REIDSVILLE, GA - The Healthy Family Project’s 23rd bi-annual Publix Produce for Kids cause marketing campaign is underway through June 25. This year, 15 produce companies are helping provide 800,000 meals to 35 Feeding America® partner food banks within Publix’s market area. Since 2002, the campaign has raised more than $4.2 million to support causes that benefit families and children in Publix communities and has helped provide over 15 million meals to local Feeding America food banks.

Bright, colorful signage featuring fresh produce and easy meal inspiration will be displayed in all 1,404 Publix stores alongside participating produce partners. Designed to spark healthy choices, the signs showcase simple, delicious ways families can enjoy more fruits and vegetables. New this year, shoppers can also tune in to expert tips from a Publix dietitian, who will be sharing practical nutrition advice and balanced plate ideas across Healthy Family Project’s digital channels - bringing even more fresh inspiration straight to families' kitchens.

"At Publix, giving back to our communities is at the core of everything we do," said Dwaine Stevens, Publix Director of Community Relations, in a recent press release. "We are proud to once again partner with Healthy Family Project to offer fresh solutions for families and make a real difference for those facing food insecurity."

Produce partners supporting the 2025 Publix Produce for Kids cause marketing campaign include: Coast Tropical, Ayco Farms, Driscoll’s®, The Wonderful Company, Shuman Farms, Mucci Farms, SUNSET®, CMI Orchards, Fresh Express®, GT Living Foods, Vegpro International Inc., T. Marzetti, Chiquita, Ranier Fruit Company, and Bay Food Brokerage.

"Each year, we are humbled by the incredible impact this campaign makes for families," said Trish James, Vice President, Healthy Family Project. "Thanks to the partnership with Publix, our produce sponsors, and supportive shoppers, we're inspiring healthy habits while working together to fight hunger in our communities."

The USDA estimates that 1 in 5 children in the United States experience hunger. The participating produce companies are helping to meet this urgent need through meals donated to local Feeding America food banks throughout the Publix footprint.

The campaign will raise funds for local Feeding America partner food banks including: Feeding Northeast Florida, Food Bank of North Alabama, Montgomery Area Food Bank, Inc., All Faiths Food Bank, America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Feeding America Tampa Bay, Feeding South Florida, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Feeding the Valley Food Bank, Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Dare to Care Food Bank, Golden Harvest Food Bank, Middle Georgia Community Food Bank, Second Harvest of South Georgia, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Lowcountry Food Bank, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Feed More, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Food Bank of Abermarle, Fredricksburg Area Food Bank, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, MANNA Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, Second Harvest Food Bank of NE Tennessee, Second Harvest Food Bank of SE North Carolina, Treasure Coast Food Bank, and Virginia Peninsula Food bank.

For more information about the Publix Produce for Kids campaign, visit healthyfamilyproject.com.

STILLWATER, MN - CUB and CUB Wine & Spirits are proud to announce the grand opening of their newest store at 6 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, at 1750 County Road 42 in Burnsville, Minnesota. This marks a homecoming for Cub, reestablishing its presence in the Burnsville neighborhood with a reimagined shopping experience after the original store closed in 2024.

“This store represents more than a rebuild—it’s a bold step forward in Cub’s future, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have that step take place in Burnsville,” said Andre Persaud, President and CEO of UNFI Retail / Cub, in a recent press release. “Beyond opening the store’s doors, we’re also proud to launch our new brand platform, Shop Happy. From our fresh new look and feel to the way we talk about joy and simplicity, our new platform and store design are part of the way Cub is repositioning for the next generation of grocery. You’ll see this new vision come to life all summer across our stores—but we’re excited to kick that off right here!”

Rooted in Cub’s Minnesota heritage, Shop Happy is a creative platform that celebrates small joys—like discovering a fresh and local find, getting a great deal, or being greeted with a warm smile. It reflects Cub’s evolving commitment to freshness, friendliness, and community pride—delivered simply and consistently.

