NatureSweet is doubling down on the company’s commitment to transform the agricultural industry by partnering with more retailers and selling high-quality produce beyond snacking tomatoes. The company’s portfolio includes nationwide distribution of bulk and packaged tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.

Healthy Family Project’s annual back-to-school campaign wrapped in early October with impressions topping 224 million and social media reach seeing more than 24 mm impressions. This year’s campaign focused on lifestyle content and how nutrition and food impact and play a role in the everyday lives of families. The program, now in its ninth year and in partnership with seven health-conscious brand partners, has raised more than $180,000 to benefit children and families with greater access to fresh fruit and vegetables.

David Lundstrom, a seasoned veteran of the Mexican fruit and vegetable deal, has joined Delta Fresh Sales LLC.  He will be working from the Nogales, AZ, sales office as its new category manager. 

Harps Food Stores Inc. entered into a purchase agreement to acquire The Markets, an independent grocery retailer with seven locations across central Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi.

Earlier last week, Barry Loy, president of The Markets, and his brother, Jeff Loy, vice president/treasurer, informed employees that its store banners, employment and operations will continue with minimal change or interruption. While the timing of the transaction has not been finalized, both parties anticipate completing the transaction by the end of 2022.

Apeel announced its plan to introduce innovative new solutions that will allow stakeholders across all stages in the fresh produce supply chain to instantly and non-destructively determine the ripeness of avocados.

WP Rawl will debut a new sustainable packaging solution for its line of Nature's Greens triple-washed leafy greens.

"For generations our company has grown vegetables that are good for our bodies," said Ashley Rawl, vice president of sales, marketing and product development. “As leaders in the leafy greens industry, we're excited to contribute with greens that are good for our environment too."

Consumers continue to drive demand for sustainable packaging solutions. Today's consumer is more likely to prefer packaging that is recyclable.