Bonipak Produce and Betteravia Farms announced that Kristen Camarena has been appointed executive vice president of farming operations.

A Central Valley native with agricultural roots, Camarena brings two decades of experience and a strong track record of leadership across multiple facets of industry. Her career began in grower relations, where she developed a strong foundation in building long-term partnerships and advocating for the success of growers.

The Pacific Northwest pear crop is showing a strong rebound from last season’s production, which hit a 40-year low as heat, frost and irregular rainfall hit Washington and Oregon orchards.

Chopt Creative Salad Co. announced a new athlete collaboration: a limited-time menu item created in partnership with professional soccer player Emily Sonnett. Sonnett’s Signature Salad will be available at all Chopt locations starting Aug. 6 through Aug. 27, offering guests a delicious way to fuel like a pro.

The Washington apple harvest is fast approaching with early varieties like Gala expected to begin in early August. Pear harvests will follow later in the month. Last year’s extreme heat significantly reduced crop yields, but growers are reporting ideal conditions so far this season. As a result, expectations are high for a well-sized crop with excellent quality.

North Bay Produce apple growers were picking fruit in late July with the heavy harvesting set to kick off in the second week of August.

As the global demand for sustainable packaging intensifies, compostable fruit labels are re-emerging as a small yet powerful innovation in fresh produce. As industry experts point out, while originally designed for branding and product identification, fruit labels have evolved into essential tools for consumer engagement, transparency and operational efficiency. Today, certified compostable labels offer a practical solution that aligns with both corporate environmental goals and consumer expectations for sustainable packaging.