The American Floral Endowment has announced the 2026 recipients of the Paul Ecke Jr. and Altman Family scholarships. The scholarships recognize graduate students whose work is poised to shape the future of floriculture through innovation, research and education.

Emily Eldridge, a master's degree student at North Carolina State University, is the recipient of the 2026 Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship. Eldridge will receive 10,000(10,000(5,000 each for two consecutive years) to help fund her education.

The Mexican grape deal will be wrapping up earlier this spring. Production will be moving into California vineyards — it has already begun out of Coachella. This shift will be a little over two weeks earlier this season for California grapes to be harvested primarily because of very good growing conditions. 

The International Fresh Produce Association concluded its annual Washington Conference last week with a clear and compelling message: the fresh produce industry’s voice is being heard at the highest levels of government.  

Fresh Express announced the return of its successful Fresh Expressionists program for a second year, featuring an expanded roster of celebrity chefs, creators and culinary personalities who bring the brand's "Express Yourself" philosophy to life, inspiring consumers to transform salads into fresh, flavorful meals that reflect their own tastes and lifestyles.

Wonderful Halos mandarins and POM Wonderful Pomegranate Arils have been selected as winners of Good Housekeeping's 2026 Best Snack Awards.

Wonderful Halos won in the produce category for the second consecutive year, highlighting Halos as an easy-win snack that is sweet, seedless and easy-to-peel. Wonderful said Halos is the most productive mandarin brand on-shelf, with the highest dollar velocity in the category and two times higher velocity vs. private label. 

As the Michigan produce season gets underway, Riggio Distribution Co. is preparing for another busy year supplying locally grown fruits and vegetables throughout the Midwest and beyond, while continuing to emphasize the relationships that have helped define the company for generations.