Latest News From PRODUCE

HarvestHold Fresh approved by Canada's PMRA
HarvestHold Fresh approved by Canada's PMRA

Pest Management Regulatory Agency registration allows for the application of the shelf-life-extension solution on fruits and vegetables, including broccoli, tomatoes, peaches and more, Verdant Technologies says.

Index Fresh readies Gem avocado retail programs
Index Fresh readies Gem avocado retail programs

The California-based marketer expects about 5 million pounds of Gem avocados this season, with the peak hitting in May.

Seen and heard at Viva Fresh 2024 — Part 4
Seen and heard at Viva Fresh 2024 — Part 4

Check out video from some of The Packer's booth visits with companies showcasing new products, soon-to-be-released products and more.

Hy-Vee to acquire Strack & Van Til food market chain
Hy-Vee to acquire Strack & Van Til food market chain

Hy-Vee says the acquisition will add 22 stores to its more than 550 retail business units.

Tipa Compostable Packaging names commercial director for North America
Tipa Compostable Packaging names commercial director for North America

The Israel-based company has added John Wilson, whose career spans more than 20 years in consumer packaging and includes experience in sustainability, supply chain management, procurement and marketing.

Flashfood diverts 100M pounds of food, announces B Corp certification
Flashfood diverts 100M pounds of food, announces B Corp certification

To date, the Toronto-based company has diverted 100 million pounds of food from landfills to dinner tables across North America, equivalent to more than 83 million meals and more than $250 million saved on groceries.

Seen and heard at Viva Fresh 2024 — Part 3
Seen and heard at Viva Fresh 2024 — Part 3

Tropicals, tomatoes and a logo in the Smithsonian Museum are among the highlights from booth visits at Viva Fresh Expo 2024.

Study examines connection between fruit and vegetable consumption and sleep
Study examines connection between fruit and vegetable consumption and sleep

Participants in the Finnish study reported their habitual sleep duration and dietary consumption through a validated self-administered questionnaire.

Equifruit achieves B Corp certification
Equifruit achieves B Corp certification

B Corp certification requires companies to meet standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency set by the nonprofit organization B Lab.

Mastronardi Produce flips for Mother’s Day strawberry campaign
Mastronardi Produce flips for Mother’s Day strawberry campaign

The Kingsville, Ontario-based fourth-generation, family-owned greenhouse business said it plans to introduce a Dreamberry strawberry pack for Mother’s Day — with a twist on its WOW brand wordmark.

The Packer, TIPA present Healthy Living Award to Texas legislator
The Packer, TIPA present Healthy Living Award to Texas legislator

The Packer and the Texas International Produce Association honored Texas state Rep. Carrie Isaac during a presentation at the recent Viva Fresh Expo.

Applicants sought for Southeast U.S. trade advisory committee
Applicants sought for Southeast U.S. trade advisory committee

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is accepting applications for a new trade advisory committee called the Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee.

Sollum Technologies enhances grower platform
Sollum Technologies enhances grower platform

Montreal-based Sollum Technologies has unveiled new enhancements to its SUN as a Service, or SUNaaS, cloud platform.

Seen and heard at Viva Fresh 2024 — Part 2
Seen and heard at Viva Fresh 2024 — Part 2

From a space-themed networking event to Texas citrus royalty, Viva Fresh 2024 was an action-packed event.

The Fresh Market curates meals, flowers and gifts for Mom's special day
The Fresh Market curates meals, flowers and gifts for Mom's special day

The Fresh Market's Mother's Day offerings include pre-ordered meals online, featuring gourmet spreads, prime rib, brunch, roses, curated gifts and more.

Simbe expands leadership team
Simbe expands leadership team

Simbe expands leadership with the hiring of several key executives.

The Giant Co. releases third annual impact report
The Giant Co. releases third annual impact report

The Carlisle, Pa.-based grocer has released its third annual impact report, highlighting its 2023 corporate social responsibility initiatives centered around its purpose of connecting families for a better future.

