Melon 1 launches watermelon season with strong early harvests
Melon 1 officially launches its 2026 domestic watermelon season with strong early harvests under way in Florida and an expanded growing program that will continue moving up the East Coast and into key Midwest regions throughout the summer. Simultaneously, the company is launching its second consecutive year of AI-supported consumer marketing campaigns designed to strengthen retailer support, increase shopper engagement and drive seasonal watermelon sales.
SEPC announces 2026 Member Scholarship recipients
This year, the Southeast Produce Council awarded 45 SEPC Member Scholarships, totaling $67,500, made possible by the unwavering support and dedication of its membership base.
Applewood Fresh expands apple supply through sales partnership
Applewood Fresh, the Michigan-based apple grower, packer and shipper operating under parent company FirstFruits Farms, announced a new strategic sales partnership with Belding Fruit Storage Inc. of Belding, MI. Through the partnership, Applewood Fresh will serve as the sales and marketing function for Belding Fruit’s apple program, further strengthening supply capabilities and customer support throughout the Midwest and East Coast.
Stop & Shop boosts affordability with lower prices
Stop & Shop has lowered prices at every one of its 137 stores across New York and New Jersey. Shoppers will see lower everyday prices on thousands of items spanning nearly every department, including both national brands and Stop & Shop’s own private label products. The price reductions are focused on customer favorites that they purchase most.
Alexandra Farms Designer Spotlight on Steph Turpin
Steph Turpin, founder of Fairy Nuff Flowers, is known for her soft, romantic approach to floristry. There is a quiet softness to her work, an effortless sensation that makes her designs feel both natural and deeply considered. Her work is popular on Instagram and instantly recognizable as uniquely her own.
Allegiance Retail Services names new CEO
Allegiance Retail Services announced that Jason Ferreira, a co-op member and vice chairman of the board of directors, has been named acting chairman of the board and CEO, effective immediately.Ferreira has served on Allegiance’s board of directors since 2021 and has been a co-op member since 2013.The change is part of the board’s succession development plan. Ferreira will serve as acting chairman until the board and chairman appointments are finalized at the Allegiance Annual Member Meeting scheduled for May 20.
Happy Dirt introduces retail-ready four-pack tray of organic bicolor sweet corn
Happy Dirt has launched a retail-ready four-pack tray of organic bicolor sweet corn. The new format will be available starting the week of June 8 alongside the company’s bulk organic sweet corn offering. Harvest begins June 5 in eastern North Carolina.The four-pack tray holds four ears of USDA Organic bicolor sweet corn in an overwrapped retail tray. This new item allows retailers to continue to drive organic sales in their stores and have the peace of mind that they are getting rung up correctly at the register.
Schnucks kicks off Folds of Honor campaign
For the ninth consecutive year, Schnuck Markets Inc. will support the Folds of Honor Foundation through a Round Up at the Register campaign taking place at Schnucks stores throughout the Midwest. Folds of Honor is a nonprofit organization that honors the sacrifices of fallen and disabled military veterans and first responders by providing educational scholarships to their spouses and children. Last year’s efforts raised $150,000 which funded 30 scholarships.
Nominations open for IFPA Retail Produce Manager Awards
The International Fresh Produce Association is collecting nominations for the 2026 Retail Produce Manager Awards, recognizing retail produce managers across the globe who exemplify excellence, innovation and commitment to bringing fresh produce to life for consumers every day.
From farm to fork, we gotta have plastic
“I want to say one word to you. Just one word…Plastics. There’s a great future in plastics. Think about it.” This is a slightly truncated quote from the 1967 film, “The Graduate,” starring a very young Dustin Hoffman. In this scene, his character, Benjamin, is offered unsolicited career advice by Mr. McGuire, a friend of his family. That scene has often popped into my head these last several years, as much to my chagrin as to Benjamin’s, but for different reasons.