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4 ways to boost California avocado sales this Cinco de Mayo
4 ways to boost California avocado sales this Cinco de Mayo

To learn top tips for merchandising and displays that drive Cinco de Mayo avocado sales, The Packer turned to the experts at the California Avocado Commission.

Kwik Lok promotes new director of North American sales and strategic accounts
Kwik Lok promotes new director of North American sales and strategic accounts

Jordan James will fill the role held by Bruce Cox, who retired after 20 years with the company.

Enza Zaden shares how it's benefited from adding new departments
Enza Zaden shares how it's benefited from adding new departments

The vegetable seed breeder says it added marketing and project management to its combined North and Central American operations.

USDA seeks National Mushroom Council nominees
USDA seeks National Mushroom Council nominees

Nomination applications are due by May 1, 2024, for three seats with terms expiring in 2027 and one seat with a term expiring in 2025.

Merchandising with a message: Reaching the conscious consumer through dynamic displays
Merchandising with a message: Reaching the conscious consumer through dynamic displays

How does the fresh produce industry earn the business and sustain the trust of today’s conscious consumers committed to responsible purchasing? In-store displays and signage can help make meaningful connections.

Giorgi Cos. taps Elevation Foods veteran to lead its food division
Giorgi Cos. taps Elevation Foods veteran to lead its food division

Mark Currie, former chief operating officer of Elevation Foods, will succeed the retiring Joe Caldwell and run Giorgi Mushroom, Giorgio Fresh and Giorgio Foods.

USDA allocates $1.5B for climate-smart farming
USDA allocates $1.5B for climate-smart farming

Proposals are being accepted through July 2 for projects that will help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners adopt and expand conservation strategies to enhance natural resources while tackling the climate crisis. 

Foundation for Food and Agriculture presents new innovator awards
Foundation for Food and Agriculture presents new innovator awards

The foundation will fund 11 projects that tackle issues such as biodiversity, social issues, climate and more.

Food Lion spotlights efforts to promote accessible, nutritious living
Food Lion spotlights efforts to promote accessible, nutritious living

The omnichannel grocer says it is focussing on fresh, affordable food this World Health Day, highlighting its Guiding Stars program; buy one, give-back campaigns; and local sourcing for healthier choices.

Learn the latest on fire blight research with webinar series
Learn the latest on fire blight research with webinar series

The research team on a national fire blight grant will host several webinars covering topics including antibiotic resistance, pathogen movement and plant defense.

IFPA’s Hollay named to Wilson Center task force on ag labor
IFPA’s Hollay named to Wilson Center task force on ag labor

The national task force aims to develop a series of evidence-based policy recommendations to improve labor recruitment and employment conditions for farmworkers.

Schnucks steps challenge offers reward points and prizes
Schnucks steps challenge offers reward points and prizes

In April, participants in the four states in which the company operates can earn $5 in Schnucks Rewards points each week by reaching the steps challenge goal of 50,000 steps per week.

EPA issues warning on DCPA herbicide
EPA issues warning on DCPA herbicide

The agency says the herbicide used for broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage and onions presents significant health risks to applicators.

Input sought on import plan for hass avocados from Guatemala
Input sought on import plan for hass avocados from Guatemala

Signaling that approval is on the horizon, the USDA says it has developed a pest-risk analysis for imports of hass avocados from Guatemala.

ZAG Technical Services introduces new service for growers, shippers
ZAG Technical Services introduces new service for growers, shippers

The San Jose, Calif.-based IT consulting firm specializing in information technology, cybersecurity and data analytics said this new service helps growers and shippers understand cybersecurity risks ahead of harvest.

USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on California produce company
USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on California produce company

The USDA says a Los Angeles-based company has satisfied a $31,200 reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act involving unpaid produce transactions.

Nature Fresh Farms' Hiiros tomatoes honored in Good Housekeeping’s 2024 Best Snack Awards
Nature Fresh Farms' Hiiros tomatoes honored in Good Housekeeping’s 2024 Best Snack Awards

Nature Fresh Farms' Hiiros tomatoes have been named “Best Snacking Tomatoes” in the Powerhouse Produce category of Good Housekeeping's 2024 Best Snack Awards.