Expanded Experience at Burnsville Cub

The Burnsville location is designed to offer customers an elevated shopping experience, with upgraded services and expanded departments, including:

• A bold new store façade and shopper-friendly layout
• Enhanced produce section with a broader organic assortment
• A modernized deli experience including more grab-and-go meals, hot foods, and a relaunch in partnership with Dietz & Watson, featuring:
  • More than 60 curated items, including bulk meats, grab-and-go, shelf-stable condiments, and exclusive charcuterie items
  • Clean-label, antibiotic-free, and artisan deli selections
• A new sushi station prepared in-house
• Expanded floral section, bakery (with custom cake decorating), seafood, meat, Kitchen Shop, and Vitamin Shop departments
• LED video monitors throughout the store
• Drive-thru online order pickup lane to support Cub’s growing e-commerce business

Relaunch of Health & Beauty

The Burnsville location will also enhance Cub’s focus on wellness with an all-new pharmacy featuring drive-thru and walk-up options as well as a revamped Health & Beauty department designed to engage wellness-driven shoppers and meet modern expectations. A refreshed product assortment features the latest trending brands in clean beauty and wellness supplements.

A New Cub Wine & Spirits Experience

The new Cub Wine & Spirits is more than four times the size of the previous location and deliver a significantly upgraded experience:

• Vastly expanded selection of beer, high-end wines, and premium spirits
• A new tasting bar for sampling, education, and event programming
• Interactive displays and enhanced merchandising to support discovery and inspiration

DELTA CANADA - With the arrival of spring, WINDSET FARMS® is excited to kick off another growing season of fresh, locally grown greenhouse produce in British Columbia. Following the successful conclusion of their first winter growing season at the recently expanded Delta facility, Windset is now ramping up production to bring even more BC-grown vegetables to Canadian tables.

Thanks to its centralized location in Delta, BC, Windset’s greenhouse operation helps reduce food miles, ensuring that produce reaches local stores faster and fresher. “When you can grow closer to home, everyone benefits, from the environment to the end consumer,” says Ryan Cherry, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Windset Farms, in a recent press release. “We’re proud to be growing in BC, for BC and beyond.”

To celebrate the start of the season, Windset partnered with Executive Chef Ned Bell for a live cooking segment on CTV Morning Live, where he prepared a flavour-packed Unstuffed Maestro® Bell Pepper recipe using Windset’s greenhouse-grown BC bell peppers. This recipe is part of a new 2025 culinary collaboration with Chef Ned, building on last year’s successful Recipe Series. You can check out the segment here.

Together, Windset and Chef Ned will share exciting new recipes, each celebrating the flavour and freshness of greenhouse-grown vegetables. Accompanying the recipes will be a Fresh Takes™ video series that takes viewers behind the scenes at the Delta facility. The videos will explore what it means to grow sustainably year-round, the importance of healthy produce for families, and how we collectively can support our local communities.

“At Windset, we believe food should nourish people and the planet,” says Cherry. “It's about showing how local food is grown and why it matters.”

Recipes, videos, and updates will be released monthly on Windset’s website and social media platforms throughout the season! Be sure to follow @windsetfarms on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates!

FOWLER, CA - While many California-grown citrus varieties are nearing the end of their season, the Bee Sweet Citrus team reports that Star Ruby Grapefruit will be available through summer.

"Bee Sweet's Star Ruby grapefruit is an excellent commodity to highlight during the summer months because of its availability, versatility, and health benefits," stated Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Representative Anders Skooglund in a recent press release. "As one of the sweetest grapefruit varieties on the market, we're confident shoppers will enjoy grapefruit throughout the summer months."

Bee Sweet's Star Ruby grapefruit is currently harvested in California's Central Valley and will be available through August. The variety is popular for its blushed rind, red interior, and sweet, tangy flavor profile. 

The company also reports that the fruit’s quality is great and eat well.

"While many people enjoy eating grapefruit fresh, there are so many different ways consumers can utilize them in meals," stated Bee Sweet Citrus Director of Communications, Monique Mueller. "Their sweet, tangy flavor beautifully complements summer salads, cocktails, parfaits, and more."

