EAGLE, ID - After nearly 17 years with the Idaho Potato Commission and over 50 years in the food industry, Armand Lobato has retired, closing an impressive chapter in a long and accomplished career. Known for his dedication, humility, and genuine relationships, Armand continues to have a lasting presence among growers, commissioners, colleagues, and friends.

Armand began his career in 1974 as a courtesy clerk in Denver, Colorado. From those early days, he steadily advanced through retail and foodservice before joining the IPC as Foodservice Promotions Director West. In that role, he traveled across 14 western states visiting distributors, restaurants, culinary schools, and processors while sharing his well-known love of dad jokes.

Reflecting on his time with the IPC, Armand said in the recent release, “It has been a privilege to work and travel for the IPC. I will miss the growers, commissioners, teammates, and friends I made along the way. I am just an ordinary guy working in an extraordinary industry.” This deep appreciation made his contributions especially meaningful.

Along the way, Armand earned undergraduate and graduate degrees and wrote a weekly column for The Packer and other agribusiness publications for nearly 20 years. He became known for his sharp industry insight, storytelling, and respect for Idaho’s growers and shippers.

Armand looks forward to spending more time with his wife Michelle, their two grown children, and three grandsons. He also plans to continue writing and hopes to teach journalism or creative writing in the near future.

“It’s been a remarkable ride, one I recommend highly,” Armand said. “It is my hope that someday, someone will open a carton of fresh Idaho potatoes and say, ‘You know, I had a good friend that worked there, years ago.’”

“Armand has been a vital part of the Idaho Potato Commission,” said Jamey Higham, President and CEO of the IPC. “His passion for the industry, his storytelling, and yes, even his love of dad jokes, have made him a cherished member of our team. We will truly miss working alongside him and wish him all the best in this exciting new chapter.”

GOODLETTSVILLE, TN - Dollar General Corporation reported financial results for its fiscal year 2025 first quarter (13 weeks) ended May 2, 2025.

• Net Sales Increased 5.3% to $10.4 Billion
• Same-Store Sales Increased 2.4%
• Operating Profit Increased 5.5% to $576.1 Million
• Diluted Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) Increased 7.9% to $1.78
• Cash Flows From Operations Increased 27.6% to $847.2 Million
• Board of Directors Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.59 per share

“We are pleased with our start to the year, including strong same-store sales and EPS results,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s chief executive officer, in the recent release. “Our efforts to improve execution and enhance the associate and customer experience are yielding positive outcomes in both our operational performance and our financial results. I want to thank our team for their hard work and dedication to serving our customers and communities with value and convenience every day. These efforts contributed to market share gains in sales of both consumables and non-consumables, and drove growth with both our core customer and trade-in customers during the quarter.”

“Looking ahead, we are uniquely well-positioned to serve our customers in a variety of economic environments. We are proud of our progress and are excited about the future of this business, as we look to further create sustainable long-term value for our shareholders.”

First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Highlights

Net sales increased 5.3% to $10.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025 compared to $9.9 billion in the first quarter of 2024. The net sales increase was driven by positive sales contributions from new stores and growth in same-store sales, partially offset by the impact of store closures. Same-store sales increased 2.4% compared to the first quarter of 2024, reflecting a 2.7% increase in average transaction amount and a 0.3% decrease in customer traffic. Same-store sales in the first quarter of 2025 included growth in each of the consumables, seasonal, home products, and apparel categories.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 31.0% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 30.2% in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 78 basis points. This gross profit rate increase was driven primarily by lower shrink and higher inventory markups; partially offset by increased markdowns.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”) as a percentage of net sales were 25.4% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 24.7% in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 77 basis points. The primary expenses that were a higher percentage of net sales in the first quarter of 2025 were retail labor, incentive compensation, and repairs and maintenance.

Operating profit for the first quarter of 2025 increased 5.5% to $576.1 million compared to $546.1 million in the first quarter of 2024.

See the full report here.

OXNARD, CA - Lemonade stands are a summertime staple, but will there be product to match the consumer demand that seems to inevitably follow the warming temperatures?

The Source stated lemon markets remain on the stronger side, with 165 count and smaller sizes continuing to be somewhat tight. California’s San Joaquin Valley is nearing the end of its season, while the state’s Ventura County/Oxnard area is emerging as the primary growing region.

Quality is looking good for all current crops, with Yuma still maintaining steady volumes and pricing. As Ventura begins ramp up, pricing in the region is still on the higher side and looks to remain so in the coming days.

Out of the L.A. Terminal Market, the USDA reports California South and Central shippers at the following sizes and prices:

• 75s: 30.00-33.00; mostly 31.00-32.00 with occasional higher/lower
• 95s: 32.00-34.00; mostly 33.00-34.00 with occasional higher/lower
• 115s: 35.00-38.00; mostly 36.00-37.00 with occasional higher/lower
• 140s: 37.00-40.00; mostly 38.00-39.00 with occasional higher/lower
• 165s: 39.00-42.00; mostly 40.00-41.00 with occasional higher/lower
• 200s: 39.00-42.00; mostly 40.00-41.00 with occasional higher/lower
• 235s: 39.00-42.00; mostly 40.00-41.00 with occasional higher/lower

The USDA clarified prices quoted cover sales by primary receivers of overall supplies on wholesale lots; additional industry sources note numbers are lower on current FOB prices.

Ventura/Oxnard forecasts show a steady rise in temperatures, with a slow scale upward from lows in the med-high 50s and highs in the med-high 60s toward 63 degrees low and 75 high by the middle of the month.

