🌱 Cal-Organic’s origin story

🌱 Good afternoon, and welcome to today's fresh newsletter! 

In today's email:

• New USDA Leadership Strengthens Farm Production & Conservation Efforts

• IFPA Congratulates FDA Commissioner Makary

• Trivia: Which Vegetable Was Originally Bred from Wild Mustard Plants?

• Fresh Picks: Our Handpicked Produce Content from the Web

• Sun World Broadens AUTUMNCRISP® Network with New Italian Partnerships

• Cal-Organic Farms: From a Quarter Acre to the Vanguard of Organic Agriculture

• Tip of the Day: Use Collaborative Taste Testing Events to Build Community

USDA

New USDA Leadership Strengthens Farm Production & Conservation Efforts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced key leadership appointments for its Farm Production and Conservation mission area to improve support for American farmers and ranchers.

The new team includes Aubrey Bettencourt as Chief of NRCS, Bill Beam as FSA Administrator, Andrew Fisher as Chief of Staff for FPAC, Brooke Appleton as Deputy Under Secretary, Pat Swanson as RMA Administrator, and Colton Buckley as Chief of Staff for NRCS.

Their diverse backgrounds in farming, policy, and sustainable practices are expected to streamline disaster relief, risk management, and conservation efforts.

These appointments align with the Administration’s commitment to “feed, fuel, and clothe America” and aim to reinforce rural America’s economic and food security by delivering timely support to growers nationwide.

👉 Read the full version

FOOD SAFETY

IFPA Congratulates FDA Commissioner Makary, Emphasizes Food Safety & Nutrition

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) congratulated Dr. Marty Makary on his appointment as FDA commissioner, highlighting its commitment to collaborate on preventive food safety policies and transparent labeling.

IFPA seeks to modernize inspections, integrate food programs, and improve resource use to strengthen science-based oversight.

It also promotes greater access to fruits and vegetables through strategies like fresh produce prescriptions and allowing purchases with HSA/FSA accounts.

The organization advocates for clear front-of-package labels and warnings on products that falsely suggest they contain vegetables.

IFPA views this appointment as an opportunity to improve public health and reduce chronic diseases through healthier, more accessible diets.

👉 Read the full version

TRIVIA

The _____ was developed by selectively breeding the wild mustard for large, tender flower buds

Historical records show that it was eaten long before the 1500s.

📦 Concise Overview of the Latest Packaging Solutions for Fresh Produce | Volm Companies presents innovative packaging solutions for fresh produce, highlighting versatile machines, robotic automation, and labor-saving packers—all featuring user-friendly controls, minimal maintenance, and ongoing guidance for packers and growers. (FreshPlaza.com | March 28, 2025)

🍊 Can CRISPR Technology Save Citrus From Greening Disease? | Scientists are exploring the use of CRISPR gene editing to combat citrus greening, while a University of Florida study evaluates how consumer understanding and perception influence their willingness to accept and pay for orange juice produced with biotechnology. (GrowingProduce.com | March 27, 2025)

🥦 Industry Anxiously Awaits Tariff Resolution | The IFPA warns that reinstating the 25% tariffs on products from Mexico and Canada after April 2 would impact supply and raise prices, and advocates for exemptions for fruits and vegetables while continuing to negotiate with the Trump administration for a favorable solution for the fresh produce sector. (ProduceBlueBook.com | March 27, 2025)

🍌 Philippine Banana Delegation Makes Japan Trip to Address Export Challenges | A Philippine delegation led by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel traveled to Japan to seek tariff reductions on banana exports, enhance competitiveness against other countries, and strengthen trade ties under the JPEPA agreement, which is vital for thousands of farmers in Mindanao. (Fruitnet.com | March 27, 2025)

🛒 Digital Commerce Partnership Aims to Deliver Retail Product Data and Content Solutions | 1WorldSync and Mercatus have partnered to optimize product content management and distribution in digital grocery commerce, enhancing the consumer experience and helping retailers and brands deliver accurate and compelling information. (ThePacker.com | March 25, 2025)

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Sun World Broadens AUTUMNCRISP® Network with New Italian Partnerships

Sun World has expanded its global network by partnering with five major Italian companies (Op Palmieri, 2 Erre S.r.l., Royal Fruit Ltd., Lozupone Import – Export S.R.L., and Sant’Andrea Company) to market its AUTUMNCRISP® grapes, known for their sweetness and crisp texture.

This move responds to the growing global demand for premium table grapes and strengthens Sun World’s international presence.

Each partner brings expertise and a commitment to quality, aligning with the company’s values.

The initiative aims to ensure a consistent supply of these grapes across diverse markets, benefiting producers, retailers, and consumers.

Sun World continues to solidify its position as a leader in distinctive fruit varieties, promoting agricultural innovation on a global scale.

👉 Read the full version

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

Cal-Organic Farms: From a Quarter Acre to the Vanguard of Organic Agriculture

Cal-Organic Farms has its roots in California’s agricultural heartland, where the Duncan Family established it in 1984 on a modest quarter acre of land in Lamont.

Though the original idea was simple growing organic lettuce differently from anyone else the farm steadily gained momentum thanks to a focus on sustainable techniques and a respect for the soil.

Over the years, the founding commitment to organic principles evolved into a guiding ethos, and those early efforts expanded well beyond lettuce.

Today, the company reports producing more than 65 types of seasonal and year-round vegetables on acreage across multiple regions of the United States.

The company focuses on using composted manures, rotating crops, and building beneficial insect populations to control pests and weeds.

These strategies help ensure a healthy and naturally enriched soil.

Farmland must be free of prohibited substances for at least three years before seeds can be planted to qualify for the organic certification the brand pursues.

Cal-Organic also prioritizes sustainability measures related to energy, farming methods, and recycling.

It powers much of its operations through a 4.75-megawatt solar farm, uses energy-efficient lighting, and invests in ongoing improvements to reduce emissions and water usage.

The company employs pivot systems and pressure-sealed pipes to optimize irrigation, reflecting a mindset that is both innovative and respectful of the environment.

Cal-Organic stands out for its year-round production of specific items, particularly potatoes and onions.

A representative for the company, Vice President of Cal-Organic Farms Sales, Bob Borda, noted that they continue to build on these key categories, with larger volumes available throughout the year.

Cal-Organic appears positioned to meet those expectations by continuing to emphasize transparency in its farming practices, investing in environmentally conscious technology, and cultivating a wide range of produce to accommodate various dietary preferences.

While the brand received a boost from retail partners like Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats over the years, its reputation also owes much to its consistent performance, even as it navigates supply chain challenges or extreme weather events.

👉 Read the full version

YOUR COMPANY HERE

Let’s feature your company next

Want to see your company featured in Produce Leaders? It’s completely free!

Our team is always looking for unique stories and innovations in the produce industry.

If you’d like to be spotlighted, simply reply to this email and tell us!

For any news or updates you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to send them to [email protected].

TIP OF THE DAY

Use Collaborative Taste Testing Events to Build Community

Host regular "flavor discovery" events where customers can sample new or unusual varieties you're growing or selling alongside more familiar ones.

You can create tasting cards where participants rate and describe flavors, then compile these community reviews into marketing materials.

Take it further by inviting local chefs or food enthusiasts to participate and share preparation ideas.

Also, with each customer suggestion, you can turn them into recipe cards featuring your farm's branding.

This approach transforms customers into active participants rather than passive buyers, creates word-of-mouth marketing through the experience itself, and provides you with valuable feedback about which varieties to expand.

The social aspect of these events builds a loyal community around your produce that keeps people coming back season after season.