Category Partners welcomes new business development director
Category Partners welcomes new business development director

The Idaho Falls, Idaho-based company has appointed Julie DeWolf as director of business development.

Seen and heard at Viva Fresh 2024 — Part 1
Seen and heard at Viva Fresh 2024 — Part 1

Sustainable packaging, produce programs and visiting with customers were among the highlights of Viva Fresh 2024.

Spring season yielding strong harvest from Santa Maria region
Spring season yielding strong harvest from Santa Maria region

With the arrival of spring comes the onset of a plethora of nutritious fruits and vegetables from California’s bountiful Santa Maria Valley.

Veteran produce journalist remembered
Veteran produce journalist remembered

Longtime produce industry journalist Tad Thompson, who wrote for The Packer and other publications, died April 8.

Meet me in Vancouver: Excitement builds for CPMA Convention and Trade Show
Meet me in Vancouver: Excitement builds for CPMA Convention and Trade Show

Ahead of this year’s gathering, The Packer connected with exhibitors to learn more about why CPMA is a must-attend event.

Del Monte Foods provides ESG progress report
Del Monte Foods provides ESG progress report

The company is highlighting its environmental, social and governance work, emphasizing sustainability, inclusivity and community support.

CPMA president visits D.C. in support of Canadian fresh produce sector
CPMA president visits D.C. in support of Canadian fresh produce sector

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association's Ron Lemaire and Canadian parliamentarians met with U.S. Congress members and other officials in Washington, D.C., to discuss issues of impact on Canada and U.S. agriculture.

Giro Pack makes sales hire focused on automation projects
Giro Pack makes sales hire focused on automation projects

Ian Sellers will handle sales of projects developed and executed by Serfruit S.A., a provider of automation solutions with experience in the fruit and vegetable and perishable food sectors.

Wegmans named to Fortune's '100 Best Companies to Work For' list
Wegmans named to Fortune's '100 Best Companies to Work For' list

The regional supermarket chain with 111 stores located along the East Coast has been named to the list for 27 consecutive years.

Armand Lobato
Now is the time to address summer staffing needs

Most produce departments’ busiest period will begin around Memorial Day, and every business is looking for help amid a labor shortage. And if you have the people, there's more still to do, says columnist Armand Lobato.

CoBank: Inflation hanging on longer than expected
CoBank: Inflation hanging on longer than expected

Interest rates likely will not return to their pre-pandemic lows in the foreseeable future, according to the quarterly report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange.

FPAA: Florida Tomato Exchange comment overlooks higher prices in winter
FPAA: Florida Tomato Exchange comment overlooks higher prices in winter

Distributors of Mexican tomatoes say the Florida Tomato Exchange’s claim that Mexican tomato imports suppressed U.S. grower prices over the winter is off base.

CPMA set for international show with regional flair
CPMA set for international show with regional flair

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show returns to western Canada this year with a focus on sustainability, networking and the strength of the country's domestic market.

Kroger showcasing Latin cuisine leading up to Cinco de Mayo
Kroger showcasing Latin cuisine leading up to Cinco de Mayo

The four-week Latin flavors event invites customers to explore a range of Latin food and products in-store and online.

Whole Foods Market names 16 Supplier All-Star Award winners
Whole Foods Market names 16 Supplier All-Star Award winners

The retailer says the awards recognize honorees' commitment to quality, innovation, value and sustainability.

New solutions can help reduce food waste, CEO says
New solutions can help reduce food waste, CEO says

In this "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast, Quest Resource Management CEO Ray Hatch discusses the importance of reducing food waste and the solutions his company provides to help reduce the amount of produce in landfills.

Ahold Delhaize, global grocers partner on venture capital fund
Ahold Delhaize, global grocers partner on venture capital fund

The retailer has partnered with four other grocers to invest $125 million in start-ups and scale-ups over five years with the aim to transform grocery retail and address sustainability challenges.

