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Cool Creations previews new products at AWG show
Cool Creations previews new products at AWG show

North Kansas City, Mo.-based Cool Creations LLC had two new products to show off at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase, March 25-26.

Dole, Fresh Express nix sale of fresh vegetables division
Dole, Fresh Express nix sale of fresh vegetables division

Following Department of Justice concerns about competition in the packaged salad market, the companies have abandoned the proposed $308 million deal.

Fresh Del Monte named to most trusted companies list
Fresh Del Monte named to most trusted companies list

Fresh Del Monte is among the honorees on the Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2024 list, recognized for a commitment to quality, sustainability and innovation in fresh produce.

Improved conditions for West Mexico produce may arrive with spring
Improved conditions for West Mexico produce may arrive with spring

West Mexico growers faced a tough fall/winter season, but distributors believe things are looking up for spring with increased supplies and more reasonable prices.

What’s next for retail foodservice: Retailers dish up insights in free webinar
What’s next for retail foodservice: Retailers dish up insights in free webinar

"Impact Retail Foodservice 2024" will gather industry experts to discuss opportunities and challenges, as well as share insights for driving growth in the year ahead in one of the hottest departments in grocery.

Natural Delights names new CEO
Natural Delights names new CEO

With CEO Tim Rooney is stepping down to pursue another opportunity, Natural Delights is promoting its chief operating officer, effective April 1.

Taylor Farms Retail gives new options for its mini-chopped line
Taylor Farms Retail gives new options for its mini-chopped line

Taylor Farms Retail is adjusting its packaged salad options to better serve single consumers, company executives said at the  Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase.

CEO of Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia to depart by year's end
CEO of Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia to depart by year's end

Wouter Kolk, CEO of Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia, has decided to step down from the management board by the end of the year.

Pacific Trellis Fruit touts premium stone fruit category at AWG Showcase
Pacific Trellis Fruit touts premium stone fruit category at AWG Showcase

Specialty stone fruit offerings were a focus of attention for Pacific Trellis Fruit executives at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase, March 25-26.

Sage Fruit at AWG showcase: Strong apple promotions available now
Sage Fruit at AWG showcase: Strong apple promotions available now

Sage Fruit Co. had good news for retail attendees at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase, March 25-26.

Sustainable California Initiative charts progress in ag sustainability and equity
Sustainable California Initiative charts progress in ag sustainability and equity

GrubMarket says its initiative made strides in 2023, including the planting of 100,000-plus trees and aiding farmers in organic transition.

Oppy hits the slopes with competitive skier partnership
Oppy hits the slopes with competitive skier partnership

Ski-cross athlete Emeline Bennett will share food tips, highlights and more through Oppy’s social media channels.

World Variety highlights combo pack of dragon fruit at AWG showcase
World Variety highlights combo pack of dragon fruit at AWG showcase

With more than 1,500 options among its offerings, World Variety Produce had plenty of options to highlight at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase, March 25-26.

AgroFresh bolsters postharvest solutions with Pace International purchase
AgroFresh bolsters postharvest solutions with Pace International purchase

The company says the acquisition will expand its postharvest portfolio and that it plans to collaborate with Valent BioSciences to develop future products to boost produce freshness.

Wonderful Citrus highlights Organic Halos, Seedless Lemons
Wonderful Citrus highlights Organic Halos, Seedless Lemons

Wonderful also promoted its No Shells pistachios, including its new Jalapeño Lime flavor, at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase.

NGA makes marketing hire, promotes government relations staffer
NGA makes marketing hire, promotes government relations staffer

The National Grocers Association has welcomed Caroline Sar as its manager of marketing and member engagement and promoted Max Wengroff to senior manager of government relations.

Vidalia onion promotions ready to roll
Vidalia onion promotions ready to roll

With Vidalia onions soon heading to supermarket shelves, retailers have options to enhance their marketing, and the Vidalia Onion Committee and Certified Angus Beef will feature a summer grilling series on social media.

NatureSweet swings big for Little League programs
NatureSweet swings big for Little League programs

The company plans to incorporate the league’s logo into packaging and provide local leagues with snacking suggestions after being named the official snacking vegetable of Little League Baseball and Softball.

Vidalia onion grower expands with acquisition of Generation Farms
Vidalia onion grower expands with acquisition of Generation Farms

Following Shuman Farms’ acquisition, the company now has 2,800 acres of Vidalia onions in the ground and has solidified itself as one of the largest grower-shippers in the industry, says John Shuman, president and CEO.

Fresh Express introduces new salad kits
Fresh Express introduces new salad kits

The Asian Apple Salad Kit and the Twisted Caesar Creamy Truffle Caesar Chopped Salad Kit are now available.

AWG's Innovation Showcase draws its biggest crowd yet
AWG's Innovation Showcase draws its biggest crowd yet

With about 20 produce exhibitors alone and dozens of other food exhibitors besides, the March 25-26 Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase and Annual Meeting was bigger than ever.

Hy-Vee welcomes new chief marketing officer
Hy-Vee welcomes new chief marketing officer

Jessica Hendrix will oversee Hy-Vee’s marketing efforts and serve as the driving force behind growth and strategic operations for RedMedia, Hy-Vee’s retail media network.

SiCar Farms announces sustainability goals
SiCar Farms announces sustainability goals

The McAllen, Texas-based company says it elevates sustainable agricultural practices, materials management, agricultural initiatives and efficiency programs.

FloraPulse introduces real-time water monitoring system
FloraPulse introduces real-time water monitoring system

The company says it has developed a way to acquire data directly from trees and vines, providing accurate, automated measurements on plant water status to agriculture professionals, such as fruit and nut growers.