As we continue to monitor all key categories influencing the produce aisle, keep an eye on AndNowUKnow for all the latest.

ISSAQUAH, WA - Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $20.97 billion for the retail month of May, the four weeks ended June 1, 2025, an increase of 6.8 percent from $19.64 billion last year.

Net sales for the first 39 weeks were $201.02 billion, an increase of 8.0 percent from $186.07 billion last year.

Costco currently operates 905 warehouses, including 624 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 109 in Canada, 41 in Mexico, 37 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 19 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, two in France, and one each in Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.

See the release here.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Top Brass's organic potato season has commenced, bringing high-volume yields and exceptional quality, as I learned from a recent conversation with the company’s President of Sales, April Myers.

“We have experienced outstanding growing conditions for our organic gold, red, russet, and purple potatoes this season. With California beginning its harvest, the volume is increasing rapidly due to more favorable weather. The volume of organic potatoes will be abundant this season until the end of July and into August, and will offer a variety of promotional opportunities for organic potatoes,” she assured me.

To maximize the sales potential of organic potatoes as the season progresses, April said retailers should implement several strategies focusing on marketing, product presentation, and customer engagement.

“Retailers could emphasize the health benefits and environmental advantages of organic potatoes, highlighting the absence of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers can attract health-conscious consumers. Retailers can also partner with local organic farms to enhance the potatoes' appeal, promoting the idea of supporting local agriculture and reducing carbon footprint,” she advised.

Zooming out further, April and I discussed challenges that continue to impact both the buy- and supply-side.

“The uncertainty of tariffs is a significant concern and is at the top of everyone's priorities, potentially causing disturbances in the market,” April observed. “This issue extends beyond just the produce itself; it encompasses every element related to produce that may be affected by tariffs, including packaging and the materials utilized during the growing and packing phases of the season.”

Even so, the company and indeed our industry at large are no strangers to challenges and pushing forward by taking each necessary step as it comes. For Top Brass specifically, that is the California grape season, set to kick off in early July.

“As previously noted, the weather conditions have been favorable, and we expect excellent grape yields. The season will commence with Flames, Karizma, Ivory, Sweet Bond, and Candy Snap. Additionally, we have some new varieties that are demonstrating significant potential: Cherry Crush, Fire Crunch, and Honey Pop,” April shared.

There is certainly more to dive into, and more to come, as the weeks continue to warm in the West and beyond. Keep an eye on AndNowUKnow as we bring you up to date on all the latest.

BERKELEY, CA - Akorn Technology, a pioneer in all-natural coatings for fresh fruits and vegetables, has launched a breakthrough in sustainable shelf-life extension for cucumbers – an edible coating that is set to revolutionize the way cucumbers are packed, distributed, sold and consumed by replacing single-use plastic wraps.

Akorn Natural Advantage for English cucumbers and bell peppers – which forms a natural, invisible barrier that mimics the protective function of plastic – eliminates the need for single-use plastic on long English cucumbers while maintaining freshness and quality. Akorn’s plant-derived coating has all the advantages of plastic wraps, but with none of the negative consequences and costs associated with single-use plastic pollution.

Akorn Natural Advantage preserves the firm texture of wrapped cucumbers while maintaining the crisp, refreshing crunch consumers love. Unlike traditional plastic-wrapped cucumbers, which often yellow due to ethylene buildup in the package, Akorn cucumbers stay vibrant with a deep green color and glossy finish.

Hailed by retailers who have found it meets or exceeds the efficacy of plastic, the coating’s commercial potential is such that it has been selected for a grant from the 2025 Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator cohort, a program led by the Foundation for Fresh Produce (FFP) and the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA).

Letting produce breathe

The launch of Akorn Natural Advantage coating comes at an opportune time. Across North America, Europe, and other regions, consumers and retailers are powering a move towards more sustainable packaging, whether they be compostable or bio-based materials. Natural Advantage makes possible the near total elimination of single-use plastic on produce like cucumbers and peppers.

Akorn CCO and Co-Founder, Xander Shapiro, said in a recent press release: “Other companies have gone to extremes to find solutions, many of which are simply unpalatable to the average consumer and therefore retailer. Akorn Natural Advantage for cucumbers and peppers is highly effective in retaining product crispness and color, and all without gross ingredients that fly in the face of consumer preferences. Implementation of the solution is simple and only requires minor retooling. Akorn provides full support during this short process.”

Shapiro continued: “Plastic packaging on fresh fruits and vegetables not only contributes to pollution but can also increase food waste by accelerating spoilage and forcing bulk purchases. Studies show that selling produce loose or using breathable, compostable packaging can significantly reduce both plastic waste and food loss. As a result, the industry is rapidly adopting innovative materials and technologies that extend shelf life while supporting environmental goals.”

Sustainability through innovation

Since its foundation in 2019 by a team of technology and agriculture veterans, Akorn Technology’s mission has been to reduce fresh produce losses in the supply chain through all-natural, easy to use shelf-life extension solutions.

These include edible coatings (of which Akorn Natural Advantage for cucumbers and peppers is the most recent iteration), biological fungicides to reduce decay, natural antibacterials for improving food safety, and the development of other all-natural post-harvest solutions to optimize the delivery of superior fresh fruits and vegetables.

Akorn’s patented edible coatings make use of upcycled, non-GMO plant materials to offer a natural means of extending the shelf life and quality of fruits and vegetables, reducing the need for plastic packaging, and helping growers and retailers prevent food waste.