Latest News From United Fresh

USDA provides flexibility to school meals
USDA provides flexibility to school meals

With fall school schedules uncertain because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is giving school districts flexibilities in how they serve school meals.

Leaders share optimism for the future
Leaders share optimism for the future

While a rocky economy and heavy dependence on migrant labor during the COVID-19 are big concerns, global produce industry leaders at the closing general session of United Fresh LIVE! also cited reasons for optimism.

Virtual United Fresh booths earn real recognition
Virtual United Fresh booths earn real recognition

The United Fresh Produce Association is recognizing exhibitors at its United Fresh LIVE! virtual expo for their virtual booths.

Industry looks for changes to direct payment program
Industry looks for changes to direct payment program

Specialty crop growers have only received a small portion of CFAP funds, and panelists on a United Fresh LIVE! session said the direct payment program for growers is targeted for changes by industry lobbyists.

Tip of the Iceberg Podcast — Comparing notes on United Fresh Live!
Tip of the Iceberg Podcast — Comparing notes on United Fresh Live!

Episode 4 of Tip of the Iceberg Podcast features a discussion between editor-in-chief Tom Karst, retail editor Ashley Nickle and Northeast editor Amy Sowder about the industry's first virtual trade show.

Conversations at United — Julie DeWolf & Christina Ward with Sunkist
Conversations at United — Julie DeWolf & Christina Ward with Sunkist

Sunkist's Julie DeWolf and Christina Ward spoke with The Packer's Ashley Nickle about what the company did to make the most of the industry's first virtual trade show.

Conversations at United Fresh — Mary Coppola
Conversations at United Fresh — Mary Coppola

Mary Coppola, vice president of marketing and communications for the United Fresh Produce Association, said the engagement of retailers on its United Fresh Live! virtual platform exceeded United's expectations.

Packer Insight — Recapping United Fresh Live!
Packer Insight — Recapping United Fresh Live!

Editor-in-chief Tom Karst, retail editor Ashley Nickle and Northeast editor Amy Sowder discuss their experiences on the trade show "floor" and what they heard from exhibitors at the United Fresh Live! virtual event.

Conversations at United — Justine Chevalier with Mastronardi Produce
Conversations at United — Justine Chevalier with Mastronardi Produce

Kingsville, Ontario-based Mastronardi Produce highlighted at its United Fresh Live! booth several of its newest products, including its Honey Bombs cherry tomatoes-on-the-vine and its Shazam! and Kaboom! peppers.

Conversations at United — Jeff Madu with Windset Farms
Conversations at United — Jeff Madu with Windset Farms

Windset Farms spoke with visitors to its United Fresh Live! booth about its greenhouse-grown Cameo cherry tomatoes-on-the-vine, its Crescendo long peppers, its Fresco Baby Cucumbers and other items.

Conversations at United — Jonas Alvarez with Sweet Seasons
Conversations at United — Jonas Alvarez with Sweet Seasons

Pharr, Texas-based wholesaler Sweet Seasons spoke with booth visitors at United Fresh Live! about its recently opened online store and kept an eye out for producers and tech companies with which it could partner.

Conversations at United — Zespri and Fresh Directions
Conversations at United — Zespri and Fresh Directions

Mount Maunganui, New Zealand-based Zespri and Miami-based Fresh Directions International shared a booth at the first-ever United Fresh Live! virtual event.

Conversations at United — Brian Klesmith with RPE
Conversations at United — Brian Klesmith with RPE

Bancroft, Wis.-based RPE discussed at its United Fresh Live! booth products including the American Blend, which features red, white and blue bite-size potatoes in a 24-ounce bag with an American flag graphic.

Conversations at United — Mayda Sotomayor with Seald Sweet
Conversations at United — Mayda Sotomayor with Seald Sweet

Seald Sweet made a point at its United Fresh Live! booth to emphasize the international aspect of its business, introducing visitors to its growers around the world as part of its video education offerings.

Conversations at United — Aaron Acosta with Villita Avocados
Conversations at United — Aaron Acosta with Villita Avocados

Pharr, Texas-based Villita Avocados plans to debut in mid-July a guacamole product line under its We Love Guac label.

