SACRAMENTO, CA - Blue Diamond Growers, the world’s leading almond marketer and a co-operative of California family farms, is proud to announce a new retail partnership program with global tennis champion Venus Williams to launch its latest line of premium almonds, developed specifically for the produce aisle. Retailers who join the program will receive custom in-store signage, dedicated displays, and access to national consumer sweepstakes offering a chance to meet Venus Williams — all designed to drive shopper excitement and foot traffic.

“We’ve seen incredible early momentum as shoppers seek convenient, fresh, and better-for-you snack options in the produce section,” said Maya Erwin, Vice President of Marketing and Innovation at Blue Diamond Growers, in a recent press release. “Our farmer-owned roots make the produce aisle the natural home for Blue Diamond, and with Venus Williams inspiring consumers to find us there, we’re poised to create major buzz and incremental sales for our retail partners.”

Fresh from California farms, the new premium almond line is crafted for on-the-go snacking. It’s already rolling at leading retailers including Albertson Jewel, Kroger Roundy’s, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Amazon, and more.

The Venus Williams retail partnership program benefits include:

• In-store displays and POS materials: Eye-catching signage featuring Venus Williams to capture shopper attention in the produce aisle including displays, dump bins, floor talkers, standees, and more.
• Tailored shopper marketing support: Custom activations and localized support available to retailers who opt in, designed to maximize visibility and purchase intent.
• National consumer sweepstakes: Boost traffic and excitement with a turnkey campaign offering shoppers the chance to win signed merchandise and a meet-and-greet experience with Venus Williams.

Consumer promotions like a sweepstakes program remain a proven tactic for shopper engagement and purchasing behavior. According to recent research, 81% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands that offer incentives, and 59% are likely to recommend those brands to others.

“This is a strong opportunity for retailers to drive sales, increase shopper loyalty, and bring fresh new energy to the produce section with Venus Williams and Blue Diamond,” said Senior Vice President of North American Sales and East Coast General Manager Brett Libke of Oppy, Blue Diamond’s exclusive sales agent for its produce-centric line.

Program details:

The sweepstakes will run from May 27 through September 15, 2025. Shoppers can purchase Blue Diamond’s new produce-aisle almonds in-store and enter the barcode number from the bag at VenusBDSweeps.com for a chance to win exciting prizes.

For full program details and to bring the Venus Williams campaign to your stores, contact your Oppy sales representative.

LOS ANGELES, CA - The Giumarra Companies is pleased to announce its new office location in Scottsdale, Arizona. This marks Giumarra’s second location in the state and supports the company’s continued growth and operational efficiency.

“The opening of our Scottsdale office comes at an important time as we position the company for long-term success,” said Anthony Stallings, Senior Vice President, Finance for Giumarra, in a recent press release. “This new location allows us to better serve our team and deepen our relationships with key retail partners in the region. Additionally, Scottsdale’s strong business infrastructure and talent pool will support our future initiatives.”

Located at 8800 E. Raintree Drive, Suite 165 in the Raintree Corporate Center, the new office is home to select administrative and operations functions and will serve as a meeting space for customers, growers, and industry partners.

“We are thrilled to welcome Giumarra to Scottsdale as they expand their presence in Arizona. With over a century of experience in fresh produce marketing and growing, their decision to establish a new office with administrative functions here highlights Scottsdale’s appeal as a strategic location for industry leaders. We look forward to their continued success and growth in our community,” said Teri Killgore, Scottsdale Economic Development Director.

The new location is part of Giumarra’s broader strategy to enhance product and service offerings and support long-term growth.

PORTERVILLE, CA - Homegrown Organic Farms is proud to introduce Mammoth® Blues, the latest addition to its brand portfolio and a bold new entry in the blueberry category. Measuring 18mm or larger, these jumbo blueberries are firm, flavorful, and refreshingly sweet, offering a standout eating experience that delivers on both size and taste.

Exclusively available through Homegrown Organic Farms, Mammoth Blues represent a unique offering in the marketplace. This premium label will be offered in limited, intermittent volumes from May through August, bringing big size and bold flavor to the summer season.

First introduced in 2021 with the debut of Mammoth Kiwi, the Mammoth® label has become a beloved brand that celebrates extra-large fruit varietals across multiple categories. With Mammoth Blues, Homegrown brings that same oversized excitement to the berry aisle with a flavor-packed experience that stands out on the shelf.

Grown in both California and Oregon, Mammoth Blues thrive in two of the nation’s most renowned blueberry-producing regions. As an employee-owned, vertically integrated company, Homegrown Organic Farms oversees every step of the process—from farm to pack to ship—ensuring consistent quality, freshness, and service. This hands-on approach gives retailers confidence and provides consumers with an exceptional fruit experience.

“We’re excited to bring Mammoth Blues to the marketplace as a value-added label within our blueberry portfolio,” said Ryan Fronke, Blueberry Category Manager, in a recent press release. “These jumbo berries offer more than just size—they deliver a consistently sweet, crisp bite that consumers will love.”

Mammoth Blues are available in 6 oz and 9.8 oz clamshells, perfect for snacking, sharing, and building visual impact at retail. For international markets, a 4.4 oz clamshell is also available, offering export buyers the same high-quality fruit backed by Homegrown’s trusted reputation.

“Our goal with Mammoth Blues is to elevate the blueberry category and give both retailers and shoppers something to get excited about,” said Stephen Paul, Deciduous Category Director. “They’re more than just big—they’re a standout product that helps drive sales, build loyalty, and create a memorable fruit experience.”

With a limited seasonal window, Mammoth Blues will ship throughout the late spring and late summer. Retailers interested in featuring Mammoth Blues are encouraged to plan early and secure their spot in this short but sweet season.

For more information or to place an order, please contact the Homegrown Organic Farms sales team by email at [email protected] or by phone at (559) 306-1770.

EDISON, CA - The Giumarra Family is happy to announce the addition of Daniel Gomez to their sales team. In his new role, Daniel will specialize in sales to export markets for Giumarra’s California grape crop, and to domestic retail accounts for their import programs from Mexico and South America.

Randy Giumarra, Vice President of Sales states in a recent press release: “Daniel is an experienced produce sales professional with a proven record of success in the industry. He will be a welcome addition to our sales team and will do a terrific job in his new responsibilities. Our family welcomes him into the Giumarra team and looks forward to many years of success.”

Daniel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Agriculture from Cal State University, Bakersfield, and much of his prior work experience has been in the grape category.

“I’m excited to join Giumarra Vineyards and look forward to contributing to its history of success. This is an exciting new chapter in my career, and I’m thrilled to be working alongside such a talented and forward-thinking team. I look forward to learning from them and achieving great things together.”