Peter Condakes Co. is a longstanding presence at the New England Produce Center, providing a full range of fresh fruits and vegetables to major supermarket chains, regional wholesalers, foodservice operators and neighborhood independent stores. The company has built its reputation on consistency, service and deep industry expertise developed over generations in the Boston market.

As the Boston marketplace continues to evolve, Peter John Condakes, president of the company, noted 2025 has been one of the more difficult years in recent memory, shaped by oversupply, shifting demand patterns and

Markon Cooperative marked a milestone year in 2025, celebrating the 40th anniversary of its founding, the 20th anniversary of the Markon Summit and the 10th anniversary of its Chef Summit, underscoring the company’s long-standing commitment to quality, education and industry collaboration.

Founded in 1985, Markon was established to elevate the fresh produce experience for foodservice operators by developing specifications and standards tailored to their needs. Four decades later, the cooperative continues to deliver high-quality produce to its five member companies and their customers across

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance applauded the bipartisan leadership of the Congressional Specialty Crop Caucus for calling for immediate and equitable economic relief for specialty crop producers and urged Congress and the administration to act without delay.

More than 100 members of Congress sent a letter to the House and Senate agriculture committees addressing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. The effort was led by caucus co-chairs Reps. Jim Costa, D-Calif.; David Rouzer, R-N.C.; Sanford Bishop, D-Ga.; and David Valadao, R-Calif.

“After months of

Shoppers and the SpartanNash Foundation donated a record $780,000 this holiday season to support more than 100 local food pantries across the Midwest, providing the equivalent of an estimated 285,000 meals.

SpartanNash, a food solutions company and member of the C&S Wholesale Grocers family of companies, said $690,000 was raised during the SpartanNash Foundation’s fifth in-store fundraiser of 2025. Store guests and associates contributed funds to help fight food insecurity throughout the company’s retail footprint.

“As a food solutions company, we are deeply committed to fighting hunger in our

Oppy has launched a Florida strawberry program under the DOLE brand, marking its first project since integrating with Dole Diversified North America in October.

Production is underway, with promotable volumes expected from late January through early February. The program features premium conventional strawberry varieties grown on more than 300 acres in Frostproof, Zolfo Springs, Dover and Plant City, FL, and offered in one-pound and two-pound packs. Favorable weather conditions have supported strong fruit development and quality.

“This Florida production completes Oppy’s year-round supply of

Tropical fruit grower and importer Tierra Suelta reports ample supplies of premium dragon fruit are now available for retail promotions.

“We’ve entered peak dragon fruit season with about 40,000 boxes arriving weekly,” said Steve Stutz, vice president of sales. “For the next two months, our state-of-the-art packing facility in Ecuador will operate at full capacity to support promotable volumes of our highest-quality dragon fruit. Tierra Suelta has the production, logistics and infrastructure to meet the needs of major retailers throughout the holiday season and beyond.”

Earlier this year, Tierra