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🌱 Good morning, and welcome to today's fresh newsletter!
In today's email:
John Anderson of Oppy Honored with International Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Bernardo Calvo Appointed CEO as Sun World Restructures Leadership Team
Trivia: Which Fruit Can Float on Water and Travel Great Distances?
Fresh Picks: Our Handpicked Produce Content from the Web
Why Are Square Watermelons a Luxury Item in Japan?
AUTUMNCRISP® Grapes Take Center Stage at the 49th Winter Fancy Food Show
Windset Farms: Achieving Consistent Production with Greenhouse Tech
Tip of the Day: Showcase the Journey of Produce Items from Harvest to the Customer’s Home
PRODUCE INDUSTRY
John Anderson of Oppy Honored with International Ellis Island Medal of Honor
John Anderson, Chairman and CEO of Oppy, will receive the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor on May 10, 2025, recognizing his contributions to global trade, sustainability, and innovation in the fresh produce sector.
This award celebrates individuals whose leadership and dedication transcend borders, with past honorees including U.S. presidents, Nobel laureates, and global leaders.
Anderson’s leadership at Oppy has advanced sustainable farming, responsible resource use, and international trade partnerships, strengthening the produce industry worldwide.
His efforts emphasize balancing profitability with environmental stewardship and community well-being. Anderson’s achievements also include the King Charles III Coronation Medal, reflecting his philanthropic commitment.
The ceremony, held on Ellis Island, a historic immigrant gateway symbolizing opportunity, will highlight Anderson’s journey of fostering collaboration, innovation, and progress in a connected global marketplace.
PRODUCE INDUSTRY
Bernardo Calvo Appointed CEO as Sun World Restructures Leadership Team
Sun World International, based in Bakersfield, California, announced leadership changes on January 15, 2025, marking a significant transition for the company.
Bernardo Calvo, formerly the company's president, has been appointed CEO, bringing extensive experience from his tenure at Monsanto (now Bayer AG), where he managed global franchises and multi-billion-dollar operations.
Calvo will oversee all corporate and operational functions, emphasizing customer-centricity and integrity.
David Marguleas, transitioning to Executive Chair, will focus on board leadership and initiatives to enhance Sun World’s genetics offerings and customer benefits.
His leadership reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and value-driven strategies.
These changes align with Sun World’s efforts to advance in technologies, sustainability, and scientific development, positioning the company for growth in a favorable market environment.
By restructuring its leadership, Sun World underscores its dedication to adaptability, customer needs, and maintaining its core values in a rapidly evolving industry.
TRIVIA
A drupe that can float across oceans to sprout on distant shores, this fruit is unique in its resilience.
The _____ is a tropical favorite that thrives in sandy soil but can also grow in other types of soil and is treasured for its water, meat, and oil.
Which Fruit Can Float on Water and Travel Great Distances? |
💵 Treasury Nominee Bessent Defends Trump Policies in Testimony | Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent emphasized extending Trump-era tax cuts, increasing sanctions on Russia, targeting China's trade practices, and supporting rural America while highlighting tariff strategies, U.S.-China trade tensions, and economic concerns. (ThePacker.com | Jan 17, 2025)
🫐 Global market Overview: Blueberries | The global blueberry market is stabilizing as Peru’s harvest and exports normalize, with supply shifting to Mexico and Chile for North America, while European markets transition to Moroccan, Spanish, and Chilean sources amid varied pricing and quality dynamics. (FreshPlaza.com | Jan 17, 2025)
🥭 Researchers Find Innovative Use for Mango by-Product | Researchers at Colombia’s National University developed a sustainable method to convert mango peel, rich in fiber and antioxidants, into flour for healthy drinks, demonstrating its potential for functional beverages in a circular economy. (Fruitnet.com | Jan 17, 2025)
🚒 Wonderful Commits $10 million to Fire Relief Efforts | The Wonderful Company has pledged $10 million to support Los Angeles fire relief, including immediate donations to the Los Angeles Fire and Police Foundations, matching employee donations, and providing resources like hydration and food to first responders while aiding displaced employees and emphasizing long-term community rebuilding. (TheProduceNews.com | Jan 16, 2025)
🍅 Texas A&M AgriLife Research Aims for Better Control of Widespread Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus | Texas A&M AgriLife scientists secured two major grants to study and combat the evolving tomato spotted wilt virus, focusing on resistance-breaking strains, improved diagnostics, sustainable management strategies, and molecular-level virus-host interactions to mitigate its global agricultural impact. (AgrilifeToday | Jan 14, 2025)
WINTER FANCY FOOD SHOW
AUTUMNCRISP® Grapes Take Center Stage at the 49th Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas
The 49th Winter Fancy Food Show will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 19-21, 2025, gathering specialty food professionals and enthusiasts.
Featuring over 90,000 products, the event showcases global culinary innovations and emerging trends.
Attendees can explore new brands, participate in educational sessions, and gain insights from the Specialty Food Association (SFA) Trendspotter Panel, known for highlighting growth opportunities in the food and beverage industry.
A key addition this year is the Debut District, offering startups and first-time exhibitors a platform to present products, encouraging networking and collaboration.
Sun World International’s specialty grape, AUTUMNCRISP®, will be featured near the main stage at booth 1056, providing attendees a chance to sample its acclaimed crispness and sweetness.
