CANADA & WESTERN U.S. - Over the weekend, massive wildfires burning across central and western Canada sent thick plumes of smoke into the U.S., with winds pushing hazy skies into parts of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes. Cities including Milwaukee, Chicago, Green Bay, and Detroit experienced reduced visibility and declines in air quality from Friday through Sunday.

The fires prompted some of the largest evacuation orders in recent memory for provinces such as Manitoba and Saskatchewan. More than 170 wildfires were reported nationwide, many of them uncontained. In areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin, state officials issued air quality alerts as fine particulate levels reached thresholds considered unhealthy for all residents.

While much of the smoke remained in the upper atmosphere, resulting in vivid sunrises and sunsets, some regions saw temporary air quality impacts at ground level. With forecasts calling for an above-average wildfire season on both sides of the border, AccuWeather reports more smoke-filled days could follow as summer progresses.

Keep checking in with ANUK for continued coverage of weather events and their effects on transportation, agriculture, and everyday routines.

KINGSVILLE, ON - Still reveling in their win, Del Fresco Pure® took home some impressive hardware from the 18th annual R.E.A.C.H. International Greenhouse Competitions that took place on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Kingsville, Ontario, which included:

• 1st Place (Cucumber category) Del Fresco Pure ® Organic English Seedless Cucumber 
• 1st Place (Yellow Bell Pepper category) Del Fresco Pure® Yellow Sweet Rainbow Pepper* Three-time winner
• 1st Place (Tomato on the Vine category) Del Fresco Pure® Tomato on the Vine 
• 2nd Place (Beefsteak category) Del Fresco Pure® Beefsteak Tomato

Along with the impressive wins, there were top honors in the Overall Coolest Cuke category, where they secured the title with their Organic English Seedless Cucumber.

“We always look forward to the greenhouse competition organized by R.E.A.C.H. International. This event not only brings our industry and community together, supporting a great cause,” says Sonia Klinger, Marketing Manager at Del Fresco Pure®, in a recent press release. “Our team takes great pride in our successes, particularly our overall win for our Organic English Seedless Cucumber. This achievement reflects our dedication to quality. "Winning such a prestigious award was a testament to the hard work and passion that our team pours into every aspect of our greenhouse operations,” states Sonia.

The awards ceremony was held at Kingsville Community Church on Friday, May 23rd, and live-streamed at greenhousecompetitions.com.

The winners received the coveted Greenhouse Competition trophies and, of course, the bragging rights as the best producers in North America. Red Seal Chef Julie Myers, owner of Thyme Kitchen, had the difficult task of choosing 8 products from the 194 entries as the Chef’s Choice winners of this year’s competition. Chef Julie wowed the crowd gathered for the awards with dishes made from the products she chose. This is the 18th year of these unique competitions that have been running since 2007 to celebrate Essex County as the largest greenhouse industry in North America. And the charity that runs the annual event uses the proceeds from the competition to sponsor over 45 children in Uganda, Africa, annually. These sponsorships give the children and teens food, school supplies, medicine, and everything else they need to get an education and break the cycle of poverty.

Art Barron, President of R.E.A.C.H. International, speaks on the impact of the Greenhouse Competitions: "We just love that we can celebrate the Greenhouse Industry in Essex County with this annual event that helps in so many ways. Locally, the Kingsville Community Center receives funds from selling donated produce to help support their amazing programs, and the Gleaners pick up any leftover produce. For the villages we serve in Uganda, these competitions have helped us to raise over $275,000, which is used to provide for children's education, build infrastructure, and enhance health and wellness."

OXNARD, CA - Mission Produce, Inc., a world leader in sourcing, producing, and distributing fresh Hass avocados, announced its attendance at the West Coast Produce Expo (WCPE) from May 28-30, 2025, where it will showcase its consumer-friendly portfolio of avocado and mango products and seasonal supply opportunities.

"We continue to develop innovative products that are designed to capture shopper attention and drive sales on the shelf,” said Diana McClean, Director of Marketing and Communications, in a recent press release. “WCPE will be an excellent opportunity to showcase the success driven by our products and programs for our retail partners, as well as upcoming promotion opportunities across our diversified sourcing origins.”

As reported in Mission’s latest AvoIntel blog, Mission’s 4-count retail-ready mango bag drove a dollar sales increase of 13% and a volume increase of 25%– without cannibalizing bulk sales for a leading East Coast retailer. Following the success of the four-count bag, Mission is introducing a three-count bag offering to accommodate larger-sized mangos. The Company also recently launched its Honey Mango Clamshell, designed to bring value and convenience to the mango shopper during the Mexican mango season.

The Company is currently supplying avocados from California, Peru, Mexico, and Colombia with promotional volumes of large and jumbo avocados from Peru available. The Mexican mango season is in full swing with promotional volumes of Honey mangos available, especially smaller sizes.

Mission Produce will be at WCPE at booth #B419. For more information or to schedule a meeting, contact [email protected].

UNITED STATES - Trader Joe’s is continuing its nationwide expansion with a series of store openings and announcements spanning coast to coast. From established metro areas to emerging retail hubs, the grocer is reinforcing its presence and community ties with each new location.

Most recently, a brand-new Sherman Oaks, California, store is slated to open its doors on June 6 at 14140 Riverside Drive. Shoppers can join Captain Matt and the crew for a Grand Opening Celebration beginning at 8 a.m.

Further north, the company just launched a new location in Bellingham, Washington. Located at 4255 Meridian Street, this site welcomed shoppers for the first time on May 29 with a festive welcome from Captain Brian and crew.

More store launches are in the works for Columbia, Missouri; Peachtree City, Georgia; Shelton, Connecticut; Goodyear, Arizona; and Gresham, Oregon. While opening dates are still to come, construction and crew preparations are underway, and each store will continue Trader Joe’s commitment to nourishing communities through its Neighborhood Shares program.

Stay with ANUK for the latest as Trader Joe’s grows across the retail map.