The New York Apple Association’s new poster — Partners in Pollination — is ready for distribution for schools. The full-color poster explains how New York State is home to more than 450 wild pollinators and how apple trees need pollen from different apple trees to produce fruit.

“Educating children about where apples come from and the role bees play in apple production is a big part of our messaging,” said Cynthia Haskins, president and CEO of the NYAA.

Stop & Shop has expanded its partnership with Flashfood, a digital marketplace that significantly reduces food waste at the retail level by connecting consumers with discounted food nearing its best by date, which will now be available across more than 60 of its New York stores.

California Giant Berry Farms has hired Justin Kosta as director of sustainability. He will play a pivotal role in the expansion of California Giant’s corporate sustainability program, which will extend to its grower partners throughout the Americas. 

Solar Shrink, a patented mulch film, offers great advantages to growers including being a “greener” product that is easier to use, cheaper to apply and more effective.

“The industry needs a fully recyclable product that doesn’t make the grower suffer in terms of costs and use,” said Neil Weisensel, marketing manager of consumer and industrial segments at Charter Next Generation, which is the manufacturer of the product.

Through its simple and effective application method, HarvestHold Fresh by Verdant Technologies is helping the fresh produce industry reimagine supply chains with longer lasting fruits and vegetables. The company’s latest success has come with cucumbers, where HarvestHold Fresh has shown delayed yellowing and reduced shriveling, resulting in extended shelf life.

PepsiCo announced a $216 million multi-year investment in long-term, strategic partnership agreements with three farmer-facing organizations — Practical Farmers of Iowa, Soil and Water Outcomes Fund and the IL Corn Growers Association — to drive adoption of regenerative agriculture practices across the United States.