Latest News From REGION

California-based Natural Delights hosted 30 fresh-produce leaders and influencers from across the globe in an annual harvest tour that included hands-on learning, networking and food.

“Bobby was an original ‘produce man,'” said Robert Bassetti’s brother, Jimmy Bassetti of Little Bear Produce.

Greenhouse grower Little Leaf Farms has confirmed through recent Nielson data that it was cited as the bestselling packaged lettuce in New England, surpassing field-grown brands.

Hydroponic spinach and leafy greens grower BrightFarms has penned an exclusive licensing deal with a fellow indoor grower, Element Farms, to launch a branded spinach line across 190 Giant Co. stores.

The two Wenatchee, Wash.-based fruit companies are partnering to expand the combined apple, pear and cherry offerings.

A new "restaurant-style" potato is being launched this fall by RPE’s Farmer’s Promise brand, with the new crop anticipated Oct. 1.

The Southeast Produce Council released its “What’s New? 2023” consumer report highlighting produce trends and opportunities at the Southern Innovations conference Sept. 14-16 in Charlotte, N.C.

The Pennsylvania-based fruit marketing company is launching its Eastern apple season with ginger gold, Honeycrisp and mcintosh varieties, and it expects peak supply from November to January.

Two Pacific Northwest fruit purveyors have joined forces to grow and expand market reach in apples, pears and cherries.

The Bakersfield, Calif.-based company has hired Dave Moore to manage relationships with existing western U.S. customers as well as develop new business in all channels.

The Inland Northwest-based fresh fruit and vegetable distributor and its parent company, URM Stores Inc., have appointed the produce veteran as president.

There are signs that water is the new oil as water rights turn into water fights across the western U.S., says columnist John Phipps. He thinks it's a battle that could only heat up in the coming years.

Expect to see some new faces on New England Produce Council’s two boards: the executive board and board of directors.

If you want to get your hands on the cult-favorite smoky-spice chili grown in Hatch, N.M., don’t wait — the time is now.

William Hogan is bringing over 20 years of experience in financial management and private equity to lead the greenhouse grower’s accelerated growth and expansion.

Robinson Fresh has been awarded The Grand Lion for Good Vendor Award from retailer Food Lion for its support of hunger relief projects and commitment to driving efficiencies across the fresh produce supply chain.

California Giant Berry Farms is anticipating promotable yields of blueberries out of Oregon, British Columbia and Washington state in July and August.

Growers are managing delayed and irregular cantaloupe production out of Yuma, the Imperial Valley and into the Westside, but anticipate the production will normalize as the deal shifts in July, August and September.

The premium dark-sweet cherries cultivated in the California Delta region are expected to be available from mid-June through Fourth of July promotions, the grower says.

The brand is currently offering organic mini watermelons, organic cantaloupe and organic honeydew melons from Mexico and California to its East Coast customers.

Northeast and mid-Atlantic distributor Baldor Specialty Foods is expanding its leadership team by adding two specialty foods industry veterans in vice president roles.

The early signs point to a healthy crop of cherries in the Northwest, says Tim Kovis, director of communications and events for the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, Yakima, Wash.

Conner O’Malley will take the reins from Tim Lane, who plans to retire later this year after leading the Yakima, Wash.-based company for 25 years.

Orchard View says its 100th season is shaping up to be large in volume and excellent in quality, even if it’s set to begin as much as two weeks later than usual due to chilly early spring weather.

Indoor vertical grower AeroFarms is transferring its Newark, N.J., commercial operations to its commercial farm in Danville, Va., so that the New Jersey location can handle R&D operations.

WOODLAND PARK, N.J. — Amid the white baby grand piano, dozens of chandeliers and a chocolate fountain, members of the Eastern Produce Council met at EPC's John J. Jay McAleavey Annual Gala.

The New York-based specialty mushroom company continues to grow westward, adding 192 Sprouts locations to its growing retailer presence.

Wakefern, which had record sales of more than $18 billion in 2022, is a retailer-owned cooperative including the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market banners.

D'Arrigo’s achievements and contributions will be celebrated at the trade association's 2023 annual meeting in November.

California farmers are facing another round of flooding, with fields still bearing scars from January’s floods. An area known for production of fresh berries and lettuce is expected to now have a larger loss.

Mastronardi Produce is distributing Naples Fresh and Spring Born greenhouse-grown leafy greens under the Backyard Farms brand.

Growers across the western states are seeking new and novel ways to safeguard their crops and secure a stable water supply for the future.

Washington-based Superfresh Growers has reported a strong second season for the up-and-coming apple variety, bred from Honeycrisp and Fiji for its sweetness and ability to hold freshness.

The California Fresh Fruit Association has applauded a 35% water allocation, which was previously 0%, but is emphasizing the need for storage, management and infrastructure improvement.

Kevin Benson and James McKinnis bring decades of produce industry experience to the Maryland-based wholesaler's growing sales team.

In its first-ever ad campaign, the controlled environment agriculture grower invites viewers to witness tender leafy greens flourishing in the middle of winter.

Southeast berry grower-shippers say they should have a decent-size crop of good-quality blueberries and blackberries this spring as long as the weather remains favorable.

Plenty’s co-founder and chief science officer believes the new facility, set to open in 2025, will be “the world’s largest vertical farming research center."

Springworks Farm, a certified organic aquaponic greenhouse company based in Lisbon, Maine, has received a $22 million round of fresh funding that will fuel the company’s regional expansion.

The Irvine, Calif-based avocado commission has forecast 257 million pounds of avocados for the 2022-23 harvest season, a slight decrease from last year’s volume.

The experienced attorney has joined the northwest fruit grower-shipper in a newly created role.

Companies increasingly look to fruits and vegetables grown in other countries that provide ideal growing conditions and a year-round supply of fresh produce.

NEW YORK — When the invitation from Bowery Farming appeared in my e-mail inbox, a tingle of excitement sparked in me.

The 4,200,000 square feet of facilities in the Salinas Valley are an average 42 years old and are in desperate need of updates, according to the CEO of Growers Ice, a post-harvest real estate company.

As the first COO in the company's 95-year history, Pereira will lead strategic initiatives for the Soledad, Calif.-based fresh producer grower.

Yuma, Ariz.-based medjool date producer Natural Delights is primed for category growth, citing 2023 trends reports and consumer market research that favor dates.

Because of their proximity and similar climates, Central America and the Caribbean islands grow many of the same fruits and vegetables, which largely fall into two groups. 

The industry veteran has joined Awe Sum Organics after eight years as Bouduelle Fresh Americas’ vice president of agricultural operations and sourcing.

The medium-sized winter pear variety launches its first season in February and likely selling into April 2023.

Multiple growing regions in North America have strengthened the availability of the crunchy, flavorful apple variety this winter, despite crop shortages in Washington.