AndNowUKnow and The Snack Announce the 2025 Besties Awards Event and Award Winners



AndNowUKnow and The Snack Announce the 2025 Besties Awards Event and Award Winners



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SACRAMENTO, CA - In a celebration of those industrious, bold, and committed individuals who bring fresh thinking and unwavering dedication to their roles, we honor the champions whose work continues to elevate the category with our 2025 Besties Awards.

This year’s award recipients exemplify not only creativity and strategic excellence but also a drive determined to shape the future of fresh produce through inspired storytelling, thoughtful merchandising, and meaningful philanthropic initiatives.

From groundbreaking campaigns that drive consumer engagement to community efforts that enrich lives beyond the shelf, their contributions resonate across the supply chain. As we spotlight these remarkable individuals and organizations, we celebrate more than just accolades—we recognize the spirit of collaboration and progress that drives us all forward. This is their moment.

Please join us in congratulating the 2025 Besties Award Winners!

  • Lifetime Achievement: Dan Canales, Ippolito International
  • Snack Storyteller: Catherine Gipe-Stewart, Superfresh Growers®
  • Retailer of the Year: Chris Keetch, The GIANT Company
  • Best Marketer to Work With: Teri Gibson, Peri & Sons Farms®
  • Best Social Media Campaigning: Trinity Fruit Company
  • Best Social Media Culinary Artistry: Duda Farm Fresh Foods
  • Best Email Ad Campaigns: Bee Sweet Citrus
  • Best Merchandising Concepts: CMI Orchards
  • Best Philanthropic Initiatives: Lipman Family Farms
  • Best Alternative Marketing Campaign: Fowler Packing Company
  • Best Educational Videos: Monterey Mushrooms
  • Best Rebrand: Highline Mushrooms
  • Best Snack Ad: Mucci Farms
  • Best Website: Zespri

Chosen by a committee of leaders who understand the nuances and challenges of today’s market, these honorees represent the best of what our industry can achieve when passion meets purpose.

A huge thank you to our committee members for your time, your wisdom, and your support this year.

Deep gratitude to our 2024 Besties Awards Advisory Committee for generously sharing their expertise and time in selecting this year’s distinguished award recipients

The 2025 Besties Award Winners will be honored at our annual cocktail party in Monterey, California, in the lead up to the Organic Produce Summit. See you all soon!



Companies in this Story


CMI Orchards

CMI Orchards is one of Washington State’s largest growers, shippers, and packers of premium quality apples, pears,…


Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc

What started out as the pursuit of the American dream by Andrew Duda, a young Slovak immigrant, has become one the…


Peri & Sons Farms®

With deep farming roots that took hold over 100 years ago, four generations later, our family is still doing what we love…


Superfresh Growers®

Superfresh Growers® is a 6th generation family owned grower and shipper of both conventional &…


Mucci Farms

Mucci Farms grows a variety of standard and specialty tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and eggplant. Fresh and delicious,…


Monterey Mushrooms®

Monterey Mushrooms has a dedicated group of women and men who embody the intellect, integrity, creative imagination and…


Lipman Family Farms

When it comes to fresh, safe, great-tasting tomatoes and other produce, one word says it all: Lipman. As the largest…


ZESPRI International Limited

ZESPRI International Limited is the world’s largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit into more than 60 countries…


Trinity Fruit Sales

Trinity Fruit Company is located in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley, proudly serving you since 1999. We have…


Bee Sweet Citrus

Bee Sweet Citrus was founded in 1987 as an independent packer and shipper of California oranges. As our business grew, we…


Ippolito International

Ippolito International is a second-generation farming company providing year-round supplies of premium quality Queen…


Highline Mushrooms

Sharing our passion and knowledge of mushrooms. We are Canada’s largest grower of farm-fresh, nutritious, pesticide-free…


Fowler Packing Company

Established in 1950, Fowler Packing Company was founded by Sam Parnagian after his return from service in World War II.…