Latest News From Fresh Talk

A 21-page report from the Farm Foundation titled “How U.S. Agriculture Will Fare Under the USMCA and Retaliatory Tariffs” reveals a mixed message the farm economy.

What’s wrong with carrots?

It is one of the ironies of marketing that the healthiest food often isn’t labeled as such at our retail supermarkets.

Our digital library of past issues of The Packer goes back to 1993, and that makes recalling the headlines of Fresh Summit expos in the recent past very accessible. 

As the global produce community comes together in Orlando at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit, let me rank the top ten reports from the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service this year.

Editor Tom Karst and retail editor Ashley Nickle discuss the latest on the farm bill and the selection of the 2018 Produce Retailer of the Year, Mike Orf with Hy-Vee. 

Perception is reality and a new survey from food and marketing agency Charleston Orwig found that more than a quarter of consumers said they do not trust the vigilance of the food industry’s safety efforts.

My recent Fresh Talk post about the resiliency of exports was a little too glib and simplistic for one West Coast produce exporter.

With more than 4,000 comments filed already, input is due Oct. 10 on the FMCSA's advance notice of proposed rulemaking on hours of service rule regulations for commercial truck drivers.

As inexplicable as it may seem, exports of fresh fruits and vegetables for January to August are basically unchanged from the same period a year ago.

I received a welcome email this morning from a one-time employee at The Packer.

Anyone who would put needles in strawberries is surely evil, or truly sick.

Stop the presses. InsideHigherEd.com reports “Most Students Don’t Eat Enough Fruits, Vegetables” in a story on recent research from the American College Health Association.

Are fresh fruits and vegetables getting their “fair share”?

My wife and I were visiting with another couple this week over dinner, and the hot topic was their first kiss.

Yes, there is another food waste study.

I was visiting with my 30-something son last night and he was remarking about President Trump’s incredible energy. He also marveled at how Trump simplifies all the issues he deals with to black and white.

What are the best ways to spur organic sales at the retail level?

Western Growers’ president and CEO Tom Nassif recently posted an opinion piece on the Western Growers website, and I am excerpting his blog post with permission from WG.

Suggestible you, me and our preschool kids and grandkids.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a “before” shot of food safety practices on the farm, perhaps followed ten years from now with a more flattering “after” shot. 

I am still getting some insightful responses to my recent question:

Amazon wants you to buy groceries online, and it seems they will succeed.

I was talking with a Wisconsin potato shipper the other day and he mentioned that he (and others, of course) can’t wait for the day of self-driving, autonomous trucks. 

Recently having assumed the role of editor of The Packer, I thought a perfect question for the LinkedIn Fresh Produce Industry Group was this:

Everything is not rainbows and unicorns when it comes to feelings about local food demand.

My wife and I recently visited our son in Utah, and one of our stops along the way was at the Utah State Railroad Museum in Ogden. 

Earlier in June (June 12), I sent the Food and Drug Administration press office a few questions related to coverage I was planning for a food safety/traceability section for The Packer.

Compared to immigration-related tweets and tirades in Washington, D.C., the fate of the stoic farm bill is considerably less entertaining. 

Putting a finer point on government regulations or providing clarity on bureaucratic language is not easy to do.

Who thought, ten years ago, that consumers would buy garden hoses and paint online?

Now that big bad Monsanto is gone, will consumers still hold a grudge against genetically-engineered crops and associated tools?

What do the thousands of folks in the produce industry share?

Of course, it’s not just consumer groups that are frustrated with the lack of traceback success with the Yuma-E. coli-romaine lettuce connection.

MONTEREY, California — Meal kit business continues to grow for HelloFresh and the company’s attention on packaging needs is growing along with it.

We all love “fails” on the internet, as long it is not us.

House Republicans are trying to pass a farm bill and likely must do it without help from the Democrats. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture pulled the plug on the proposed organic marketing board before the drama of a referendum could unfold.

What is the value of U.S. Department of Agriculture destination inspections for the produce industry?

We have a two-year-old grandson, which is a column topic in itself.

How long will uncertainty continue related to the E. coli and romaine investigation?

There is an earnest quote somewhere that says “Your attitude determines your altitude.” 

The Packer’s Ashley Nickle's coverage of the E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce from the Yuma region includes a recent piece headlined "Outbreak investigation puts spotlight on traceability."

​​​​​​​Make America’s Food Stamps Healthy.

Back from the Canadian Produce Marketing Association convention and trade show in Vancouver, and still marveling over the excellent show and the remarkable host city.

How many thousands of pounds of “perfectly good” romaine lettuce have been tossed in the past ten days? 

What is the level of ongoing consumer concern about the E. coli outbreak linked to chopped romaine from the Yuma region?

My wife said she stopped to pick up our favorite deli chopped salad from a local grocer last night.

All forms matter, but some matter more than others.

Early coverage of the E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce from the Yuma region is rolling in.