Watermelon Board elects leadership; all-female team is first
The National Watermelon Promotion Board has elected an all-female slate of executive officers for the first time in its history.The election took place Feb. 21 in St. Petersburg, FL, during the board's spring meeting, which was held alongside the National Watermelon Association's annual convention.Jill Barton, of District 1, was elected president. Renee Goodwin, of District 4, was re-elected as vice president. Camille Lombardo, of District 5, was re-elected as secretary-treasurer.
Bimi Broccoli expands program through partnership with Cal-Organic Farms
Bimi Baby Broccoli, the branded business branch of Sakata Seed America, has announced a strategic partnership with Cal-Organic Farms to expand organic production capacity and North American distribution for the Bimi brand.The agreement adds Cal-Organic Farms, a division of Grimmway Farms and one of the largest organic growers in the country, to Sakata's licensed network. The partnership is designed to meet demand for premium specialty vegetables across retail and foodservice channels.
Eastern Produce Council names 2026 Leadership Class
The Eastern Produce Council has selected 18 produce professionals for its 2026 Leadership Class.The program provides industry and professional development opportunities throughout the year, including seminars, farm tours and networking events, Susan McAleavey Sarlund, the council's executive director, said in a statement.
Market Minute: Lettuce showing lower market, softer demand
The current lettuce market is trending lower as demand has eased, making this an excellent time for consumers to enjoy salads. With lettuce now more promotable, shoppers can take advantage of favorable pricing and good supply.The history of salads made from lettuce dates back as far as 4500 BC in Egypt, where they were originally prepared using a bitter weed. The practice of cultivating lettuce for salads was later adopted by the Romans and Greeks, who enjoyed it with oil and vinegar. Lettuce made its way to the Americas in the 1400s, thanks to Christopher Columbus.
Richter and Co.: A family of farms for a century
In early 1926, Moses Richter boarded a train in North Carolina headed for New York City for the purpose of helping Southern peach growers get a fair market price for their crops. That journey marked the beginning of Richter and Company, which,100 years later, is still laser focused on Southern peaches and the longevity of its “Family of Farms.”
California Avocado Commission celebrates female growers' impact on the industry
Recognizing the growing impact of women in agriculture worldwide, the United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The resolution, led by the United States and supported by 123 countries, is backed by the California Avocado Commission as part of its ongoing commitment to leadership and sustainability in the produce industry. Further support of women’s advancement across all fields is highlighted through International Women’s Day (March 8), which celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Southern Exposure 2026 was a family affair
The Southeast Produce Council returned to the Orlando World Center Marriott for the 2026 Southern Exposure. Farm and family was the theme and as usual, the Southeast Produce Council did not disappoint. The floor was busy from open to close as show-goers conducted business and fostered relationships.Prior to the opening of the expo, keynote speaker John Maxwell, world-renowned leadership author, speaker and coach, emphasized the important role strong leadership plays in running a successful business.
Southern Roots Women's Luncheon inspired at Southern Exposure 2026
Set against the backdrop of the Southern Exposure conference in Orlando, FL (Feb. 26 – March 1), the SEPC's Southern Roots Women's Luncheon welcomed chef, author and Food Network host Molly Yeh as its keynote speaker. Renowned for her series Girl Meets Farm, Yeh brought her distinctive warmth and perspective to the stage, offering insights into her culinary style and the cultural traditions that inspire her to connect people through food.
"Life in Bloom" news roundup from J Schwanke
J Schwanke and RJ Pole will launch the new "Behind the Bloom" podcast with special guest Lane DeVries on Feb. 16. New episodes are available first on Schwanke's YouTube channel and uBloom.com.In the debut episode, Schwanke and Pole speak with DeVries about his career, his leadership role at CalFlowers and his new book, "The Pursuit of Purpose." The "Behind the Bloom" podcast is currently ranked No. 127 in the United States. The podcast is sponsored by CalFlowers and Chrysal.
Harps Teams with Verdant Technologies to improve broccoli freshness
Harps Food Stores, an employee-owned retailer operating 160 stores across Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Oklahoma, is rolling out a new postharvest technology designed to reduce broccoli shrink and improve freshness. The company has partnered with Verdant Technologies to implement HarvestHold Fresh, which are sheets added to its iceless broccoli supply chain, following a successful pilot in late 2025.