Latest News From Jennifer Strailey

From an engaged leadership team to unconscious bias management training to associate-led empowerment groups to minority-owned supplier initiatives, the Ahold Delhaize subsidiary is nurturing DEI in its organization.

From its exquisite “floral boutique” to its robust seasonal displays to its freshly misted wet rack, this AJ’s Fine Foods in Scottsdale, Ariz., is retail theater at its finest.

What is the customer craving in fresh? It’s a top consideration for Giant Food, where the deli and prepared foods area is laser focused on delivering what shoppers want most.

The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission, made up of 400 sweetpotato growers along with packers, processors and business associates, has launched a new e-cookbook titled, "Sweet Celebrations: Hispanic Heritage Month."

The Hispanic grocer has expanded its partnership with Upside, a digital marketplace that connects consumers with brick-and-mortar retailers through personalized offers that help them save on products they already buy.

The indoor vertical farming company has completed its restructuring process and exit from Chapter 11. To lead AeroFarms through its next stage of growth, the company has appointed Molly Montgomery acting CEO.

Kroger is collaborating with Performance Kitchen to offer medically tailored meals aimed at improving consumers’ overall health and potentially saving the nation billions in health care costs.

To learn more about Tops’ philanthropy, The Packer recently spoke with Andy Brocato, manager of corporate contributions and donations for Tops.

The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers’ “This is Greenhouse Goodness” campaign has converted the baggage claim area at Windsor International Airport to resemble an educational greenhouse farm.

For the third year in a row, Avocados From Mexico is partnering with the world’s largest nonprofit source of funding for the fight against breast cancer — Susan G. Komen — during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

DENVER — Patrick O'Brien, produce manager of a Safeway store near the University of Denver, was recently honored with the International Fresh Produce Association’s 2023 Retail Produce Manager Award.

To learn more about the company’s expansion plans and commitment to conserving natural resources while growing high-quality greens indoors, The Packer recently connected with co-founder and CEO Viraj Puri.

Since 2021, the grocer has invested approximately $40 million a year in a store remodel program focused primarily on delivering what shoppers want from fresh.

Equifruit, a Montreal-based Fairtrade-certified banana company, has announced Director of Sales and Marketing Kim Chackal has become an owner of the company. Equifruit President Jennie Coleman retains a majority share.

With the aim of providing the Midwest with a steady supply of fresh greenhouse-grown tomatoes, Pure Flavor has acquired MightyVine, a controlled environment agriculture tomato grower in Rochelle, Ill.

A bullish multimillion-dollar remodel program and an admirable willingness to enter, serve and improve markets that competitors have largely disavowed have made Tops Friendly Markets much more than a grocery store.

The Alliance for Food and Farming hosted its sixth Safe Fruits and Veggies Farm Tour for registered dietitians and health and nutrition writers and influencers, Aug. 21-23, on California’s Monterey Peninsula.

While a recent tropical storm and moderate earthquake hit Southern California on the same day, the California Avocado Commission reports the state’s avocado growers experienced minimal impact.

When Tropical Storm Hilary hit Southern California, Palm Springs received nearly 50% of its yearly rainfall in a matter of hours. While the deluge caused flooding, one area farmer is cautiously optimistic.

In this second installment of The Packer’s ongoing sustainability series, we take a look at four growers — all farming at different scales and redefining success in terms of sustainability.

The Packer recently sat down with Avocados From Mexico President and CEO Alvaro Luque to learn more about the brand’s plan for continued success and its “big news” set to break later this week.

Following an afternoon of data-rich programming, the first day of USApple’s Outlook 2023 conference at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago concluded with The Packer presenting Mike Preacher the Apple Person of the Year award.  

Continuing its multi-tactical “eating healthy and thinking green” avocado campaign, Avocados from Peru has teamed with the Cleveland Browns and Meijer to bring fans the "Ultimate Sweepstakes of the Football Season."

The Cincinnati-based grocer has partnered with 80 Acres Farms to bring shoppers across the Midwest and Southeast vertically grown salad blends, herbs and tomatoes.

