CalFlowers grows its leadership team with two distinguished industry professionals
CalFlowers, one of the leading associations dedicated to promoting flower enjoyment and supporting the floral industry nationwide, has appointed Julie Ortiz and John Louie to its board of directors. Both will serve three-year terms and bring extensive experience and a shared commitment to strengthening the floral community.
PRO*ACT Crop Update: Rain-soaked holiday pressure
After weeks of talking transition, we’ve officially made it to Yuma. And while the weather seems to have followed us south, there’s finally a sense of relief in the lettuce patch. Early desert Romaine and leaf are coming in stronger and cleaner than the final Salinas lots. Yields are still light, and weights will take some time to normalize, but this product has legs.
A new era in sustainable produce packaging
Packaging is one of the most critical elements of the fresh produce supply chain. It plays a key role in protecting food quality and safety, extending shelf life and enabling efficient transportation. However, packaging comes with environmental impacts that growers, retailers, regulators and consumers are increasingly concerned about. Across North America, inconsistent policies, varied marketing claims and fragmented requirements have created a confusing and costly landscape for the fresh produce industry.
Titan Farms recognized for commitment to social responsibility
Titan Farms was named a member of The Ethical Charter Implementation Program 2026 Leadership Circle, alongside 36 other produce suppliers. The ECIP Leadership Circle recognizes companies that have earned all five stars in the online ECIP platform. Suppliers recognized on the Leadership Circle are credibly involved in ECIP LAB because they actively support their grower base, review workplace conditions and ensure continual development in their operations.
Stemilt’s bagged pears are ripe and ready for promotions
National Pear Month is right around the corner, and the opportunity for retailers to make category gains this pear season is here. With volumes bouncing back from last year’s down crop year, Stemilt Marketing Director Brianna Shales sees areas of growth in the early season and beyond.
America’s grocery carts get a health check
A first-of-its-kind analysis covering more than 200 billion grocery purchases and 70,000 U.S. households shows that the typical American grocery basket scores just 48.94 out of 100 on the FoodHealth Score, a new nutrition index developed by the FoodHealth Co.— 55 percent below an ideal score of 88, which indicates a basket aligned with positive long-term health outcomes.
Winn-Dixie expands Amazon partnership
Winn-Dixie is expanding its popular in-store Amazon return kiosks to 68 additional locations across 23 Florida counties, giving even more customers a convenient, hassle-free way to return Amazon packages while they shop for groceries.The expansion builds on the successful pilot launch of Amazon return kiosks at 20 Winn-Dixie stores across the greater Jacksonville area, including in Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties. It also reinforces Winn-Dixie’s ongoing commitment to delivering convenience and value while strengthening its collaboration with Amazon.
Lineage breaks ground on new automated facility in Dallas market
Lineage Inc. recently broke ground on its newest automated cold storage facility in the Dallas Metroplex. The project is part of Lineage’s previous announcement to design, build and operate two next-generation cold storage warehouses that expand automation capabilities in key U.S. markets for a long-time customer.
Oppy expands presence with new Calgary facility
Oppy has opened a new, significantly expanded office and warehouse facility in south Calgary, bolstering its service capabilities across the Prairies and strengthening its long-term commitment to western Canada.
Rouses Markets acquires 10 stores from Southeastern Grocers
Rouses Markets is acquiring 10 grocery store locations in Louisiana and Mississippi from Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn-Dixie. With these additions, Rouses will have 76 stores across the Gulf Coast. “These Winn-Dixie stores have served their neighborhoods for many years," said CEO Donny Rouse. "We’re proud to welcome them, their team members and their customers into the Rouses Markets family.”