Latest News From Produce Retail

Who doesn’t love a best of (insert year) list? Learn about some of the year’s best produce products, promotions, packages, retailer social accounts and merchandising.

Industry experts, manufacturers, retailers and others from throughout the world will gather Dec. 5-7 for this year’s event in New York City.

Food inflation will slow to about 3% in 2024, about half the pace of 2023, according to a new forecast that also provides outlooks for grocery and restaurant food prices.

Fresh produce is the original plant-based food. How can growers, suppliers and retailers make the most of this healthy eating trend?

Baldor Specialty Foods’ Kenneth Bower shares insights on specialty produce trends for retail and foodservice customers.

The holidays have plenty of hustle and bustle for shoppers, so convenience, the right variety and value (more than ever) will be at the top of their lists. Give the gift of ease in picking produce to fill their carts.

A powerful force in fresh produce, Hunts Point Produce Market is as rich in family history as it is passionate about feeding fresh fruits and vegetables to some 22 million people every year.

With this pictorial of Mexico City’s Soriana supermarket, we launch Market Crush, a new series featuring retail produce purveyors who are crushing it when it comes to dynamic displays that drive shoppers to buy.

From flavor and function to sustainability and small plates, FreshDirect has revealed its 2024 food trend insights curated by the company’s merchant team of category specialists. 

Don't let a tight labor pool quash your great idea to boost seasonal sales. Retailers can find win-win opportunities with volunteers looking to earn money for their organizations, says columnist Armand Lobato.

A produce professional was stocking the department shelves on a summery mid-morning Monday at Food Lion in Greystone Village in North Raleigh, N.C.

The Giant Co. has named Brian Lorenz as vice president of omnichannel fresh merchandising and Kathy Sweigert as vice president of the mid-Atlantic division, both effective Nov. 27.

Items in this year’s affordable menu are all part of Sam’s Club’s private brand, Member’s Mark, and include fresh produce such as potatoes, Brussels sprouts and baby spinach salad.

Think no one buys fruit baskets anymore? It's more about a lack of inventory rather than a lack of shopper interest, says columnist Armand Lobato. A little foresight and preparation can nab additional holiday sales.

The Cincinnati-based grocer says it’s offering a holiday meal at less than $5 per person — making celebrations even more affordable than last year.

The featured guest on this "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast episode is Rob Nickels, who handles category management, procurement and merchandising of fresh produce and floral for Giant Food.

Canadian Produce Marketing Association President Ron Lemaire says the new Loblaw program can be a "catalyst" to the success of small fresh fruit and vegetable businesses.

Columnist Armand Lobato shares a message of thanks, reflecting on the demanding work to prepare for pre-Thanksgiving shopping — sharing a burden and bond with co-workers.

The Kroger Co. has found a recipe for animated holiday success with its recently released film campaign that encourages consumers to “Bring a new recipe to the table.”

The Upside partnership is expected to open new opportunities for profit generation for AWG members and further expand the Washington, D.C.-based company's rapidly growing network of 100,000 retailers nationwide.

Inflation, the sky-high cost of goods and the ever-changing retail landscape in America has triggered a seismic shift in the way consumers shop for produce — presenting both new opportunities and new challenges.

Ahold Delhaize USA has entered into an agreement to sell its FreshDirect business to ultrafast grocery delivery provider Getir, a move the company says will allow it to focus investments on its omnichannel businesses.

Reed will report to CEO and Chairman Pete Van Helden and will be responsible for the financial accountability of the company.

Modest food and beverage volume growth is expected next year after three consecutive years of volume declines, according to a new report from retail data firm Circana.

KeHE Distributors, a distributor of natural, organic, specialty and fresh products, says it has “learned to navigate” the ever-evolving distribution landscape through a focus on pick rates, fill rates and flexibility.

The “Remember, They’re Wonderful” campaign's TV spots put an emphasis on the word "Wonderful" on the bag — and what consumers should expect inside.

Florida locations of Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix Super Markets Inc. will participate in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Fresh From Florida program during the coming year.

The new Thanksgiving Tracker from Circana suggests retailers should consider the power of promotions in maximizing produce sales and more this holiday.

Global specialty produce is a large category, but consumers unfamiliar with these items may hesitate to add them to their cart. That's where signage, packaging and informed associates can help bridge the gap.

So often in produce, a merchandising challenge or an issue can be identified by tearing things down to the mat, metaphorically speaking, and starting over, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Bako Sweet is offering tips for and partnering with retailers to transform holiday produce displays.

For the avocado category to see continued growth at retail, it needs a strong presence around the perimeter of the store — not just the produce department, says Alvaro Luque, president and CEO of Avocados From Mexico.

Food 4 Less/Foods Co. recently marked its 35th anniversary by making a donation to Los Angeles Southwest Community College in support of its food pantry and hunger relief efforts.

Despite higher food prices, consumers who typically include at least some organic fruits and vegetables in their grocery carts are not giving up on the category — and some are increasing their purchases.

Customers of the Midwest grocery chain can activate mobile notifications when fresh, locally sourced produce arrives at their preferred store.

The price-friendly potato is nutritious and versatile in meals — but be sure to maximize your opportunities when advertising a sale, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Recent analysis shows that the potato category gives retailers untapped opportunities to drive additional customer engagement.

Now using the cloud, Invafresh helps Price Chopper/Market 32 forecast, replenish orders, plan production and manage inventory by integrating in-store production data into the AI-enhanced Fresh Retail Platform.

From the last week of October through the end of the year, grocers can participate in MountainKing’s Butter Potato Bash by merchandising the company’s 5-pound Butter Reds, 5-pound Butter Golds and 5-pound Butter Creams.

Having a seasoned produce supervisor handle operations for major store events is good — having additional experienced personnel on hand to deal with the swarm of demands is even better, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Potatoes Your Way is touted as offering a hassle-free cooking experience packaged in a sustainable fiber tray.

"We’re seeing robust crops across all our orchards, including those on both coasts and the Midwest," Don Roper, vice president at Honeybear Brands, said in a news release.

The Carlisle, Pa.-based company has named Rebecca Lupfer chief financial officer and Dave Lessard senior vice president of operations, customer experience and perishable distribution.

The Hass Avocado Board has released a study tracking a trend that’s driving avocado sales year over year.

In a move aimed at meeting growing customer demand for online shopping, Hy-Vee Inc. has partnered with Takeoff Technologies to employ micro fulfillment centers in select metro locations.

Who is the man behind PMG's 2023 Produce Retailer of the Year Award? Find out in this raw, uncut interview on the "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast.

Celebrating National Farmers Day on Oct. 12, The Giant Co. of Carlisle, Pa., said it will donate $20,000 to agriculture education programs growing future generations of food and agriculture leaders.

It's nice to have a great idea, but it's even better to execute the plan at some point. Columnist Armand Lobato has advice for getting over the hump.

See what shoppers prefer when it comes to fruit packaging, culled from Circana data by Fusion, a produce marketing firm.

In one way or another, grocers have been dabbling in farming for years. But in the last 10 years, food retailers have found new and interesting ways to do it. Learn why, how and who is growing in-store.