STELLARTON, NS - Empire Company Limited announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended May 3, 2025. For the quarter, the Company recorded net earnings of $173 million ($0.74 per share) compared to $149 million ($0.61 per share) last year. For the quarter, the Company recorded adjusted net earnings of $173 million ($0.74 per share) compared to $154 million ($0.63 per share) last year, an increase of 12.3% (or 17.5% per share).

"This was a very strong quarter for Empire, and I am pleased with the way our team finished the year, delivering positive results across all major financial measures," said Michael Medline, President & CEO, Empire, in the recent press release. "Our momentum continued to build throughout fiscal 2025 resulting in fourth quarter market share gains, and our adjusted EPS growth of 8.8% was within our financial framework."

Dividend Declaration

The Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share on both Non-Voting Class A shares ("Class A shares") and Class B common shares, that will be payable on July 31, 2025 to shareholders of record on July 15, 2025. This reflects an increase in the annualized dividend rate of 10.0%. These dividends are eligible dividends as defined for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and applicable provincial legislation.

Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB")

On June 18, 2025, the Company renewed its NCIB by filing a notice of intention with the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") to purchase for cancellation up to 11,500,000 Class A shares representing approximately 9.6% of the public float of 120,095,524 Class A shares as of June 17, 2025, subject to regulatory approval. As of June 17, 2025, there were 133,524,593 Class A shares issued and outstanding.

The Company intends to repurchase up to $400 million of Class A shares in fiscal 2026. The purchases will be made through the facilities of the TSX and/or any alternative Canadian trading systems to the extent they are eligible. The price that Empire will pay for any shares will be the market price at the time of acquisition. The Company believes that repurchasing shares at the prevailing market prices from time to time is a worthwhile use of funds and in the best interests of Empire and its shareholders. Purchases under the renewed NCIB may commence on July 2, 2025 and shall terminate not later than July 1, 2026.

See the full report here.

WENATCHEE, WA - Cheers, applause, and a few happy tears filled the Wenatchee Valley Performing Arts Center on June 10 as the largest class of Project SEARCH Stemilt interns graduated from the transition-to-work program. This year, nine students completed the hands-on internship experience designed to help young adults with disabilities gain skills for competitive employment. New to the program this year was the opportunity for interns to be paid, and an employment partnership with Mission Vista to set them up for long-term success.

“Thanks to our partners and this remarkable class, the future looks bright,” said Zach Williams, Director of People Experience at Stemilt, in a recent press release. “We’re proud to support a program that not only develops workforce-ready individuals but builds a stronger, more inclusive community.”

This year marked several “firsts” for Project Search at Stemilt, including the largest class ever, up from seven in the past year.

Additionally, interns can now be paid while participating in the program thanks to the support of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). A new collaboration with Mission Vista, a non-profit organization that provides supported living and vocational services to adults with developmental disabilities, also provides continued employment support after graduation to help interns transition into the workforce.

“All of our interns are eager to work,” said Eastmont Instructor Terry Brown. “Several have already been interviewed, and one, Franck Gaytan-Perez, has accepted a position with Confluence Health’s food service. Throughout the school year, they built practical job skills, improved communication, and grew into confident, young professionals now equipped to take the step into employment.”

This year’s graduating class includes Hunter Gooch, Ryan Kaipat, Alfonso Melchor, Franck Gaytan-Perez, Jessie Sahgun Ponce, Gaby Sanchez, Brielle Shelton, Gary Tovar, and Jay Wright. Behind the success of this program is a team of dedicated collaborators from Stemilt, Eastmont School District, DVR, and a committed Business Advisory Council. These community leaders have offered everything from mock interviews and business tours to job shadowing and mentorship.

Business Advisory Council Members:

• John Donaghy, Columbia Valley Community Health
• Rufus Woods, Wenatchee World
• Brie Winstanley, Confluence Health
• Matt Charlton, Eastmont School District
• Pete Kappler, Link Transit
• Zach Williams, Stemilt Growers
• Heidi Huddle, Allstate Agency Owner
• Michelle Jerden, Wenatchee YMCA
• Tamara Cardwell, Chelan-Douglas Developmental Disabilities Director
• Maria Holman, Chelan County PUD
• Randi Roberts, Wenatchee Valley Museum
• Katie Jackson, Mission Vista
• Francisco Sarmiento, Wenatchee Valley College
• Brogan Foster, YMCA, Director of Programs

“This group of interns has been incredible,” said Brown. “They took social risks, looked out for one another, and made huge strides in their independence. Watching them grow and support each other all year has been inspiring. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for them!”