Skills survey reveals U.S. agriculture workforce needs and gaps
Skills survey reveals U.S. agriculture workforce needs and gaps

A new agri-food employer survey ranked the most necessary skills for all employees and identified areas with the most significant gap for both current employees and new graduate hires.

EmpowerFresh highlights software for produce department management
EmpowerFresh highlights software for produce department management

EmpowerFresh executives featured its cloud-based software for managing fresh produce department operations at the March 25-26 Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase.

Melissa’s and Goldenberry Farms form joint venture for Sweet Sugar Mango
Melissa’s and Goldenberry Farms form joint venture for Sweet Sugar Mango

Available April through June 2024, this marks the first "official" U.S. season for the Sweet Sugar Mango after a trial run in 2023.

Criollo mango sees growing interest
Criollo mango sees growing interest

San Juan, Texas-based distributor Grande Produce spotlighted the variety during the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase, held March 25-26.

Will The Collapse Of The Baltimore Key Bridge Impact Agriculture?
Will The Collapse Of The Baltimore Key Bridge Impact Agriculture?

Mike Steenhoek, executive director at the Soy Transportation Coalition, shares what the collapse could mean for the supply chain.

Expect strong blueberry season, says California Giant Berry Farm
Expect strong blueberry season, says California Giant Berry Farm

As blueberry season continues, the grower, shipper and wholesaler says it will offer promotable volumes of organic and conventional berries through July.

Cox Enterprises launches new greenhouse growing business
Cox Enterprises launches new greenhouse growing business

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.

ProducePay, Four Star Fruit partner with Mexican growers to supply table grapes
ProducePay, Four Star Fruit partner with Mexican growers to supply table grapes

The companies have joined with leading Mexican growers to provide 4 million cases of table grapes during May and early June, which is traditionally the lowest volume period of the year.

NatureSweet touts mini peppers at AWG event
NatureSweet touts mini peppers at AWG event

San Antonio-based NatureSweet highlighted its Constellation three-color pack of mini sweet peppers at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase.

Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers responds to new municipal regulation
Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers responds to new municipal regulation

A new measure approved by a municipal council in Ontario will increase the development fees for wastewater and water on any greenhouses built in the municipality.

Sweetpotato consumption keeps rising
Sweetpotato consumption keeps rising

Sweetpotato retail per capita availability rose from 3.78 pounds in 2000 to 6.02 pounds in 2020, USDA statistics show. The momentum continued in 2023, according to retail scan data.

Red Sun Farms prepares to market bio-engineered purple tomato
Red Sun Farms prepares to market bio-engineered purple tomato

The bio-engineered purple tomato from Norfolk Healthy Produce will soon reach retail shelves, says Harold Paivarinta, senior director of sales for Red Sun Farms.

Food Lion recognized for ongoing sustainable leadership
Food Lion recognized for ongoing sustainable leadership

The omnichannel grocer is the only company in the U.S. to receive the Energy Star Partner of the Year award for 23 consecutive years.

USDA to renew charter for Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee
USDA to renew charter for Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee

Since it began in 2001, the advisory committee has met up to two times per year to develop recommendations for submission to the agriculture secretary on issues affecting the U.S. produce industry.

Study finds food as medicine strategy is effective
Study finds food as medicine strategy is effective

Programs that provided free, weekly home delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms helped improve health outcomes, according to a study presented at a recent American Heart Association event.

Superfresh Growers highlights National Farmworker Awareness Week
Superfresh Growers highlights National Farmworker Awareness Week

In a new video, Claudio Villalobos, a farm manager at Superfresh Growers, shares his experience as a farmworker and the role farmworkers play in the fresh produce industry.

Conservation program open for California citrus growers
Conservation program open for California citrus growers

Growers can apply for up to $200,000 in funding for climate resilience and sustainability projects in citrus groves.

Instacart and AWG expand partnership, introduce smart carts
Instacart and AWG expand partnership, introduce smart carts

The partnership enables more direct access to same-day delivery and artificial intelligence-powered smart carts to AWG member companies across 3,500 locations in 32 states.

UC Davis research discovers promising new antifungal chemical
UC Davis research discovers promising new antifungal chemical

A screening of more than 2,700 FDA-approved compounds shows how ebselen can inhibit fungal infections in many different plant species.

With harvest on the horizon, California avocados will soon be ready for retail
With harvest on the horizon, California avocados will soon be ready for retail

Industry experts recently shared their insight on what to expect for this year's crop and and avocado trends in retail.

USDA predicts food inflation rate for 2024
USDA predicts food inflation rate for 2024

Food prices are expected to continue to decelerate in 2024 and are projected 2.5% up compared with 2023, according to a new USDA report.

Company showcases automated machine for prepping avocados
Company showcases automated machine for prepping avocados

The Germany-based Kronen GmbH says its automated, robot-based solution for cutting, pitting and peeling avocados can be adapted and added onto to meet various needs.

EmpowerFresh partners with AWG to support independent retailers
EmpowerFresh partners with AWG to support independent retailers

The partnership will offer Associated Wholesale Grocers members tools to enhance inventory management for independent supermarkets.

Washington Apple Commission president to retire
Washington Apple Commission president to retire

During his 18-year stint with the commission, Todd Fryhover has overseen the marketing efforts for Washington apple growers in 25 countries worldwide.

NGA calls for congressional action after FTC report on pandemic-era supply chain
NGA calls for congressional action after FTC report on pandemic-era supply chain

A Federal Trade Commission report has prompted the National Grocers Association to respond to the report's suggestion that major grocers' practices during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted competition and consumer choice.

Michigan State University research identifies gene behind cold-induced sweetening
Michigan State University research identifies gene behind cold-induced sweetening

When subjected to cold temperatures, potatoes convert starch to sugar which can darken the flesh and create a carcinogenic compound during high-temperature processing.