Mission Produce has two of the most versatile, in-demand ingredients in foodservice right now — ripe avocados and ripe mangoes — and the company’s custom ripening programs will be a key topic at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Foodservice Conference.

Mission Produce delivers avocados and mangoes to foodservice operators at the exact ripeness stage they need, said Galen Johnson, senior director of sales. Typically, that is stages three-five, when fruit is ready for use when it arrives at kitchens.

Kendall Farms, the largest grower of waxflower and eucalyptus in the United States, announced Thursday the official launch of its direct-to-consumer website.

For the first time, California residents can shop directly from the farm and receive seasonal arrangements grown and harvested on more than 650 acres.

For decades, Kendall Farms has been a trusted supplier to major national retailers and international markets. Thursday's launch marks an evolution of that legacy: bringing the farm experience directly to consumers.

For generations, the Smith name has been synonymous with produce, particularly in Maine, where the family’s farming roots run deep. As another summer harvest begins, the Smith family is preparing to transition production back to its home fields in northern Maine, a seasonal milestone that reflects both the company’s heritage and its continued evolution. 

Today, the sixth-generation operation continues to expand its network of growing partnerships, broaden its product offerings and position itself for long-term growth.

As California’s table grape harvest gains momentum, Top Brass Produce is entering the 2026 season with confidence, buoyed by excellent fruit quality, growing harvest volumes and continued consumer demand for premium grape varieties.

Isn’t it time to end the 40-year banana price war?

Produce directors warn senior leadership that banana retails must increase because the fruit is being sold below cost, generating a negative gross profit. Executives refuse to act, choosing instead to absorb millions of dollars in losses. 

This decision doesn’t just cripple the company’s bottom line — it undermines the very farmers whose livelihoods depend on receiving a fair return for the bananas they grow. 

As the fresh produce industry prepares to gather for the IFPA Foodservice Conference, Ben B. Schwartz & Sons is focused on expanding its reach, strengthening customer relationships and identifying new opportunities for growth in the foodservice channel.

By leveraging its Midwest location and existing transportation network, the company has been able to efficiently serve a growing number of customers while maintaining the service levels that have long been central to its business.