MIAMI, FL - June is National Mango Month, and Continental Fresh is proud to mark the occasion by highlighting the impact of mangos beyond the produce aisle. For Continental Fresh, mangos represent more than tropical flavor — they embody a deeper connection to the Latin American communities where the fruit is grown and where the company’s philanthropic work continues to grow. 

At the heart of this mission is Water For All, Continental Fresh’s signature program committed to providing access to clean, safe drinking water in underserved rural communities across Latin America. 

“We believe that access to clean water is a fundamental human right,” says Albert Perez, CEO of Continental Fresh, “and our mangos serve as a vehicle for change. Every purchase supports our ongoing efforts to improve lives through water infrastructure and education.” 

Mangos with Meaning 

The Water For All program partners with local organizations to develop sustainable water solutions — improving health, enabling education, and empowering farming communities. This effort is deeply connected to Continental Fresh’s mango growers, whose families and communities directly benefit from these resources. 

By enjoying Continental Fresh mangos, consumers are also: 

• Supporting access to clean drinking water in farming regions 
• Promoting water sanitation and health education
• Empowering local farmers through sustainable agricultural support 

Join the Movement

As Continental Fresh celebrates the vibrant flavor and cultural heritage of mangos, the company invites retailers, consumers, and partners to learn more and take part in making a meaningful impact. 

For more information about Continental Fresh’s mango program and Water For All initiative, visit: www.continentalfresh.com 

WESTLAKE, VILLAGE, CA - Fresh Gourmet, the go-to brand for chef-inspiring croutons and salad toppings, has partnered with Tajín®, the top-selling chile lime seasoning, to craft an irresistible lineup of ready-made Chile Lime Croutons, Pepitas, and Masa Strips that are hitting store shelves just in time for salad season.

Combining Tajín’s signature tangy kick with a bold and satisfying crunch, the new salad, soup, and bowl complements offer consumers convenient and inspiring ways to spice up savory, veggie-based dishes and recipes - a flavor territory that’s distinctly different from the sweet treats and fruits that the popular seasoning is renowned for.

Whether it’s the Chile Lime Pepitas bringing a nutty zing to a grilled corn salad, or the Masa Strips spicing things up atop a bowl of tortilla soup, the new products are poised to fire the imaginations of a wide range of produce-aisle shoppers - particularly the younger, multicultural consumers whose hunger for sweet-sour-spicy flavor mashups has driven rising category demand in recent years.

“Fresh Gourmet is thrilled to pair up its best-selling salad toppings with the authentic flavor and broad, iconic appeal of Tajín,” says Senior Marketing Manager, Samantha McCaul, in a recent press release. “The seemingly countless usage occasions consumers have found for it in the world of fruits, vegetables, and sweets are inspiring, especially as we think about opportunities for meals and snacks on the savory side. The craveability factor here is going to be off the charts.”

“At Tajín, we’re always excited to explore new ways for our fans to get inspired and experience the unique flavor of our signature blend,” said Haydee Fernández, Director of Alliances at Tajín USA. “Partnering with Fresh Gourmet allows us to bring Tajín’s distinctive chile lime taste into a whole new space — adding a bold and tangy kick to salads, soups, and bowls, and delivering authentic craveable in an entirely new way.”

Having already garnered sell-in at some of the top national retailers, the Chile Lime Croutons (4oz), Chile Lime Pepitas (3.25oz) and Chile Lime Masa Strips (3.5oz), represent yet another appealing addition to Fresh Gourmet Co’s well-stocked produce-aisle portfolio of croutons, dried fruit & nut blends, tortilla and wonton strips, crispy vegetables, and more.

The new products are available in open stock cases, as well as high-impact shippers. When placed adjacent to fresh salad mixes, the vibrant displays not only inspire craveable meals but drive bigger produce baskets, as well. To learn more or request samples, please email [email protected] or visit freshgourmetcompany.com.

VALENCIA, CA - As summer approaches, Sunkist Growers is bringing fresh, vibrant citrus to the forefront with its standout varieties—California-grown Valencia oranges, grapefruit, and lemons—leading the charge in a robust summer citrus lineup. As one of the largest suppliers of lemons and a leading supplier of California-grown Valencia oranges during this time of year, Sunkist summer citrus is shipping nationwide, ready to brighten up snacks, drinks, and summer gatherings.

Industry data shows citrus remains top of mind, particularly during the summer months. Citrus volume has increased by 12% year-over-year during the week of July 4th, with nearly every citrus category seeing growth. Overall, citrus is outpacing total produce and fruit during these summer milestones, growing by 9% compared to last year, while total produce grew by 5% and fruit by 6%.

