The LSU AgCenter announced its 2023 fall Louisiana Super Plant selection: Cinnamon Girl distylium. Distylium hybrids are relatively new to the plant nursery trade, making their debut in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

While yields and sizing might be slightly lower this year, the mood at Skyline Potato was decidedly high ahead of the start of harvest for the new crop.

“Yields could be off a bit and sizing down a little due to a cold snap we had in the [San Luis] Valley early in the season,” said Les Alderete, general manager of Skyline, based in Center, CO. “That got things off to a late start and they never fully caught up. I think we’ll be about a week behind, but we’ll be fine.”

Lipman Family Farms introduced two flavorful new tomatoes to its family of tomato varieties: the Monet Red and Bellavina. Both tomatoes were recently awarded the International Taste Institute's 2023 Superior Taste Award, further emphasizing the innovative taste profiles of each.

Diamond of California launched two fall-inspired flavors in its snack nut line, Pumpkin Pie Spice Snack Walnuts and Pecan Pie Pecans. These two new snack nut flavors combine premium, fresh-from-the-harvest nuts with delicious seasonings and a lightly sweetened glaze for a satisfying crunch. The Pecan Pie Pecans will also be the brand’s first-ever exclusively pecan snack offering. Both flavors will be available nationwide in-stores and online starting in September.

Dümmen Orange North America recently welcomed Chris Freeman to its team as western region sales manager. 

He is well-known in the flower business through his director and managerial positions with major breeding companies including Ball FloraPlant, Fischer and Syngenta.