WENATCHEE, WA - Just in time for the 4th of July holiday, American Dream® cherries are back, delivering exceptional flavor and a powerful message of support. Featuring both Dark Sweet and Rainier varieties, these premium Northwest cherries offer retailers a standout opportunity to drive summer sales while honoring our nation’s heroes.

With bold packaging, patriotic branding, and customizable in-store marketing, American Dream® cherries are designed to maximize visibility and capture shopper attention at peak cherry season. Retailers can take advantage of excellent merchandising support, including display-ready shipper boxes, signage kits, and cross-promotional tie-ins.

What truly sets this program apart is its mission. With every box sold, retailers can choose to support the veteran’s organization of their choice, whether it be local or national, connecting communities with a cause and deepening shopper loyalty.

“American Dream® isn't just a label, it’s a platform for purpose,” said Bob Mast, President of CMI Orchards, in the recent press release. “We are deeply thankful for the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families — the true backbone of our freedom. This program is something our team at CMI is incredibly passionate about. Supporting military families is not a seasonal thank you for us; it’s a year-round commitment to those who make our way of life possible. This program is a meaningful way for our retail partners to engage customers while giving back during one of the most patriotic times of year."

In addition to cherries, CMI offers a full lineup of American Dream® premium apples and pears available year-round, allowing retailers to build continuity and brand recognition across seasons.

Celebrate America with cherries that stand for something bigger. Ask your CMI sales representative about building your customized American Dream® campaign today.

MONTEREY, CA - With just two weeks remaining, Organic Produce Summit 2025 is set to be the largest gathering in the event's history, featuring a carefully curated program of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and industry showcases throughout the comprehensive two-day celebration of organic fresh produce.

Over 330 retailers and buyers have already confirmed to attend, and an expanded exhibit hall of just over 200 organic fresh produce growers and producers from across North America awaits all OPS 2025 attendees.

"OPS 2025 is on track to become our most well-attended event in history, creating an unparalleled opportunity for all segments of the organic fresh produce industry to connect and collaborate under one roof," said Keigan Roos, Event Manager of OPS, in the recent release. "With retailer field tours, dynamic educational sessions, and an expanded exhibit hall, OPS 2025 will immerse participants in the strengths of the organic fresh produce sector while providing valuable insights into its future trajectory."

OPS 2025 is a two-day event specifically designed to bring together organic fresh produce growers, shippers, and processors with retailers and buying organizations from across North America. The ninth annual event will be held July 9-10 at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, CA. Registration for the event remains open and available through the OPS website at organicproducesummit.com.

OPS 2025 features several exciting activities and experiences designed to keep the event fresh, engaging, and valuable for all participants.

See the full release here.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - I hope everyone is buckled up for the immersive experience that is the Organic Produce Summit (OPS). As Bako Sweet® prepares to take the show floor, I got in touch with Susan Noritake, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

“We’re bringing our full lineup of organic sweet potato products to OPS, including best-sellers like our 3 lb and 5 lb mesh bags, our convenient 4-count trays, and our signature Single Sweets®,” Susan began. “What really sets us apart this year is our Gameday-themed merchandising program, designed to help retailers capitalize on the energy of football season. From tailgates to watch parties, we’re showing how sweet potatoes can be the star of the fall produce department.”

Susan explained that Bako Sweet’s main focus is to showcase how the brand can help retailers grow their organic sweet potato sales. From premium product quality to creative, turnkey merchandising, Bako Sweet wants to demonstrate that it is more than just a grower—it’s a partner in driving year-round results.

“OPS is always a valuable chance to connect with our retail partners and industry peers, and this year we’re especially excited to spotlight the role sweet potatoes can play in fall entertaining,” Susan continued. “There’s great momentum heading into the show, and we’re looking forward to sharing the fun, seasonal merchandising ideas we’ve developed to help retailers capture shopper attention and keep sweet potatoes top of mind.”

Bako Sweet is coming into the show with excellent product quality across all its organic sweet potato varieties: orange, white, and purple. Thanks to favorable growing conditions and careful harvest planning, the supplier is positioned to deliver reliability and consistency to customers all year long.

“We hope visitors walk away from our booth with inspiration for how to capitalize on the popularity of sweet potatoes, particularly during football season. Between our strong crop outlook and consistent supply, value-added product lines, and fun, seasonal merchandising options, we’re providing solutions that meet both consumer demand and retail goals,” Susan said on a final note.

With all of this and more in store, be sure to include Bako Sweet in your show plans for OPS 2025.

RHOME, TX - ¡Yo Quiero! is proud to announce that Grab&Go! Hatch Chile Guacamole was named a winner in the 2025 Good Housekeeping Best Snack Awards as “Best Guacamole” under the Dips & Spreads category.

The Good Housekeeping Nutrition Lab taste testers shared that “the convenient plant-based snack was a hit with taste testers, who enjoyed the avocado chunks and refreshing flavor. ”The lab added that Grab&Go! Hatch Chile Guacamole is “a great vehicle to help people eat more vegetables too.”

For this year’s Best Snack Awards, the nutrition pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Nutrition Lab, including its in-house Registered Dietitian and a team of food and nutrition experts, took a deep dive into hundreds of snack options. They carefully evaluated ingredient lists, nutrition labels, packaging claims, and flavor profiles to uncover the top picks. Real-life testers also weighed in on taste, adding valuable insight from everyday snacking experiences. The final winners highlight innovative options that meet the publication’s strict nutritional standards, including limits on calories, sugar, and sodium per serving.

