NEW ZEALAND - Zespri, the world’s largest kiwifruit marketer, is proud to announce a four-year global partnership with Dame Lisa Carrington, New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian, as its inaugural global brand ambassador. The partnership highlights Zespri’s commitment to health, quality, and excellence -values Dame Lisa has exemplified throughout her record-breaking kayaking career - with a focus on inspiring individuals to stay focused on their health and wellbeing, through the goodness of Zespri Kiwifruit.

To launch the partnership, Zespri has released a cinematic short film inspired by the concept of “Flow” - a state of alignment between purpose, nature’s rhythm, and performance. It offers a rare glimpse into how Dame Lisa draws on nature, discipline, and resilience to fuel herself both on and off the water, while reflecting Zespri’s philosophy of growing kiwifruit in harmony with nature’s flow.

A Shared Commitment to Quality and Excellence

The collaboration unites two Kiwi icons deeply connected to the Bay of Plenty, the birthplace of Dame Lisa and the heart of New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry, which produces around 80% of the country’s kiwifruit. The collaboration will spotlight Dame Lisa and Zespri’s shared passion for helping others thrive through good nutrition, healthy habits, and building a legacy of positive impact that goes beyond individual achievements.

More than just a shared origin, the partnership represents a union of purpose and drive. As one of the most decorated athletes in canoe sprint history, Dame Lisa remains focused on upcoming major international competitions, grounded in the flow that guides her training and mindset. At the same time, Zespri is committed to working with nature’s flow to make more nutritious kiwifruit accessible worldwide. By expanding its global footprint, now reaching over 100 million households, Zespri aims to help people thrive through better nutrition and natural goodness.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Dame Lisa Carrington,” said Jiunn Shih, Zespri Chief Marketing, Innovation and Sustainability Officer, in the recent release. “Her discipline, consistency, and drive for progress perfectly mirror our approach to growing and marketing great-tasting, high-quality Zespri Kiwifruit. Together, we look forward to connecting with a broader audience of sports and wellness enthusiasts, as well as inspiring people everywhere to prioritise good health and nutrition as they find their own flow.”

Dame Lisa echoed this sentiment: “I’m incredibly proud to partner with Zespri. It’s exciting to have the opportunity to champion New Zealand kiwifruit on a global stage. Good nutrition is a key part of my performance, just as it’s central to Zespri’s mission. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”

Inspiring Action: Building Habits, Creating Flow

The 90-second cinematic film offers an intimate look at how Dame Lisa finds her flow, beyond her athletic achievements, revealing the quiet strengths and habits that power her from within. Her journey is a reminder that sustainable success is built on small, consistent choices: good food, good habits, and energy that carries us forward. Together, Zespri and Dame Lisa hope to inspire people to discover their own flow and build everyday habits that fuel a life of nutrition, purpose, and progress.

The film explores how Dame Lisa and Zespri each harness nature’s flow. For Dame Lisa, flow is both literal and personal - she moves with nature, finding her rhythm through intentional, consistent training. Similarly, Zespri draws on nature’s rhythm and New Zealand’s fertile soils to grow nutrient-dense kiwifruit with care, dedication, and purpose, a philosophy that has helped it become the number one fruit brand across its 15 core markets.

The launch will also feature a campaign microsite with the full cinematic film, episodic videos, and a series of blog articles deep diving into Dame Lisa’s values and what nutrition means to her. Discover the full film and learn more about the collaboration at https://www.zespridifference.com.

WASHINGTON - Equitable Food Initiative, the nonprofit capacity-building and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, and retailers, proudly announces the election of seven new members to its board of directors. These individuals bring a broad range of expertise in agriculture, sustainability, ethical sourcing, labor rights, and consumer engagement.

