Chiquita says it has reached a major scientific milestone in banana innovation: the completion of the Yelloway banana pan-genome—an advanced genetic “map” designed to help researchers and breeders develop banana varieties that can better withstand disease and adapt to climate pressures.

Announced Feb. 10, 2026, the breakthrough is positioned as a foundational tool for the global banana industry at a moment when two major threats—Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4) and Black Sigatoka—continue to strain growers and supply chains worldwide.

What the “banana pan-genome” actually means

In simple terms, a pan-genome goes beyond a single reference genome. Instead of looking at one “standard” genetic blueprint, it captures a broader range of naturally occurring genetic variation across bananas. Chiquita says this wider view allows for more precise research, supports biodiversity preservation, and strengthens long-term breeding programs.

The pan-genome focuses on Musa acuminata, the species behind widely known banana varieties such as Gros Michel and Cavendish—names that matter because they represent the kinds of bananas consumers recognize and buy every day.

Yelloway: the partnership behind the research

The pan-genome was developed through Yelloway B.V., an innovation joint venture between Chiquita and agricultural technology company KeyGene. According to the announcement, Yelloway was created to unlock banana genetic diversity and advance classical breeding using advanced genomic tools.

Chiquita said the pan-genome was developed using Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology, and that the effort included collaboration across the banana value chain. One notable partner: Innocent Drinks, which provided match funding through its Farmer Innovation Fund.

Why this matters now: TR4 and Black Sigatoka

The timing is not accidental. TR4—often described as one of the most serious disease threats to bananas—continues to spread globally. Meanwhile, Black Sigatoka is driving more than $100 million in annual protective costs, according to the release.

Chiquita’s message is clear: if breeders can identify resilient genetic traits faster and with more accuracy, the industry can move from broad genetic exploration to targeted breeding decisions—potentially accelerating the development of bananas that are more disease-resistant, more climate-resilient, and still aligned with what consumers expect from the fruit aisle.

Researchers compare it to upgrading from highways to GPS

Professor Gert Kema, a Yelloway board member and emeritus professor of phytopathology at Wageningen University, described the pan-genome as a high-resolution guide to banana genetics.

He compared earlier genetic tools to driving “mainly on highways,” enough to reach major destinations—but not enough to navigate the full landscape. The pan-genome, he said, provides the “GPS coordinates” needed to explore the entire genomic terrain in detail.

Fernando Garcia-Bastidas, Head of the Yelloway Banana Breeding Program, emphasized the practical impact: the pan-genome helps researchers analyze, select, and deploy the most relevant genetic material—speeding up the development of improved banana varieties resistant to major threats like TR4 and Black Sigatoka.

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Chiquita Sustainability Director Peter Stedman added that the work is meant to extend beyond one company, pointing to collaboration across the supply chain as a key driver of progress.

Spotlight at Fruit Logistica in Berlin

Chiquita also shared insights from the project at Fruit Logistica in Berlin, where Stedman participated in the event’s Sustainability Panel. The company highlighted science-based innovation and cross-industry collaboration as essential for building a more resilient banana supply chain.

Opening access to researchers

In a move aimed at broader industry impact, Yelloway plans to provide academic researchers access to the banana pan-genome through a dedicated web portal—supporting continued collaboration and advancement in banana research and breeding.

What to Watch For

• Research access: When Yelloway’s web portal goes live and how widely academic teams use the pan-genome.
• Breeding timeline: Early signals on how quickly the tool translates into new varieties with stronger resistance to TR4 and Black Sigatoka.
• Field performance: Whether future banana candidates hold up in real-world growing conditions while maintaining taste, texture, and shelf-life.
• Supply chain collaboration: More cross-industry funding and partnerships (like Innocent Drinks’ Farmer Innovation Fund support) that speed adoption.
• Cost impact: Any reduction over time in the high annual protective costs tied to Black Sigatoka management.

About Chiquita

Chiquita is a global produce company operating across nearly 70 countries and has produced bananas for more than 150 years. The company says its sustainability work is guided by its “Behind the Blue Sticker” initiative, and it recently received recognition including being named one of America’s Most Loved Brands by Newsweek and a 2025 Good Housekeeping Snack Award winner.

For the banana industry—and for consumers who rely on the Cavendish as a grocery-store staple—the completion of the Yelloway banana pan-genome signals a push toward a more resilient future, where science and collaboration could help keep bananas on shelves despite escalating disease and climate challenges.

