Latest News From Pennsylvania

Marketing opportunities abound with large apple crop this season
Marketing opportunities abound with large apple crop this season

Marketers recently shared the unique prospects that ample supply provides for retailers and consumers.

Bountiful apple crop brings opportunities — and a challenge to grow consumption
Bountiful apple crop brings opportunities — and a challenge to grow consumption

With a large crop in apple-producing states, like Pennsylvania, marketers say there is a need to boost consumption. "That will take some time and some effort," said Chris Sandwick of Hess Bros. Fruit., Lancaster, Pa.

Rice Fruit Co. celebrates 110 years
Rice Fruit Co. celebrates 110 years

Biglerville, Pa.-based Rice Fruit Co. is celebrating 110 years in 2023, but the history of the Rice family in the region goes back even further.

WildTwist apple variety available through May from Hess Brothers
WildTwist apple variety available through May from Hess Brothers

The new variety is typically sold from January through June; however, this year’s supply is projected to sell out early due to a rapid rise in popularity.

The secret to longevity at Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market
The secret to longevity at Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market

While the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market can trace its roots back hundreds of years, it has operated from its current location, which it says is the largest refrigerated building in the world, since 2011.

Keystone Potato Products launches updated website
Keystone Potato Products launches updated website

The Masser Family of Companies announced the launch of a new website for Hegins, Pa.-based partner Keystone Potato Products, LLC. 

Philadelphia produce veteran Charles Pigliacelli remembered
Philadelphia produce veteran Charles Pigliacelli remembered

Philadelphia produce veteran Charles Pigliacelli died June 17 and is remembered for his role in the success of John Vena Inc.

Hollabaugh Bros. expands use of Hazel Tech products
Hollabaugh Bros. expands use of Hazel Tech products

Chicago-based Hazel Technologies, Inc. has announced a second-year collaboration with Biglerville, Pa.-based grower-shipper Hollabaugh Bros., Inc.

M. Levin and Co. marks 115 years
M. Levin and Co. marks 115 years

The 115-year-old, family-owned company, M. Levin and Co., is a ripener-distributor for bananas. It also offers a wide range of tropical items, including mangoes, dragon fruit and passion fruit.

The Giant Co. opens e-commerce fulfillment center in Philadelphia
The Giant Co. opens e-commerce fulfillment center in Philadelphia

The 124,000-square-foot facility will service a greater number of customers in Philadelphia and, for the first time in its history, in southern New Jersey.

2022 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention Set for February 1 to 3
2022 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention Set for February 1 to 3

The 2022 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention will be held in-person at the Hershey Lodge on February 1 to 3, 2022.

Child nutrition results good for Jump with Jill’s digital education program
Child nutrition results good for Jump with Jill’s digital education program

The digital adaptation of the Jump with Jill musical nutrition program worked for 48 Pennsylvania and Texas schools.

Philadelphia feeds more, delivers more, wastes less
Philadelphia feeds more, delivers more, wastes less

The market and its firms are experiencing a new partnership in sustainability, more deliveries and increasing use of imports.

Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association awards 22 scholarships
Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association awards 22 scholarships

Almost two dozen students earned a little more help with their college expenses from a food organization scholarship.

Next Mid-Atlantic Convention should be mostly in-person
Next Mid-Atlantic Convention should be mostly in-person

The education sessions at the February 2021 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention were so well-attended that in some cases, attendance was like the in-person sessions of previous years.

WildTwist apples star in rockin' nutrition program in Pennsylvania schools
WildTwist apples star in rockin' nutrition program in Pennsylvania schools

Introducing fresh produce to young school children benefits growers, retailers, children and their families — and programs that do this work have struggled to continue this mission while schooling was remote-based.

How Four Seasons expansion relates to higher wages for employees
How Four Seasons expansion relates to higher wages for employees

The Four Seasons Family of Cos., Ephrata, Pa., has experienced consistent double-digit growth the past several years, and many of those customer partnerships are broadening.  

PhilaPort opens new near-dock warehouse
PhilaPort opens new near-dock warehouse

A new PhilaPort distribution center will add more than 200,000 square feet of flexible, food-grade storage within one mile of the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal.

The Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention had almost 900 registrations for its first virtual format.
Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention packs its virtual sessions

During the virtual Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Annie Miller noticed her young neighbors had food delivered daily amid the winter snowfall in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

To-Jo Mushrooms Inc., Avondale, Pa., makes its compost for mushroom production.
Pa. mushroom industry awarded grant to study environmental use of compost

The Pennsylvania mushroom industry won a grant from Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration to study how to better use the spent compost from growing mushrooms.

Rice Fruit focuses on COVID-19 safety
Rice Fruit focuses on COVID-19 safety

Worker safety continues to be the top focus as the packing and shipping of early-ripening Premier Honeycrisp apples is gearing up at Gardners, Pa.-based Rice Fruit Co.

