Bland Farms, America’s leading grower of sweet onions, is proud to announce a season of exceptional recognition. The company has earned the 2025 Grocery Insights Category Leadership Award in both Onions and Sweet Potatoes, while Director of Sales Sloan Lott has been appointed Chairman of the Board for the Southeast Produce Council.

Alright, I admit it, I used to be an avocado avoider. For no real good reason, I didn’t eat avocados. Then, a few years back I made a deal with my at the time 12-year-old daughter — who herself is a verrrry picky eater — I try the guacamole she made, and she starts tasting more foods. Well, I tasted and liked the guac. I’m still waiting for my daughter to expand her food horizons.

Southern Specialties, which sources asparagus from several regions, utilizes its Peruvian production as a consistent year-round supply to service both foodservice distributors and retailers in the population dense East Coast.

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act Division has recently received a significant increase in allegations of fraudulent activity involving individuals and entities falsely claiming to be licensed PACA members and legitimate produce buyers. These fraudsters place orders for fruits and vegetables, divert the load to an unknown location and then fail to pay for the produce.

A year ago, Miami-based Advance Customs Brokers International entered into a strategic alliance with a couple of other brokers to help build up their back office and technology capabilities. Little did the principles know that it would pay dividends so quickly.

Setton Farms will have a lot to talk about with visitors to its booth at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show.

From the innovative flavors of its pistachio products to healthy snacking and the recent record-breaking California pistachio crop, Setton Farms has a positive message to bring to retail buyers.