Source: Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (PRNewswire), Feb. 10, 2026

If you want, I can also format this for STM Daily News with: 5 SEO headline options, a meta description, suggested tags, and a short “What to Watch For” box for the end of the post.

Related Links (Further Information)

• PRNewswire (Press Release Distribution) – The distribution platform where Chiquita’s announcement was published.
• Chiquita Brands International – Company background, sustainability initiatives, and brand updates.
• KeyGene – The plant breeding and genomics partner in the Yelloway innovation joint venture.
• Oxford Nanopore Technologies – Information on the sequencing technology referenced in the announcement.
• Fruit Logistica (Berlin) – Event details and sustainability programming referenced in the release.

Stay Updated with STM Daily News

For more Food & Beverage coverage—industry innovation, supply chain updates, and the stories shaping what ends up on our plates—visit STM Daily News – Food & Beverage . We’re tracking the headlines and the “what it means” so you can stay current without the fluff.

(Family Features) Coming inside from a cold day calls for moments spent under a blanket, around a warm fire and curled up with a hot bowl of delicious, comforting food. From chili to pasta, your winter menu is sure to feature filling dishes that warm you and your loved ones from the inside out.

For example, you can beat the chill with Pumpkin Chili, which uses Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin for a thicker, creamier texture and subtly sweet, earthy flavor. Plus, it comes together in around 30 minutes as an easy solution for busy weeknights or weekend fun.

Switch up pasta night with Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese for a rich, velvety texture that features cheddar and gruyere cheeses, but you can substitute other favorites like Monterey Jack, fontina or gouda. The extra creamy texture and flavor from cream cheese means you can save time without making a traditional cream sauce using flour for added convenience.

These hearty, filling recipes feature delicious, nutritious and high-quality Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin that adds warmth to the menu all year long mixed into baked goods, morning smoothies and more. With special care and premium quality in mind, the non-GMO pumpkin grown in the USA without preservatives can be your new go-to.

To find more ways to warm up this winter, visit greengiantvegetables.com.

Pumpkin Chili

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 23 minutes
Servings: 4

• 2          tablespoons olive oil
  
• 1          green bell pepper, chopped
  
• 1          yellow onion, chopped
  
• 1          pound ground turkey
  
• 1          tablespoon chili powder
  
• 1          teaspoon smoked paprika
  
• 2          teaspoons cumin
  
• 1/2       teaspoon garlic powder
  
• 1          cup chicken broth
  
• 1          can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
  
• 1          can (15 ounces) Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
  
• 1          can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1. In Dutch oven over medium heat, heat oil. Add bell pepper and onion. Saute 5 minutes.
2. Add ground turkey and separate with spatula. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chili powder, paprika, cumin and garlic powder.
3. Add broth, tomatoes and pumpkin. Bring to boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer 10 minutes. Add kidney beans and simmer 3 minutes.
4. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 26 minutes
Servings: 10

• 1 1/2    pounds shell pasta
  
• 3          tablespoons unsalted butter
  
• 2          teaspoons minced garlic
  
• 1          tablespoon fresh chopped sage
  
• 4          ounces cream cheese, cubed
  
• 2          cans (15 ounces each) Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
  
• 2          cups whole milk
  
• 2 1/2    cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
  
• 2 1/2    cups freshly grated gruyere cheese
  
• 2          teaspoons Dijon mustard
  
• 1          teaspoon salt
  
• 1/4       teaspoon cracked black pepper

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta when al dente, about 8 minutes.
2. In large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat butter. Add garlic and sage; saute 1-2 minutes, until garlic is lightly browned. Add cream cheese and pumpkin. Heat until cream cheese is melted and stir to combine.
3. Gradually stir in milk, cheddar and gruyere. Stir in Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Heat until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy, about 3 minutes.
4. Fold in cooked pasta.

SOURCE:
Green Giant

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean fighting for a last-minute reservation, overpaying for a fixed menu, or rushing through dinner because your table is booked for the next couple. Kroger is leaning into a simpler (and honestly more romantic) idea for 2026: bring date night home with a restaurant-style surf and turf dinner—plus flowers, dessert, and weekly deals that keep the whole plan budget-friendly.

