For HLB Specialties, 2026 is shaping up as a year of measured growth and operational refinement, with continued momentum in key categories and a focus on strengthening its global supply network. 

One of the company’s standout success stories remains its drinking coconut program, which has expanded significantly since its launch. 

Were you recently forced to wait in a long line at the supermarket checkout to pay for your items? How many cashiers were on duty at the time? Why is it that a store has eight to 10 checkouts and only one or two open for customers during busy hours?

Want to know what is happening these days when businesses operate this way? Consumers are starting to respond by quitting those companies and moving on to those that have better services and more available checkouts.

At the heart of Green Life Farms is a commitment to quality, food safety and people, a vision that begins with its founder, Flavio Martinez, and continues to guide the company’s growth across multiple regions.

Based in Indio, CA, in the Coachella Valley, the grower-packer-shipper has built a reputation for delivering a wide range of produce year-round while staying rooted in the principles established by its leadership.

Southern Specialties started out in 1990 as a small operation but over the past 36 years, it has grown to become a major player in Florida’s fresh produce scene. And essential to that growth is its location in Pompano Beach and the important role the city plays in the produce industry.

The International Fresh Produce Association's Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference, which sold out for a fourth consecutive year, was held April 6–8 at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, CA. The conference, designed to accelerate women’s leadership and influence across the industry, is the premier leadership event for women across the global fresh produce and floral supply chain. The event’s continued growth underscores strong demand for practical leadership development and meaningful connection opportunities for women.

This is a moment of significant challenge for our industry. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is sending shockwaves through global energy and commodity markets, and the fresh produce supply chain—from farm to fork—is feeling the impact acutely. 

What we’re seeing: