection brought together, marketers, retail partners and influencers to explore how today’s produce industry can better connect with consumers through innovation, data and storytelling. From marketing strategy to brand-building insights, the event underscored power of collaboration and creativity in reshaping the consumer journey and increasing consumption of fresh produce.

Shuman Farms, a storied family business with deep roots in Georgia, has been a leading grower and shipper of Vidalia onions for three generations. “The energy around the Vidalia season is always high, but this year feels especially exciting,” said John Shuman, president and CEO of the Reidsville, GA-based company. “We’re proud to continue elevating Vidalias as the Champagne of Onions — a one-of-a-kind product that can only be grown in 20 counties in Southeast Georgia.” Shuman noted he’s also incredibly proud of the momentum behind Shuman Farms University, the company’s new educational

The Raley’s Cos. has partnered with Captain Planet Foundation to deliver state-of-the-art learning gardens at six elementary schools. School gardens are much more than soil and plants. They are also an outstanding and effective way to teach children about a variety of important topics, including nutrition and where their food comes from. Each Captain Planet Foundation Project Learning Garden, an investment of $6,000, includes raised bed gardens, lesson kits, schoolyard garden supplies, a fully equipped mobile garden cooking cart and strategies for garden maintenance. The schools with an

Mark Garcia has been named the vice president and general manager of Your Way*Fresh, a leading provider of fresh-cut fruits, vegetables and grab-and-go solutions for the foodservice industry. A seasoned leader with more than 20 years of experience in the foodservice and fresh produce industry, Garcia brings a unique blend of culinary expertise, brand-building success and strategic sales leadership to the role. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and the University of New Mexico, Garcia is also currently pursuing his Executive MBA at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern

Earthbound Farm launched a multi-million dollar advertising campaign designed to help grow the organic salad category. The company’s latest campaign, From Earth to You elevates Earthbound’s brand name in a playful yet poignant reminder of the connection between consumers, farmers and our planet. This campaign celebrates Earthbound Farm’s national launch of its award-winning plant-based tray and will earn over 435 million impressions across all premium media channels, including television, social media and e-commerce platforms. “Consumers are craving real food and clean ingredients that are

Salads evolved over time and are believed to have begun in Egypt, Rome and Greece. People mixed greens and vegetables together, then added some flavored dressings of oil, vinegar and salt. Salads started to spread to other parts of the world and were developed into many other types of recipes. Today, there are mixed varieties of packaged salads displayed in modern produce departments. This is a good time to put together a nice attractive salad advertising promotion. Volume is starting to increase on the new lettuce crop out of California, and the quality is excellent as usual. The demand is