Trump facing long odds in showdown with Biden

The good news for President Trump is that the November election is still months away, according to Randy Russell.

Ashley Nickle
Now rethink everything

If you read the headline and shuddered a little inside, you’re not alone.

ClariFruit seeks to add efficiency to inspections

Israel-based technology company ClariFruit is helping growers better classify fruit quality before it is packed and distributed, and company president Elad Mardix said the savings could be huge.

Exhibitors share experiences from first-ever United Fresh Live!
Exhibitors share experiences from first-ever United Fresh Live!

Fresh produce companies that exhibited at United Fresh Live! praised the organization for adapting amid the COVID-19 pandemic and creating a positive experience despite having to hold the event online.

United Fresh names produce manager grand prize winners
United Fresh names produce manager grand prize winners

The United Fresh Produce Association had a surprise waiting for the finalists of the Retail Produce Manager Awards and Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards at the general session of United Fresh Live! on June 18.

Clockwise from top left: Ronnie Minteer, Michael Foint, Clay Williams, Paul Rosen and Steve Kaluahine participate in a United Fresh Live! education session moderated by Lisa Overman.
Award-winning produce managers give advice on launching new products

Five produce managers being recognized this year by United as some of the best in the nation listed partnerships, marketing investment and sampling as key factors in successful new product launches.

Shay Myers named The Packer’s 2020 Produce Man of the Year
Shay Myers named The Packer’s 2020 Produce Man of the Year

Shay Myers, CEO of Parma, Idaho-based Owyhee Produce, is The Packer’s 2020 Produce Man of the Year. The Packer “presented” the award in a video presentation during United Fresh LIVE! on June 17.

Conversations at United — Brianna Shales with Stemilt
Conversations at United — Brianna Shales with Stemilt

Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers has been talking with virtual booth visitors at United Fresh Live! about its cherries, its Rave apples and its stone fruit.

Conversations at United — Michael Castagnetto with Robinson Fresh
Conversations at United — Michael Castagnetto with Robinson Fresh

Robinson Fresh had been laying the groundwork to help customers handle more e-commerce business since before the pandemic, and at United Fresh Live! they talked with booth visitors about their findings in that area.

Conversations at United — Amber Maloney with Wish Farms
Conversations at United — Amber Maloney with Wish Farms

Plant City, Fla.-based Wish Farms introduced a brand refresh and new labels at the United Fresh Live! virtual trade show.

Trump infrastructure plan tops transportation issues
Trump infrastructure plan tops transportation issues

With President Trump’s $1 trillion infrastructure investment plans providing breaking news, Jeff Moore of The Tom Lange Co. led a transportation discussion on United Fresh LIVE!

COVID-19 redefines school foodservice
COVID-19 redefines school foodservice

When COVID-19 arrived in March, the students and the salad bars in school cafeterias disappeared.

Packer Insight — United Fresh Live! Day One
Packer Insight — United Fresh Live! Day One

The Packer's Tom Karst, Ashley Nickle and Amy Sowder share their first impressions of the United Fresh Live! trade show, the first of its kind for the produce industry, after day one of the virtual event.

Conversations at United — Nelia Alamo with Renaissance Food Group
Conversations at United — Nelia Alamo with Renaissance Food Group

Rancho Cordova, Calif.-based Renaissance Food Group added some people-centric elements to its booth at United Fresh Live! to give its virtual presence more personality.

Conversations at United — Leona Neill with Red Sun Farms
Conversations at United — Leona Neill with Red Sun Farms

Heading into the industry’s first virtual trade show, prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Red Sun Farms adjusted its booth focus to spotlight its growing Sweets program.

How restaurant and retail chefs switched gears to survive
How restaurant and retail chefs switched gears to survive

In today’s COVID-19 pandemic-filled business world, adapting is crucial, according to chefs who shape the menus of restaurants, retirement communities, school systems, hotels and quick-service restaurants.

United Fresh LIVE! opens with everyone online
United Fresh LIVE! opens with everyone online

Starting with a video tribute to the essential workers that bring fresh produce from the farm to the fork, the 2020 United Fresh LIVE! grand opening session was an industry first.

Nature Fresh moves tomato sampling online at United Fresh LIVE!

