Latest News From Know Your Market

Several produce-related companies on the cutting edge of technology and sustainability made Thrives’s Top 50 listings of AgTech and FoodTech, announced by SVG Ventures at the Agricultural Outlook Forum.

North American Produce Buyers Ltd. at the Ontario Food Terminal in Toronto will have a blueberry program this year, said Stephan Schmekel, executive vice president of sales and marketing.

J.E. Russell Produce Ltd. has hired Mike Pirri, a 21-year veteran of the produce industry with experience in wholesale and retail, to head up a new melon and grape program, said Hutch Morton, senior vice president.

The bagging program at Gambles Ontario Produce at the Ontario Food Terminal in Toronto is really catching on, said marketing manager Sarah Taylor.

Fresh Taste Produce Ltd. at the Ontario Food Terminal in Toronto has made a significant investment into cooling technology.

NEW YORK — The Bolthouse Farms gang is back together, and they’re pumping out new product lines that embody the new company mission: Plants powering people.

Like produce buyers everywhere, those who do business at the Ontario Food Terminal in Toronto are seeking out organic fruits and vegetables every day, and many suppliers are going to great lengths to meet their needs.

There were fears last summer that a review conducted by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs might recommend a new location for the largest wholesale produce distribution center in Canada.

Suppliers say business is booming at Toronto’s Ontario Food Terminal, where dozens of produce companies provide customers with an extensive variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and other items.

Indoor farming companies made the inaugural FoodTech 500 list, created to rate and celebrate companies showing a successful trifecta of food, sustainability and technology.

Companies run by father and son are like pairing meat and potatoes: classic.

Winter is good for business for Touchstone & Associates Inc., a 51-year-old San Antonio-based brokerage. 

TMC Produce Solutions has opened a new office in Florida’s Miami/Pompano Beach area.

Hardie’s Fresh Foods puts more than a little emphasis on local produce, said Michelle Weech, vice president of marketing.

The cold storage division has become the company’s biggest growth area at Brothers Produce Inc., Houston, said Brent Erenwert, CEO.

Big State Produce on the San Antonio Produce Terminal Market plans to expand and grow its business in 2020.

Many Texas distributors say they’re in kind of an in-between mode — between the sales bump of the holidays and the next buildup that starts as spring nears, tourists arrive and conventions come to town.

Chicago-based Agrow Fresh Produce Co. is “blanketing the marketplace” with a new product — Simply Season and Steam — said Ed Romanelli, vice president of sales and marketing.

Organic produce plays a role in the Chicago market, but that role may not be as pronounced as it is the West and the East.

Ranking of the top retail chains in the Chicago market remains virtually unchanged from a year ago, said Bill Bishop, chief architect at Brick Meets Click, a Barrington, Ill.-based consulting firm.

With the arrival of the holiday season coupled with the general trend toward more healthful eating, business among Chicago-area produce distributors seems to be thriving.

Northern California has its share of banners from major supermarket chains, most noticeably Albertsons/Safeway, but it seems many consumers in the region prefer to do their shopping at smaller, independent markets.

Fall is a busy time on the Northern California produce scene as consumers return to the kitchen to prepare hearty autumn dishes and distributors gear up for the holidays.

Connecticut has the wealth few U.S. states possess, but a stable population means growth in retail fresh produce sales will not come from adding brand new sales.

Stop & Shop dominates the Connecticut retail market, and the competition is not even close.

John Vena Inc., Philadelphia, has been ushering in its 101st year by commemorating the success of its past 100 years.

With a 20,000-square-foot facility just off the St. Louis Produce Market, SunFarm Food Service is expanding its business with schools.

Diversifying its customer base while concentrating on increasing volume is the way to growth and surviving the tough times for St. Louis, Mo.-based Midwest Best Produce.

At nearly 70 years old, the St. Louis Produce Market may be a senior citizen, but it is by no means retiring.

Hurricanes this year have not caused any major disruptions to Florida crops and actually provided some needed rain, said Mindy Lee, bureau chief at Tallahassee-based Fresh From Florida.

The two biggest retail forces in the St. Louis market are Walmart and Schnucks Markets, and that reality doesn’t seem likely to change in the near term.

Kansas City, Kan.-based Liberty Fruit Co. is growing well beyond its Kansas City home, according to its CEO.

With offices in Kansas City and Nogales, Ariz., Keith Connell Inc. is expanding its reach throughout the nation.

NORTH KANSAS CITY, MO. — C&C Produce is well positioned for growth, co-owner Nick Conforti believes.

Walmart, Hy-Vee and Associated Wholesale Grocers are three of the heavyweights in the Midwest markets, industry sources and Shelby Market data show.

Norwalk, Iowa-based Capital City Fruit has added to its staff and produce offerings in 2019.

Farm to table is the ethos of the last decade’s food culture, or in our industry’s case, it’s often farm to store shelf.

NEW YORK CITY — E. Armata Fruit & Produce Inc. had to meet Hispanic demand by building up its tropical department, said company members during a visit with The Packer at Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx.

Check out some of the businesses, people and news you missed (or you saw yourself) at the 20th anniversary New England Produce Council's Produce, Floral and Foodservice Expo in Boston.

Bronx, N.Y.-based Trucco has opened its first wholly owned facility dedicated to kiwifruit in Vineland, N.J.

BOSTON — Produce professionals from near and far delved into the relationship business at the New England Produce Council’s Produce, Floral and Foodservice Expo, celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Los Angeles-based Vision Produce Co. has promoted Dan Lawton to president and managing partner. 

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the 18 companies selected for round one of the Grow-NY food innovation and agriculture technology business challenge. 

Philadelphia-based John Vena Specialty Produce is making this year count ­— after all, it’s the company’s 100th anniversary year.

BOSTON — Eating, buying and selling local produce is a desirable goal for many Bostonians, but it’s not a simple one.

BOSTON — This Northeast U.S. region marked by wealth, smaller independent retailers, ethnic diversity and high-end foodservice keeps adjusting to today’s challenges to feed its people and those beyond its borders.

We heard a lot of good things about the nearby Market Basket location while touring the Boston Market Terminal and New England Produce Center — so we stopped by ourselves to check out why it got such high praise.

Industry notable Steve Lutz will be a speaker at the New England Produce Council’s Produce, Floral & Food Service Expo 2019.

Your life could change forever if you’re a college student chosen to attend the New England Produce Council’s Expo Sept. 18-19.

Although regional produce conferences have a broader reach than their namesake areas, there’s something about keeping it local, simple and intimate that appeals to participants.