Latest News From United Fresh

USMCA signed by Trump
USMCA signed by Trump

Securing long-term trade certainty with Canada and Mexico, President Donald Trump has signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Ashley Nickle
Is growing consumption easier than we think?

TUCSON, Ariz. — Even small steps in the right direction are steps in the right direction.

The United Fresh Start Foundation has contributed more than $50,000 to organizations promoting fresh fruits and vegetables to kids through its 2020 Community Innovation Grants program.
Eight organizations receive grants from United Fresh Start Foundation

The United Fresh Start Foundation has awarded a total of $53,000 to eight organizations through its 2020 Community Innovation Grants Program.

United Fresh adds matchmaking sessions at FreshTEC Expo

The United Fresh Produce Association has expanded the Partner X-Change matchmaking sessions between companies at its annual show.

Packer Insight — Potato Expo, FreshStart and Frieda
Packer Insight — Potato Expo, FreshStart and Frieda

Catch up on the biggest stories of the week with Packer Insight, this week featuring coverage of the Potato Expo in Las Vegas, the FreshStart Conference in Tucson, Ariz., and the passing of industry legend Frieda Caplan.

USDA plan changes fruit, vegetable rules for school meals

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing changes to school meal programs that could limit the variety of vegetables served at lunch and cut fruit servings at some breakfasts.

United Fresh announces first Produce Safety Immersion Program class
United Fresh announces first Produce Safety Immersion Program class

The United Fresh Produce Association has announced the Class One Fellows of the inaugural Produce Safety Immersion Program.

Overall Tour de Fresh salad bar contributions near $1 million

The 2019 Tour de Fresh broke fundraising records for the event, with more than $180,000 raised to purchase 51 salad bars.

California association donates salad bars to Salinas area schools
California association donates salad bars to Salinas area schools

Students at two high schools in the Salinas, Calif., area will have more options for healthy food with the donation of salad bars from the Grower-Shipper Association Foundation, Salinas. 

United Fresh 2020 Convention Committee at the San Diego Convention Center today.
(From left to right) Ben Zamore; Paul Kneeland; Lisa Overman; Greg Corrigan; Caroline Fillion; Karen Caruso; Nelia Alamo; Lisa McNeece; Abby Prior; Sparky Locke; Todd Eagan; Jackie Caplan Wiggins; Amalia Zimmerman-Lommel; Tom Stenzel; Michael Castagnetto
United Fresh opens registration for 2020 show

The association’s convention committee celebrated the opening of registration for the event in San Diego, Calif., the host city for the June 16-19 show.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan donates school salad bars
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan donates school salad bars

Students at 17 Michigan schools will have more options for fresh fruits and vegetables, thanks to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and United Fresh Start Foundation.

Research leader to speak on kids’ eating habits at FreshStart meet

The leader of a market research firm focused on young consumers’ eating habits will speak at the United Fresh Produce Association 2020 FreshStart Conference.

BrandStorm to host food media panel

United Fresh is hosting a food media dialogue panel at this year’s BrandStorm, moderated by Chadwick Boyd, food and lifestyle expert and TV host.

Emanuel Lazoupolos
United Fresh recognizes Emanuel Lazopoulos with ‘lifetime’ award

The United Fresh Produce Association is honoring Emanuel Lazopoulos with its Lifetime Achievement Award in January.

Cleaning vs. sanitization — and why it matters
Cleaning vs. sanitization — and why it matters

The Produce Safety Alliance has developed a document explaining the difference between cleaning and sanitizing after some growers expressed confusion to regulators.

Web seminar looks at Romaine Task Force recommendations
Web seminar looks at Romaine Task Force recommendations

The Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association are presenting a web seminar on the findings of the Romaine Task Force.

Cheryl Enlow
Renaissance Food Group sponsors United Fresh food safety program

The Renaissance Food Group is sponsoring a new United Fresh Produce Association’s year-long food safety program designed for young industry members.

2020 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program nominations open

United Fresh is accepting nominations for the 2020 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program.

United Fresh wants to pick your brain

The United Fresh Produce Association wants your help in forming education sessions at its 2020 convention and expo.

Tom Stenzel
Throwback: Kids show growing enthusiasm for produce

The evidence shows that millions of kids are making new choices for fresh fruits and vegetables, but sometimes a single kid makes it all real.

United Fresh seeks retail award program nominees

The United Fresh Produce Association is seeking applications for its 2020 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program, the annual recognition program that culminates in a celebration at the association’s show.

Tour de Fresh sets record with $175,000 for salad bars
Tour de Fresh sets record with $175,000 for salad bars

ANAHEIM, Calif. — In the words of Cindy Jewell, the 2019 Tour de Fresh riders and sponsors “blew it out of the park.”

Students at Faith Family Academy-Oak Cliff enjoy from produce from a salad bar donated by the Dallas Fresh Food Association in May.
United Fresh seminar helps sell produce to schools

The United Fresh Start Foundation has scheduled a web seminar to help companies sell fresh produce to schools.

Katie Wilson to keynote 2020 FreshStart Conference
Katie Wilson to keynote 2020 FreshStart Conference

Katie Wilson, executive director of the Urban School Food Alliance, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the 2020 United Fresh Start Foundation’s FreshStart Conference.