In addition to grapefruit, Bee Sweet Citrus also has mandarins, lemons, and Royal Red oranges available for customers. Navel oranges remain light as the company prepares to transition to its summer import program.

To learn more about Bee Sweet's grapefruit and summer variety availability, please call a sales representative at 559-834-200 or visit www.beesweetcitrus.com.

REEDLEY, CA - Dayka & Hackett (D&H), a global leader in fresh produce distribution, announced an important partnership with UVEX, a prominent Mexico-based table grape grower and exporter. This alliance will significantly enhance D&H’s table grape pipeline in the coming years with additional high-quality, premium grapes.

The partnership will focus on the development of 500+ hectares of land into premium grape varieties, including Sun World International®, Grapa, and Bloom Fresh, known for their superior flavor profiles. The initiative underscores D&H's commitment to offering customers high-caliber, flavorful grapes that meet the growing consumer appetite for premium produce.

“Partnering with UVEX is a key step toward enhancing our table grape offerings, and we are excited about the potential to deliver exceptional grapes that exceed the expectations of our customers,” said Kyle Hackett, CEO of Dayka & Hackett, in a recent press release. “This collaboration will enable us to provide a steady supply of premium varieties and continue to lead the industry in innovation and quality.”

As part of the project, D&H will implement an innovative indoor packing and cooling facility, specifically designed for clamshell, bi-color, and tri-color packaging. This modern facility will ensure efficiency and quality control, delivering fresh, high-quality grapes to the market.

"Eight years ago, we set out to revolutionize our vineyards by introducing superior grape varieties—meticulously selected and expertly cultivated to deliver exceptional quality. We're proud to partner with Dayka & Hackett, a company that shares our passion for excellence. This strategic alliance marks a bold step forward in raising the standard for flavor and quality in the Mexican table grape industry," said Luis Carrillo, Commercial Director.

MIAMI, FL - Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, and the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), the largest and most diverse international association serving the fresh produce and floral supply chain, announced a strategic partnership through IFPA’s Supply Chain of the Future initiative.

As part of this collaboration, Fresh Del Monte has committed to executive sponsorship of two of the initiative’s key steering committees: Harmonized Standards and Shelf-Life Prediction. Backed by more than 135 years of operational expertise and a global supply chain spanning over 90 countries, Fresh Del Monte is helping lead the transformation toward a more transparent, efficient, and data-driven fresh produce ecosystem.

With Fresh Del Monte’s Chief Operating Officer Mohammed Abbas, serving as executive sponsor, the company will deploy experienced leaders to actively contribute to the initiative’s working groups. Raul Saca, SVP of Global Logistics and former executive at Maersk and DP World, will lead engagement in the Harmonized Standards committee. The working group will identify and align existing standards relevant to the fresh produce supply chain.

Walter Tordoff, VP of Global Quality Assurance, will spearhead Fresh Del Monte’s involvement in the Shelf-Life Prediction workstream. The Shelf-Life Working Group will define critical data requirements for effective shelf-life prediction and identify compelling use cases that demonstrate value across the supply chain.

“Waste across the supply chain is one of the most urgent issues facing our industry,” said Mohammed Abbas, COO, Fresh Del Monte, in a recent press release. “There’s so much waste out there—and what’s missing is predictability and a more integrated supply chain. Fixing just those two things could unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in savings.”

The Supply Chain of the Future initiative is built on four foundational pillars: Shelf-Life Prediction, Dynamic Incentives, Harmonized Standards, and Smart Data Escrow. Fresh Del Monte’s engagement underscores its commitment to tackling inefficiencies and reducing food waste at scale.

“Retailers today contend with 4 to 8 percent shrink on the shelf,” added Abbas. “That level of waste is unnecessary—we have the tools and data to do better.”

