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.”

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Food solutions company SpartanNash® is proud to announce the success of its annual in-store fundraiser, which raised $265,000 for Special Olympics programs across nine states. The funds, donated by store guests, Associates, and the SpartanNash Foundation, will help provide year-round support for thousands of athletes, empowering them to compete, train, and thrive in inclusive sports environments.

"At SpartanNash, we are deeply committed to the power of community and to creating opportunities that enable everyone to thrive," said SpartanNash Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Adrienne Chance, who is also the Executive Director of the SpartanNash Foundation. "Our partnership with Special Olympics is a testament to our dedication to wellness and the boundless potential of every athlete. We are honored to stand with our store guests and Associates in supporting this inspiring cause and making a meaningful impact together."

The funds raised in each community will directly support local programming, training and competition fees for Special Olympics athletes in Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

"Our partnership with SpartanNash continues to make a remarkable difference in the lives of our athletes," said Special Olympics Michigan President and CEO Tim Hileman, in a press release. "These donations help fund critical programs that promote confidence, independence, and community connection through sports. We're incredibly grateful for the ongoing support that helps us change lives year-round."

From March 19 through April 14, guests at participating SpartanNash-operated stores and fuel centers were invited to donate an additional $1, $5, or $10 at checkout. Donations were also accepted online, making participation easy and accessible.

The initiative is part of SpartanNash's broader commitment to supporting People First initiatives, strengthening communities and fostering purpose-driven partnerships. Throughout its 41-year collaboration with Special Olympics, the SpartanNash Foundation has contributed more than $10.5 million and thousands of volunteer hours to advance the mission of empowering athletes with intellectual disabilities.

To learn more, visit spartannash.com/foundation-fundraisers.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Sun World International, an international leader in produce licensing with one of the largest and longest-running private breeding programs, is kicking off the 2025 grape season with the powerful debut of its newest proprietary variety, Sugrafiftythree, marketed in the RUBY RUSH brand. This early-season red seedless grape, named for its radiant color, crisp texture, and bold sweetness, has quickly proven its value to growers worldwide — driving strong early adoption and accelerating new growth opportunities across the premium table grapes sector.

With multiple successful field trials, widespread licensee excitement, and plantings underway, Sugrafiftythree has rapidly established itself as the early-season red grape variety of choice. Its standout attributes — early availability, natural coloring, high yield potential, and exceptional consumer appeal — are filling a critical gap left by traditional varieties that often struggle with coloration and consistency.

“Sugrafiftythree, as RUBY RUSH, isn't just another early-season option — it's a new benchmark. This season, Sugrafiftythree is helping us meet the market earlier and sets a new standard for early-season fruit,” said Pablo Ramirez, vice president of licensing at Sun World International, in a recent press release. “Growers and retailers alike are seeing firsthand how RUBY RUSH delivers on the color, flavor, and crunch that consumers crave, while offering earlier harvest windows, stronger margins and new category excitement. In key geographies like Chile, Peru, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Egypt, Italy, Spain, USA, Mexico, Israel and Portugal are already driving momentum for the season ahead.”

Driven by its performance, Sugrafiftythree has become the fastest variety to advance through commercialization in Sun World’s history. Building on this success, Sun World hosted two exclusive field days in Chile earlier this year, with nine additional events planned across Egypt, Mexico, Italy, Brazil, Peru, South Africa, and Australia — offering growers a firsthand look at the potential of this category-shaping variety.

With global cultivation rapidly expanding and production volumes rising, Surafiftythree represents a significant growth opportunity for growers and marketers seeking to differentiate their portfolios and meet early-season demand with premium fruit.

Now cultivated in more than 10 countries, Sugrafiftythree is continuing to expand as growers recognize its early-season advantages and market potential. With increased production on the horizon, Sun World remains focused on supporting licensees and ensuring wider market availability in the RUBY RUSH brand to engage and grow consumer interest in the coming seasons.

