Bill Nardelli Sr. has been in the farming business for too long to not realize it takes a village to create a successful operation.

Ark Foods is exhibiting at the upcoming SEPC Southern Innovations Conference in booth No. 504.

“We set out to change how people think about fresh food,” said Noah Robbins, CEO and visionary behind Ark Foods. “What started with a single vegetable — the Shishito pepper — has grown into a diverse portfolio we are proud to grow and share. Finding the joy in vegetables should be easy, and that guides our belief that vegetables are the ultimate food every day.”

On the heels of last month’s Brazil Conference, which brought a record number of fresh fruit and vegetable industry leaders together, the International Fresh Produce Association continued its ongoing efforts to help its member community shape the future of food and climate as part of São Paulo Climate Week.  

There is a folklore belief that when the temperatures start to drop and create a chill in the autumn air, you should try to catch a falling leaf. Then keep the leaf in a safe spot until spring. When doing so, it is said to avoid catching a cold. And to further experience a lucky year, try to catch a dozen leaves, which superstitiously will bring good fortune a month for each leaf captured.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased, and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

Masser Family of Cos. will showcase the power of innovation with Side Delights Potato products at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Innovations 2025 trade show and conference in Charlotte, NC, Sept. 10-13.