The Southeast Produce Council has a dynamic lineup of educational session speakers for its upcoming conference, Southern Exposure: From Fields to Families, taking place Feb. 26–March 1 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, FL.

SpartanNash recently celebrated the grand opening of its first small-format Supermercado Nuestra Familia. At nearly 14,000 square feet, the store is designed for fast, easy shopping — offering the authentic Hispanic products and cultural experiences shoppers expect with the added benefit of convenience. 

The Supermercado Nuestra Familia — located in Omaha, NE — is strategically situated near community schools and directly on a bus route, offering families convenient access for quick shopping trips before or after school and work.

As the produce industry settles into the new year, retailers are facing a familiar reality: a crowded inbox full of trend reports, forecasts and predictions released over the past several weeks.

From flavor exploration and global influences to evolving wellness priorities and shifts in consumer behavior, the volume of insight is significant. The challenge now is not access to information, but knowing what to do with it.

The Save Mart Cos. announced that Jim Perkins has been named president and CEO.  

With deep roots in California's Central Valley, The Save Mart Cos. operates more than 200 stores across California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington with over 11,000 associates — more than 30 percent of whom have served their communities for over 20 years. 

For U.S. retailers planning ahead for a high-demand year, Avocados From Mexico has a clear message: the fruit is available, the size mix is strong and the promotional programs are in place to support demand at every key moment.

Avocados From Mexico announced that Mexican avocado exports to the U.S. are projected to reach a record-breaking 2.5 billion pounds during the 2025-26 season. This milestone marks the highest volume of avocados Mexico has ever supplied to the U.S. market.

Despite a decline in Peruvian grape exports to North America early in the season, Oppy is charting a different course thanks to its long-term supply base and the advantages of aligning with Dole Diversified North America (DDNA) in October 2025.

The strategic integration of DDNA brings an additional 1.25 million boxes of grapes to Oppy’s program from Peru and Chile, up 44 percent over prior year. Oppy ranks among the top 10 importers of Peruvian grapes into the U.S. and Canada.