John (Jay) William Holford, a longtime member of the produce industry and former CEO of Seald Sweet Growers, died Dec. 20. He was 95. 

Mr. Holford was born in Orange, CA, and moved to Vero Beach, FL, in 1986. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1950 to 1951, demonstrating dedication and patriotism early in life. He retired as CEO from Seald Sweet Growers in 1994, concluding a remarkable career.

Metsä Group’s innovation company, Metsä Spring, is advancing its molded fiber packaging innovation with the launch of the new Muoto punnet products as a part of its Muoto Uncoated Fibre Series. The two different punnet sizes are designed for berries, fruits and vegetables, offering punnets with two different sizes to match the specific product and customer needs. The punnets will be ready for market testing starting from January 2026.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the businesses’ principal operators from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

LGS Specialty Sales, a leading importer of citrus, avocados, grapes and persimmons, is entering its Spanish persimmons season with strong supply driven by improved growing conditions and increased volumes.

This year’s persimmons crop has benefited greatly from remarkably better weather during the growing season, including the absence of freezes, which are historically common this time of year. Without the disruption of freezing weather, LGS has been able to position its crop for higher overall yields and strong, consistent supply.

Delaware Valley Floral Group LLC has acquired Arnie’s International Flowers, a wholesale floral supplier based in Buffalo, NY, expanding its delivery service in Buffalo and Rochester to five days per week.

The acquisition strengthens DVFG’s operational presence throughout Upstate New York and provides retail florists, event designers and mass-market floral professionals with more frequent delivery options and increased access to the company’s selection of fresh-cut flowers, botanicals and floral supplies.

The National Garden Bureau has announced the winners of its 2026 Green Thumb Awards, recognizing the year’s most innovative plants and garden products.

Syngenta Flowers' Sunfinity Yellow-Red Bicolor was named the 2026 Green Thumb People’s Choice Award winner in the annuals category, an honor determined by votes from thousands of home gardeners nationwide.