Kroger shares expert meat and seafood tips, special offers for date night at home

In a new announcement released Feb. 10, The Kroger Co. says it’s making it easy for couples to pull off an impressive meal at home with premium meat and seafood options, expert counter tips, and limited-time savings starting Feb. 11.

A steakhouse-style dinner—without the steakhouse price tag

Kroger’s pitch is straightforward: quality ingredients are the foundation of a great meal, and shoppers can get “night out” vibes from the meat and seafood counter without the hassle.

“Quality ingredients are the foundation of any romantic dinner and Kroger consistently delivers on quality and affordability,” said Carlo Baldan, Group Vice President of Fresh Merchandising at Kroger.

To help home chefs level up, Kroger’s culinary experts shared practical tips for building a surf-and-turf plate that looks (and tastes) like it came from a restaurant.

Kroger’s surf-and-turf tips: what to buy and how to nail it

1) Choosing the right steak

If you’re shopping the meat case and want a tender, flavorful steak, Kroger recommends looking for marbling—those thin white flecks throughout the cut. More marbling typically means more flavor and tenderness.

For surf and turf, Kroger points to classic picks:

• Ribeye
• New York strip
• Filet mignon
• Sirloin

For seasoning, Kroger suggests Private Selection® Cracked Peppercorn seasoning (a blend designed to hit that steakhouse-style balance of salt, garlic, and pepper). One pro move: salt your steak 30–60 minutes before cooking to help deepen the seasoning and improve the crust.

2) Lobster tails and crab legs: what to look for

Seafood can feel intimidating, but Kroger’s guidance keeps it simple:

• For lobster tails, look for solidly frozen tails with no heavy ice crystals.
• Aim for a 4–6 oz. tail, which tends to cook more evenly and stay tender.
• For crab legs, look for intact shells and minimal ice buildup.

3) Sides and finishing touches that make it feel “special”

Surf and turf doesn’t need complicated sides—just the right supporting cast:

• Roasted asparagus or broccolini
• Garlic mashed potatoes
• A salad with citrus vinaigrette

To finish like a steakhouse, Kroger recommends a quick garlic-herb butter baste after cooking your steak. For seafood, keep it clean and classic: melted butter, fresh lemon, and a light sprinkle of salt and parsley.

Don’t sleep on the in-store experts

If you’re not sure what to buy (or how much), Kroger is also encouraging customers to use the best resource in the building: the butchers behind the meat and seafood counters. They can help with portion sizes, selecting cuts, and picking the right seafood for a special occasion.

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For more ideas, Kroger says shoppers can visit its blog for surf-and-turf recipes and inspiration.

Flowers delivered on-demand (and a deal to go with it)

Dinner is only part of the Valentine’s Day equation. Kroger—America’s largest florist—also highlights on-demand floral delivery from more than 1,700 locations nationwide through DoorDash and Uber Eats.

Orders are prepared and packed by in-store floral associates, then delivered by couriers straight to the recipient’s door. Kroger is also promoting a limited-time offer: $25 off $75 on the Bloom Haus storefront on DoorDash and Uber Eats through Feb. 14.

Dessert is handled, too

To round out the night, Kroger is pointing shoppers to its bakery for Valentine’s-ready sweets, including:

• Chocolate dipped strawberries
• Cakes
• New cupcake bouquets

Valentine’s week deals to watch (starting Feb. 11)

Kroger’s announcement includes a lineup of weekly promotions and digital deals designed to make the surf-and-turf plan (and the rest of the week’s grocery run) more affordable. Highlights include:

• Boneless strip steak: $9.99 per pound
• Wild caught lobster tails: 2 for $10
• Wild caught snow crab clusters: as low as $9.99 per pound with a digital or in-store accessible coupon
• Kroger Russet Potatoes: $1.99 for five pounds
• 20% off any six bottles of wine

Plus, additional weekly staples and BOGOs, including blueberries, apples, cereals, cheese, yogurt, cage-free eggs, and ground chuck.

Prices are valid beginning Feb. 11, and prices/products may vary by geography.

The takeaway

Kroger’s Valentine’s Day message is clear: skip the reservation, keep the romance, and build a date-night meal around premium meat and seafood—without turning it into an all-day project. Add flowers delivered on-demand, a bakery dessert, and a few well-timed weekly deals, and you’ve got a full Valentine’s plan that feels elevated but still practical.

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

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