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Jill Dutton

Jill Dutton, associate editor of The Packer, specializes in retail produce news, market trends and urban farming initiatives. With expertise in the rapidly evolving e-grocery landscape, she provides analysis on how digital platforms are reshaping food distribution. Jill is a prominent voice on sustainability and consumer trends, offering actionable insights that help businesses navigate shifting market demands. Her work explores the full produce journey — from farm to retail — featuring grower profiles, supply chain insights and emerging production models that shape American food systems.

Latest Stories
As SNAP restrictions expand, independent grocers seek clarity on value-added produce to avoid “good faith” errors and potential program disqualification.
In the Chicago area, the integration of Kakadoodle’s AI-managed logistics hub and Spira Farms’ climate-controlled vertical production creates a professionalized, data-linked supply chain capable of providing the year-round reliability required by the modern consumer.
Wegmans’ use of biometric surveillance in New York City has sparked a transparency storm, as legally mandated signs warning of “eye and voice” tracking directly contradict the company’s claim that it only uses facial recognition for security. Privacy expert Ben Winters argues the practice lacks meaningful consumer consent and rigorous oversight.
A UC Riverside team is developing a small-scale black soldier fly system that converts food scraps into livestock feed and frass that could boost soil health and prime specialty crops, making the technology especially promising for urban and small-scale growers.
The Florida-based family-owned grocer with six stores has redefined the modern farm market experience.
From data-backed insights to in-store execution, retailers are refining how the category is marketed to maintain momentum in an increasingly competitive produce aisle.
At 60, “Farmer Steve” transformed an overgrown Connecticut property into a joyful garden, orchard and sunflower room that became a viral TikTok inspiration, proving it’s never too late to start growing.
According to the 84.51° Kroger Precision Marketing Consumer Digest, 62% of consumers are planning to eat more fruits and vegetables as a primary functional food and nutrition goal.
The Packer’s Jill Dutton’s urban farming series took us across the country to explore the pioneers reclaiming land for the sake of fresh fruits and vegetables, while our vertical farming and greenhouse coverage examined other ways of growing food closer to the consumer.
Google Trends data shows a reliable spike every January for topics tied to healthier eating. This year, rather than limitations and restrictive eating, consumers are seeking ways to add to their health and wellness, which often includes eating more plants.