Steve Alaerts, Chair of IFPA’s Supply Chain Council, emphasized the collaborative nature of the program: “Data doesn’t move food. Collaboration does. This initiative is about bringing the industry together to break down data silos and foster trust across the supply chain.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Fresh Del Monte to this movement,” said Drew Zabrocki, Innovation Lead for the initiative. “This isn’t just a trend—it’s a revolution. We’re not talking about incremental change. We’re building a new operating reality where data transparency and collaboration deliver value for all, from grower to consumer.”

The initiative’s white paper outlines the broader stakes: “The fresh produce industry stands at a precipice. We can continue with outdated, extractive business models that stifle innovation, or we can embrace a new era of open collaboration, where data empowers every stakeholder and fuels a more sustainable and equitable future.”

“The crossroads is clear,” added Alaerts. “Embrace open collaboration or risk continued value erosion. With leaders like Fresh Del Monte, we are creating an open, interoperable framework to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and create shared value through partnership rather than extraction.”

There are several ways to get involved in the Supply Chain of the Future, including joining one of the working groups, signing on as a sponsor, or participating in the program pilot series. These are all detailed on the Supply Chain of the Future website.

Industry members may also join the Supply Chain of the Future Symposium on June 9, 2025 from 11am – 4pm EST. This event, held in conjunction with The Washington Conference hosted by IFPA, is free and open to in-person and virtual participants. The event will be a fast-paced opportunity to engage and network with other industry visionaries, see the latest in innovative technologies and more.

Following the symposium, the initiative will expand pilot programs through targeted industry partnerships and technical enhancements, with a global showcase planned during the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in October 2025.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DoorDash, a leading platform for local commerce, and Wing, the global leader in residential drone delivery, are introducing drone delivery to Charlotte, NC, for the first time. This marks the latest milestone in their ongoing partnership focused on bringing faster, more efficient, and sustainable food delivery options to customers.

Starting now, eligible DoorDash customers within about four miles of The Arboretum Shopping Center in southern Charlotte can order from a selection of local and national restaurants and choose to have their items delivered by drone. The lineup includes Charlotte favorites like Curry Junction, Matcha Cafe Maiko, Joa Korean food, and Panera Bread — the city's first national partner available for drone delivery. To celebrate the launch, customers can enjoy a $1 bowl of Panera Bread’s iconic mac & cheese delivered by drone through the DoorDash app for a limited time.

The Charlotte expansion is the next step in a successful partnership between Wing and DoorDash. DoorDash and Wing first launched drone delivery together in Australia in 2022. Since then, the partnership expanded to the U.S., with drone delivery service available to DoorDash customers in parts of Southwest Virginia, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and now Charlotte. DoorDash and Wing plan to expand to additional neighborhoods later this year.

“Autonomous delivery will help shape the future of local logistics, and we’re proud to introduce drone delivery to Charlotte for the first time with Wing,” said Harrison Shih, Head of Product for DoorDash Labs, in a recent press release. “What makes this launch special isn’t just the technology, it’s the experience. Whether it’s your favorite Panera sandwich, a savory snack from DashMart, or a local matcha latte on DoorDash, there’s something special about watching your order arrive by air in minutes. DoorDash and Wing aren’t just delivering faster, we’re delivering what’s next.”

This partnership was born out of DoorDash Labs, DoorDash’s robotics and automation arm. DoorDash Labs focuses on identifying and integrating autonomous solutions that can enhance the customer experience, drive increased demand for local merchants, and create more earning opportunities for Dashers. In addition to Wing, DoorDash also partners with Coco Robotics for sidewalk robot delivery, reinforcing its commitment to building a multi-modal delivery platform designed to support the fastest and most efficient deliveries possible.

“We are committed to continuously redefining convenience and unlocking innovative ways to enhance the Panera experience, and we’re thrilled to partner with DoorDash and Wing on this pilot,” said Meenakshi Nagarajan, Chief Digital Officer, Panera Bread. “This partnership offers a cutting-edge way to deliver the quality and craveability that our guests know and love, right to their doorstep.”

Read the full release here.