As Exp. Group enters 2026 with a forward-looking vision, the organization has announced plans to establish a comprehensive fruit department designed to meet the evolving needs of its clients and expand its product offerings across the produce landscape. This initiative reflects the company’s commitment to innovation, flexibility and growth while maintaining its strong foundation within the tropical fruit and vegetable industry.

The Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s 2026 Pacific Northwest regional meeting will host industry members in Snoqualmie, WA, on March 19 and 20. Both days feature tours, with a luncheon and educational sessions on day two. The discussion will focus on the future of the produce and floral supply chain. 

For more than a decade, Shanley Farms has carved out a unique niche within the California avocado category by focusing on flavor, timing and regional identity. Based along the Central Coast near Morro Bay, the company has built a reputation around its Morro Bay avocado program, which supplies premium fruit late in the California season when domestic availability typically becomes scarce.

Instacart has a new partnership with Fareway, a longstanding Midwest grocer with more than 140 stores. Together, the two companies are bringing customers the same service and value they expect in store, now paired with an updated, seamless e-commerce experience.

As part of this partnership, Fareway is launching an enhanced, online shopping experience powered by Storefront Pro, Instacart’s enterprise commerce platform. Fareway orders are also now available for pickup through the Instacart Marketplace with no markups, giving customers more convenient ways to shop.

 Ripening more than 75,000 boxes of bananas and 100,000 boxes of plantains per week requires precision, predictability and partners that can scale. For Exp. Group, one of the largest ripening operations in the United States, its multi-decade partnership with Catalytic Generators has provided the reliable ethylene foundation needed to support growth while delivering consistent quality across its expanding U.S. footprint.

The California Fresh Fruit Association will present fresh fruit industry leader David Marguleas with the Lifetime Achievement Award at CFFA’s 90th Annual Meeting on March 16.

This recognition will honor Marguleas’ lifetime of service to the California fresh fruit industry. The Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed upon an individual whose pioneering spirit and inventiveness throughout his or her career has inspired others and influenced the industry in a positive way.