Latest News From PRODUCE

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Aaron Fox
Navigating the complexities of sustainable packaging

Not only are product requirements and sustainability factoring into flexible packaging decisions, but potential regulations could play a significant role in the future, says guest columnist Aaron Fox of Fox Packaging.

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.

Armand Lobato
How a successful grocer can become a faint memory

Any retail grocery chain is susceptible to regress and failure. The produce department figures prominently in customer satisfaction, store profits — and the future of a store or chain, explains columnist Armand Lobato.

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.

How retailers are making strides toward diversity in leadership roles
How retailers are making strides toward diversity in leadership roles

Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives aim not only to increase diversity in entry-level positions, but also to provide concrete pathways for employees to advance into leadership roles.

Sweetpotato commission seeks to spur consumer demand beyond Easter rush
Sweetpotato commission seeks to spur consumer demand beyond Easter rush

Fueled by Easter shopping lists, sweetpotatoes are expected to be in high demand in late March and into the spring. But the demand won’t stop there, industry leaders say.

Research examines challenges in packinghouse sanitation
Research examines challenges in packinghouse sanitation

Learn how insights into research on foodborne pathogens in packinghouses provide packers and shippers with actionable items to reduce risks in packing facilities.

Joe Watson
Why it matters to be present and engaged in the industry

While attending industry events requires taking time away from regular business, there is a return on investment from being involved — and a cost of missing out, says columnist Joe Watson.

ZAG Technical Services recognized for contributions to agtech   
ZAG Technical Services recognized for contributions to agtech  

The San Jose, Calif.-based IT consulting firm specializing in cybersecurity, data analytics and managed services, recently received three awards for its contributions to agriculture in the technology space.

EFI offers new courses for creating ethical, sustainable work environments
EFI offers new courses for creating ethical, sustainable work environments

The education opportunities focus on topics such as worker protections, responsible labor practices, understanding retailer sustainability requirements and more.

Naturipe Farms has new vice president of marketing
Naturipe Farms has new vice president of marketing

Ashley Finster, a marketing professional with nearly three decades of management experience, previously served as chief marketing officer at SunFed Ranch.

How the Port of Houston has been gearing up for growth
How the Port of Houston has been gearing up for growth

With strategic investments in new equipment, terminal infrastructure and channel improvements, the port continues to solidify its position as a vital hub for trade in the Gulf region. 

Lack of understanding remains a key issue in FSMA 204 readiness
Lack of understanding remains a key issue in FSMA 204 readiness

Liz Sertl, senior director of supply chain visibility at GS1 US, shares how companies operating in the produce industry need to prepare for FSMA 204 compliance.

Sorting machines help potato grower decrease labor dependence
Sorting machines help potato grower decrease labor dependence

Luke Parr, farm manager for Michigan-based Sackett Ranch, says the Tomra optical sorting machines can do multiple processes at once.

Free training will address responsible worker-recruitment practices
Free training will address responsible worker-recruitment practices

GlobalGAP North America will host the March 25 Stronger Together online training course, which will feature interactive learning through group discussions and exercises.

USDA proposes to clarify standards for organic mushrooms
USDA proposes to clarify standards for organic mushrooms

Topics addressed by the proposed rule for mushrooms include sourcing of substrate and spawn in organic mushroom production and composting requirements for organic mushroom production.

Labor Department awards $2M grant to support worker-driven social compliance systems
Labor Department awards $2M grant to support worker-driven social compliance systems

The funds, awarded to the International Labor Organization, support the use of systems to promote fundamental labor rights and acceptable work conditions, including an end to forced labor in supply chains.

Meridian Growers names communications director
Meridian Growers names communications director

Michelle Carter, who was hired in July 2006 as a sales and marketing assistant, will now oversee all communication strategies for Meridian Growers.

Melissa's debuts Tropical Flight for dragon fruit varieties
Melissa's debuts Tropical Flight for dragon fruit varieties

Inspired by wine flights, where patrons experience a tasting flight of multiple varietals, this retail program offers consumers the opportunity to discover the flavor profiles and vibrant colors of each variety.

Jacobs Farm del Cabo adds reseal pint for organic snacking tomatoes
Jacobs Farm del Cabo adds reseal pint for organic snacking tomatoes

The company says the packaging change reduces plastics use by 25% and that it hopes to roll it out for other pints by the end of the year.

Companies unveil digital integration to streamline irrigation management
Companies unveil digital integration to streamline irrigation management

Digital farm management provider CropX Technologies has unveiled an API integration with WiseConn to improve data gathering and analytics for farmers.

CBP officers seize drugs concealed in carrot shipment
CBP officers seize drugs concealed in carrot shipment

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said its officers discovered 574 suspected packages of methamphetamine with an estimated street value in the millions of dollars.

How CEA is shining bright in the Lone Star State
How CEA is shining bright in the Lone Star State

Controlled environment agriculture continues to grow in Texas. While many growers see the state’s strategic location for distribution as an advantage to setting up shop, it’s more than just location, says one executive.