We’re officially in the back stretch of the Yuma season, and the tone is starting to shift. Demand has been quiet while much of the country dealt with winter weather, but as temperatures warm orders are picking up and markets are beginning to respond.

Fresh off its debut late last year and flurry of exceedingly positive media, influencer and consumer reviews, the Dole Colada Royale Pineapple has been named a 2026 Best New Product Awards Winner in the 18th annual 2026 Best New Product Awards, according to a 2026 BrandSpark survey of shoppers conducted by Newsweek.

Dole’s conventionally bred new pineapple offering distinct notes of coconut, reminiscent of piña colada, was among 43 new food and beverage products awarded by BrandSpark International and Newsweek in 2026 and the only fresh fruit or vegetable to be honored.

Setton Farms has introduced its Dark Chocolate Pistachios with Sea Salt to the market. This new offering pairs the family’s premium California pistachios with rich dark chocolate and a subtle hint of sea salt. 

On the heels of connecting with its members and fresh produce and floral leaders at both the Consumer Goods Forum Sustainable Retail Summit in Paris, France, and Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Germany, the International Fresh Produce Association has advanced the proposed global sustainability framework the organization introduced last fall across these influential forums.  

AI tools are everywhere. Uber is focused on building AI features that genuinely make everyday tasks easier for users. That’s the thinking behind its newest addition to Uber Eats: Cart Assistant.

"Today, we’re launching Cart Assistant in the Uber Eats app, a new AI-powered feature designed to help you build grocery baskets faster and with less effort," said Praveen Neppalli Naga, chief technology officer. "That means fewer taps and more time saved."

Users were saying they wanted a quicker way to shop; Cart Assistant helps get from idea to checkout in seconds.

Ark Foods highlights its Taco Truck Chopped Salad Kit as an example of the company’s approach to modern salad development: bold flavor, disciplined sourcing, playful branding and thoughtful execution across the supply chain.