Summer just got zestier. Sunkist lemons are taking center stage with a playful new merchandising program that highlights their versatility across infused drinks, marinades, grilled dishes, and more. Eye-catching “Lemonade Stand” bin headers and clip cards bring a burst of brightness to the produce aisle, encouraging shoppers to reach for lemons as a go-to ingredient for seasonal recipes and everyday use. With lemon volume up 11% during the summer months year-over-year, Sunkist is leaning into this growing demand with a fresh campaign designed to drive sales and inspire citrus creativity all season long.

Just as lemons bring brightness to summer, Sunkist Valencia oranges continue to drive seasonal excitement with strong supply and fresh juicing appeal.

“Our Valencia orange programs guarantee citrus availability remains strong throughout the summer, providing high-quality fruit from June through October,” said Cassie Howard, Sr. Director of Category Management and Marketing at Sunkist Growers, Inc., in a recent press release. “As the Navel season wraps up, it’s important to provide a continuous supply of California-grown oranges for your customers.”

Valencia oranges remain a go-to item during the summer, with volume up 5% last year compared to the prior year, according to Circana. Known as the perfect orange for juicing, Valencias offer the ideal balance of sweetness and acidity for making fresh-squeezed orange juice at home. As the only California-grown orange variety available during the summer, Sunkist Valencia oranges offer fresh, domestic options throughout the season, supporting local California farmers.

In celebration of the 4th of July, Sunkist is offering a limited-edition 8lb combo bag for Valencia oranges. With a festive American flag design, this bag is perfect for holiday picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings. Also available in a classic 4lb design, Sunkist’s bag programs offer shoppers a great way to enjoy California-grown citrus while celebrating the season. Additionally, new bin wraps are available to help promote larger bag purchases—especially for Valencia oranges. These eye-catching wraps are designed to drive attention and sales, making it easier for retailers to encourage shoppers to buy in bulk for summer festivities.

Rounding out Sunkist’s summer citrus offering, California-grown grapefruit—including Star Ruby and Marsh Ruby varieties—is also in season. These vibrant, nutrient-rich selections are perfect for wellness routines, refreshing breakfasts, or summer-inspired snacks. Be sure to check out the Sunkist website and follow along @SunkistCitrus on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for new and exciting ways to enjoy grapefruit all summer long.

Sunkist encourages retailers to capitalize on in-store promotions, including new lemonade-themed merchandising, combo bag offerings, and bin wraps, to drive demand during key summer shopping periods. For more information and personalized marketing support, contact your local Sunkist sales representative.

SALINAS, CA - As the summer season has moved into full swing, Ippolito International has added to their berth of commodity and value-added products. With an eye towards the ever-popular Romaine lettuces, they are excited to debut Queen Victoria Mini-Romaine lettuce field pack. This Romaine variety has a distinctive, petite leaf and a consistently cupped shape that is well-suited to smaller households. In fact, one head of this variety can easily create a single salad serving.

Available in both bulk 24ct and 48ct packs, Ippolito International also offers the item in a 2-count consumer-friendly gusseted bag. The bags are packaged at either 6 or 12 per carton.

“The high-graphic packaging is helpful to shoppers who are looking to integrate the Mini-Romaine into their fresh lettuce favorites. It includes a recipe for ‘Taco Boats,’ which consumers will find easy to make. The individual leaves of this Mini-Romaine are perfectly shaped for this sort of application,” said Dan Canales, Sr. VP of Sales, Marketing, and Processing, in a recent press release.

Along with the new field pack specialty mini-Romaine, the company is also proud to announce its Romaine-based salads. Fresh-cut, pre-washed, and ready-to-eat Romaine lettuce is available in shredded and chopped packs. Also available are salad mixes featuring Romaine and iceberg lettuces along with cabbages and carrots.

Robert Polovneff, Director of Sales and Commodity Management, said, “We’ve been busy here at Ippolito International! We strive to offer our customers as broad a range of products as possible. These new items show our commitment to quality and selection and we’re happy to bring them to the market.”

NOGALES, AZ - The second half of Divine Flavor’s table grape season is getting underway, with high-quality and flavorful supplies ready to meet demand. I connected with Alán Aguirre Camou, Chief Marketing Officer, to better understand the available varieties.

“For green grapes, we are focusing on Timpson™ and Sweet Globe™. Related to reds, we are supplying Gummyberries™, Ruby Rush ®, and Sweet Celebration™, and for blacks, Jellyberries™, among a few others. Gummyberries and Jellyberries are our own brand due to what we have achieved to differentiate ourselves in quality and flavor. Parallel to the quality and packing manuals, we have added value to those grape varieties in the North American market. Bloom Fresh is teaming with us to keep pushing these varieties,” Alán told me. “In addition to these, the Cotton Candy variety will be available for hopefully four to five more weeks.”

Much of Divine Flavor’s success with these varieties can be attributed to its partnerships. In addition to Bloom Fresh, the supplier partners with Grapa Varieties. Alán explained that varieties from Grapa—mostly red and green—are long-lasting on the shelf.

I also asked Alán about which regions Divine Flavor is currently growing in.

“Sonora, Mexico, is currently finishing up. We just finished Jalisco over the past two months, and moving forward, we are looking toward the California season. In Sonora, we are currently focusing on three regions: Guaymas, Hermosillo, and Caborca,” Alán continued. “With this widespread footprint, we are able to offer a unique year-round program to retailers in North America, offering consistent quality from competitive growers.”

When the California season finishes, Divine Flavor will refocus its operations in November with Northern Peru in Piura, and then in late November-December with Southern Peru, Ica. After that, when the supplier finishes the year, Chile begins in late January and goes all the way to March, then linking up again with Jalisco in Central Mexico.

“We know how to communicate with each other daily, but since we're thousands of people involved in the supply chain, the quality and packing manuals are key,” Alán pointed out. “It's crucial for us to be transparent in instructions to show our retailers that we're procuring our product in every aspect—quality and flavor first, but also without spoiling the whole effort of the year by doing excellent packaging, labeling, and palletizing so we're able to be as transparent as possible to the market and our clients.”

As we keep tabs on Divine Flavor and the California table grape season, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Oppy is proud to announce that Chairman, CEO, and Managing Partner John Anderson was presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of the Fraser Valley at its spring convocation ceremony on June 10, 2025.

The honorary degree recognizes Anderson for his exceptional contributions as a global agricultural leader, playing a key role in the industrialization of produce in North America while committed to sustainable and ethical trade practices.

"John Anderson exemplifies the spirit of UFV’s mission to engage learners, transform lives, and build community, through his visionary leadership in sustainable agriculture, ethical business, and local and global philanthropy,” said University of the Fraser Valley’s President Dr. Joanne MacLean in a recent press release. “By honoring him with an honorary degree, UFV recognizes John’s remarkable impact and contributions that continue to uplift communities and inspire future generations to lead with purpose and integrity."

Under Anderson’s leadership, fresh produce grower, marketer, and distributor Oppy has grown into a 1.5B-dollar global powerhouse while keeping operational excellence and customer service at the forefront. An advocate of sustainable farming, Anderson has invested in drought-resistant crops, precision agriculture and renewable energy to minimize the environmental footprint of global fresh produce production.

He has also donated tens of millions to combat food insecurity, support hospitals, fund scholarships, and protect ecological lands. As the founder of Anderson Air, he provides executive charter services and has provided flights to BC Transplant for life-saving organ transport.

Anderson shared, “To be recognized in this way by the University of the Fraser Valley is truly humbling. Our industry is constantly evolving, and I’ve always believed that strong leadership is rooted in adaptability and collaboration. This honorary doctorate only strengthens my commitment to continue serving the people and the future of produce.”

The University of the Fraser Valley awards honorary degrees to individuals recognized for distinguished and visionary leadership and achievements consistent with UFV’s core values, mission, and goals. They exemplify the highest personal and professional standards that serve as an inspiration and model for students, and whose contributions have enriched society and quality of life.

This honor follows Anderson’s recent awards: Business Laureates of BC Hall of Fame (2023), the Order of British Columbia (2024), King Charles III’s Coronation Medal (2024), the International Humanitarian Ellis Island Medal of Honor (2025) and Grocery Business Magazine’s Hall of Fame (2025).

UNITED STATES - Potatoes are as much a staple in summertime grilling as burgers are, and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise! Promotional windows for Fourth of July and summertime grilling are on the horizon, and any additional info we can glean from the market beforehand is a plus.

According to a report from the Idaho Falls Shipping Point on June 16, 2025, the demand for potatoes is, on average, moderate, as observed at shipping points in Central Wisconsin, the Columbia Basin, Washington, Florida, the San Luis Valley in Colorado, and the Upper Valley, Twin Falls, Idaho.

Kern District in California reported light demand for red potatoes.

According to prices reported at the New York Terminal Market on June 16, 2025, the prices for 50 lb cartons being reported out of California are as follows:

• ROUND RED 50 lb cartons size A 34.00-36.00 size B 40.00 creamers 3/4-1 5/8" 58.00-60.00
• ROUND WHITE 50 lb cartons size A 42.00-45.00 creamers 3/4-1 5/8" 58.00-60.00 few 55.00
• YELLOW TYPE 50 lb cartons size A 42.00 size B 34.00-36.00 creamers 3/4-1 5/8" 56.00-60.00 mostly 58.00

We’ll continue to keep you abreast on category prices, so stay tuned to ANUK.