HOUSTON, TX - Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, shares Co-Founder, Dr. Shreela Sharma’s participation as a panelist at Food as Medicine Network Live 2025, a national conference focused on integrating nutrition with healthcare practices.

Held in Chicago, the event brought together policymakers, healthcare providers, nonprofit leaders, and researchers to discuss the growing role of food-based interventions in improving health outcomes. Sharma joined a distinguished panel of health leaders to share insights from Brighter Bites’ work and discuss the impact of food as a tool for prevention and healing in underserved communities.

“It was an honor to represent Brighter Bites and stand alongside such inspiring leaders,” said Dr. Sharma in a recent press release. “This conversation is a vital step toward reshaping how we think about healthcare — not just in treating illness but investing in nutrition as a foundation for lifelong well-being.”

Key topics discussed include:

• How healthcare providers can effectively identify and support food-insecure patients at risk for nutritional deficiencies.
• The long-term health consequences of nutritional deficiencies in food-insecure populations, and why early intervention is critical.
• How community-based partnerships and programs can successfully address food insecurity and improve nutritional health.
• The role that nutrition education plays in improving outcomes for food-insecure populations.

Brighter Bites continues to drive innovative programs that connect food access with health outcomes, working with local partners to deliver services that address chronic disease, food insecurity, and social determinants of health.

For more information about Brighter Bites’ Food is Medicine work, visit www.brighterbites.org/food-is-medicine, or follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or YouTube.

OVIEDO, FL - Duda Farm Fresh Foods, a leading grower of fresh celery, radish, and sweet corn in the U.S., launches the “Shucks & Smiles Sweepstakes” with a focus on ways to savor the flavor of summer by incorporating sweet corn into a variety of delicious dishes.

Sweet corn is a healthy whole grain that is high in fiber and low in fat, making it a nutritious addition to any meal. Grown in the Florida sunshine, fresh, sweet corn from the Sunshine State is a perfect choice for health-conscious consumers.

“Springtime marks the beginning of warmer weather—and with it, grilling season—so we wanted to inspire our shoppers to get outside and enjoy the sunny season with inspirational recipe and content and a fun prize-winning opportunity,” said Nichole Towell, senior director of marketing and packaging procurement at Duda Farm Fresh Foods, in a recent press release. “With this promotion, we aim to encourage summertime fun and delicious home-cooked meals while also elevating Dandy® corn as a meal-time solution for quick and delicious summer salads, sides, appetizers, and more.”

Now through May 30, shoppers are encouraged to enter the “Shucks & Smiles Sweepstakes” for a chance to win one of several summer grilling-inspired prizes that include a name-brand griddle and grilling accessories, seasoning sets, poolside cooler, insulated tumbler and floats. Each of the 31 winners will also receive Dandy swag and coupons for FREE Dandy products from local grocery stores.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods will employ a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote the giveaway that includes regional TV segments, public relations efforts, influencer support, sweet corn recipes, and application inspiration, online advertising, as well as email and social media campaigns to increase sweepstakes entries and drive demand for the product in stores.

For additional information, please visit www.dudafresh.com or follow Dandy Fresh Produce social media platforms for daily inspiration at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

ORLANDO, FL - Fresh Express®, the nation’s leading brand in value-added salads, is amplifying its vibrant Express Yourself campaign through a lineup of dynamic partnerships with actress, cookbook author and mom, Tiffani Thiessen (@tiffanithiessen) along with digital megastar, NYT best-selling author and celebrity Chef Nick DiGiovanni (@nick.digiovanni) and acclaimed registered dietitians Kylie Sakaida (@nutritionbykylie) and Steph Grasso (@stephgrassodietitian). Together, they’ll lead a dynamic group of chef influencers, dubbed the “Fresh Expressionists,” to inspire fans to creatively express themselves with flavorful, nutritious, and exciting salad experiences.

