Bako Sweet launched a new website — bakosweet.com — that provides an enhanced user experience for shoppers. Serving as a valuable resource, the website is designed to inspire curiosity about sweet potatoes from California’s Sweet Spot.

Alpine Fresh recently broke ground on its new state-of-the-art facility. The Miami-headquartered company acquired eight acres of land in Sweetwater, FL. The land will house the new five-star cold storage facility with a category five structure and sustainable features that will support their expanding operations and programs.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico East Cargo Facility recently seized $4 million worth of narcotics in a tractor-trailer containing Brussels sprouts.

CBP officers discovered and extracted a total of 148 packages concealed within the floor and roof of the trailer. The narcotics were tested and identified as methamphetamine with a total weight of 2,052.20 pounds, with an estimated street value of $4.3 million.

For more than two decades, Shuman Farms has been a pioneer of cause marketing initiatives within the fresh produce industry. Shuman Farms’ Healthy Family Project, founded in 2002 by President and CEO John Shuman, has donated more than 18 million meals to Feeding America and raised more than $7.5 million for charities that support children and families. The grower has also donated meals and raised awareness of food insecurity in the United States.

Kingsburg, CA-based Scattaglia Growers & Shippers LLC prides itself on growing some of the finest red, green and black seedless grapes in the state of California.

“Our growers are very passionate about what they do, and they ensure that the fruit reaches optimum size and flavor for customer enjoyment,” said Craig Calandra, horticulture specialist for SGS.

For the second year in a row the International Fresh Produce Association played host to retailers and their supply chain partners at the Retail Conference. Attendees enjoyed a picture perfect day on Chicago’s Willow Crest golf course, mixed it up at the evening reception, and spent Thursday, June 8 discussing educational sessions on a range of industry topics concerning consumer trends, supply chain challenges, food as medicine and the foundations of forging strong professional partnerships.