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Pure Flavor's Rocco Reds are the chef's tomato

Rocco Reds, the chef's tomato, redefine what a premium tomato can be, offering a level of depth, flavor and culinary reliability that stands apart in today’s market. For home cooks who want a tomato they can trust and for chefs who value consistency in the kitchen, Rocco Reds are an ingredient that truly earns its place at the heart of great cooking. With vibrant color, concentrated flavor, and firm, meaty structure, this on-the-vine tomato brings together qualities rarely found in a single option. Visually, Rocco Reds make an immediate impression with their intensely bold red color — inside

Vanguard names Dwight Ferguson to board of managers

Vanguard Food LP, a newly formed holding company anchored by Village Fresh Greenhouse Grown and backed by Sweat Equities and Kennedy Lewis Investment Management, announced the appointment of Dwight Ferguson to its board of managers. Ferguson brings more than three decades of senior leadership experience across the global fresh produce and perishable goods industries. Ferguson has held multiple CEO roles at leading perishable product companies, including Naturipe Farms LLC, Eurofresh Inc. and Florimex International BV. He began his career in sales management roles at Procter & Gamble and Pepsi

Taylor Farms returns to the New York Produce Show

Taylor Farms will return to the New York Produce Show in New York City, Dec. 2-4. As a leading producer of ready-to-eat salads and healthy fresh foods — and a platinum sponsor of the event — Taylor Farms will feature its Jalapeño Popper Chopped Kit and its Mini Taco Ranch Chopped Kit. The company also plans to highlight its new Baltimore facility, a 220,000-square-foot expansion project. As one of the largest, most advanced fresh food production centers in the region, the facility will have the capability to produce all Taylor Farms products under one roof, allowing for the freshest deliveries

Industry Viewpoint: The influencers behind the ‘food is medicine’ movement

What if the real health revolution isn’t happening in a doctor’s office but right in the produce aisle? More than ever, families are connecting what they eat with how they feel. Food is medicine has gone from a catchy phrase to a full-blown movement. Parents are looking at food labels differently, kids are learning what nutrients do for their bodies, and produce is finally getting its main-character moment. At Healthy Family Project, we’ve seen this shift happen up close. At the center of it all are the registered dietitians — the calm, credible, real-life experts who help families make sense

Star Roses and Plants announces new general manager

After 10 years as general manager for the Star Roses and Plants facilities in West Grove, PA, Steve Ramsay has moved into a new role with the company and has been succeeded by Alex Wharton. Wharton, who joined the company in 2017, has advanced through several roles with increasing responsibility, from his start as a grower tech to his most recent position as assistant general manager. He holds a degree in horticulture science from Oregon State University. “This was absolutely a planned and strategic transition,” said Bradd Yoder, president of Star Roses and Plants. “Alex has shown incredible

Consalo Family Farms stays true to its message

For nearly a century, officials at Consalo Family Farms have emphasized family values to focus on building and maintaining relationships with their customers. That means offering a wide range of quality product at fair price points and backing those products with the proper amount of marketing support. Today, the family business, which was founded by Willliam Consalo Sr. in 1927, when he started buying fresh produce and traveling to sell crops throughout the region, is run by its fourth generation of family members. Like previous generations, this group of owners continue to focus on
Body

Natural Grocers has released its Top Trends for 2026. Now in its 10th year, the forecast outlines emerging practices and products expected to influence four core categories: health and wellness, body care and beauty, food and beverage and ecologically thoughtful living.

Guided by insights from the company’s Nutrition Education team — including registered dietitians, nutrition therapists and certified natural foods chefs — along with Natural Grocers’ marketing and analytics professionals, the 2026 predictions combine research, consumer behavior and hands-on expertise. The result is a practical roadmap designed to help consumers pursue healthier, more mindful and environmentally conscious lifestyles in the year ahead.

“At Natural Grocers, we’re passionate about helping people make choices that support their health and the planet,” said Raquel Isely, vice president of marketing. “In 2026, we’ll see a focus on personalization, smarter supplementation, nutrient-dense yet budget-friendly foods, simple self-care habits and ecologically thoughtful products and practices. These trends reflect trusted ways to feel good, live well and thrive all year. We hope our customers will explore them and enjoy the products that accompany a healthier, more vibrant year ahead.”

NATURAL GROCERS’ TOP TRENDS FOR 2026

Natural Grocers’ Top Trends for 2026 are organized into four categories and include 12 total trends. The list features the company’s annual “Try This Trend” recommendations for consumers eager to begin incorporating these practices. For the fourth consecutive year, the company has added a Bonus Trend that highlights a key value beyond the main categories.

Health and Wellness Trends

  • Consumers will choose personalized guidance from real nutrition experts over apps and AI.
  • Creatine will power more than workouts.
  • Five foundational supplements will make optimizing health easier.

Body Care and Beauty Trends

  • Magnesium-based body care will help consumers relax and refresh.
  • Vitamin E and jojoba oil will emerge as a leading combination for skin barrier health.
  • Everyday self-care will become a necessary sensory escape.

Food and Beverage Trends

  • Organic will remain the gold standard for food quality.
  • Consumers will turn to quality carbs from vegetables to support healthspan and happiness.
  • Eating on a budget will become healthier and more delicious.

Ecologically Thoughtful Trends

  • Consumers will clean up their “personal plumes” for the sake of health and the planet.
  • The environmental and cognitive costs of AI will emerge as a clear concern.
  • Organic and regenerative agriculture will be emphasized as a key defense against climate change.

Bonus Trend

  • Embracing cultural diversity will be good4u.

Natural Grocers will spotlight these trends online and across social media throughout January. They will also appear in the January edition of the company’s good4u Health Hotline magazine, available in print and online.

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