PRO*ACT Crop Update: Desert supplies tighten
We’re officially in the back stretch of the Yuma season, and the tone is starting to shift. Demand has been quiet while much of the country dealt with winter weather, but as temperatures warm orders are picking up and markets are beginning to respond.
Dole’s Colada Royale pineapple named Best New Fresh Fruit Product
Fresh off its debut late last year and flurry of exceedingly positive media, influencer and consumer reviews, the Dole Colada Royale Pineapple has been named a 2026 Best New Product Awards Winner in the 18th annual 2026 Best New Product Awards, according to a 2026 BrandSpark survey of shoppers conducted by Newsweek.Dole’s conventionally bred new pineapple offering distinct notes of coconut, reminiscent of piña colada, was among 43 new food and beverage products awarded by BrandSpark International and Newsweek in 2026 and the only fresh fruit or vegetable to be honored.
Setton expands dark chocolate pistachios line
Setton Farms has introduced its Dark Chocolate Pistachios with Sea Salt to the market. This new offering pairs the family’s premium California pistachios with rich dark chocolate and a subtle hint of sea salt.
Global sustainability framework moves forward
On the heels of connecting with its members and fresh produce and floral leaders at both the Consumer Goods Forum Sustainable Retail Summit in Paris, France, and Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Germany, the International Fresh Produce Association has advanced the proposed global sustainability framework the organization introduced last fall across these influential forums.
Uber has a shortcut for consumers' grocery lists
AI tools are everywhere. Uber is focused on building AI features that genuinely make everyday tasks easier for users. That’s the thinking behind its newest addition to Uber Eats: Cart Assistant."Today, we’re launching Cart Assistant in the Uber Eats app, a new AI-powered feature designed to help you build grocery baskets faster and with less effort," said Praveen Neppalli Naga, chief technology officer. "That means fewer taps and more time saved."Users were saying they wanted a quicker way to shop; Cart Assistant helps get from idea to checkout in seconds.
Ark Foods' approach to salad development
Ark Foods highlights its Taco Truck Chopped Salad Kit as an example of the company’s approach to modern salad development: bold flavor, disciplined sourcing, playful branding and thoughtful execution across the supply chain.
CMI Orchards strengthens year-round pear programs
CMI Orchards continues to lead the pear category with a disciplined, grower-first approach that delivers seamless seasonal transitions, consistent eating quality and year-round confidence for retail partners. Central to that strategy is a carefully managed import program that extends the Bartlett (William) pear season beyond the domestic window while keeping domestic growers and long-term category health at the forefront.
FAM STUMABO helping navigate labor scarcity
As the first major industry checkpoint of the year, Fruit Logistica provided a clear snapshot of the priorities shaping food and fresh produce processing in 2026. For FAM STUMABO, the exhibition was an opportunity to engage in strategic dialogue with processors across fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, foodservice and prepared foods, exploring its operational challenges and investment priorities for the year ahead.
Instacart and 1-800-Flowers.com partner for nationwide floral delivery
Instacart and 1-800-Flowers.com have announced a nationwide partnership that allows customers across the United States to order fresh flowers and gifts for on-demand delivery through the Instacart app, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Upside expands West Coast grocery footprint
Upside has officially launched a full regional rollout with The Save Mart Cos. across nearly 200 stores in California and Nevada under the Save Mart, Lucky and FoodMaxx banners. This launch significantly expands its West Coast grocery footprint and demonstrates how regional grocers can compete with national chains.