A partnership between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the United Fresh Start Foundation will deliver 20 salad bars to six Michigan school districts as part of the national Salad Bars to Schools initiative.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand-based Zespri and Miami-based Fresh Directions International shared a booth at the first-ever United Fresh Live! virtual event.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.