Newly appointed board members include:

• Kim Combs, Supplier Risk and Compliance Manager at The Kroger Co.
• Alexandra Hill, Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension at University of California, Berkeley
• Joe Martinez, Co-Founder and CEO at Cierto
• Gonzalo Martinez de Vedia, Labor Rights Advocate
• Matt Rogers, General Manager and Co-Founder at AgSocio
• Lori Taylor, Founder and CEO of The Produce Moms
• Jamie Thorn, Social Responsibility Manager, Whole Foods Market

“We’re thrilled to welcome such a dynamic group of professionals who share EFI’s values and bring diverse perspectives to the table,” said Peter O’Driscoll, executive director of EFI, in the recent press release. “Their insights and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission and support our evolving program areas. EFI is expanding the board now to prepare for our next five-year strategic planning process, which will begin in March 2026.”

EFI’s board brings together 16 industry leaders from across the supply chain, creating a collaborative space for innovation around how best to drive culture change and continuous improvement in labor practices. New members have experience in workforce development, food safety, sustainability, compliance, and more, offering balanced, cross-sectoral expertise.

“EFI’s collaborative approach to improving labor conditions aligns deeply with my own commitment to farmworker rights,” said Martinez de Vedia. “Their technical expertise and ability to unite diverse stakeholders is what drew me to support their work.”

When asked about her decision to join the board, Thorn added, “My collaboration with EFI has enriched my understanding and dedication to advancing responsible sourcing programs and driving meaningful change. I’m deeply committed to their mission.”

The newly elected board members share a strong alignment with EFI’s commitment to worker-centered approaches that drive continuous improvement across the supply chain. Their diverse experiences and shared values will help strengthen EFI’s mission to foster more equitable and sustainable practices throughout the agricultural industry.

A long-time consumer awareness advocate for the fresh produce industry, Taylor emphasized the importance of connecting EFI’s work to household decision-makers, saying, “I’m eager to help shape and share stories of EFI’s impact, especially with moms who are powerful change-makers. I saw firsthand what EFI looks like on a farm – workers engaged in every aspect of the operation – and that is the kind of story consumers want to hear and know about the food they purchase.”

“To improve the well-being of our farm workforce in ways that are sustainable for the industry, all individuals and organizations at every stage of the food supply chain must come to the table and work together,” said Hill. “EFI creates the space to discuss the challenges and opportunities and find ways to advance the viability of the agricultural industry.”

EFI’s board members reflect the breadth of its influence in personal storytelling that inspires consumers, strategic initiatives that reshape business practices, and more. Their perspectives highlight how EFI’s model resonates across audiences.

As EFI expands its influence within the produce industry and beyond, these new board members will play a critical role in shaping strategic priorities, strengthening industry partnerships and ensuring that the voices of workers remain central to the organization’s work.

For more information and full biographies of EFI’s board members, visit equitablefood.org/board.

UNITED STATES - The theme of this week’s watermelon pricing update is a relatively steady market with a wide range of prices.

In the Imperial and Palo Verde Valleys of California/Central and Western Arizona, watermelon demand is reported as moderate with a steady market. The prices from the National FOB Review on June 24, 2025, for Red Flesh Seedless Type 24-inch bins are as follows:

• approx 35 count 126.00-161.00 mostly 133.00-147.00 occasional higher and lower
• approx 45 count 119.00-154.00 mostly 133.00-147.00 occasional higher and lower

In the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, demand is fairly light, and the market remains steady. There is a notable range in quality and conditions, with prices reflecting this. The prices below are for Red Flesh Seedless Type 24-inch bins:

• approx 35 count 112.00-145.00 mostly 126.00-133.00 occasional higher
• approx 45 count 112.00-145.00 mostly 126.00-140.00 occasional higher
• approx 60 count 112.00-135.00 mostly 126.00-133.00 occasional higher

In the South and along the East Coast—namely Georia, South Carolina, and Central and North Florida—demand is currently quite light with a wide variety in prices.

Supplies coming in from Mexico through Texas vary in quality and condition. Currently, there are too insufficient of supplies of Red Flesh Seedless coming in to establish a market.

Keep reading ANUK for further updates across categories!