Latest News From PRODUCE

2024 NGA Show concludes with record attendance, sold-out expo hall
2024 NGA Show concludes with record attendance, sold-out expo hall

Organizers said 3,600 grocery professionals participated in the three-day event, the largest in the National Grocers Association's 42-year history.

Inspiration on the agenda: The Viva Fresh ‘Clean Eating Challenge'
Inspiration on the agenda: The Viva Fresh ‘Clean Eating Challenge'

Now in its fifth year, the Viva Fresh Clean Eating Challenge supports industry peers taking the challenge to eat more fruits and vegetables, while making the meaningful first steps to improve their health and lives.

Research examines intelligent systems to prevent freeze damage
Research examines intelligent systems to prevent freeze damage

A research team at Penn State University looks to use real-time data and an unmanned vehicle to better target heat in orchards during freeze events.

Strong Texas onion crop expected
Strong Texas onion crop expected

Barring unforeseen weather events, Texas spring onion season is expected to feature plenty of good-quality product, growers say.

TIPA adds new VP, general manager
TIPA adds new VP, general manager

Rodrigo Castaneda, who joins the company with more than 25 years of experience in various industries, is expected to help expand the company’s presence.

Armand Lobato
Handling the inbound: A crucial first step of any operation

Mishandling an inbound produce load can make the work done before its arrival all for naught — and it's a recipe for rapidly declining quality, unsatisfied customers and increased shrink, says columnist Armand Lobato.

How the apple industry is navigating the rising cost of business
How the apple industry is navigating the rising cost of business

In this "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast, Jim Bair, president and CEO of the U.S. Apple Association, talks rising food prices, slowing grower returns and the current challenges to maintaining a profitable apple business.

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.

Alpine Fresh showcases Sweet Karoline blackberries at South Beach Wine and Food Festival
Alpine Fresh showcases Sweet Karoline blackberries at South Beach Wine and Food Festival

Grower, shipper and marketer Alpine Fresh introduced its newest blackberry variety, Sweet Karoline, to over 26,000 foodies, chefs and restauranteurs at the recent South Beach Wine and Food Festival in Miami.

USDA offers more than $40M for organic market developments
USDA offers more than $40M for organic market developments

The department said the grant funding will impact more than 27,000 organic producers and 31.8 million consumers.

Food Lion says it diverted over 80% of its waste this past year
Food Lion says it diverted over 80% of its waste this past year

In spotlighting strides in sustainability efforts, the grocer reported progress in waste diversion and recycling various materials and food, while also making donations to support food-insecure communities.

Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure 2024 — Part 7
Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure 2024 — Part 7

The energy and enthusiasm at Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure 2024 filled the Tampa Convention Center — as did a host of new products, promotions and packaging from the world of fresh produce.

California produce organizations present lifetime achievement award
California produce organizations present lifetime achievement award

The California Table Grape Commission and the California Fresh Fruit Association recently honored Anthony Vineyards co-founder Domenick “Cookie” Bianco.

ProducePay unveils Visibility solution to improve transparency, reduce food waste
ProducePay unveils Visibility solution to improve transparency, reduce food waste

Agtech company ProducePay says Visibility gives buyers the ability to monitor and manage produce shipments via a digital dashboard on the ProducePay platform.

Wish Farms and Publix help North Carolina food bank
Wish Farms and Publix help North Carolina food bank

Monetary donations and more are helping the food bank provide healthy and fresh food to underserved families.

Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure 2024 — Part 6
Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure 2024 — Part 6

Check out these booth tour videos to learn more about some of the exhibitors at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure event.

Markon adds veteran produce executive
Markon adds veteran produce executive

Brian Jameson will lead Markon’s multi-unit sales team that supports its member distributors in developing and deploying cohesive produce programs that include the company's three brands.

National Restaurant Association Show to spotlight FABI Awards recipients
National Restaurant Association Show to spotlight FABI Awards recipients

The 2024 FABI Awards are honoring 35 innovative products shaping the future of food and beverage, with 10 earning the esteemed title of FABI Favorites.

GS1 US offers new FSMA 204 resources
GS1 US offers new FSMA 204 resources

These resources include documents and an online learning platform aimed at those in retail and foodservice.

Start date set for Vidalia onion packing
Start date set for Vidalia onion packing

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and the Vidalia Onion Committee have revealed April 17 as the official pack date this season.

Sun World International hails successes in intellectual property cases
Sun World International hails successes in intellectual property cases

Sun World International LLC says Italian courts ruled in favor of the company in four recent infringement lawsuits against unlicensed growers who unlawfully produced and sold Sun World grape varieties.

Survey: Political leanings color food inflation expectations
Survey: Political leanings color food inflation expectations

The Purdue University survey evaluated consumer expectations for food prices and how they correlate with other consumer perceptions, behaviors and characteristics.

DoorDash partners with more grocers to expand SNAP/EBT payment offerings
DoorDash partners with more grocers to expand SNAP/EBT payment offerings

With the newest additions, over 6,000 locations nationwide will support SNAP/EBT payment capabilities on DoorDash for on-demand delivery of eligible grocery items, the company says.

Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure 2024 — Part 5
Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure 2024 — Part 5

From product introductions to relationship building, exhibitors shared their recent highlights at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure trade show.

Syngenta’s active greenhouse business to sell direct to the U.S. and Canada
Syngenta’s active greenhouse business to sell direct to the U.S. and Canada

The company says the distribution model change gives growers direct communication with Syngenta’s technical experts, as well as personalized customer service from crop planning to harvest.

Circana lead discusses how to connect with the conscious consumer
Circana lead discusses how to connect with the conscious consumer

Alex Kalausich, produce lead for the fresh foods group at Circana, kicked off this year's Global Organic Produce Expo with a look at fresh produce trends and how those trends apply specifically to the organic market.