With show floor sampling impossible at this year’s United Fresh LIVE! event, Nature Fresh Farms is improvising.

Dan’l Mackey Almy at United Fresh LIVE!
DMA Solutions presents ‘fireside chat’ at United Fresh LIVE!

Dan’l Mackey Almy, president and CEO of DMA Solutions, will speak about “marketing in sensitive times” at United Fresh LIVE!

Sunkist’s virtual United Fresh booth features virtual citrus grove

At United Fresh LIVE!, Sunkist Growers is sharing a sneak peek of the interactive “Sunkist Island,” a simulated orange grove experience that will be promoted in select export markets.

Chelan Fresh spotlights SugarBee apple at United Fresh LIVE!
Chelan Fresh spotlights SugarBee apple at United Fresh LIVE!

Chelan Fresh, Chelan, Wash., is doubling the production of the SugarBee apple variety this year, and is inviting United Fresh LIVE! participants to learn more about the apple.

Chiquita loads United Fresh LIVE! booth with choices

Chiquita is inviting United Fresh LIVE! attendees to visit its virtual expo booth to tour banana production areas and learn more about its category insights, sustainability efforts and customer solutions.

Allen Lund schedules sessions at United Fresh LIVE! booth
Allen Lund schedules sessions at United Fresh LIVE! booth

Allen Lund Co. has a series of live sessions planned at its United Fresh LIVE! virtual booth, from COVID-19 programming to technology advancements.

Fox Packaging offers education at United Fresh LIVE! Booth
Fox Packaging offers education at United Fresh LIVE! Booth

Fox Packaging, McAllen, Texas, has four days of scheduled events planned at its United Fresh LIVE! virtual booth, from June 15-18.

Packer Insight — Produce artists, United Fresh, and COVID news
Packer Insight — Produce artists, United Fresh, and COVID news

The Packer's Tom Karst and PMG's Ashley Nickle discuss the big stories of the week, from COVID-19 among produce workers, to the lead-up to United's big virtual show, to a new award for produce artists.

Naturipe showcases Bento Bliss snack at United Fresh LIVE!
Naturipe showcases Bento Bliss snack at United Fresh LIVE!

Naturipe Farms, Salinas, Calif., is unveiling a revamped Naturipe Snacks line-up at United Fresh Live!, with Boost Bentos and Bliss Bentos.

National Mango Board tackles topics at United Fresh LIVE!

The National Mango Board has a full schedule of activities for its virtual booth at the United Fresh LIVE! Expo June 15-18.

California Avocado Commission preps United Fresh ‘booth’

The California Avocado Commission is preparing its virtual “booth” for the start of the United Fresh LIVE! online trade show, scheduling live presentations and chef demonstrations.

Braga Fresh bringing new products to United Fresh Live
Braga Fresh bringing new products to United Fresh Live

Soledad, Calif.-based Braga Fresh plans to introduce several new items, including for its Josie’s Organics line, at the United Fresh Live virtual trade show June 15-19.

Great expectations for United Fresh LIVE!

The Packer’s Tom Karst visited June 8 with Danny Dumas, the incoming chairman of the United Fresh Produce Association.

Web seminar offers sneak peek into United Fresh LIVE!

The United Fresh Produce Association is offering a sneak peek to its five-day online convention and expo.

United Fresh to address inequalities of opportunity after protests
United Fresh to address inequalities of opportunity after protests

The United Fresh Produce Association will address the inequality of opportunity in the industry, a collaboration with a U.S. Chamber of Commerce initiative following the death of George Floyd and nationwide protests.

School Foodservice Forum set for United Fresh LIVE!

The United Fresh Start Foundation’s annual School Foodservice Forum will be during the United Fresh LIVE! virtual event.

United Fresh LIVE! closes with industry leaders looking ahead

The United Fresh LIVE!, virtual conference will feature leaders from five produce associations sharing their vision for the future of the global industry at the closing general session.

PMA, United Fresh discuss food boxes with USDA
PMA, United Fresh discuss food boxes with USDA

The PMA and United Fresh Produce say they had a “candid dialogue” with U.S. Department of Agriculture officials about the Farmers to Families Food Box Program and expressed hope that improvements can be made.