Ten Acre Marketing adds three new hires
Ten Acre Marketing is starting the new year with new growth. The agency welcomed three team members to support client service and creative operations. Joelle Orem and James Drewicke join as account coordinators, and Matheus Spinelli comes on board as creative studio manager. Together, they bring lived ag experience, solid marketing expertise and enthusiasm for amplifying the power of agriculture.
Mission pleased with avocados' inclusion in Dietary Guidelines
Mission Produce Inc. supports the inclusion of the avocado in the newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2025–30), emphasizing their role as a healthy, nutrient-dense whole food.
Bud Compher retires from Heartland Produce
Heartland Produce Co. announced the retirement of Bud Compher, vice president and co-owner, marking the close of an extraordinary career in the produce industry spanning more than five decades.
Pacific Trellis names Mike Blume as East Coast sales manager
Pacific Trellis Fruit announced the appointment of Mike Blume as East Coast sales manager, effective Jan. 5.Blume joins Pacific Trellis Fruit from Keystone Fruit Marketing, a division of its integrated partner company Progressive Produce, where he most recently served as vice president of sales. With more than two decades of commercial and leadership experience in the produce sector — particularly within the East Coast region — he has a proven history of driving growth, strengthening customer partnerships and leading high‑performing teams.
SEPC announces Southern Exposure educational session speakers
The Southeast Produce Council has a dynamic lineup of educational session speakers for its upcoming conference, Southern Exposure: From Fields to Families, taking place Feb. 26–March 1 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, FL.
SpartanNash debuts first small-format Supermercado Nuestra Familia store
SpartanNash recently celebrated the grand opening of its first small-format Supermercado Nuestra Familia. At nearly 14,000 square feet, the store is designed for fast, easy shopping — offering the authentic Hispanic products and cultural experiences shoppers expect with the added benefit of convenience. The Supermercado Nuestra Familia — located in Omaha, NE — is strategically situated near community schools and directly on a bus route, offering families convenient access for quick shopping trips before or after school and work.
Industry Viewpoint: Resetting retailer relationships with trends
As the produce industry settles into the new year, retailers are facing a familiar reality: a crowded inbox full of trend reports, forecasts and predictions released over the past several weeks.From flavor exploration and global influences to evolving wellness priorities and shifts in consumer behavior, the volume of insight is significant. The challenge now is not access to information, but knowing what to do with it.
Jim Perkins named president and CEO of The Save Mart Cos.
The Save Mart Cos. announced that Jim Perkins has been named president and CEO. With deep roots in California's Central Valley, The Save Mart Cos. operates more than 200 stores across California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington with over 11,000 associates — more than 30 percent of whom have served their communities for over 20 years.
U.S. projected to import record-breaking 2.5 billion pounds of Mexican avocados
For U.S. retailers planning ahead for a high-demand year, Avocados From Mexico has a clear message: the fruit is available, the size mix is strong and the promotional programs are in place to support demand at every key moment.Avocados From Mexico announced that Mexican avocado exports to the U.S. are projected to reach a record-breaking 2.5 billion pounds during the 2025-26 season. This milestone marks the highest volume of avocados Mexico has ever supplied to the U.S. market.
Oppy expands import grape program with significant volume
Despite a decline in Peruvian grape exports to North America early in the season, Oppy is charting a different course thanks to its long-term supply base and the advantages of aligning with Dole Diversified North America (DDNA) in October 2025.The strategic integration of DDNA brings an additional 1.25 million boxes of grapes to Oppy’s program from Peru and Chile, up 44 percent over prior year. Oppy ranks among the top 10 importers of Peruvian grapes into the U.S. and Canada.