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BJ’s Wholesale Club announces grand openings of three clubs

BJ’s Wholesale Club announced that it will open three new clubs in December. Locations in Springfield, MA, and Sumter, SC, will open Dec. 12, followed by the Casselberry, FL, club on Dec. 17. All three locations will include on-site BJ’s Gas stations offering everyday low fuel prices and additional savings through BJ’s Fuel Savers Program. Gas stations in Springfield and Sumter opened in November. The Casselberry station is scheduled to open Dec. 3. The Casselberry club, located at the Casselberry Exchange at 108 State Road 436, is BJ’s 42nd Florida location. The Springfield club, at 1655

Interim CFO Roel to depart; Bootsma returning to Royal FloraHolland

The Supervisory Board of Royal FloraHolland said interim Chief Financial Officer Hendrik Jan Roel will leave at the start of 2026 to join Jumbo Supermarkets, where he has accepted a permanent position. Roel’s temporary appointment followed CFO David van Mechelen’s move to acting CEO after CEO Pieter Bootsma went on medical leave. The company said Bootsma’s recovery is progressing, and he is expected to begin a gradual return in January 2026. “ I am delighted that Pieter Bootsma's health is improving to such an extent that he will be able to return to RFH gradually and step by step from January

Millennium Pacific strengthens West Coast supply with California Grown snacking tomato program

Millennium Pacific Greenhouses is spotlighting its growing portfolio of California Grown snacking tomatoes, a core category that continues to accelerate in consumer demand across the West Coast. With multiple high-flavor varieties grown in both loose and on-the-vine formats, Millennium Pacific’s snacking tomato program delivers the consistent quality, vibrant flavor and year-round reliability that retailers expect from a premium, vertically integrated greenhouse supplier. With U.S. production anchored at the company’s high-tech greenhouse in Tehachapi, CA, Millennium Pacific provides a stable

Windset Farms receives FortisBC 2025 Efficiency in Action Award

Windset Farms has been named a FortisBC 2025 Efficiency in Action Award winner. FortisBC is an energy utility that provides natural gas to homes and businesses across British Columbia. This recognition highlights the company’s commitment to energy efficiency and its proactive approach to sustainable, innovative growing. As part of the lit expansion, Windset deployed 100 percent LED lighting, which uses substantially less power than traditional HPS systems. The company installed additional hot water grow pipes to maintain consistent crop temperatures, vertical airflow fans to recirculate air

IFPA strengthens global sustainability leadership, connections

As part of the International Fresh Produce Association's strategic commitments to both growing its worldwide influence and future proofing the industry through programs and initiatives on topics such as sustainability, the organization has returned from the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (or the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC) having forged deeper connections with global policymakers focused on climate, sustainability, food systems and quality, and nutrition security. “Sustainability is at the core of what the fresh produce and floral industry represents: stewardship

Delaware Valley Floral Group announces acquisition of Georgia State Floral Distributors’ Savannah and Augusta locations

Delaware Valley Floral Group LLC announced that it has acquired Georgia State Floral Distributors, a family-owned floral distributor with operations in Savannah and Augusta, GA. The acquisition supports DVFG’s ongoing growth strategy and its commitment to serving retail florists, event designers and mass-market floral professionals nationwide. The addition of Georgia State Floral Distributors strengthens DVFG’s presence in the Southeast and complements its existing cold-chain fleet delivery service from Maine to South Carolina, as well as service across the Midwest. Founded in 1954, Georgia
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Thanksgiving is one of the best sales weeks of the year. The fresh produce demand can have a sharp impact on sales during that period. That’s why you should meet with your produce suppliers as early as possible. Head up your ad plans on items and the amounts needed for the big customer rush.

sdfThe produce markets are always unpredictable and are known to change very rapidly. That’s why you should do your homework early for the holiday product pull. November is a very critical time for supply and demand of primary items for the holiday. Remember, no two days are alike in the produce business. So, if you don’t yet have your Thanksgiving ad program developed, do it fast.

Here are some key Thanksgiving items as we look ahead. But bear in mind, the markets can change in a heartbeat. Again, it’s imperative that you check with your suppliers.

  • Asparagus out of Mexico and Peru is steady and showing excellent quality.
  • Broccoli and cauliflower are tight with lower yields along with a heightened market.
  • Brussels sprouts are also in a lighter supply level. Quality is fair.
  • California strawberries are seeing supply exceed demand. Check with suppliers for information on Mexican and Florida harvest dates.
  • Grape supply continues out of California. Red quality is excellent and ideal to promote.
  • California new crop navel oranges are now being shipped. Quality is outstanding.
  • Cranberries are at their supply height for Thanksgiving. Quality is excellent.
  • Pears are in abundance to promote with outstanding quality. Promote all varieties.
  • Pineapple supplies are running steady, but markets could increase as holiday demand kicks in. Great sizes and quality.
  • Russet potatoes will be in big demand and there will be plenty of excellent quality Idaho supplies available. Markets are steady.
  • Sweet potatoes are a holiday favorite, and the new crop is now being shipped. Market is steady on some excellent quality sweets.
  • New crop pomegranates are coming out of California. Excellent bright red color and sizes are ready to promote.

Ron Pelger is a produce industry adviser and industry writer. He can be contacted at 775/843-2394 or by e-mail at ronprocon@gmail.com.

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