The Packer recently sat down with the Divert CEO to learn how his company is partnering with retailers including Ahold Delhaize, Albertsons Cos., and Kroger to convert billions of pounds of wasted food into energy.

Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research is awarding Pitzer College a $1,798,114 total investment to understand the benefits of agrivoltaics — regenerative farming soil practices paired with solar energy production.

There’s something inherently “extra” about mushrooms. Sure, they slay as a flavorful and more affordable substitute for meat, but they also offer health benefits galore, play well in a variety of diets and cook quickly.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has received a $1 million gift from the grocer to expand its Food Pharmacy program, which provides fresh produce and other nutritious food for families experiencing food insecurity.

The Mushroom Council and The Culinary Institute of America are taking chefs on a globally inspired culinary tour — featuring mushrooms as the star ingredient — in their recently launched educational video series.

Allegiance Retail Services, an Iselin, N.J.-based retailer-owned grocery co-op, has added three Rhode Island Brigido’s Fresh Markets to its roster of independently owned supermarkets.

PepsiCo and Walmart say they aim to support regenerative agriculture across more than 2 million acres of farmland in the U.S. and Canada.

When it comes to understanding what consumers want from healthful, wholesome and flavorful prepared foods at retail, Barons Market has its finger on the pulse of fresh.

What's on tap for this year's The Foodservice Conference? To find out, The Packer recently connected with Joe Watson, vice president of retail, foodservice and wholesale for International Fresh Produce Association.

When it comes to moving the needle on fresh produce consumption through foodservice, personalization and convenience are key, as is a healthy dose of wow factor.

Avocado fans will have something extra to celebrate this National Avocado Day, July 31, as Chipotle Mexican Grill and Avocados from Peru have partnered to offer Chipotle Rewards members free guacamole.

In their first year of collaboration, the Landover, Md.-based grocer and West Concord, Mass.-based impact tech company have mitigated nearly 1,400 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

This spring and summer, California-based restaurant chains Flame Broiler Inc. and Del Taco showcased the use of fresh California avocados in limited-time offers from early May through mid-July.

At the storied Hunts Point Market in the Bronx, N.Y., space is at a premium, which is why longtime tenant E. Armata — a fourth-generation, family-operated produce wholesaler — is celebrating its recent expansion.

While heirlooms can be more challenging to grow in the field, North Carolina-based Happy Dirt farmer-owner Sanford Fishel has found a way to defy the odds.

From sustainable packaging to grab-and-go convenience to functional mushrooms, the recent Organic Produce Summit 2023, held July 12-13 in Monterey, Calif., was on-trend and energy-packed.

With major investments in farming, branding, packaging and people, the organic produce industry is more vibrant than ever — all of which was on display at the Organic Produce Summit 2023 in Monterey, Calif.

Bringing together fresh produce industry professionals with a passion for organics, Organic Produce Summit 2023 kicked off with field tours and a welcome reception followed by educational sessions and a trade show.

For every O Organics private-label brand product purchased in July, the company says it will donate a nutritious meal to a child in need.

Local is king at the newest Whole Foods Market in Washington, D.C.’s historic Walter Reed development, where certified organic, conventional and Sourced for Good produce, plus offerings from local farms, abound.

The grocer says it's “serving up a welcome reprieve” for shoppers cooking out this summer — beating the national average cost of an Independence Day cookout and paying shoppers the difference.

What’s in store for the 2023 Peruvian avocado season and what does the industry want retailers to know about its super fruit? To find out, The Packer recently connected with ProHass President Juan Paredes.

The Food Safety Modernization Act 204 has a compliance deadline of Jan. 20, 2026. Is your organization ready? A Q&A with Liz Sertl of the not-for-profit information standards organization GS1 US.

Canadian greenhouse grower OriginO has launched a new look for its website alongside its British Columbia-based sales and marketing partner, Oppy.

Avocados from Peru is embarking on a lifestyle campaign that is as tactical as it is tasty, from sports tie-ins with retailer partners to strategic in-store promotions, to a gourmet food show to a night at the museum.

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture has passed its fiscal year (FY24) funding bill — legislation that fully funds WIC, including the fruit and vegetable benefit amount at current levels.