Southeast Farms mourns Philip Beese
Philip Sheridan Beese IV, former owner of Southeast Farms Inc., died Nov. 27 following an illness. He was surrounded by the love and comfort of his family.Mr. Beese’s story is one of hard work, determination and vision. He began his career at age 14 as a bag boy at Winn-Dixie and, through dedication and leadership, became the company’s youngest store manager at just 24. At 32, Mr. Beese made the bold decision to leave Winn-Dixie and establish Southeast Farms Inc.
Brighter Bites raises over $225K at silent auction
Brighter Bites recently held a silent auction, which also included an in-person event at this year’s New York Produce Show. As a direct result of the generosity and enthusiasm of sponsors and donors, the auction raised a total of $225,515 in support of its mission to improve access to fresh food and nutrition education.
Unifrutti Group to acquire Peruvian grape grower-packer
Unifrutti Group, a global integrated leader in premium fresh fruit production and distribution, announced the acquisition of Safco (Global Agro Peru and Safco Peru). The integration of Safco enables Unifrutti to serve U.S. customers seamlessly from September through June, sourcing from grape farms in Piura and Ica in Peru, Copiapó in northern Chile, and extending through central Chile.
Delta Fresh hoping for improvement in tomato market
Delta Fresh Sales, a leading distributor of Mexican-grown tomatoes, has seen the highs and lows of the tomato deal since its founding over 90 years ago. But owner Thanasi Panousopoulos hasn’t experienced a year quite like this one.
Holiday selling may have some pricing challenges
The holiday promotional season is just ahead. Your holiday ad program more than likely will include the usual items such as sweet potatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, grapes, celery, Russet potatoes and other festive favorites.
Taylor Farms wins Canada’s Most Trusted Salad Kit Brand for second straight year
Taylor Farms has again been named Canada’s Most Trusted Salad Kit Brand in the 2026 BrandSpark Most Trusted Awards. The recognition marks the company’s second consecutive win in the category and reinforces Canadian consumers’ confidence in Taylor Farms, North America’s leading producer of ready-to-eat salads and fresh foods.
Organic Grower Summit 2025: Celebrating groundbreaking innovations and successes in organic farming
The Organic Grower Summit 2025 concluded its two-day event at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa, leaving attendees inspired by new advancements, valuable networking opportunities and a shared vision for the future of organic agriculture. The summit brought together industry leaders, growers and innovators from 30 U.S. states to explore the latest trends and technologies shaping the organic farming landscape.Expert speakers share insights
Trendsetting: Increased usage pushes monthly online grocery sales past $12 billion
Monthly online grocery sales experienced a dramatic acceleration in November, with total sales surging 29 percent year-over-year to finish the month at $12.3 billion, according to the Brick Meets Click Grocery Shopper Survey, sponsored by Mercatus. eGrocery’s strong performance in November 2025 was driven mainly by higher order frequency, increased use of multiple receiving methods, and higher spending rates, which helped eGrocery account for a larger share of total grocery spending compared to last year.
Holiday favorite, year-round powerhouse
Holiday meals, game-day spreads, and New Year wellness resets all have one thing in common: sweet potatoes. As shoppers reach for comfort foods and nutrient-packed staples, Sand Candy Sweet Potatoes deliver the versatility, flavor, and value retailers need during the busiest stretch of the year.A Seasonal Staple with New Year Staying Power
EPC Leadership Class wraps up informative year at New York Produce Show
The seventh Eastern Produce Council Leadership Class capped its 2025 program with a series of professional development opportunities at the New York Produce Show and Conference from Dec. 2-4.“The trade show and conference offer a perfect conclusion to our year of networking and education,” said Susan McAleavey Sarlund, EPC executive director. “The learnings and connections the class has made will continue with them well into their future careers.”