Latest From Opinion

Craig Carlson
The state of the CEA industry today — and what's ahead

Investment in vertical farming was down in 2023, but there should be optimism about the future of the CEA leafy greens industry — and tech has a role in it — strategy consultant Craig Carlson says in this guest column.

Armand Lobato
How a lesser-traveled career path can provide the best perspective

When pursuit of a sought-after position doesn't go as expected, Plan B isn't necessarily a lesser option. Columnist Armand Lobato shares the lessons one produce pro learned in taking a step down in order to move up.

Armand Lobato
What chess and produce share when it comes to success

With merchandising and labor demands for March Madness, spring break, Easter and more on the horizon, produce managers should analyze the challenges like a chess grandmaster, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Armand Lobato
Put potatoes to bed properly with these storage and handling tips

It's Potato Lover’s Month, and what's not to love about the budget-friendly, nutritious potato? Tell customers how to handle this produce rock star's sensitive side to ensure the spuds they're buying don't go to waste.

Armand Lobato
Making the grade on quality control

It helps to grade well on quality assurance, because when things get out of control, it’s often a downward spiral that follows, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Armand Lobato
Don't disregard ideas and insight from rank-and-file workers

If you wait for solutions to all your problems will flow downhill from a distant home office, you may be in for a long wait. Some of the best ideas sprout from those already around you, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Joe Watson
The produce manager can be a complex but valuable asset for store success

The people serving in this vital role often come with a multitude of unique characteristics, as well as expertise and ideas, but some stores fail to tap into that resource, says columnist Joe Watson.

Armand Lobato
How much are your customers worth?

Want to increase business? Start by taking exceptional care of the customers you already have. Otherwise, it'll be costly to mend that relationship — if it can be done at all. Columnist Armand Lobato explains more.

Armand Lobato
5 proven tips to make the most of competition checks

Competition checks are an integral part of understanding your business and seeing how other stores are doing. Columnist Armand Lobato offers some observations to include in your checklist.

Armand Lobato
Make a great first impression with prime produce displays

An impressive produce lineup at the front entrance can elevate customer expectations for what they'll find further into the store, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Armand Lobato
Eating while you work? It can be helpful for your clerks — and customers

Are you eating five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables a day? Produce department staff can easily surpass that while on the job and be better prepared to educate customers about items, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Armand Lobato
How a bit of produce 'theater' keeps shoppers wanting more

Adding these relatively simple showcases can compel customers to spend more time in the produce department — and raise the potential for purchases, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Tamara Muruetagoiena
Integrating food systems into COP28's climate plans

The inclusion of food systems in global climate plans opens a realm of opportunities and challenges, underscoring a need for a thoughtful and nuanced approach, says guest columnist Tamara Muruetagoiena of the IFPA.

Armand Lobato
Calculating the cost — and benefit — of good employees

How much is a good produce professional worth? Columnist Armand Lobato takes a look at how labor market conditions and employee intangibles factor into pay.

Armand Lobato
Handle with care — or beware

Dumping produce onto a fixture may make for a quick and easy display, but that "shortcut" ultimately costs a department in terms of sales, increased shrink and lower customer satisfaction, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Javier Badillo
Tomato antidumping duties would be a disaster for all parties

Using duties to replace the suspension agreement that regulates U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes would make things far worse for the U.S. tomato market, says Javier Badillo of the FPAA in this guest column.

Armand Lobato
Make new business relationships flourish with this simple practice

After a produce show ends, the work begins with developing your new contacts into strong business relationships — and there's a surefire way to make a great early impression, columnist Armand Lobato explains.

Armand Lobato
Give customers multiple opportunities to buy more produce

Don't miss out on sales because a customer wandered the store looking for an item they couldn't find. Columnist Armand Lobato explains how your produce merchandising can help shoppers.

Ron Lemaire and Dave Puglia
'Unattainable' Canadian plastics ban will cause food shortages, price increases

While there's a need to reduce plastic waste, a Canadian proposal that would ban the produce industry from using plastic materials at this time would create catastrophic consequences, say Ron Lemaire and Dave Puglia.

Armand Lobato
Plan for merchandising success by anticipating customer needs

Like chess or any good board game, making sure that all the merchandising pieces fit together requires planning and anticipation, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Frank Yiannas
Food safety and the anonymity of prevention

During a recent string of Thanksgiving holidays, romaine lettuce has not been in any news related to foodborne outbreaks. And that hasn't happened by chance, says guest columnist and former FDA official Frank Yiannas.

Armand Lobato
Find seasonal opportunities by teaming with nonprofits, volunteers

Don't let a tight labor pool quash your great idea to boost seasonal sales. Retailers can find win-win opportunities with volunteers looking to earn money for their organizations, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Armand Lobato
Use fruit baskets (Yes, fruit baskets!) to boost holiday spirits — and sales

Think no one buys fruit baskets anymore? It's more about a lack of inventory rather than a lack of shopper interest, says columnist Armand Lobato. A little foresight and preparation can nab additional holiday sales.

Armand Lobato
Ahead of Thanksgiving feasts, be thankful for a well-coordinated produce crew

Columnist Armand Lobato shares a message of thanks, reflecting on the demanding work to prepare for pre-Thanksgiving shopping — sharing a burden and bond with co-workers.

