Honeybear Brands, a grower, marketer and developer of premium conventional and organic apples, pears and cherries, continued to differentiate itself this year through data-driven retail partnerships. With strategic packing and distribution locations across North America and comprehensive import programs, the company provides retailers with seamless, year-round supply solutions.

The Masser Family of Cos. returned to the New York Produce Show and Conference, held Dec. 2–4, at the Javits Center in New York City.

MFC highlighted a new line of Side Delights convenience potatoes, along with its full assortment of Side Delights varietal potatoes. The company was joined by Keystone Potato Products, a leading Pennsylvania value-added potato processor, and the Pennsylvania Co-operative, distributor of the Penn’s Own brand of fresh potatoes.

Food solutions company SpartanNash, a member of the C&S Wholesale Grocers family of companies, recently celebrated the grand opening of its fifth Supermercado Nuestra Familia location, expanding the retail banner into Topeka, KS. Opening just in time for holiday grocery shopping, the 50,000-square-foot store brings Hispanic flavors and culture to the Highland Crest, Central Highland Park, Oakland and other neighborhoods in southeast Topeka.

AmericanHort has launched HortCred, a new micro-credentialing program designed to help horticulture professionals quickly develop and demonstrate job-specific skills. The flexible, competency-based initiative supports workers at every career stage while helping employers build a stronger, more capable workforce.

Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply program is underway, with about 33 million trays, or 118,800 tons, expected this year from orchards in France, Italy, Greece, South Korea and Japan.

That includes nearly 26 million trays of Zespri SunGold kiwifruit, or 93,600 tons — a 30 percent increase from last season — along with 7 million trays of procured Zespri Green kiwifruit from Greece and Italy, totaling 25,200 tons.

There are as many as 600 varieties of oranges worldwide, but five dominate supermarket produce departments: clementines, navels, Cara Caras, blood oranges and Minneolas.