NatureSweet has been acquired by Blue Road Capital, an independent investment firm focused on vertically integrated food and agricultural business.

NatureSweet, founded in 1990, has been committed to being a groundbreaking leader within the fresh produce industry by unleashing the power of people. The company not only created branded snacking tomatoes but is also a top selling brand in North America and a growing force in greenhouse-grown peppers and cucumbers.

One of the highlights of any Southeast Produce Council show is the Southern Roots luncheon. At Southern Innovations 2023, Shannon Spake of FOX Sports, was the keynote speaker, and she didn’t disappoint. 

Spake discussed her life — the good times as well as bad — her accomplishments in a male-dominated industry and the value of hard work. “Hard work is genderless,” she said, making it clear that hard work is the best pathway for men or women to achieve their dreams. She also said that “it is OK for women to be sad, happy, tired or guilty — just feel."

From mini pumpkins to ornamental gourds, it’s that time of year again for setting up some nice, attractive, fall merchandising displays.

At Sunview Marketing International, past experiences are paving the road to a bright future.

Now operated by a third generation of family farmers, Delano, Calif.-based Sunview is a company that is involved in every aspect of its operation, a business that both family members and employees consider to be a way of life that they live and breathe every single day of the year.

The worse the rap on processed foods, especially processed snacks, the better it is turning out for the nuts and dried fruits categories.

With changing consumer lifestyles, plus a strong demand for clean label and healthier snacks, the nuts and dried fruits segments are getting much more attention from both consumers and retailers. The result is a steady and strong uptick in sales growth, with many industry experts predicting that volume will continue to grow at strong rates for the foreseeable future.