Brenda Briggs, vice president of sales and marketing for Rice Fruit Co., and Ben Rice, president, check on some of the company’s apple trees.
Rice Fruit’s sustainable efforts add up over time

Many sustainable changes and choices save businesses money.

To-Jo offers range of varieties

To-Jo Mushrooms, Avondale, Pa., offers a full range of mushroom varieties, said Kevin Delaney, vice president of sales and marketing.

Phillips updates packaging

Phillips Mushroom Farms, Kennett Square, Pa., has updated the packaging for its popular Gourmet Blend, which contains baby bella, oyster and shiitake mushrooms, said Sean Steller, director of business development.

Joseph Basciani graduated from the University of Georgia last year majoring in finance and real estate and has been named the firm’s chief financial officer.
Business rebounds at Basciani

Basciani Mushroom Farms, Avondale, Pa., is almost back to full production after disruption by the new coronavirus, said Michael Basciani, CEO.

John Vena Inc. redesigns website after 100-year anniversary
John Vena Inc. redesigns website after 100-year anniversary

Following the debut of a new logo and mission statement in 2019 — marking 100 years in business — wholesaler and distributor John Vena Inc., Philadelphia, has a redesigned website with a host of new features.

BrightFarms opens largest facility in Pennsylvania
BrightFarms opens largest facility in Pennsylvania

BrightFarms opened is largest operation recently, kicking off the first harvest of a 280,000-square-foot facility in Selinsgrove, Pa., with a capacity of two million pounds of fresh produce annually.

Produce from the sky drops to celebrate the new year

Boise has the Idaho Potato Drop, Vincennes, Ind., has a watermelon drop, Kennett Square, Pa., drops a giant mushroom and now Yuma, Ariz., has a unique way to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

John Vena Inc. looks ahead as it celebrates 100 years
John Vena Inc. looks ahead as it celebrates 100 years

John Vena Inc., Philadelphia, has been ushering in its 101st year by commemorating the success of its past 100 years.

PA Veggies launches new state-wide directories
PA Veggies launches new state-wide directories

PA Veggies has launched four news directories as an enhancement to the available listing at paveggies.org to service farmers, consumers and wholesale buyers.

John Vena Specialty Produce introduces new logo on 100th anniversary
John Vena Specialty Produce introduces new logo on 100th anniversary

Philadelphia-based John Vena Specialty Produce is making this year count ­— after all, it’s the company’s 100th anniversary year.

More local vegetables and a new directory coming to Pennsylvania

By late September, PA Veggies, the Pennsylvania Vegetable Marketing and Research Program, will debut a new directory that services farmers, consumers and wholesale buyers in a new way. 

The governor's PA Produce Month proclamation was presented at Buffalo Valley Produce Auction in Mifflinburg, Pa., including (left to right) William Pyle, auction board president; Scott Hoffman, Vegetable Marketing and Research Program vice chairman; Neil Courtney, auction manager; Russell Redding, Pennsylvania secretary of Agriculture; William Troxell, Vegetable Program exec. secretary; and John Esslinger of Penn State Extension.
Pennsylvania Produce Month celebrated at produce auction

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding visited Buffalo Valley Produce Auction in Mifflinburg, Pa., to present the governor’s Pennsylvania Produce Month proclamation to auction manager Neil Courtney.

What customers want at Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market
What customers want at Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market

Hop on tour with us to see what's happening and what buyers want at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market.

South Mill Champs introduces more Shrooms snacks, plus coffee, tea
South Mill Champs introduces more Shrooms snacks, plus coffee, tea

NEW YORK — You’ve seen mushrooms transform into chewy jerky and blend with ground beef into burgers, but you might not have seen this yet.

Longtime Four Seasons buyer Bob Becker Sr. remembered
Longtime Four Seasons buyer Bob Becker Sr. remembered

Robert “Bob” Becker Sr., who worked for Four Seasons Produce Inc. for 41 years, has died after a battle with cancer.

Procacci/Garden State buys A. Vassallo at Phillly market
Procacci/Garden State buys A. Vassallo at Phillly market

Procacci Holdings LLC’s Garden State Farms at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market has expanded with the purchase of a neighbor at the facility, A. Vassallo Inc.

BrightFarms to build second greenhouse in Pennsylvania
BrightFarms to build second greenhouse in Pennsylvania

New York-based BrightFarms plans to build a 250,000-square-foot greenhouse in Snyder County, Pa. — its second greenhouse in the state.

American Mushroom Institute hires executive director
American Mushroom Institute hires executive director

The American Mushroom Institute has hired Rachel Roberts as executive director.

Exotic mushrooms are wedging their way into the market
Exotic mushrooms are wedging their way into the market

A fog envelops visitors who step into one of the 30-plus growing rooms for exotics at Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square, Pa. 

M. Levin & Company feeds workers despite government shutdown reprieve
M. Levin & Company feeds workers despite government shutdown reprieve

Even after President Trump announced Jan. 25 a three-week reprieve from the partial government shutdown, M. Levin and Company Inc. is will offer free fresh produce to affected government employees.