“At Fresh Express, we believe salads are more than just meals—they’re a vibrant canvas for creativity and self-expression,” said Fabian Pereira, Vice President of Marketing at Fresh Express, in a recent press release. “Partnering with top-tier talent enables us to highlight the versatility of our products while connecting with consumers through authentic, inspiring storytelling that encourages them to explore and share their own unique salad creations.”

Harnessing the Power of Social Media to Influence Healthy Choices

This initiative reflects Fresh Express’s continued focus on engaging Millennial and Gen Z consumers through fresh, multi-platform content that champions individuality, wellness, and culinary creativity.

Recent data shows over 70% of produce shoppers use platforms like Facebook and YouTube, while more than half also engage on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Pinterest. Among adults under 30, video-forward content is especially influential—making social media an essential channel for inspiring food choices and healthy habits.

Influencers Elevate Salad Creativity

Tiffani Thiessen, actress, cookbook author, and mom, will anchor the campaign along with Nick DiGiovanni, the celebrated celebrity chef and social media sensation known for his innovative culinary twists. Together, they’ll demonstrate the versatility and flavor potential of Fresh Express salads through an inspiring, multi-post series across Instagram and TikTok.

"Balancing motherhood, work, and healthy eating isn't always easy, but Fresh Express salads make it feel effortless,” said Tiffani Thiessen. “They're so fresh, flavorful, and versatile—I’m excited to share how I sneak extra veggies onto my family's plates without any complaints!"

Chef Nick DiGiovanni added, "Fresh Express has totally changed my salad game – I’m excited to share easy hacks and adventurous recipes that prove salads can be anything but boring."

Dietitian Duo Drives Nutritious Innovation

Complementing the chefs, registered dietitians Kylie Sakaida and Steph Grasso will spotlight the nutritional benefits and healthful innovations made possible by Fresh Express. Their approachable, informative content resonates with health-conscious fans seeking delicious, nutritious meal solutions.

“I love showing my followers how approachable healthy eating can be, and Fresh Express salads makes that effortless,” said New York Times bestselling author Kylie Sakaida. “These salads are fresh, flavorful, and incredibly easy to personalize, so I’m excited to share some delicious recipes I have in store!”

"I’m all about making nutritious food fun," said registered dietitian Steph Grasso. "With Fresh Express, I can inspire my followers to create balanced, nutrient-packed meals that are both flavorful and expressive."

Introducing the "Fresh Expressionists"

Additionally, Fresh Express is unveiling the “Fresh Expressionists,” a dynamic group of culinary creators including Jenny Martinez (@happybelliesbyjenny), Ronnie Woo (@ronniecwoo), Nicole Keshishian (@kalejunkie), Toni Chapman (@themoodyfoody), Kevin Curry (@fitmencook), and Alia and Radwa Elkaffas (@fooddolls). This diverse team of chefs will further amplify the campaign through engaging recipe content, challenges, and interactive culinary inspiration. Each influencer’s content will ladder back up to the Express Yourself platform that is designed to resonate with Millennials and Gen Z consumers, encouraging them to view salads as a canvas for creativity. Given that adults under 30 are averaging five social media platforms and show a strong preference for video-centric content, Fresh Express's strategy includes a robust digital presence featuring engaging recipes, interactive challenges, and user-generated content.

Building a Movement Around Mealtime Creativity

Through this multi-channel effort, Fresh Express invites fans to share their own salad creations, moments of inspiration, and expressions of flavor using campaign hashtags and social engagement. It’s a call to action to reimagine what salad can be—and to make mealtime a moment of expression.

As Fresh Express ushers in this exciting new chapter, the brand remains committed to freshness, flavor, and inspiring a new generation of salad lovers. With this bold new chapter, Fresh Express is refreshed, reimagined, and ready to reassert its category leadership in an exciting, modern way. For more information about the brand, visit www.freshexpress.com and follow Fresh Express on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and X.