The Texas International Fresh Produce Association announced that Hunter Pinke will serve as the 2026 keynote speaker at the Viva Fresh Expo, bringing a timely message of resilience, adaptability and perspective to the Tex-Mex produce community.

Family Tree Farms promoted Ryan Howard to North American sales director, effective Jan. 1.

Howard has been an integral part of the Family Tree Farms sales organization for over a decade, playing key roles in expanding customer partnerships, leading sales strategy and supporting both stone fruit and blueberry programs across the domestic market.

During his tenure, he has built strong relationships with retail partners and helped drive strategic growth in competitive produce categories through leadership and execution. 

Catalytic Generators closed 2025 on a strong trajectory and advanced its global growth plans at Fruit Logistica 2026, engaging with key international customers. Building on growing adoption in Europe and accelerating demand in key international markets, the company is advancing a strategy that combines geographic growth, deeper customer partnerships and a significant new digital innovation designed to make ethylene application even simpler and more reliable.

While in Berlin, the International Fresh Produce Association convened global leaders from across the fresh produce and floral supply chain during Fruit Logistica, including IFPA’s Executive Leadership Summit, which was held in conjunction with the event.

Throughout the week, IFPA welcomed members and attendees to its booth, creating a hub to connect the industry with its regional teams and subject matter experts in policy, supply chain, sustainability, food safety and market insights.

Target Corp. has made a series of executive leadership changes under new CEO Michael Fiddelke aimed at accelerating the company's growth plans, including newly named executive vice presidents Cara Sylvester and Lisa Roath. The appointments follow recent additions to the board of directors and directly support Fiddelke's focus on strengthening merchandising authority and elevating the guest experience.

Basin Gold Cooperative, Masser Family of Cos. and Michael Family Farms will launch Flavorables at SEPC Southern Exposure in booth No. 123 and in the show’s Bright Ideas Fresh Arrivals Showcase. Flavorables are a value-added potato innovation built to drive trade-up, shopper trial and repeat purchase.