FMI examines shoppers' food costs in March
FMI examines shoppers' food costs in March

FMI exec Andy Harig highlights the March Consumer Price Index, showing no increase in food-at-home prices. Yet, challenges like volatile energy costs persist, affecting grocery prices, he says.

Who's attending the Consumer Connection Conference?
Who's attending the Consumer Connection Conference?

The Foundation for Fresh Produce announces the guest list for its Consumer Connection Conference in Phoenix, featuring retail dietitians, foodservice experts and influencers.

Florida and North Carolina firms awarded Defense Department supply contracts
Florida and North Carolina firms awarded Defense Department supply contracts

Distributors in Florida and North Carolina have recently been awarded Department of Defense contracts to supply fresh produce.

USDA finalizes WIC changes, expands fruit and vegetable benefits
USDA finalizes WIC changes, expands fruit and vegetable benefits

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the agency has finalized updates, including expanded fruit and vegetable benefits, to foods prescribed to participants in the Women, Infants and Children program.

USDA considers redistricting South Texas Onion Marketing Order
USDA considers redistricting South Texas Onion Marketing Order

The USDA is seeking public input on modifying the membership structure of the South Texas Onion Committee.

FPAA's Spring Policy Summit focuses on trade issues
FPAA's Spring Policy Summit focuses on trade issues

With over 100 attendees focused on trade issues, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas concluded its Spring Policy Summit in late March.

Marketers, growers and retailers gear up for Cinco de Mayo promotions
Marketers, growers and retailers gear up for Cinco de Mayo promotions

As Cinco de Mayo approaches, produce companies and retailers are preparing promotions to boost sales of fresh fixings for guacamole, tacos, burritos and other Mexican food favorites. 

Pro-Act welcomes new chief financial officer
Pro-Act welcomes new chief financial officer

Prior to joining the foodservice distributor, Kevin Vogt served as the managing director at the Swanson Family of Cos.

Albertsons Cos. unveils simplified 'for U' loyalty program
Albertsons Cos. unveils simplified 'for U' loyalty program

The program offers enhanced benefits, including double points earning, automatic cash off and personalized deals for Albertsons Cos.' 38 million loyalty members across its stores.

NatureFresh introduces new sweet snacking pepper
NatureFresh introduces new sweet snacking pepper

The Canadian greenhouse grower said promotional strategies around its new Sweet S’naps peppers include high-graphic displays, shipping cartons and packaging to reinforce snackability.

Nugget Markets named to Fortune's '100 Best Companies to Work For' list
Nugget Markets named to Fortune's '100 Best Companies to Work For' list

Holding the No. 99 position, the full-line grocery store in Northern California's latest recognition marked its 18th year on the list.

G&R Farms hires sales manager
G&R Farms hires sales manager

Rawls Neville has worked with G&R Farms since 2015 in a storage and packing relationship through his previous businesses.

Apeel Sciences touts food waste reductions in 2023 milestones
Apeel Sciences touts food waste reductions in 2023 milestones

Apeel says it has significantly reduced food waste and its associated environmental impacts with its plant-based technology that creates a natural protective shield around produce.

Sobeys expands partnership to eliminate ice from broccoli supply chain
Sobeys expands partnership to eliminate ice from broccoli supply chain

Verdant Technologies is partnering with Sobeys Inc. on an innovation to eliminate ice from the Canadian grocer's broccoli supply chain.

The Giant Co. raises $1.5M to fight student food insecurity
The Giant Co. raises $1.5M to fight student food insecurity

The Carlisle, Pa.-based grocer's Feeding School Kids raised over $1.5 million, with customer support, to help local public school districts combat hunger.

Acadian Plant Health partners with Koppert to expand distribution
Acadian Plant Health partners with Koppert to expand distribution

The companies say Acadian Plant Health customers can expect better access to products, including its organic product line, as well as agronomists and more.