The Fresh Produce & Floral Council will close out the year with one of its most anticipated traditions: the FPFC Holiday Reception, set for Dec. 11 at the Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort. Running from 4 to 7 p.m., the reception has long been considered a signature year-end gathering for the West Coast produce and floral industries, and this year’s event leaned even further into community, celebration and a focus on the industry’s future.

Sunny Valley International, a leading supplier of domestic and imported fruit on the East Coast, welcomed Kevin Lyons and Paul Pascal to its sales team on Dec. 1.

We're not off to the smooth start we were hopeful for post-Thanksgiving. Load times in Yuma remain long as growers work through muddy fields and backed-up harvest schedules. Crews are doing everything they can to catch up, but customers should still expect delays at the cooler and a slower turn on trucks through early next week. The good news: product quality is improving every day, and weights are trending upward as the fields dry out and temperatures stabilize.

Giorgio's Grill Packs have been named the winner of the 2025 Joe Nucci Award for product innovation. The award was presented during the Thought Leaders Keynote Breakfast at the New York Produce Show.

Competition was strong, with the Grill Packs standing out among 10 innovative produce products selected by a panel of judges recognized for their expertise in the produce industry.

The Southeast Produce Council is now accepting nominations for the fourth class of its Next Generation Leadership Academy.

Designed for emerging leaders in the produce industry, the yearlong program blends conscious-leadership principles with practical skill-building. Participants strengthen core leadership competencies, learn to navigate industry complexities and develop a growth-focused mindset. With a mix of in-person gatherings and virtual instruction, the academy provides development opportunities for professionals on both the buy and sell sides of the industry.

The 2025 New York Produce Show trade show kicked off at the Javits Center the morning of Dec. 3 and traffic remained strong throughout the day. The show offered exhibitors and attendees a unique convergence of networking, education and commerce in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Attendees found more than 600 exhibiting companies, featuring a show floor full of suppliers, growers, shippers, importers, distributors and service providers.