Jim Cranney
EPA on path to reduce fresh produce consumption, says MCFA chair

In this guest column, Minor Crop Farmer Alliance Chair Jim Cranney says new specifics on an EPA policy indicate the agency is taking a “act now, address questions later” approach to its pesticide program.

Armand Lobato
How ‘good hands’ can fix a merchandising problem by tearing things down

So often in produce, a merchandising challenge or an issue can be identified by tearing things down to the mat, metaphorically speaking, and starting over, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Dave Puglia
A chilling proposal for the U.S. produce industry and Canadian consumers

A pre-proposal that aims to regulate packaging in Canadian grocery stores should have the attention of the entire U.S. produce industry, says Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia in this guest column.

Center for Produce Safety
4 key produce safety takeaways from the 2023 Research Symposium

The Center for Produce Safety shares insight from its Research Symposium this year, where food safety stakeholders gathered with researchers to discuss how to apply their findings.

Armand Lobato
Here's the best produce item for combatting inflation

The price-friendly potato is nutritious and versatile in meals — but be sure to maximize your opportunities when advertising a sale, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Armand Lobato
Having a grand opening or remodel? Bring in your produce all-stars

Having a seasoned produce supervisor handle operations for major store events is good — having additional experienced personnel on hand to deal with the swarm of demands is even better, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Armand Lobato
Sometimes, this is all you need for a big produce project

It's nice to have a great idea, but it's even better to execute the plan at some point. Columnist Armand Lobato has advice for getting over the hump.

Elad Mardix
A vision for the next decade: Fresh produce and advanced tech synergy

As the fourth industrial revolution blurs the lines between physical, digital and biological spheres, some of its most exciting changes are occurring in agriculture, Clarifruit CEO Elad Mardix says in this guest column.

Armand Lobato
How effective leaders build strong bonds and get better results

Strong leadership is a two-way street that includes creating trust with employees who in turn are motivated to do the job right. Columnist Armand Lobato explains how to get there.

Amy Sowder
PMG editor's letter: Don't wait until you're ready

This column is from the September-October issue of PMG magazine.

Armand Lobato
Worries weighing you down? Here are 5 steps to less stress

Worrying too much about operations and goals can hinder produce managers and their departments. Columnist Armand Lobato says focusing on these key steps can help alleviate the burden.

Armand Lobato
Building a chain of momentum through produce teamwork

A produce manager should encourage staff to do not only what’s expected, but exceed expectations, to benefit themselves, other shifts — and customers, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Armand Lobato
Know when a simple approach is best for tough tasks

When a challenge arises in produce, hesitation and inaction can lead to an undesirable outcome. Sometimes the best option is to "just lower your head and push," says columnist Armand Lobato.

Armand Lobato
Want to win over customers in a hurry? Make it easy during rush time

If a grocer is built properly for convenience, with good customer service, a tired shopper is more likely to head to that store at the end of the day, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Armand Lobato
Does your produce operation have ‘mise en place’?

Columnist Armand Lobato explains how adhering to the meaning of this French phrase can help optimize labor scheduling, product ordering and merchandising.

Daphna Nissenbaum
Compostable packaging: Breaking down the myths

Despite the environmental benefits of compostable packaging, there are some prevailing myths distorting the truth and creating misunderstanding about them, says Daphna Nissembaum, CEO of the packaging company TIPA.

Armand Lobato
Use a ‘punch list’ to knock out trouble spots before they get worse

Just like home, something always needs to be maintained in the produce department. If not done in a timely manner, things only get worse — and shoppers will notice, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Tim York
The real truth about your food

Despite the portrayal in a recent Netflix documentary, leafy greens producers have made great strides in food safety — and are committed to further progress, says California Leafy Green Marketing Agreement CEO Tim York.

Armand Lobato
Why home-grown bliss is the only crop in my backyard

A busy travel and work schedule is one reason columnist Armand Lobato says he doesn’t have a backyard garden. And the other reason …

John Phipps
Why water is the new oil for landowners

There are signs that water is the new oil as water rights turn into water fights across the western U.S., says columnist John Phipps. He thinks it's a battle that could only heat up in the coming years.

Armand Lobato
How well are you serving your senior shoppers?

When the senior bus rolls up, some clerks scoff at or avoid helping these customers. That's unfortunate, because there should be more consideration for the needs of this growing segment, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Armand Lobato
When ‘in the dock’ doesn’t mean in the dock: The unofficial terms of produce

Do you have "diamonds" that "eat like candy"? Let's hope your stock has "legs" but isn't "kicked." Columnist Armand Lobato explains some of the unofficial terms heard around the produce aisle.

Amy Sowder
How produce retailers, suppliers can join the 'Girl Dinner' TikTok trend

What is "Girl Dinner," why should produce companies care, and what is troubling about this summer's viral social media trend?

Armand Lobato
Watching your produce waste-line

Taking steps to minimizing food waste not only helps reduce shrink, but it also means fresher produce with a longer shelf life at the consumer’s home, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Amy Sowder
Everything is better on a stick

I was influenced by an influencer during an education session about influencing.

Armand Lobato
How night moves once saved the day

Overnight produce receiving isn’t for everyone, but it can solve many problems for stores with once particular issue in their layout, says columnist Armand Lobato.