Latest News From Jennifer Strailey

As part of its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan, The Kroger Co. says that upon completion of its merger with Albertsons Cos., the combined company will donate 10 billion meals by 2030 to feed people struggling with hunger.

A focus on fresh, affordable food and an enhanced digital strategy has proven a successful combination, says The Kroger Co., which reported its first quarter 2023 results without fuel on June 15.

The Netherlands largest supermarket chain and its sole produce supplier have partnered with OneThird, a Dutch food tech company created to address the annual loss of one-third of all food produced due to spoilage.

Just in time for California Avocado Month, the “Today” show featured a story from Al Roker about his visit to one of the state's oldest avocado groves, Rancho Vazquez in Azusa, Calif.

The Greenhouse Competitions, presented in part by farm sponsors Sunset/Mastronardi Produce Ltd. and Nature Fresh Farms, kicked off June 7 with 183 entries delivered to Kingsville Community Centre in Ontario.

While the company saw 19% growth in avocado volume sold in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year, its total revenue for that period decreased 20% to $221.1 million compared to last year.

The indoor vertical farmer is the latest controlled environment agriculture company to suffer a setback, but the company's Marc Oshima is confident that AeroFarms will emerge stronger.

The new laboratory is part of the Bakersfield, Calif.-based table grape breeder’s $19 million IFG Discovery Center Campus that is slated to open in spring 2024.

What is the fresh produce supply chain doing to reduce its carbon emissions? That was among the questions posed to panelists at The Packer’s recent Sustainable Produce Summit in Palm Desert, Calif.

Pallavi Joyappa can’t sleep. While she was appointed president of the Union City, Calif.-based Emerald Packaging in late February of this year, it’s not her executive post that’s keeping her up at night.

According to The Packer’s 2023 Sustainability Insights survey, most food retailers see sustainability as a priority in their businesses, with about 68% indicating it is a primary or secondary priority.

The automated facility, with 1.7 hectares of roof space, is expected to pack more than 125 million kilograms of apples per season — twice the volume of apples currently packed — once construction is complete.

Fresh Del Monte has partnered with Inteligistics to use its cloud-based technology to track and link quality data, transportation, storage conditions and shipping information from its avocado packing facility in Mexico.

As head of marketing, North America, for T&G Global Ltd., Cecilia Flores Paez spearheads consumer marketing for Jazz and Envy apples with an energy and enthusiasm that sparks produce consumption.

To learn how the late start to this year’s domestic produce season might impact transportation costs and availability, The Packer recently spoke with Dean Croke, principal analyst for DAT Freight & Analytics.

From one-on-one conversations to a host of activities to educational programming and a lively expo floor, the 2023 West Coast Produce Expo at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa had something for everyone.

Following its affordably priced Easter and spring meal promotions, The Kroger Co. is now promoting menus specially curated for Memorial Day backyard barbecues, featuring grilling favorites and plenty of fresh sides.

Scores of produce industry professionals soaked up the sun, fun, educational and networking opportunities at the 2023 West Coast Produce Expo, May 19-20, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa.

Flashfood's first annual impact report examines the environmental impact of food waste and how reducing waste at retail has the potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Equitable Food Initiative and Measure to Improve have released an eye-opening case study based on the results of their recently completed two-year “Produce and Reduce” pilot program.

In a move that could be dubbed “May Madness,” The Kroger Co. is promoting a brunch to celebrate Mother's Day, complete with dessert and mimosas, all for less than $2 per serving.

Snacking, seasonality and new varieties were among the top trends at the recent 2023 Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show in Toronto.

The Devens, Mass.-based cultivator of packaged lettuce grown through controlled environment agriculture is thinking big this National Salad Month.

From a fair trade dance party to a Hallmark actor partnership to sustainable packaging innovations, this year’s Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show offered something for everyone.

Held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre April 26-27, the 2023 Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show drew players from across the fresh produce supply chain.

The vice president of sales and marketing for Catania Worldwide and CPMA chair was named Canadian Produce Person of the Year at CPMA’s 2023 Convention and Trade Show in Toronto.

From trends in tropicals to the need for consumer education to customer loyalty, retailers discussed challenges and opportunities in produce during a panel discussion at the 2023 CPMA show on April 26.

The new multi-year partnership will help provide 630,000 servings of fruits and vegetables to families across the country.

To celebrate his birthday and Cinco de Mayo, Dwayne Johnson has partnered with Teremana Tequila to encourage consumers to support local restaurants by picking up the check for guacamole. 

To bolster the 257 million pounds of California avocados estimated for this season, the California Avocado Commission is engaged with "full throttle" marketing support.

Randhawa Farms begins the 2023 pepper season with a look back on a decade-long relationship with its Vancouver, British Columbia-based sales and marketing partner. 

In advance of Earth Day, the Avocado Institute of Mexico and its parent organizations held a virtual press briefing April 17 to discuss its biodiversity efforts.

Inteligistics has launched InteliView, a cloud-based, flexible and customizable digital information hub that consolidates data from a variety of sources.

What’s the secret to greenhouse grower Little Leaf Farms' success? To find out, The Packer recently spoke with founder and CEO Paul Sellew.

During Earth Month, the San Antonio-based grocer is introducing additional measures designed to boost its year-round commitment to reduce waste and maximize recycling efforts across its business.

In the wake of recent indoor ag bankruptcies, including vertical farmer Kalera and greenhouse grower Lakeside Produce, the CEA grower Little Leaf Farms says it’s on track for a "banner year" in 2023.

The Cincinnati-based grocer is offering a “zero-compromise” fresh Easter menu to serve a family of 10 — complete with candy — for less than $7.50 per person.

In its quest to transform the lives of agricultural workers, NatureSweet has kicked off an educational initiative that’s giving agricultural workers an opportunity to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

By planting a diverse range of native plants and flowers, Rice Fruit Co. has created a thriving habitat for honeybees and butterflies, bats and other insects that feed on pests like the brown marmorated stink bug. 

Each year, a staggering 119 billion pounds of food — nearly 40% of all food — is wasted in the U.S., but companies across the fresh produce supply chain are using technology to stem the tidal wave of food waste.

The digital marketplace that strives to eliminate retail food waste by connecting consumers with discounted food nearing its best-by date has appointed Jordan Schenck and Sepideh Burkett to leadership roles.

The Phoenix-based grocer says it will eliminate single-use plastic bags at checkout by the end of 2023, removing over 200 million single-use plastic bags from circulation each year.  

What consumers don't know about the health benefits of avocados may be a lot. In honor of National Nutrition Month and Healthy Fats Day, Avocados From Mexico is sharing reasons to eat the super fruit.

With food inflation woes weighing on the minds of many heading into spring, Walmart says it wants its customers to focus on celebrating rather than skimping this Easter.

The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based grocer has expanded its Flashfood program, making it the first retailer nationwide to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits through the app.

“Not only do we pride ourselves in the relationship with [Little Leaf Farms], but the entire organization believes in the same future we do," said Brandon Bentley, Tops category business manager for vegetables.

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.

The global fresh produce provider is hosting Dole Fruit and Veg Tournament Brackets, a competition between produce-rich recipes inspired by the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.

The Oxnard, Calif.-based company achieved avocado volume growth of 14% in the first quarter ended Jan. 31, outpacing the industry as a whole, says Founder and CEO Steve Barnard.

The brand is on the scene at SXSW, where it's bringing its digital House of Goodness to life with a pop-up, where consumers can enjoy Avocados From Mexico through multisensory, interactive experiences.