CAC launches 'What's Inside a California Avocado' marketing program
CAC launches 'What's Inside a California Avocado' marketing program

The California Avocado Commission’s new marketing program aims to take consumers inside the groves, multi-generational families and deep roots behind the Golden State’s avocado industry.

Pennsylvania expands spotted lanternfly quarantine, canine detection program
Pennsylvania expands spotted lanternfly quarantine, canine detection program

After discovering the invasive pest in the southeastern part of the state, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has added Greene County to a quarantine.

Agtech company secures $15M in funding for biocontrol development
Agtech company secures $15M in funding for biocontrol development

BioConsorta, a developer of microbial products for agriculture, plans to expand its facility and commercialize its biofungicide, bionematicide and postharvest decay controls this year.

GrubMarket releases GrubAssist
GrubMarket releases GrubAssist

The enterprise solution applies artificial intelligence to assist food wholesalers, distributors and shippers in managing their operations and making business decisions.

FreshDirect celebrates Earth Month with upcycling spotlight
FreshDirect celebrates Earth Month with upcycling spotlight

This Earth Month, FreshDirect spotlights upcycling, repurposing food waste to innovate sustainability.

Oppy highlights sustainability efforts in latest report
Oppy highlights sustainability efforts in latest report

In its second sustainability report, the grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce recaps its food waste reductions, energy savings and packaging innovations.

Schnucks completes remodel at pair of Indiana stores
Schnucks completes remodel at pair of Indiana stores

The remodels feature renovated and expanded deli and floral departments, alongside revitalized produce, bakery, seafood and meat sections.

Simplot Grower Solutions, Vestaron partner to expand product distribution
Simplot Grower Solutions, Vestaron partner to expand product distribution

Vestaron, a manufacturer of peptide-based biocontrols for the specialty crop industry, says it will tap into Simplot Grower Solutions' network of clients and retail operations to expand its reach.

USApple to host weather webinar
USApple to host weather webinar

Drew Lerner, senior agricultural meteorologist and president of World Weather, will share his predictions for spring bloom and weather events that might affect production this growing season.

Cherries from Quebec restricted from entering U.S.
Cherries from Quebec restricted from entering U.S.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service added Quebec to its prohibited import list to prevent the spread of the European cherry fruit fly.

West Mexico growers, distributors deal with economic pressures
West Mexico growers, distributors deal with economic pressures

Continued inflation industrywide, coupled with an unfavorable exchange for growers, is making life difficult for growers and distributors of fresh fruits and vegetables from West Mexico.

G&R Farms anticipates strong Vidalia onion season
G&R Farms anticipates strong Vidalia onion season

With sweet onion sales accounting for 35% of the onion category, retail promotional efforts involving endcap displays, bins and cross-merchandising can increase market share, says the marketer's vice president of sales.

Wegmans trades plastic for plant-based fiber
Wegmans trades plastic for plant-based fiber

The Rochester, N.Y.-based grocer, which has been on a journey to reduce plastic packaging since 2019, shares its process for selecting sustainable options in the prepared foods department.

Mission Produce releases annual sustainability report   
Mission Produce releases annual sustainability report  

Highlighting achievements including water reuse, solar power and tree planting, Mission Produce Inc. has released its fiscal 2023 sustainability report, “Finest for the Future.”

Kroger marks Earth Month with sustainability initiatives
Kroger marks Earth Month with sustainability initiatives

The retailer is celebrating Earth Month with donations to World Wildlife Fund, a reusable bag campaign and sharing progress on Zero Hunger, Zero Waste milestones.

Stemilt president talks ethical migration in support of farmworkers
Stemilt president talks ethical migration in support of farmworkers

The grower, packer and shipper provides an update on the importance of farmworkers and the role of H-2A programs.

