Showcasing a new product with splashy displays on the expo floor during the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show is one of the benefits of exhibiting at the annual event.

Taking the extra step of highlighting a fresh fruit, vegetable or value-added product — whether it’s a new item or not — through sampling takes the experience to another level.

Bell peppers originated in South America and were cultivated over 6,000 years ago. They were introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus in the 15th century. Peppers then spread all over the world.

CHARLOTTE, NC — The Southeast Produce Council welcomed the fresh produce industry to its annual Southern Innovations conference and trade show Sept. 10-13. Looking at very early numbers, total attendance was about 1,475, of which about 500 were retail, foodservice and wholesale buyers, according to David Sherrod, the council’s president and CEO. “We were excited to have that many buyers,” he said midway through the expo. “We feel that it’s a really good ratio of buyers to sellers. And it’s showing right now; the floor is still busy, and there’s still lots of buyers walking the aisles.”

They may be small in size, but Little Pranksters kiwi berries are making a big splash this fall. Homegrown Organic Farms is officially kicking off the 2025 season with expanded supply and new top-seal packaging that keeps fruit fresh, eye-catching and ready for snacking.

Fall Creek Farm & Nursery Inc. announced the appointment of Marc de Beer as CEO, effective Oct. 13.

De Beer brings two decades of leadership experience in animal nutrition and genetics to Fall Creek. Most recently, he served as president of Aviagen North America, a global leader in poultry genetics, with earlier leadership roles at Elanco Animal Health and DSM Nutritional Products.

With 2024 crop sweet potatoes dwindling in North Carolina, Nash Produce got an early start on the 2025 harvest to help make the transition to the new season smoother.

Some of the Nashville, NC-based sweet potato company’s growers planted earlier than normal and were able to dig some acreage several weeks earlier than the typical Labor Day harvest start. The 2024 crop faced hurricane-related flooding and other weather-related stresses that cut production significantly.