Latest News From Wayne Hardy

The International Fresh Produce Association says The Floral Conference in Miami will offer an interactive experience into the future of floral and how participants can leverage research to drive change and prosperity.

The Texas Department of Agriculture will receive nearly $200,000 over the next three years to support promotional and educational activities.

With Mucci Farms and BrightFarms in its growing portfolio, Cox Farms is one of the largest greenhouse operators in North America, harvesting 360 million pounds of produce annually, the company says.

GlobalGAP North America will host the March 25 Stronger Together online training course, which will feature interactive learning through group discussions and exercises.

The 11th edition of the event drew controlled environment agriculture industry members from 49 U.S. states and over 30 countries.

Nominations for excellence in sustainability marketing are being accepted for The Best of SPS Marketing Awards through May 10, 2024. Winners will be announced live at the 2024 Sustainable Produce Summit.

Bobby Chacko succeeds Andrea Montagna, who has stepped down after serving as the company's CEO since 2021.

Vice President of Customer Experience Bob Bechtel will retire in March after a 45-year career with the grocery chain. The company says its director of omnichannel will succeed him.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, Sunkist says the themed 10-pound carton will help keep the citrus category at the forefront of longstanding celebrations domestically and across Asia.

Gotham Greens’ new 210,000-square-foot facility in Seagoville, Texas, about 20 miles southeast of downtown Dallas, is the company’s 13th greenhouse nationwide.

Naturipe says retailers can take advantage of peak volumes during its FeBLUEary promotional campaign.

Silo Technologies says the funding will advance its capacity to develop modular solutions for inventory management, freight logistics, enhanced order management, modern payment options and innovative capital solutions.

Bobalu took part in the annual Can-tree event where participants build holiday trees from canned food that is later used to provide meals for those in need within the community.

Throughout December, the bulk and fresh-cut produce provider is turning donations to WCBE-FM into an opportunity to provide 3 pounds of fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables to those in need.

The Giant Co. has named Brian Lorenz as vice president of omnichannel fresh merchandising and Kathy Sweigert as vice president of the mid-Atlantic division, both effective Nov. 27.

The brand says it will showcase new organic apples varieties and a Tasty Trio bag of mixed fruit, all sold in 2-pound resealable pouch bags.

The company is celebrating the recent Equitable Food Initiative certification of its facility in Reedley, Calif., as its winter citrus program gets underway.

The Washington state-based grower-packer-shipper shares in a set of videos how AgroFresh's FreshCloud has helped digitize inspection data, improve quality and freshness, and reduce food waste.

The AVO Braves Chevy Bolt EUV has been making the rounds to Atlanta-area Kroger stores as part of The Ultimate Baseball Sweepstakes, courtesy of a partnership with Avocados from Peru and the Atlanta Braves.

The FARMS program has introduced careers in ag and environmental sciences to tens of thousands of high school youth, most with no previous access to these opportunities.

Sunkist Growers is using content on the social media platform, popular among millennial and Generation Z consumers, and its Sunkist Unlimited campaign to promote the in-season fruit as a versatile, affordable option.

Fabbri Group, an international specialist in automatic food packaging systems, is partnering with Bizerba to provide a comprehensive solution for weighing, pricing, packaging and labeling processes.

The brand says the revamped website features an enhanced experience for shoppers while serving as a resource to highlight sweet potatoes from the southern San Joaquin Valley of California.

The Georgia grower-packer-shipper of sweet onions recently celebrated a new charitable partnership and an addition to its June Feeding America retail programs.

The Potatoes USA Board consists of five committees guided by nine industry members. The committees include international marketing, domestic marketing, industry outreach, research, and finance and policy.

Agtech veteran David Lee, whose previous roles include president of indoor farming company AppHarvest, will now lead Lockhart, Texas-based Inevitable Tech.

With optimism abound in orchards, the association is also highlighting its school initiatives and plans to aid retailers.

The Cincinnati-based grocer says its recycling program has processed more than 1 million pieces of iOur Brands flexible plastic product packaging. The company has also added two products made with upcycled ingredients.

The grower says it is the first private company in the Mexican state of Jalisco to receive this conservation certification, which will help preserve and protect various species.

As residents awaited federal disaster assistance for flood recovery, the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California led an effort to provide health care and supplies to a small town.

The Watsonville, Calif.-based company says growing regions delayed by storms will peak with strong production and promotable volumes through May.

The Los Angeles-based grower-packer-shipper’s potato season is ramping up following weather-related delays for organic and conventional potatoes.

The farmer-owned citrus cooperative is supporting the inaugural April 8 Encore All-Star Games, featuring basketball talent from the Los Angeles region.

The company says it anticipates distribution activities will begin fall 2023 at the locations in central Salinas, Calif., with the long-term goal of accommodating all of its shipping needs.

GFSI’s 22nd annual conference, "Delivering Safe Food in Turbulent Times: The Need for Agility & Resilience," will be a three-day event held at the Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta, April 24-27.

The Equitable Food Initiative's leadership team committee worked with farming operations and co-workers to create the series to educate and raise awareness about the realities of being a farmworker.

Fast Company’s annual list highlights global businesses that are at the forefront of their industries, paving the way for future innovations, and setting the standard with their accomplishments.

Karl Varsanyi, Manolo Reyes and Ravi Jolly will lead efforts to scale the Los Angeles-based company’s marketplace in new and existing markets globally.

The company says the product is a replacement for nonsustainable, conventional multimaterial laminates.

The Sayreville, N.J.-based company’s newest manufacturing facility in Texas is already developing exclusively PFAS-free packaging products for the North American market and beyond.

More than 1,800 attendees and 175 exhibitors convened at the Colorado event.

Sheridan Silver brings over 20 years of procurement, purchasing and supply chain experience to the position.

Leaders, innovators and pillars of business were among those who died in 2022, remembered by peers for their professional contributions and their lasting impact on the people who knew them.

Too wet. Too cold. Too dry. Weather can be a wildcard come growing season, and 2022 saw fruit and vegetable production in multiple regions challenged by extreme or prolonged conditions.

The Salinas, Calif.-based grower-shipper touted its ongoing pursuit of sustainable innovations to address growing industry issues.