Latest News From Industry

Congress must act soon to increase funding for the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or risk the program will have to turn away assistance to participants before the end of next year.

In this "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast episode, Louisa Clark of Confidently There joins LeAnne Ruzzamenti of Equitable Food Initiative to talk about why open communication is the key to successful organizational culture.

Ag employers want relief from high H-2A wage rates, and they want relief now.

From fresh flavors to new packaging to promotable product, the fresh fruit and vegetable industry hit the New York Produce Show, Dec. 5-7 at the Javits Center, ready to put their best produce foot forward.

New trade numbers through October indicate little change in U.S. fresh produce export shipments compared with a year ago, while U.S. imports of fresh fruits and vegetables are up moderately in the last 12 months.

The agency has filed a Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act complaint against a California company, alleging that it failed to pay two sellers.

Stemming from failure to pay Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act reparations, the department barred principal operators from working in PACA-licensed businesses and also suspended the PACA licenses of businesses.

The study finds growers also are facing rising water-related farming costs, particularly in Midwest and Western states.

To help consumers make the most of its festively packaged 10-pound carton of navel oranges this holiday season, Sunkist is offering 10 recipes and tips for making fruit purchases go further. 

From the sublime local dancers who performed at the opening breakfast to the hot dog carts stationed throughout the show floor, the 14th annual NYPS once again delivered an only-in-the-Big-Apple industry experience.

Baldor Specialty Foods President Michael Muzyk received the New York Produce Show’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Dec. 6, prior to a ribbon cutting to open the show’s exhibition hall.

When Emerald Packaging Inc. was established 60 years ago, the firm occupied 25,000 square feet and employed about 70 workers; the flexible packaging provider now has a 200,000-square-foot facility and 250 employees.

The carbon-credit traceability provider and global sustainability certifier have partnered on a new carbon-credit verification standard that aims to incentivize, measure and verify the progress of carbon sequestration.

An upcoming webinar from the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas aims to help U.S. importers of Mexican tomatoes to better understand the implications of a potential termination to the 2019 suspension agreement.

The report also said many shoppers have an interest in learning more about nutrition and health.

Rising demand for fresh foods with nutritive value is the primary factor driving market revenue growth, according to the analysis from Emergen Research.

The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support awarded two multimillion-dollar supply contracts to food and produce distributors in early December.

More than 100 organizations are asking Congress to craft a farm bill that addresses historic inequities, tackles the climate crisis, fights corporate consolidation, and protects food and farmworkers. 

Cooking at home has decreased slightly since its pandemic peak, however, 64% of Americans say they are continuing to do so to save money or control their budget, according to a new survey.

Signs are pointing to an uptick in holiday produce purchases, Robinson Fresh predicts, with large family gatherings driving demand for both fruit and vegetables.

IFCO Systems has been providing the produce industry with reusable packaging containers since 1992, but it's still keeping up with the times, says Rick Overholt, vice president of grower sales.

The Packer's Fresh Trends 2024 consumer survey reveals demographic variables in households that tend to point to higher fresh potato purchases.

Welcome to a $9 million orgy of crop insurance fraud by an unassuming farm couple.

This year, NYAA is sponsoring an Apple Pie Baking Kit consumer sweepstakes on social media and launching holiday videos featuring "Bob for Apples from New York," in addition to reminding retailers to cross-merchandise.

As the Dutch company looks ahead to 2024 and beyond, it says it plans to add to its watermelon portfolio with more top crimsons, minis, specialty melons and pollinizers.

As the Coachella Valley, Calif., season begins, Ocean Mist is eyeing strong volumes to meet customer demand through the holiday season and into the new year.

Have A Plant programs for National Fruits and Veggies Month included messaging that encouraged eating more fruits and vegetables at family meals.

Industry experts, manufacturers, retailers and others from throughout the world will gather Dec. 5-7 for this year’s event in New York City.

Atlanta-based e-commerce gifting brand Edible is undergoing a brand revitalization ahead of the company's 25th anniversary.

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has published a final rule to update the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard’s List of Bioengineered Foods.

In the category of “manufacturer, greenhouse fruit and vegetable company,” Pure Flavor has won the Gold Plate Award for its “Together” campaign that supported FMI’s National Family Meals Month this past September.

The Washington State Tree Fruit Association will host its 119th Annual Meeting and NW Hort Expo at the Three Rivers Convention Center and Toyota Center in Kennewick on Dec. 4-6.

Ganaz has developed a new web platform to improve efficiency and transparency in the recruiting of potential H-2A agricultural guest workers.

The GS1 US Board of Governors has elected four industry leaders from the grocery retail and health care sectors to join the board.

Food inflation will slow to about 3% in 2024, about half the pace of 2023, according to a new forecast that also provides outlooks for grocery and restaurant food prices.

The International Fresh Produce Association celebrated Giving Tuesday by reflecting on food donation partnerships with its annual Global Produce and Floral Show.

South Mill Champs, a vertically integrated North American grower and supplier of fresh mushrooms and functional mushroom foods, has acquired World Fresh Produce, a global fresh produce sourcing organization.

Warehousing/storage is the most stressful industry in the U.S., according to a new study by Trē House, a marketer of hemp-derived products and other items.

The USDA has filed an administrative complaint against Cantero Produce Corp. for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

The USDA has filed an administrative complaint against United Vegetable Produce Inc. (United Vegetable) for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

The USDA sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

The Corona, Calif.-based agribusiness, which partners with farmers in California and Mexico to provide year-round conventional and organic fresh fruit and vegetables, has received Equitable Food Initiative certification.

The National Grocers Association Foundation has officially launched the SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center website.

A powerful force in fresh produce, Hunts Point Produce Market is as rich in family history as it is passionate about feeding fresh fruits and vegetables to some 22 million people every year.

The companies say the alliance will allow them to combine the production and logistics experience that Green SuperFood has in Colombia and Cabilfrut’s knowledge in exporting and international markets.

For every customer dollar spent via Instacart between Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 on select products from four partner brands, Instacart and the participating brands will collectively donate 1 serving of fruits and vegetables.

“For the eighth annual World Pear Day celebration, USA Pears will once again be partnering with the online platform, Kittch, to showcase six popular chefs preparing a variety of global dishes,” said Jeff Correa of PBNW.

Sun World International has added eight importers to its panel of 28 companies that hold a license to distribute and market Sun World’s full line of proprietary grapes.

Fresh produce representatives recently met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to voice concerns and emphasize industry initiatives.

The Chilean Blueberry Committee, together with iQonsulting, has updated its export estimate for the 2023-2024 season, forecasting exports of 76,500 tons of fresh blueberries.