Latest News From VEGETABLES

Robin Narron, marketing director and sales support for Nash Produce, says that sweet potato movement can increase up to 20% during the Easter sales period.

After dealing with weather-realted challenges, Glennville, Ga.-based Bland Farms is planning a big promotion for the upcoming season.

A warm growing season has spurred the progress of Texas onions, says Don Ed Holmes, president of The Onion House, Weslaco, Texas.

Vidalia onions are available for a limited time each year, between April through early September. The pack date is determined by soil and weather conditions during the growing season.

Texas onion acreage for Little Bear Produce is similar to the past few years, but with larger onion size, yields could be up this year, says Jeff Brechler, sales representative with the company.

Potato brand Side Delights offers options for consumers seeking meat alternatives in their meals, according to a news release.

The value of U.S. potato exports was up for all potato types in that six-month period, compared with the same months in 2021, according to data published by Potatoes USA.

Mastronardi Produce is distributing Naples Fresh and Spring Born greenhouse-grown leafy greens under the Backyard Farms brand.

The Summer Swell tomato will be distributed through New York City-based produce wholesaler distributor S. Katzman Produce and available at grocery stores in the New York metropolitan area beginning April 2023.

Weather conditions and expanded acreage for the Texas onion crop are setting up for promotable volumes starting in late March, industry leaders say.

Wholesum seeks to reinvigorate the organic pepper category this spring with a new pepper called Dolci Belles.

Morning Kiss Organic will have organic Eastern-grown red, yellow and white onions, along with hand-cultivated organic Vidalia onions.

The most favored potato variety is still the russet, according to The Packer's Fresh Trends 2023 survey.

During its annual summit in Washington, D.C., the National Potato Council appointed its next president and selected its executive committee for the coming year.

See who was in the nation's capital for the kickoff of the National Potato Council 2023 Washington Summit.

Several people were honored and their personalities celebrated as industry leaders prepared to advocate for potato-focused policies with legislators during the National Potato Council Washington Summit.

The National Potato Council has released a “Spud Nation” report, which finds the potato supply chain drove $100.9 billion in U.S. economic activity and supported more than 714,000 jobs in 2021.

If consumers are looking to get the most bang for their buck, the potato category at their grocer is the place they should make sure they shop, says Carissa Olsen, president and CEO of NoKota Packers, Inc., Buxton, N.D.

Side Delights is promoting heart-healthy eating changes that can reduce the conditions that put consumers at risk.

"Lettuce" put more greens on that plate, says Hannaford Supermarkets retail dietitian Allison J. Stowell. This is what shoppers like in the salad category.

Mexico asparagus programs for the months of January to March will take a substantial hit due to prolonged cold weather during the growing season, a Mexican grower group reports.

The volume of U.S. fresh potato exports jumped 10% in the calendar year 2022 despite an 8% drop in volume, USDA statistics reveal.

The New York-based vertical farming company has partnered with kosher retail and foodservice distributor Kayco to make five varieties of greens available at hundreds of area kosher supermarkets.

In its first-ever ad campaign, the controlled environment agriculture grower invites viewers to witness tender leafy greens flourishing in the middle of winter.

Despite elevated pricing for potatoes, retailers are learning that potatoes are still the “pound for pound” best value in the produce department, says Ross Johnson.

Continuing to expand its spicy offerings, the Vancouver, British Columbia-based grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce has added garlic from Spain to its product mix amid organic ginger success.

Ocean Mist Farms forecasts peak harvest of its proprietary purple artichoke variety between Feb. 20 and April 23.

Known for its Crawfish B-Red potatoes, the company has added a 3-pound Crawfish Medley Pack and a 3-pound Crawfish Gold Pack.

The biggest trend this year for OC Schulz & Sons Inc., Crystal, N.D., is the continued demand for yellow potatoes.

A USDA retail price report showed the average advertised price for a 10-pound bag of russet potatoes on Feb. 3 was $4.72, up 4% from $4.53 the same time a year ago. 

Recently, research findings have brought to the forefront the strong antioxidant potential of betalains, making them potential candidates to produce health foods and combat various diseases.

Make the most of these easy sells. You know, bells. Also, show us your best bell pepper displays, and other displays, to enter the seasonal contest in PMG’s Produce Artist Award Series.

Plenty’s co-founder and chief science officer believes the new facility, set to open in 2025, will be “the world’s largest vertical farming research center."

To spotlight the role that onions can play in a healthy diet and promote increased consumption, Onions 52 has teamed with registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator Laura Ashley Johnson.

All potato retail sales increased by 14.4% in 2022 but fell in volume by 1.5%, according to statistics published by Potatoes USA and compiled by IRI.

Packed with savory flavor and nutrients that many other types of produce don’t have, shoppers need to be reminded that mushrooms are a tasty and healthy addition to all kinds of dishes and cuisines. 

With mushroom- and veggie-laden offerings, pizza lovers can have it both ways on National Pizza Day, Feb. 9, 2023..

Media outlets, culinary influencers and even retailers nationwide in recent weeks have named fresh mushrooms a 2023 food to watch.

Bakersfield, Calif.-based Country Sweet Produce’s Bako Sweet is celebrating American Heart Month, National Sweet Potato Month, Valentine’s Day and Cook a Sweet Potato Day in February.

Salinas, Calif.-based Pacific International Marketing Inc. expects to have 500 to 600 more organic acres ready to farm this year, said Kim Fellom, sales executive and marketing manager.

Potato farmers from across Washington state will travel to Olympia, Wash., to celebrate Potato Day on Feb. 21.

Dole plc has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Dole’s Fresh Vegetables Division to an affiliate of Fresh Express Inc. for approximately $293 million in cash.

Parma, Idaho-based Owyhee Produce has a big year on tap for 2023, said Bailey Myers, agritourism guide and marketing director.

Burlington, Ontario-based EarthFresh Foods Inc. has opened a facility in Atlanta, said Dan Martin, chief operations officer.

The marketing team at Nogales, Ariz.-based Divine Flavor LLC recently launched its latest Product Heroes campaign, which focuses on the health attributes of bell peppers and mini peppers.

The indoor hydroponic grower's chief revenue officer shares why he thinks controlled environment agriculture will continue to grow and sharpen its connection with consumers in 2023.

Make the most of the universal appeal of this piquant pleasure.

The Nogales, Ariz.-based company reports good production of colored bell peppers, mini peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and squash/zucchini.

Leaders from Walmart and One Madison Group will join Plenty’s board of directors. Funds will aid Plenty’s growth, which includes using its technology platform to sell multicrop farms directly to business partners.

Because of increased growing costs at its Oxnard, Calif., headquarters, Boskovich Farms Inc. now is producing its fall-winter organic vegetable crop in Baja California, Mexico.