GOPEX panel breaks down the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule
GOPEX panel breaks down the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule

With the USDA's Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule going into effect March 19, Organic Trade Association co-CEO Matt Dillon led a panel discussion to help attendees understand actionable items ahead of enforcement.

How vendors can foster strong retailer relationships
How vendors can foster strong retailer relationships

What makes a good retail partnership? A panel of retailers discussed what they really want — and don't want — from vendors at GOPEX 2024.

GOPEX panel asks, 'Are you FSMA 204 ready?'
GOPEX panel asks, 'Are you FSMA 204 ready?'

Panelists at the Global Organic Produce Expo shared insight on becoming traceability compliant as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act.

Why Florida growers anticipate a productive spring produce season
Why Florida growers anticipate a productive spring produce season

An unusually wet fall/winter deal hasn't dampended the outlook for grower-shippers in the Sunshine State.

Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure 2024  — Part 4
Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure 2024 — Part 4

TAMPA, Fla. — Sustainability and sustainable packaging solutions were hot topics at the recent Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure event at the Tampa Convention Center, March 7-9.

GLC Cerritos hires sustainability director
GLC Cerritos hires sustainability director

The avocado grower-shipper says the newly created position will evaluate current sustainability initiatives within the company and define a strategy for future projects.

Sev-Rend appoints sales director for Texas and Southeastern U.S.
Sev-Rend appoints sales director for Texas and Southeastern U.S.

The Collinsville, Ill.-based packaging manufacturer says Nathan Wise has joined the company, having previously served as a sales manager for Tosca Ltd.

Inflation ticks higher in February
Inflation ticks higher in February

The all-items index rose 3.2% for the 12 months ending February, a greater rise than the 3.1% increase for the 12 months ending January, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report.

Boosting consumption aim of Consumer Connection Conference
Boosting consumption aim of Consumer Connection Conference

The Consumer Connection Conference, a driver in efforts to boost fruit and vegetable consumption, will welcome leaders in produce, nutrition and lifestyle from April 29 to May 1 in Phoenix.

Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure 2024 — Part 3
Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure 2024 — Part 3

Highlights of the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure included a keynote presentation by a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, booths touting the industry's "unseen heroes" and a lot of eye-catching produce.

5 grocery retail trends to watch in 2024
5 grocery retail trends to watch in 2024

Kroger's retail data science arm says these five key trends are reshaping the grocery shopper experience: Holistic health, engaging experience, flexible shopping, personalization and simple efficiency.

Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure 2024 — Part 2
Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure 2024 — Part 2

TAMPA, Fla. — Flavorful and convenient snacking innovation was a key trend at the recent Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure event at the Tampa Convention Center, March 7-9.

Organic banana imports rise
Organic banana imports rise

Ecuador is by far the leading supplier of organic bananas to the U.S., accounting for 50% of total U.S. organic banana value in 2023, according to trade numbers from the USDA.

Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure — Part 1
Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure — Part 1

Exhibitor booths echoed the Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure trade show and conference's theme of "Unseen Heroes."

Back to the Roots partners with Bolthouse Farms and Walmart for Seed to Sip campaign
Back to the Roots partners with Bolthouse Farms and Walmart for Seed to Sip campaign

The campaign aims to educate shoppers about healthier and sustainable ways to eat, live and shop. Those who buy Bolthouse Farms juice at select Walmart stores will receive a coupon for Back to the Roots garden seed.

How is fresh produce faring amid inflation?
How is fresh produce faring amid inflation?

Fresh produce had one of the strongest performances in 2023, said Anne-Marie Roerink of 210 Analytics during "The Power of Produce 2024” session at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure conference, March 8.

'The Hero Effect' author speaks to SEPC crowd about what sets heroes apart
'The Hero Effect' author speaks to SEPC crowd about what sets heroes apart

During SEPC's Southern Exposure event, author Kevin Brown mentioned the adage that heroes are ordinary people doing extraordinary things — and explained why that's not exactly right.

Brighter Bites, DoorDash team up to deliver fresh produce to families in need
Brighter Bites, DoorDash team up to deliver fresh produce to families in need

Brighter Bites, with DoorDash support, says it is expanding a Produce Rx program, delivering fresh produce to families for better health outcomes and tackling food insecurity.

USDA cites Texas company for PACA violations
USDA cites Texas company for PACA violations

The sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

New blockchain technology hopes to alleviate traceability woes
New blockchain technology hopes to alleviate traceability woes

Brittany Hansen, impact officer with Viiision, a blockchain technology provider, spoke with The Packer about her company’s technology and how it can help those in the produce industry.

Soil genomics company catalogs more than 24M microorganisms
Soil genomics company catalogs more than 24M microorganisms

Biome Makers said it pairs artificial intelligence with its soil database to decode soil biology and provide growers with more actionable information.

Coalition of Immokalee Workers holding farmworker freedom festival
Coalition of Immokalee Workers holding farmworker freedom festival

Celebrations and creative arts will highlight the human rights progress achieved through the Fair Food Program, while emphasizing efforts to expand those gains to U.S. farmworkers beyond the program’s protections.

Bland Farms founder inducted into Vidalia Onion Hall of Fame
Bland Farms founder inducted into Vidalia Onion Hall of Fame

Vidalia Onion Committee says Delbert Bland was selected for this honor based on his commitment to promoting and protecting the Vidalia onion brand.

Potato industry leaders discuss giving growers a voice in D.C.
Potato industry leaders discuss giving growers a voice in D.C.

In this podcast episode, the National Potato Council's Kam Quarles and Bob Mattive and Kelly Turner of Potato Growers of Michigan discuss the importance of potatoes in dietary guidelines, economic impacts and more.