Latest News From Value-Added

The global avocado industry provider based in Santa Paula, Calif., says it is exploring the sale of its fresh-cut division — formerly RFG — to F&S Fresh Foods.

The new line of plant-rich meal kits are available in three flavors: Teriyaki & Rice, Chipotle & Quinoa, and Basil Pesto & Pasta.

The Salinas, Calif.-based producer is adding a bite-sized celery, cut into 1.5-inch pieces, to its fresh vegetable offerings this fall.

“Everyone is time-starved; so to have something that’s washed, prepped and ready to cook is the key driver," Mark Munger, Ocean Mist senior director of marketing, says of value-added produce's significant growth.

The analysis outlines the company's response to challenges posed by climate change and how it prioritized efforts that improved soil health and supported farming partners’ transition to more regenerative practices.

The kits are currently available at Meijer, Lunds & Byerlys, Dierbergs and select Walmart locations across seven states.

Ocean Spray has offered viewers an inventive holiday yule log video that features canned cranberry sauce.

The California-based avocado producer and value-added fresh purveyor has secured exclusive manufacturing rights for Old El Paso brand fresh guacamole and salsas in the U.S. market.

Ahead of upcoming international sports tournaments, Fresh Del Monte’s operations in the Middle East have completed a new fresh-cut facility to meet heightened demand.

Ocean Mist Farms is making a major effort to increase its value-added line, and Progressive Produce LLC has had a busy year.

The Salinas, Calif.-based Mann has officially completed the final stages of its integration as the vegetable division of Fresh Del Monte Produce, Coral Gables, Fla.

NNZ Inc., along with Fresh Solutions Network/Basin Gold Cooperative, will debut the Amazables! microwaveable potato at the International Fresh Produce Association's Foodservice Conference.

Minneapolis, Minn.-based fresh-cut produce processor G.O. Fresh has hired Adam Dilley as the company’s director of sales and business development, according to a news release.

As grilling season heats up, the Newport Beach, Calif.-based company predicts potatoes will play a key role in celebrations and everyday meals.

Columbus, Ohio-based processor and produce distributor DNO Produce has broken ground on an expansion to its fresh-cut produce facility, according to a news release.

Recovery is underway for Taylor Farms after its primary foodservice processing facility in Salinas, Calif., was severely damaged by a fire April 13-14.

As consumers increasingly crave freshness and convenience, sales of fresh cut, value-added produce continue to climb.

Potato and onion brand Side Delights is kicking off 2022 with plant-based products that give shoppers convenience and a way to reduce food waste, according to a news release.

Blended products have been the top driver behind product innovation and increasing the consumer-facing portfolio for Rochester, N.Y.-based Leep Foods.

Coral Gables, Fla.-based Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. has created a new pack that includes assorted sizes of avocados all in one pack.

Ocean Mist Farms is pleased to announce Jeff Hutterer has joined Ocean Mist Farms as Director of Value-Added Sales and Christa Schuck has joined as Sales Representative.

Houston-based Sysco Corporation has announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Laurel, Md.-based The Coastal Companies from Continental Grain Company. 

California Giant Berry Farms, a leader in fresh sustainable berries, today unveiled its new website, www.calgiant.com.

Two new products from F&S Produce Co., Green Giant Fresh Stir-Fry Kits and Little Green Sprout’s Organic vegetables, offer even more ways to satisfy shoppers and boost category sales as well.

Fresh Innovations California, LLC is getting ready to make a sweet splash at the Organic Produce Summit in Monterey, California on September 16th.

Innovation has always been the cornerstone of Gold Coast’s growth strategy, and the company’s newest item, Vegetable Ceviche is the first to market for a seafood substitute.

Coral Gables, Fla.-based Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. reported that net sales for the quarter ended July 2 increased 5% to $1.14 billion.

The leading North American salad company, Taylor Farms, introduces a new line of salad kits perfect for every day.

Rochester, Minn.-based Reichel Foods, the leading fresh-cut produce snack manufacturer introduces three new breakfast items to their PRO2snax to the max product line.

Mann Packing Co., Inc. is excited to today announce the addition of three new products – MANN™ Veggie Sides, Steakhouse Style and Better Pasta.

Part two of The Packer's editor Tom Karst and the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission's Michelle Grainger.

Coral Gables, Fla.-based Del Monte Fresh Produce NA Inc. is expanding its organic fresh-cut fruit production in the U.S. and Canada.

The latest FreshFacts on Retail report from the United Fresh Produce Association shows that the value-added segment continues to create big value for the produce industry.

Mann Packing Co., Inc., a subsidiary of Coral Gables, Fla.-based Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc., has added a fresh-cut fruit area to its new facility in Gonzales, California.

Bill Kelley, the group vice president of produce commissary for Hy-Vee, is retiring after four decades with the company.

Orlando-based Fresh Express is introducing new clean and refreshed packaging for its Garden, Premium Garden, Crunchy and Tender Leaf salad blends products, according to a news release.

The grower whose butternut squash has been involved in recalls of fresh-cut products because of listeria concerns is working with the Food and Drug Administration to find the source.

Mann Packing Co. Inc. has opened a 130,000-square-foot fresh-cut facility in Gonzales, Calif.

Fresh Farms offers cucumbers, soft squash and cantaloupes. Fresh Farms is adding new items every week.

Produce suppliers are working with packaging manufacturers to limit the excess materials that wind up in the waste stream.

Hy-Vee Inc., West Des Moines, Iowa, is recalling two of the store’s branded vegetable mixes after a positive test for Listeria monocytogenes.

Sandpoint, Idaho-based Litehouse featured two new brands at its virtual booth at the Nov. 9-13 West Coast Produce Expo.

San Antonio-based value-added produce marketer Fresh From Texas, doing business as Fresh Texas, has purchased the production facility of Austin-based CeCe’s Veggie Noodles.

A Season & Steam product line extension was the headline news at the Ocean Mist Farms digital booth at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Expo.

Curious about Simply Fresh 2GO from FiveStar Gourmet? In case you haven't yet scored a sample, Amelia and Ashley gave them a try at home as part of their New Product Review series for Fresh Summit.

Curious about Lunch Kitz? In case you haven't yet scored a sample, Amelia and Ashley gave them a try at home as part of their New Product Review series for Fresh Summit.

SmartWash Solutions, Salinas, Calif., is highlighting top-performing U.S. produce processors for 2021’s National Food Safety Month in September.

Lipman Family Farms, Immokalee, Fla., is featuring new organic and conventional fresh-cut green beans at the Produce Marketing Association’s virtual Fresh Summit.

Non-browning Arctic apple slices, grown primarily for the foodservice market, are now available in convenience stores.

Meijer is recalling whole and fresh-cut cantaloupe products after a sampling program in Michigan detected salmonella.