Recognized for quality and innovation, the brand has gained industry accolades, reflecting Sun World’s reputation for excellence.
Workshops and panel discussions will address consumer demands, sustainability, and market trends, making the event a valuable resource for industry veterans and newcomers.
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
Windset Farms: Achieving Consistent Production with Next-Generation Greenhouse Tech
Windset Farms® is a family-owned and operated enterprise that has grown from a humble family farm into one of North America’s largest sustainable suppliers of naturally grown produce.
The company’s origins trace back to a simple passion for fresh, greenhouse-grown produce sparked by humble beginnings with a single bell pepper.
Based in areas such as Delta, British Columbia, and Santa Maria, California, Windset Farms® specializes in premium quality tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and specialty produce.
With greenhouses operating year-round in these two key locations, the company is capable of delivering delicious, nutrient-rich produce to consumers across the globe.
Its ability to offer consistent quality regardless of season is a testament to its ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability in greenhouse farming.
The business has evolved significantly since its early days.
Windset Farms now sells and markets over 2,500 acres of high-tech glasshouse production from its small beginnings, the equivalent of 50,000 acres of field farming.
The Yum Yums™ Cherry Tomatoes are one of the favorites products sell by Windset Farms
These sites are equipped with cutting-edge technologies like Ultra-Clima Greenhouses® which allow for precise control over heat, humidity, pressure, and air movement, transforming a passive environment into an active climate that guarantees high yields and quality produce.
The company focuses on meticulous seed selection, sustainable growing methods, and integrated pest management. By utilizing natural predators to control pest populations, Windset maintains a commitment to natural pest control.
Their approach to pest management avoids harmful chemicals, aligning with broader environmental goals and preserving the integrity of their produce.
Windset Farms practices water conservation through recirculating irrigation systems that treat and filter drain water, effectively reducing wastewater and recycling precious resources.
Energy conservation is addressed through the use of thermal screens, dimmable LED lighting, and advanced climate control systems that reduce energy usage and lower the carbon footprint.
The Santa Maria facility’s rooftop solar system and the use of renewable hydroelectric power at the new Delta facility underscore their commitment to renewable energy and sustainability.
The company’s recent expansion announcements underline its ongoing growth and dedication to sustainable practices. Windset Farms expanded its Delta, BC greenhouse facility, becoming one the largest lit greenhouse vegetable facilities in Western North America.
This expansion is not just about increased capacity but also about enhancing sustainability through the use of renewable hydroelectric power, LED lighting, biomass boilers, and advanced water recirculation systems.
These upgrades position Windset at the forefront of sustainable greenhouse production, achieving record-breaking yields while minimizing energy and water consumption.
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TIP OF THE DAY
Showcase the Journey of Produce Items from Harvest to the Customer’s Home
Take your customers behind the scenes by sharing the unique journey of your produce.
Showcase the story of a specific fruit or vegetable, from the moment it’s picked to when it arrives on store shelves.
Use videos, photos, and interviews with farmers, packers, and delivery teams to bring the process to life.
For instance, highlight a "Day in the Life of an Avocado," showing how it’s hand-picked at peak ripeness, carefully packed, and shipped to ensure it reaches customers at its freshest.
You could even add QR codes to packaging that link to quick videos or infographics about the process.
On the other hand, you can also incorporate a sustainability message to show how your practices reduce waste and support the environment.
Encourage customers to get involved by sharing their own "Harvest-to-Home" stories, how they use your produce in meals, with incentives like shoutouts or discounts for participation.
This kind of storytelling helps customers connect with your brand on a personal level, building trust and appreciation for the care and effort that go into delivering fresh, quality food.
UNIQUE FINDS
Why Are Square Watermelons a Luxury Item in Japan?
Square watermelons, a quirky and visually stunning novelty, are one of Japan’s most fascinating contributions to the world of produce.
These cubic fruits, often seen as the epitome of luxury and innovation, have captured the imagination of people worldwide.
But beyond their unusual shape and hefty price tags lies a story of ingenuity, tradition, and cultural significance that reflects much more than meets the eye.
The journey of the square watermelon begins in the 1970s, when Japanese farmers sought to solve a practical problem.
Traditional round watermelons were awkward to store, taking up excessive space in refrigerators and often rolling around on counters.
To combat this, a group of forward-thinking growers decided to experiment with shaping the fruit. By placing young watermelons into rigid, square molds as they grew, the farmers were able to create perfectly cubic melons.
The idea was simple yet revolutionary: a watermelon that could stack neatly, optimizing space in small, urban kitchens, a common feature of Japanese homes.
However, as practical as the concept seemed, square watermelons didn’t exactly catch on as an everyday grocery item.
The process of growing these geometric wonders proved to be far from simple. Watermelons are naturally stubborn in their roundness, and coaxing them into a square shape requires a delicate balance of timing, precision, and care.
Farmers must monitor the fruit closely to ensure it grows evenly within the mold, adjusting conditions like temperature, sunlight, and watering to prevent imperfections.
Even with such meticulous attention, not every attempt yields a perfect cube.
The labor-intensive process, coupled with the use of custom molds and the need for constant supervision, significantly drives up production costs.
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