“We’re honored to be recognized by one of the most trusted snacking awards in consumer media,” said Tara Murray, Vice President of Marketing for ¡Yo Quiero!, in a recent press release. “This win reflects the hard work our team has put into creating bold, crave-worthy flavors that truly resonate with today’s shoppers.”

Grab&Go! 4 oz. dips are the latest addition to the brand’s lineup, reinforcing its position as the Ultimate Dip Destination™ for retailers seeking a versatile assortment of guacamole, bean dips, queso, salsas, and white dips. The Hatch Chile Guacamole and other Grab&Go! Options fit perfectly into car seat cup holders for toddler snacking, on top of a Stanley cup for on-the-go dipping, and are easy to throw in a bag for convenient snacking throughout the day.

For more information about ¡Yo Quiero!’s award-winning product, contact Jay Alley at [email protected].

WASHINGTON - Clarifresh, an AI-powered quality management solution for fresh produce, has joined the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Supply Chain of the Future initiative as an executive sponsor of the Shelf-Life Prediction & Dynamic Incentives Steering Committee.

Clarifresh’s sponsorship reinforces its long-standing commitment to improving the post-harvest quality journey of fresh foods. By joining this effort, the company will contribute real-world expertise in freshness metrics, facilitate consistent quality, and data-enabled decision-making that help reduce shrink and optimize inventory across the supply chain.

"This isn’t just about extending shelf life—it’s about driving better outcomes for everyone across the supply chain," said Todd Fabec, Head of North America at Clarifresh, in a recent press release. "Accurate shelf-life prediction depends on objective, accurate, and real-time quality data from every stage of the value chain—and that’s where Clarifresh makes a difference, delivering an AI-powered Quality Management platform and actionable insights needed to inform smarter, faster decisions."

Clarifresh brings a track record of innovation to the committee’s workstreams, offering hands-on knowledge from collaborating with growers, packers, and retailers to measure and manage produce quality in dynamic environments. Their involvement will support the development of open-source frameworks that enable scalable solutions for real-time freshness evaluation.

"Clarifresh brings fresh thinking and practical insights to this challenge," said Steve Alaerts, Chair of the IFPA Supply Chain Council. "They know firsthand how predictive data, if shared properly, can transform how value moves through the fresh produce chain. We’re thrilled to have their leadership in this next phase of the initiative."

The Supply Chain of the Future initiative is a multi-year, pre-competitive collaboration coordinated by IFPA and Totem, with stakeholders from across the produce ecosystem. It centers around four pillars:

• Harmonized Standards
• Smart Data Escrow
• Shelf-Life Prediction
• Dynamic Incentives

Clarifresh joins other sponsors and collaborators in advancing technical pilots, steering committee discussions, and design sprints to build shared tools and data infrastructure that address persistent industry bottlenecks.

MISSION VIEJO, CA - The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) is proud to welcome the fifth cohort of its Board Leadership Development Program, who were accepted at the end of March. This year, interest in the program reached a new high, with 36 applications submitted and robust support from avocado associations and commissions eager to sponsor promising candidates.

The 13-member BOLD Class 5 represents a cross-section of the global avocado supply chain, including producers and importers eligible for future board service. Through this immersive, yearlong curriculum, participants will gain the insights, tools, and confidence necessary to actively contribute as the next generation of board members, bringing their expertise, energy, and commitment to serve the broader avocado community.

The program’s success is already evident: Nineteen alumni from the first four BOLD classes have served or are currently serving on avocado industry boards, and an additional four candidates are actively participating in current nomination and election processes. These milestones underscore BOLD’s vital role in cultivating informed and engaged individuals equipped to make meaningful contributions across the supply chain.

“BOLD is working, and with fifty program graduates, we anticipate BOLD graduates will be volunteering their time on avocado board service for years to come,” remarked John McGuigan, Director of Industry Affairs for the Hass Avocado Board, in the recent release.

This opportunity is made possible through the generous sponsorships of avocado industry associations. Their investment plays a vital role in cultivating the future leadership of the avocado industry. Through the BOLD program, this support ensures the development of knowledgeable, skilled, and confident individuals who are fully prepared to serve as effective, board-ready candidates. These emerging leaders are equipped to contribute meaningfully to organizations such as the Hass Avocado Board, California Avocado Commission, and the various importer associations, helping to guide the industry’s continued growth and success.

HAB is pleased to announce the thirteen participants of BOLD Class 5, their employers, and their sponsoring avocado boards:

• California Avocado Commission
  • Matias Purcell, Brokaw Nursery
  • Herman Els, Limoneira Company
  • Thomas Browne, Limoneira Company
• Chilean Avocado Importers Association
  • Aurora Rico, Mission Produce, Inc.
• Colombian Avocado Board
  • Carlos Londoño, Jardin Exotics SAS
  • Andrew Gomez, GreenFruit Avocados
• Hass Avocado Board
  • Carson McDaniel, McDaniel Fruit Co.
  • Heather Johnson, PGIM Real Estate/Sunshine Ag Inc./Las Posas Ranch
• Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association
  • Antonio Villasenor, Aztecavo
  • Eduardo Soto, SV Fresh Avocados
  • Ignacio Gonzalez, Agro Gonzamex LLC/Avoselect S.A. de CV
  • Joaquin Urias, Stonehill Produce, Inc.
• Peruvian Avocado Commission
  • Carmen Puerta, Camposol Fresh USA

Learn more about how the program benefits the avocado industry and hear from the participants at HassAvocadoBoard.com/bold-program.