Another week deeper into fall and conditions in the Salinas Valley remain challenging. Roughly a quarter-inch of rain fell last week, followed by warm, humid weather that has stuck around. That combination of moisture and heat has increased disease pressure and put additional stress on crops just as the season begins to wind down. Broccoli, lettuce and tender leaf items are feeling the impact. Across the board, we’re seeing reduced yields and increased trimming at harvest, which is affecting both commodity and value-added packs. Bottom rot and mildew are showing up more frequently in lettuce

Family Flowers, a fourth-generation floral company dedicated to preserving beloved local flower shops, welcomes Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts — a cherished Chicagoland institution since 1923 — into its growing family of florists. This strategic expansion underscores Family Flowers’ commitment to protecting and enhancing local floral heritage while fueling national growth. Founded in 1923, Phillip’s Flowers operates 6 flower shops in Elmhurst, Hinsdale, La Grange Park, Naperville, Westmont, and Wheaton, and a 30,000 square foot design center, providing service throughout Chicago and its suburbs

The Giumarra Cos. has launched a new brand, SugarWild blackberries. Debuting in the marketplace this fall, the company’s exclusive SugarWild berry program represents a new generation of premium blackberries with an exceptional eating experience, including jumbo sizes unique to the blackberry category. Now shipping in limited volumes, SugarWild is available in conventional, Jumbo SugarWild and Organic SugarWild pack styles. Attendees can meet the brand firsthand at Mercado Giumarra at this year's IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, CA, and at the SugarWild display case at IFPA’s Fresh

Highline Mushrooms is bringing the mushroom party back to IFPA’s Global Produce & Floral Show at booth No. 4184 — and this year, it’s all about reimagining the future of mushrooms. With a bold new look, an immersive booth experience, and the debut of an exciting product innovation, Highline is showing the industry what it means to keep mushrooms fresh, relevant, and impossible to ignore. Mushrooms have always been one of the OG superfoods — versatile, nutrient-packed and sustainably grown — but today’s shoppers are hungry for more. They want produce that inspires them, brands that speak their

It has always been about family values at Consalo Family Farms. The Vineland, NJ-based operation has long prided itself on giving its customers, and consumers, the best possible product that mean the highest standards. The fully-integrated, year-round operation also provides expertise in shipping, growing, imports and packaging. As for crops, Consalo Family Farms produces a wide variety, including leaf lettuce, cooking greens, herbs, bunched vegetables, blueberries, citrus and grapes. “We are especially proud to grow Jersey Fresh, staying true to our roots in Vineland, New Jersey,” said Leigha

Exp. Group LLC is marking its 20th anniversary in October, and the renowned importer and distributor of tropical fruits is taking every opportunity it can to celebrate that milestone, including at this year’s IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show. “Our goal is really to talk about our growth into foodservice and different sectors of supply in the produce industry and doing that extremely well,” said Anthony Serafino, president of the North Bergen, NJ-based company. “We’ll talk about our expansion and what we’re doing to better serve our clients and our customers, and we’re very excited to have our