Latest News From The Packer Staff

Stop & Shop and Badger Technologies are partnering on a #MartyTheRobot special promotion at the National Retail Federation 2024 in support of the School Food Pantry Program at New York City-area schools.

The education suite empowers organizations to train their employees on key traceability concepts, prepare for incoming regulations, and take steps to reduce the impact of recalls.

A new endowment is set to fund wellness programs for children in South Texas.

The WIC program, which provides supplemental benefits to mothers, infants and children battling food insecurity, is at risk of funding being slashed as part of the arguments on federal spending.

The program is set for July 15-18 at the Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pa. Applications are being accepted through March 1 and are open to anyone in the U.S. potato industry.

The association will recognize leaders from Little Bear Produce, Dixondale Farms, Val Verde Vegetable Co., and more.

Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace will carry Edible Garden’s products in its retail locations throughout New York and New Jersey.

Villita Avocados said it is hopeful other produce companies will follow its lead by being more environmentally conscious and steer away from using plastic.

The organization said Smith, who has been promoted to senior director of member and industry relations, will also organize its education programming.

Retailers looking to better support and equip their produce managers have a new resource to explore.

OTA says the leadership structure reflects the expanding vision of the trade association and the increasing opportunities and potential in the organic sector.

The commission said it had searched for a new consumer marketing agency that could conduct both consumer advertising and consumer public relations activities.

The Boise, Idaho-based company reported that digital and identical sales helped buoy its third-quarter results for fiscal year 2023.

A new School Nutrition Association survey report says economic, procurement and regulatory issues are obstacles facing school meal administrators as pandemic-era assistance comes to an end.

For 2024-2025, Carlos Solf of Southern Specialties will serve as East Coast chair and Craig Rolandelli of Jacobs Malcolm & Burtt will be the West Coast chair.

The company is once again partnering with No Kid Hungry and will host its Share our Strength program to raise funds and awareness for children in need.

The goal of the research is to make food crops safer throughout the production process, from farm to fork; it's looking at the ability of mushroom extracts to mitigate chronic human health conditions.

International Fresh Produce Association has promoted Tamara Muruetagoiena to the newly created role of vice president of sustainability.

The Minnesota-based grower, packer and shipper of fresh carrots said its refreshed look will make its products pop in the produce aisle.

The funding is earmarked to educate small-scale, underserved and organic farmers on risk management and climate-smart practices.

Indoor agriculture company said its co-founder, Craig Hurlbert, reprises his role as chief executive officer as part of a company restructuring.

Honeybear Brands says it is delighting retailers and shoppers with its growing supply of the late-season EverCrisp variety. 

The company said the new inline hot needle micropreforating and in-register macropreforating capabilities offer more customizable solutions for clients.

The biggest headache resulting from geopolitical upheaval is the associated costs that companies will have to bear on top of the rising operating costs they have to already face, says a report from Container xChange.

The Texas-based grapefruit brand says the promotion will educate consumers on the state's red grapefruit season, while aiming to drive online sales and inspire increased consumption during peak production time.

The National Grocers Association has announced promotions for three key senior staff executives.

The Glennville, Ga.-based third-generation family farm specializing in sweet onions has launched a newly updated website aligned with its rebrand.

By signing the Birds and Bees Protection Act, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state is "taking a significant stride in protecting our kids, environment and essential pollinators."

The Boise, Idaho-based company said it will offer double rewards for healthy choices and quadruple rewards for Own Brands purchases during January.

Twenty graduate students were selected to join the program for inspiration and training in agricultural policy, commodity market analysis, agricultural finance and other applied fields.

The Wenatchee, Wash.-based company is reporting major growth in branded organic apple sales dollars and more promotion opportunities ahead.

The packer, grower and distributor of pears, apples and stone fruit says new variety development and organic offerings is a key part of 2024 plans.

Customers are invited to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, buy a reusable bag or convert their Choice shopper points into a donation for local public school districts’ food programs.

Advancing the health of consumers, the produce and floral industries, and the planet are at the heart of 10 key 2023 impacts from the International Fresh Produce Association, the group says.

A company has recalled its 1-pound bags of soybean sprouts with a sell-by date of Dec. 14, 2023, due to a positive random test.

Vince Biasibetti, U.S. sales executive for Salix Fruits, visited citrus producers in Morocco, aimed at securing the necessary volume for programs with clients in the U.S. and exploring possibilities for trading clients.

Inflation was less of a worry for U.S. farmers in December, a new survey says.

As of Dec. 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the salmonella outbreak traced to fresh-cut and whole cantaloupe sickened more than 302 people in 42 states.

This is the 11th year employees of the grower, packer and shipper of tree fruit shopped, wrapped and donated gifts to children in the care of the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Family Services.

With California, Florida and Texas crops in full swing, January is the best time of year to promote citrus, say the Massachusetts-based companies.

Leaders, innovators and industry stalwarts were among those who died in 2023, with their peers remembering their professional contributions and impact on the produce industry.

A federal grand jury indicted a Mansfield, Texas, man in December for allegedly submitting false inspection reports in exchange for bribe payments.

The USDA is asking for offers from produce distributors to sell fresh apples and pears to the agency for use in school lunches and other feeding programs.

The Schiller Park, Ill.-based company says the season’s first Chilean red currants under the Sun Belle label are hitting stores now and will be available through mid-February.

Some of the amendments include reducing membership of the Florida Citrus Administrative Committee and updating quorum requirements.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service plans to add five exemptions to how it regulates plant modifications, if those modifications could be achieved through conventional breeding.

Treasury Wine Estates deployed smart irrigation valves to help manage and automate water usage on 90 acres of its vineyards.

Following new findings, the state's ag department and the USDA Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service have again added acreage to a quarantine to prevent the spread of the invasive insect.

The effort aims to boost interest in agriculture as a profession and provide opportunities for emerging leaders to become more involved.

Based on feedback from the state, USDA extended the designation of commercial citrus-producing area to Alabama to provide growers with federal protections from citrus pests and diseases.