Latest News From Fresh Talk

Tom Karst
USDA's climate smart-commodities program: does it make a dent in the problem for growers?

The climate change struggle is real. More than one in four who voted in a recent poll I posted in the LinkedIn Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group said climate change is the biggest long-term problem growers face.

Tom Karst
Food inflation will persist, many believe

Food inflation has been bad, but is the worst of it over?

Tom Karst
What can the industry do about cyberattacks?

While attending the International Fresh Produce Association’s Foodservice Conference, I visited with a produce professional in the tech space.

Tom Karst
Truckers on the merits of speed limiters: No thanks

Truckers are sounding off against the idea of speed limiters on trucks, and fresh produce is being invoked as one point in their arguments against the devices.

Tom Karst
Produce stagflation hits

Movement is down and prices are up for fresh produce compared with this time a year ago.

Tom Karst
Black watermelon, a short cherry crop, Picasso melons and a poll about these times

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It was a lot like any other time.

Tom Karst
Salads still getting no love from McDonald’s

“Troubling but temporary.” That’s what I called McDonald’s decision to remove salads from its menu during the early days of the pandemic. 

Tom Karst
Packinghouse automation dazzles and more is on the way

The Packer's Tom Karst wants to know what you think makes for the most efficient fresh produce packing operation today? 

Tom Karst
One thing industry doesn't want: more regulation

What does the "industry" need from the government?

Tom Karst
LinkedIn poll reveals produce people have glass-half-full mindset

LinkedIn discussion group reveals farmers and most produce folks are "glass-half-full" people.

Tom Karst
1 farmer feeds 154 people and you: Here is how

You have seen the billboard on the side of the highway: "One (insert state name) farmer feeds X number of people and YOU."

Tom Karst
The evolution of packaging: What does the industry need now?

One of The Packer's first mentions of sustainability and packaging (apart from some back-and-forth banter about RPCs and corrugated cartons) appeared in coverage from the 2005 PMA Fresh Summit event.

Tom Karst
Inflation sours consumer attitudes

The U.S. economy is lousy with inflation, and that is putting consumers in a sour mood.

Tom Karst
Inflation smacks consumers: now what?

Other than the Fed raising interest rates a fraction, what can be done about inflation?

Tom Karst
Solutions to food waste explored

Reducing food waste is the responsibility of all parts of the supply chain and a central tenet of sustainability goals.

Tom Karst
How high can avocado prices go? And then, how low?

Wholesale avocado prices were already sizzling hot before the U.S. suspended Mexican hass imports on Feb. 11 because of a security threat to one of their inspectors in Michoacan.

Tom Karst
Consumer understanding of the produce supply chain is rare: how do you solve that?

From all that we are all told by marketing pros, consumers love the idea of “getting to know” growers, the folks who put food on their plates.

Strawberries claim No. 2 spot in 2022 Fresh Trends survey
Strawberries claim No. 2 spot in 2022 Fresh Trends survey

Strawberries got a boost this year, claiming No. 2 fruit in the 2022 Fresh Trends study, with just over 56% of those surveyed saying they have purchased fresh strawberries in the past twelve months.

Tom Karst
Top produce trends for 2032 

 This time of year, there are multiple versions of “top food trends” stories for 2022. And why not? The future is always a more alluring topic than the gritty present.

Tom Karst
If you force us to get a vaccine today, will you force us to eat vegetables tomorrow?

More than 100,000 people have dropped comments in the Federal Register document that spells out the Biden administration’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing: Emergency Temporary Standard.

Tom Karst
Talking 2022 expectations with AgriTalk's Chip Flory

I had the honor of being on Farm Journal's AgriTalk today with host Chip Flory.

Tom Karst
Truck rates continue to push higher

Truck rates continue to push higher, U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics show.

Tom Karst
Produce stocks underperforming - for now

The stock market has been on a nice run, but generally speaking, companies that specialize in fresh produce have been laggards rather than leaders.

