Latest News From VEGETABLES

The Washington onion crop for Seattle-based F.C. Bloxom Co. is on track for a strong year, says William F. Bloxom, an owner of the company.

Foodservice-focused produce company Markon Cooperative is launching a pre-cut, washed and ready-to-use salad mix called Harvest Crisp Blend.

For many producers, growing garlic is a long game and this year’s domestic crop is finally experiencing favorable market conditions due to softening global import supplies.

The Packer takes a peek into the grow chambers of the specialty mushroom grower and learns how it continues to expand its footprint across the U.S.

The purple tomato is heading to market.

Despite a cold spring, Washington potato growers are anticipating a good crop for 2023, says Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington Potato Commission.

The two-year "Romaine Test and Learn" study will collect and analyze food safety data from California LGMA members in an effort to analyze trends, gain insights and raise the bar for food safety in romaine production.

The Packer's Fresh Trends 2023 survey showed that 17% of all consumers reported specialty pepper purchases in the past year.

IPR Fresh recently commemorated its 20th year as a bell pepper shipper with a celebration that brought together its founders — the Obregon family — to honor the milestone and unveil the company's new image.

Both Washington and Oregon potato output was down for the 2022 season, and prices have been elevated through mid-2023.

This year the asparagus trade organization created opportunities to connect with consumers through digital, in-store and collaborative marketing campaigns.

“Planting schedules just got thrown completely off kilter this year, and that just ripples through a season,” Mary Zischke, Grower-Shipper Association of Central California told The Packer.

NRGene and Philoseed are among seed companies reporting major progress toward widespread commercialization of a ToBRFV (Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus) high-resistance trait in tomatoes.

Fresh Solutions Network, the exclusive supplier of Side Delights potatoes and onions, says it plans to showcase its newly redesigned Side Delights Organic potatoes and onions at the upcoming Organic Produce Summit.

The forecast and anticipated arrivals into the U.S. will continue to be lower than expected for the next two to three months, according to the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association.

The push to end the U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement is supported by most American tomato growers.

The Healthy Family Project and The Packer have teamed up to share some tips and tricks to eat more fruits and vegetables in an education series called The Fresh Factor. In June, we are shining a light on beets.

The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 found that 43% of all consumers reported purchases of bell peppers in the previous year.

The California-based sweet potato brand has hired fresh produce industry veteran Susan Noritake to grow the brand.

The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 survey showed 33% of consumers said they purchased mushrooms in the past year.

A half-century in the making, the Friesland, Wis.-based fresh market grower, packer and shipper of Wisconsin Healthy Grown potatoes, pumpkins and onions is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023.

The USDA has published a proposed rule that would increase the assessment rate for onions produced within the Walla Walla sweet onion marketing order.

The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 indicated that 59% of all consumers said they purchased onions in the past year.

A Florida group has asked the Commerce Department to dump price agreements and implement antidumping duties on Mexican tomatoes.

New Mexico onion shippers enjoyed a good price year in 2022 compared with 2021, USDA data shows.

Measuring bulk lettuce purchases (not packaged), Fresh Trends 2023 found that 41% of all consumers said they purchased bulk lettuce in the past year.

Watsonville, Calif.-based Monterey Mushrooms is launching its Sizzling Sautés new product line this summer.

Thirty-seven percent of consumers polled in The Packer's Fresh Trends 2023 survey said they purchased fresh celery in the past year.

Everyone has a different idea of what constitutes specialty produce. Star fruit, dragon fruit and papaya fall into that category, but what of baby potatoes, lesser-known squash and microgreens?

In The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 research, 25% of all consumers reported they purchased fresh cauliflower in the past year.

The brand says the revamped website features an enhanced experience for shoppers while serving as a resource to highlight sweet potatoes from the southern San Joaquin Valley of California.

Wicked Kitchen's co-founder and chef, Derek Sarno, makes the case that mushrooms can hold their weight among even the most die-hard barbecue fans.

American Cookware and the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board are launching “Cooking the American Dream”, a social campaign that celebrates American-crafted cookware with Michigan asparagus.

Sweet potatoes lead the list of top-dollar fruit and vegetable commodities in North Carolina and South Carolina, according to USDA agricultural statistics for 2022.

Carrots have a big place at America’s kitchen table, and The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 survey reinforces that assertion.

According to Fresh Trends 2023, 46% of consumers reported fresh cucumber purchases in the past year.

A recent public filing could cause the indoor grower to default on its Richmond farm facility and trigger a domino effect, leading to additional farm foreclosures.

Seventeen percent of all consumers polled by The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 survey indicated they purchased Brussels sprouts in the past year.

The USDA’s annual report on Mexican tomatoes forecasts Mexico’s 2023 fresh tomato production at 3.87 million metric tons, a 2% increase compared with 2022.

The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 survey found that 43% of consumers reported purchasing broccoli in the past year.

The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board is celebrating what makes asparagus from the Great Lake State so special in a video series that highlights growers and the culinary attributes of the summer vegetable.

The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 consumer survey found that 31% of shoppers said they purchased cabbage in the past year.

Fueled by rising imports, retail per capita availability for fresh asparagus has grown in recent years, from 1.26 pounds in 2011 to 1.60 pounds in 2019.

Demand for organic sweet potatoes continues to be strong, says Kristi Hocutt, director of sales and marketing for Sims, N.C.-based Triple J Produce Inc.

The Mushroom Council has kicked off its first-ever “Mix It Up With Mushrooms” contest with mainstream food media brand Allrecipes.

The Potatoes USA Board consists of five committees guided by nine industry members. The committees include international marketing, domestic marketing, industry outreach, research, and finance and policy.

The USDA has issued a pest risk analysis for imports of Brazilian fresh pumpkin, squash and the hybrid tetsukabuto squash.

The indoor ag grower has added 20 acres in Central Texas to its controlled environment agriculture footprint, which also includes operations in Minnesota, Georgia and California.

At Austin’s Hot Luck Food and Music Festival, there will be a “Shroom House” experiential collaboration with Wicked Kitchen’s Chef Derek Sarno.

The Soledad, Calif.-based home of Josie’s Organics is introducing two organic, vegan chopped salad kits to its family of products in time for National Salad Month.