Romaine Task force calls for action, further study of outbreak causes
Romaine Task force calls for action, further study of outbreak causes

The final report from the Romaine Task Force, convened in the wake of several outbreaks traced to the lettuce, is far from the final say in the matter, with some recommendations for action as soon as December.

United Fresh opens applications for community grants program

The United Fresh Start Foundation is asking for applications for the 2020 Community Innovation Grants Program.

Hugh Forrest of SXSW to keynote BrandStorm 2020
Hugh Forrest of SXSW to keynote BrandStorm 2020

Hugh Forrest, chief programming officer of South by Southwest, is set to deliver a keynote during United Fresh’s BrandStorm 2020 in Austin, Texas.

U.S. senator asks USDA to investigate grower price disparity
U.S. senator asks USDA to investigate grower price disparity

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to investigate why produce-grower prices have stayed stagnant or declined while prices have increased along the supply chain.

FreshEdge sponsors United Fresh foodservice award

FreshEdge is sponsoring the United Fresh Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program at the United Fresh Produce Association’s show next year.

United Fresh has year-long food safety program

The United Fresh Produce Association has developed the Produce Safety Immersion Program, a year-long program designed to help professionals newer to the industry.

Washington Conference gives industry platform to politicians

WASHINGTON, D.C. — While the search for definitive solutions goes on, the United Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Conference provided a soapbox for industry leaders to express their passion.

Food and Drug Administrator deputy commissioner for food policy and response Frank Yiannas (right) spoke about the agency's New Era of Smarter Food Safety  Sept. 18 at the United Fresh Washington Conference.
Panelists were Suresh DeCosta (from left), Lipman Family Farms, Donna Lynn Browne, Naturipe Farms, Scott Horsfall, California LGMA  and De Ann Davis, Commercial Food Sanitation.
FDA official promises new era of food safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Teasing the details of a new era of smarter food safety, Food and Drug Administration deputy commissioner Frank Yiannas spoke Sept. 18 at the United Fresh Washington Conference.

Brian Kocher, president and CEO of the Castellini Group of Companies, Wilder, Ky (from left),  Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy at United Fresh,  Mark Klomplein, president and CEO of the United Potato Growers of America and Raina Nelson, senior vice president of supply chain for Renaissance Food Group, Rancho Cordovo, Calif. spoke at the Washington Conference Sept.16.
Industry draws lessons from other food lobbyists

WASHINGTON, D.C. - There is power in unity.

A past United Fresh workshop at a conference.
United Fresh offers 2020 Smart Pass for industry events

The United Fresh Produce Association, Washington, D.C., is offering members a 2020 Smart Pass Education package for three events with a single registration fee.

Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern
Key Democrat to address Washington Conference

Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern will give the keynote address at the Sept. 17 opening general session breakfast at the United Fresh Washington Conference.

Cindy Jewell, United Fresh chairwoman and vice president of marketing for California Giant Berry Farms, presents Ron Carkoski with the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award at the United Fresh Produce Association’s FreshStart in January.
United Fresh seeking Lifetime Achievement Award nominations

The United Fresh Produce Association is seeking nominations for the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Constant of Change
The Constant of Change

It’s certainly been a changing industry these past 25 years. I’d suggest there are three areas where change has reshaped our industry more in the past quarter century than the entire century before.

United Fresh Start Foundation to host 2020 FreshStart Conference
United Fresh Start Foundation to host 2020 FreshStart Conference

United Fresh Start Foundation’s annual FreshStart Conference is set for Jan. 14-16 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz.

Statements pour in on U.S.-Mexico tomato agreement
Statements pour in on U.S.-Mexico tomato agreement

Numerous produce industry and other groups have issued statements in the wake of a new agreement setting floor prices for Mexican tomatoes sent to the U.S.

United Fresh names 2019 Family Business Scholarship winners
United Fresh names 2019 Family Business Scholarship winners

United Fresh Produce Association has announced three recipients of the 2019 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarships.

New events highlight United Fresh Washington Conference

The 2019 United Fresh Washington Conference will feature several new elements on its agenda.

United Fresh releases report on summer, winter trend data

Pineapple, collard greens, plant-forward kebabs, parsnips and grapefruit are either trending now or will be soon, according to the latest United Fresh Produce Association’s “Fresh Insights for Foodservice” report.

Caplan Family Business Scholarship deadline approaches
Caplan Family Business Scholarship deadline approaches

The 2019 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship applications are due Aug. 8.

United Fresh to update harmonized GAP standard
United Fresh to update harmonized GAP standard

The United Fresh Produce Association plans to update the Good Agricultural Practices Harmonized Standard, 10 years after its inception.

United Fresh promotes Amanda Griffin to VP

The United Fresh Produce Association has promoted Amanda Griffin to vice president of education and program management.

Prepare for the United Fresh Washington Conference

The United Fresh Produce Association has a series of web seminars to prepare for the Washington Conference.

Caplan Family Business Scholarship accepting applications
Caplan Family Business Scholarship accepting applications

Applications are being accepted for 2019 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarships.

Updated Tomato Metrics outline food safety standards

The United Fresh Produce Association has released updated food safety audit standards for the fresh tomato supply chain.

United Fresh awards Food Freshness Card for 3rd consecutive year
United Fresh awards Food Freshness Card for 3rd consecutive year

The Food Freshness Card was voted Best New Food Safety Solution at the 2019 United Fresh Produce Association expo and conference, the third consecutive year it has won the award.