Retail giant Loblaw Cos. Ltd. has expanded its commercial partnership with autonomous freight leader Gatik. Marking a milestone for the autonomous trucking industry, the companies have signed a first-of-its-kind, multi-year growth agreement to deploy Gatik’s autonomous fleet across Loblaw’s distribution network in the Greater Toronto Area. Under the initial phase of the expansion, 20 autonomous trucks equipped with Gatik’s next generation sensor suite will be deployed by the end of 2025, with a further 30 autonomous trucks to be deployed by the end of 2026, creating a scalable platform for

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on five produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and for failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the businesses’ principal operators from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval. The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry: Banana Bros. Produce LLC

As a fourth-generation citrus grower, Heather Mulholland’s earliest memories are steeped in the scent of oranges and time spent picking fruit with her grandfather. “In the beginning, it was just for fun,” she said. “I’d go out and pick oranges just to eat them.” But even as a child, she understood that this wasn’t just a backyard orchard — it was a full-fledged farming operation that she watched grow and evolve over the years. Despite her upbringing and admiration for the farm, Mulholland didn’t intend to follow in her family’s footsteps. She studied political science and international

Homegrown Organic Farms has expanded its import berry program, now offering a wider selection of organic and conventional berries sourced from Mexico, Peru and Chile. With the addition of Peruvian blueberries and Mexican blackberries, Homegrown is strengthening its ability to deliver the flavor, quality and consistency to partners and consumers, regardless of the time of the year. “We’re committed to providing our partners with a reliable berry program that supports them in every season,” said Stephen Paul, deciduous category director. “By expanding our import offerings, we’re able to

At Fruit Attraction 2025 in Madrid, Spain, Fall Creek Farm & Nursery Inc. will spotlight advances for growers, including SEKOYA’s achievement of year-round availability across major markets through its worldwide network of members. The company will also highlight Arabella Blue (FCM12-205) and FCM14-057, varieties now being adopted at commercial scale in leading regions. Incoming CEO Marc de Beer will attend the show to meet with growers and industry leaders. Arabella Blue (FCM12-205) and FCM14-057 combine strong fruit quality with adaptability across multiple chill zones. In Europe, retailers

ALDI and Uber Technologies announced a new collaboration to bring its award-winning ALDI selection of fresh produce, gourmet cheeses, organic meats and much more to Uber Eats. With more than 2,500 ALDI locations nationwide joining the app, consumers can enjoy affordable groceries delivered straight to their doorstep — on-demand or scheduled — at the tap of a button. Starting today, Uber Eats users can shop a curated assortment of high-quality, ALDI-exclusive products directly through the app. From organic fruits and vegetables and gluten-free snacks to trendy items like prebiotic soda — and