The Texas International Produce Association delivered high-impact education at the 2026 Viva Fresh Expo, equipping produce leaders with both real-time market insights and a forward-looking strategy to compete in a rapidly evolving global landscape.  

Headlining the education program, futurist economist Richard Kottmeyer of FutureBridge challenged attendees to look beyond consumer-related volatility and rethink how fresh produce can be positioned as a higher value, health linked, consumer-relevant category over the next decade.

In flower production systems, substrates can offer several advantages over soil, including lower pest and pathogen pressure, fewer weed seeds, reduced risk of heavy metal contamination and lighter weight.

With May’s arrival, California stone fruit is officially in season and available for retail promotion. Early harvest apricots are coming in first, boasting exceptional quality, though a smaller crop may lead to an earlier finish. Cherries are also being shipped out but are priced higher due to a shortened season caused by late rainfall, which cut supplies by up to half. Expect cherry shipments to taper off quickly by late May, resulting in a gap until Washington cherries enter the market.

ShopRite is helping customers celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a special Super Sale event, running through Tuesday, May 5. The limited-time promotion brings together must-have ingredients for a flavorful spread at a great value, making it easy to create a complete taco night at home with family and friends – from classic beef tacos topped with shredded cheese and sour cream to fresh guacamole, chips and salsa on the side.

The promotion highlights key items across multiple categories, including:

The Western Growers Women Program marked its third annual Leadership Retreat in Rancho Mirage, CA, bringing together 35 women for an experience centered around growth, connection and leadership. 

On March 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture filed an administrative complaint alleging that National Fruit Product Co. Inc. of Winchester, VA, failed to make full payment promptly in the amount of $353,349 to two sellers for multiple lots of produce purchased, received and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce, in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.