IFPA’s Leadership Program is in its 29th year, providing a year-long leadership journey for 12 industry professionals. The program focuses on four fundamental pillars:  leadership development, business relationships, government and public affairs and media and public communications.  

As we roll into April, supplies out of both Florida and Mexico remain tighter than expected, and the market hasn’t found much relief from where we were last week. Peppers continue to be the biggest pressure point. Florida is still working back from freeze damage, and recent heavy rains, with some areas seeing several inches, have only slowed harvest and reduced yields further. Quality remains inconsistent, and number-one grade product is hard to come by.

The Wonderful Company has again been named one of Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, earning the No. 72 spot in 2026, up 13 spots from its No. 85 ranking last year. This is The Wonderful Company’s third year in a row making the list, and it remains the only agriculture enterprise among this year’s 100 honorees.

For nearly four decades, J. Cowart, Inc. has built its reputation on delivering consistent, high-quality Vidalia onions while adapting to the changing demands of the produce industry. As the 2026 season approaches, the company is expanding its footprint, investing in the future and preparing the next generation of leadership to carry the business forward.

Following significant steps to expand its fruit program in 2025, Exp. Group has major plans this year, adding at least one location, doubling space in south Texas and launching a frozen division at its North Bergen, NJ, headquarters.

“We’re hoping to announce our next location very soon,” Anthony Serafino, Exp. Group president said in late March. “We have planned some serious expansion because we feel we can serve different markets in an efficient way.”

In recent months, diesel fuel prices have surged by 40 percent or more, dramatically increasing transportation costs for fresh produce.

Diesel-powered trucks move 80 to 90 percent of fresh produce across the United States, carrying goods from farms and packing facilities to retail distribution centers every day. As fuel prices climb, freight expenses are escalating, putting additional strain on produce shipments and making deliveries more costly.