The New England Produce Council announced its 2026 Leadership Class, a select group of rising professionals from across the produce industry.

The program is designed to foster growth and career development by connecting emerging leaders with industry knowledge, mentorship and transformative experiences, according to NEPC Executive Director Laura Sullivan. The program continues to play a vital role in developing the next generation of industry leaders by providing participants with valuable insights, networking opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences.

After a slow start to 2006, BRS Produce is beginning to see business pick up as the spring season progresses, with optimism growing that the months ahead will bring stronger movement across the board.

“We’re definitely starting to see things pick up recently,” said Rick Milavsky, president of BRS Produce. 

Sunkist Growers Inc. has appointed of Anuj Girdhar as chief financial officer. Girdhar brings more than 20 years of financial leadership experience within the agriculture and beverage industries, with a strong background in strategic planning, operational finance and business growth. 

In his role at Sunkist, he will oversee the company’s finance, accounting, strategy and innovation, and information technology teams, partnering closely with leadership across the organization to support continued operational and strategic growth.

Fresh Origins is heading to the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago with a wide assortment of culinary specialties built for summer menus and designed to drive meaningful impact.

Recent findings from Datassential show that the addition of microgreens increases the median price of a dish by $3 to $5 across all menu segments.

The 2026 Michigan asparagus season is beginning to take shape, with harvest now under way across the state and pacing influenced by recent weather conditions. As fresh volume begins to build and peak availability nears, the focus shifts to connecting with consumers and encouraging seasonal purchases.

As the specialty produce category continues to evolve in 2026, John Vena Inc. is finding opportunity in shifting consumer preferences, global sourcing and its strong roots in the Philadelphia market.