Sweetpotato grower set for active spring demand
Sweetpotato grower set for active spring demand

Wynne, Ark.-based Matthews Ridgeview Farms is optimistic for a strong spring sweetpotato season, says Autumn Campbell, sales manager.

Changes are coming to food safety  and traceability regulations —  are retailers ready?
Changes are coming to food safety and traceability regulations — are retailers ready?

As mandatory compliance with the Produce Traceability Initiative and the Food Safety Modernization Act 204 Final Rule looms, retailers are readying for the 2026 implementation deadline. But they can’t do it alone.

AI-based precision crop management company raises $3.8M
AI-based precision crop management company raises $3.8M

Orchard Robotics hopes its artificial intelligence-driven camera system will help growers better understand what’s happening in their orchards and also better predict yields.

California growers anticipate good quality, ample supply this spring
California growers anticipate good quality, ample supply this spring

From vibrant artichokes to crisp lettuce varieties and colorful cauliflower, farms across the Golden State are poised to deliver fresh and nutritious vegetables, boosted by optimal weather conditions.

Study: 70% of retailers lose at least 5% operating margin to in-store inefficiencies
Study: 70% of retailers lose at least 5% operating margin to in-store inefficiencies

Survey results released by Simbe and Coresight Research show many retailers are investing, or planning to invest, in new in-store technology solutions to improve performance across inventory management and operations.

Washington, Oregon counties declared natural disaster areas
Washington, Oregon counties declared natural disaster areas

Following extreme heat in 2023, growers in Washington and Oregon can apply for Farm Service Agency financial services to help recover.

FDA, border patrol partner to improve supply chain traceability
FDA, border patrol partner to improve supply chain traceability

The Food and Drug Administration and Customs and Border Protection said the arrangement will help improve how the agencies capture and share data.

Federal grant funding to highlight organic agriculture in Texas
Federal grant funding to highlight organic agriculture in Texas

The Texas Department of Agriculture will receive nearly $200,000 over the next three years to support promotional and educational activities.

Bland Farms sees Gold Rush for Vidalia onion promotions
Bland Farms sees Gold Rush for Vidalia onion promotions

Glennville, Ga.-based Bland Farms is expecting a strong crop of Vidalia onions this year to go along with its Gold Rush promotional campaign.

Giumarra touts Lemonade apple at AWG Showcase
Giumarra touts Lemonade apple at AWG Showcase

Los Angeles-based Giumarra was stressing the value of the Lemonade apple as a 52-week-per-year option for retailers at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase.

How new research could prevent frost damage in orchards
How new research could prevent frost damage in orchards

In this podcast episode, Advanced Agriscience's Collin Juurakko shares interesting discoveries he's made about how frost crystals form and how that led to a potential solution for tree-fruit growers across the globe.

Cool Creations previews new products at AWG show
Cool Creations previews new products at AWG show

North Kansas City, Mo.-based Cool Creations LLC had two new products to show off at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase, March 25-26.

Dole, Fresh Express nix sale of fresh vegetables division
Dole, Fresh Express nix sale of fresh vegetables division

Following Department of Justice concerns about competition in the packaged salad market, the companies have abandoned the proposed $308 million deal.

Fresh Del Monte named to most trusted companies list
Fresh Del Monte named to most trusted companies list

Fresh Del Monte is among the honorees on the Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2024 list, recognized for a commitment to quality, sustainability and innovation in fresh produce.

Improved conditions for West Mexico produce may arrive with spring
Improved conditions for West Mexico produce may arrive with spring

West Mexico growers faced a tough fall/winter season, but distributors believe things are looking up for spring with increased supplies and more reasonable prices.

What’s next for retail foodservice: Retailers dish up insights in free webinar
What’s next for retail foodservice: Retailers dish up insights in free webinar

"Impact Retail Foodservice 2024" will gather industry experts to discuss opportunities and challenges, as well as share insights for driving growth in the year ahead in one of the hottest departments in grocery.

Natural Delights names new CEO
Natural Delights names new CEO

With CEO Tim Rooney is stepping down to pursue another opportunity, Natural Delights is promoting its chief operating officer, effective April 1.