Ashley Nickle

Ashley Nickle is a staff writer for The Packer. She started her journalism career while in college, working for three years as the Kansas State football and men’s basketball correspondent for The Associated Press after starting with the school paper. Two weeks after her graduation in 2013, she moved from Olathe, Kan., to Detroit to take a full-time job as a sports writer for CBS Detroit. She covered the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons, daily conducting interviews and writing articles while attending practices and games. A native of Olathe, Ashley returned to the Kansas City area in 2015 and did freelance work covering the Chiefs, Royals, and University of Kansas and Kansas State football for the Associated Press, the Kansas City Star and Chiefs Digest. She also worked as a copy editor for The Topeka Capital-Journal.

Latest Stories
Episode 51 of Tip of the Iceberg Podcast features a conversation with Kristina Lorusso, business development director for Giumarra, about the company’s recent tests of autonomous trucks and aircraft to move produce.
The Packer’s editor-in-chief Tom Karst, retail editor Ashley Nickle and Northeast editor Amy Sowder discuss the return of foodservice in the latest episode of Packer Insight.
Total online grocery sales in May were 3.5 times higher than pre-pandemic levels, totaling $7.0 billion, according to the latest report from retail consulting firm Brick Meets Click.
Check out the video for a roundup of the big topics in produce this week with editor-in-chief Tom Karst and retail editor Ashley Nickle.
Episode 52 features a conversation with Stonehill Produce CEO Keith Slattery on the company’s Market Pulse report; how getting strong information leads to better buying; and Mexican avocado supply and demand now.
Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets founder and patriarch Angelo Caputo died June 16 at the age of 89.
Matthew Ryan, former chief marketing officer for Starbucks, is the new CEO of Rockingham, Va.-based Shenandoah Growers.
Foodservice demand for garlic has increased and retail demand has receded slightly as consumers return to restaurants – though people continue to prepare more meals at home than they did pre-pandemic.
Meal preparation habits established during the pandemic bode well for the fresh herbs category, as retail sales remain above 2019 levels even as demand flattens out amid the return of foodservice.
PMG is once again showcasing great seasonal displays through its Produce Artist Award Series program, and all produce merchandisers, specialists and produce managers are welcome to participate.