Whole Foods Market announced the recipients of its highly anticipated Supplier All-Star Awards for 2023, including Rainier Fruit and Happy Dirt. The retailer said 16 brands exemplify excellence through quality, innovation, value and sustainability, while enhancing the shopping experience in stores across the country and supporting Whole Foods Market’s purpose to nourish people and the planet.

Fruit Royale Inc. stands as a seasoned grower shipper specializing in table grapes. The company collaborates closely with its contracted growers, overseeing every facet of fruit production—from cultivation and packaging to cooling, storage, logistics and sales.

“Grapes are our expertise,” said Louie Galvan, the managing partner of Fruit Royale. “With an annual yield exceeding 2 million cases, we ensure a steady supply of premium-grade grapes sourced globally throughout the year.”

CMI Orchards anticipates a high-velocity summer sales season, starting with the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Rochelle Bohm, vice president of marketing, said patriotic holidays, like Memorial Day, provide retailers with a special way to commemorate veterans and military families who have lost loved ones.

A cold low-pressure system generated from the Gulf of Alaska moves into California Friday with light to moderate rain expected across the state. Overall precipitation is forecast to be between 0.25 and 0.75 inches into Sunday. This system will also bring very strong winds of 20 to 35 miles per hour throughout California and the Southwestern Desert regions. This looks to be the last winter type storm system of the season.

Caitlin Hupp joined the Proven Winners retail solutions team, covering the Midwest and Western regions of the United States and Canada. In this newly created role, Hupp will use her years of experience and intimate knowledge of the garden center industry to focus on the needs of IGCs and strengthen the brand’s relationships in her designated territory. In addition, she will work to create new partnerships and brand-building opportunities within this vital segment of our industry.