Tom Karst
Bob Dole earned the gratitude of the country and my family

I raise a salute to Bob Dole, the former U.S. Senator from Kansas who died Dec. 5 at 98 years old.

Tom Karst
Word association: International Fresh Produce Association

What is the first thing you think about when you hear the words "International Fresh Produce Association?"

Tom Karst
Industry waiting for good old days to return

These are not the good old days. At least, let’s hope not.

Tom Karst
Survey: Top questions about organic from consumers, and the biggest market opportunity 

What is the top question that organic produce marketers receive from consumers? That was a question The Packer asked in a recent survey of organic marketers. 

Tom Karst
The year that was (and still is): top stories of 2021

What are the headlines that you will remember from 2021?

Tom Karst
Winning or not: USDA tracks vegetable movement and prices

What vegetable commodities are winning this year?

Tom Karst
Working at home? Survey says...

Is working at home good or bad, or somewhere in the middle?

Tom Karst
A question for produce merchandisers: how to introduce a new produce item without sampling

The lack of in-person produce expos leaves marketers with one fewer tool in their toolbox.

Tom Karst
In place of Fresh Summit, share your expo message virtually

The lack of an in-person Fresh Summit is a big loss for fresh produce marketers.

Tom Karst
PMA and United Fresh are on the fast track now for the January merger

As the industry waits for the new “normal” in the world and in the fresh produce business, one can’t but help wonder about the soon-coming merger of the Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh.

Tom Karst
USDA report tracks weekly retail grocery sales

How is the retail grocery business? Glad you asked.

Tom Karst
Asparagus, onion and cauliflower prices running hot, USDA numbers show

Here is a quick look-in at fresh vegetable FOB and retail prices compared with both a month ago and a year ago. 

Tom Karst
The sad state of the obesity crisis

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just reported another sad fact about obesity.

Tom Karst
Is the never-ending crisis coming back in full force to restaurants?

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show the ebb and flow of retail and foodservice sales for the last 20 years.

Tom Karst
Survey says buyers stipulate sustainability requirements

Should retail buyers or the USDA build in sustainability requirements in their contracts with suppliers?

Tom Karst
Uncertainty unsettles assumptions about Fresh Summit

This era of COVID-19 uncertainty is getting old.

Tom Karst
Plenty of opinions on “most buzzworthy” fruit or vegetable variety

What is the most buzzworthy variety of fruit or vegetable that you have experienced/seen in the last year? What makes it special?

Tom Karst
Per capita fruit changes over time: Avocado and blueberries shine

2019 per capita consumption figures for fresh fruit were released this week.

Tom Karst
Farmworker Justice and the United Farm Workers Foundation comments to USDA on how to advance racial justice

How can the U.S. Department of Agriculture advance racial justice, equity, and support for underserved communities?

Tom Karst
Max Teplitski of PMA on the “healthy” symbol; don't forget floral

No need to quibble; all fruits and vegetables should qualify for  “healthy” labeling. 

Tom Karst
Mollie Van Lieu on the “healthy” symbol for packaged foods

More reaction is rolling on the FDA’s request for comment on the idea of a “healthy” symbol for packaged foods.

Tom Karst
Words from the wise: how to build enduring industry relationships

The latest crowd-sourced produce wisdom came to me after I posted this question on the LinkedIn Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group:

Tom Karst
Should there be a voluntary symbol for “healthy food”? Kroger chimes in

Posted on regulations.gov,  here is a comment from Kroger to the FDA on the topic on a voluntary symbol depicting the nutrient content claim ‘‘Healthy’’ on packaged foods.

Tom Karst
Inflation, labor concerns top produce poll

A poll of international produce industry operators indicates top concerns about the business now include higher costs, a tight labor market, and drought conditions in the West.

Tom Karst
California grower recommendations on supply chain resilience

How can the produce supply chain have more surety, more resilience, more strength?

Tom Karst
Food industry “not very” ready for cyberattacks

Is the produce/retail supply chain vulnerable to cyber-attacks? How can the industry take steps to reduce that risk?