Samantha Ayoub will join the International Fresh Produce Association as director of workforce and business policy on the U.S. Government Relations team effective Feb. 23.

Ayoub brings extensive expertise in agricultural economics, workforce and labor policy, and business operations affecting the food and agriculture sector. She most recently served as environment, labor and taxes economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation and previously held roles with U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and in plant pathology research.

Coming off last week’s update, the Valentine’s Day pull is now clearly under way in berries. Demand is building across both retail and foodservice, and while supply is improving in some regions, it remains limited. Get your berry orders in now!

North Bay Produce announced a comprehensive rebrand. At the core of the rebrand is the farmer, a symbol that represents North Bay’s commitment to connection, cooperation and global reach. The farmers are not just the foundation of North Bay’s business — they are the business. As a global cooperative, owned by the very farmers who cultivate their renowned produce, they aim to create meaningful connections between consumers and the people who feed their families and the world.

After decades of shaping retail partnerships, mentoring teammates and bringing a little theater to the produce aisle, Tim Harrington is retiring from Stemilt Growers, closing a chapter defined by energy, integrity and an unwavering belief in the power of relationships.

Ask anyone who has worked with Harrington what set him apart, and the answer comes quickly: people. Customers, growers, colleagues — all mattered, and all were treated with the same intentional care.

Detroit-based Riggio Distribution Co. is starting 2026 with confidence, momentum and a steady market that reflects both the region’s resilience and the company’s decades-long reputation for reliability. 

For Dominic Riggio, the company’s leader and part of a family legacy that has supported the Midwest produce trade for generations, the tone of the year has been decidedly optimistic.

Move aside, analytics and experts — this year, the big game is being foretold by the one man who truly understands the mystical power of guacamole: Avocados From Mexico’s Guac Guru. Played by actor and comedian Rob Riggle, he’s bringing some avo-fueled foresight to football’s biggest night, including three bold predictions about the in-game action. And if he gets them all right? Well, prepare to have your world guac-ed.