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Santos International marks 50 years of service
Santos International marks 50 years of service

The McAllen, Texas-based logistics company is highlighting its service, innovation and advocacy and will mark the milestone by hosting events throughout the year.

Bloom Fresh appoints interim CEO
Bloom Fresh appoints interim CEO

Kenneth Avery has departed as CEO following a six-month tenure that began with the acquisition of International Fruit Genetics by Amfresh and its merging with SNFL Group.

Heritage Grocers Group launches loyalty program
Heritage Grocers Group launches loyalty program

Cardenas Rewards offers points for purchases, as well as access to digital deals, exclusive offers and personalized savings via the mobile app or website.

D.C. Section of IFT to host food policy impact summit
D.C. Section of IFT to host food policy impact summit

Food Policy Impact 2024 will review updates in food and nutrition-related regulations, policies and programs, as well as get industry input on how organizations are planning to or are already responding to the changes.

RaboResearch publishes its North American Agribusiness Review
RaboResearch publishes its North American Agribusiness Review

Rabobank’s RaboResearch Food and Agribusiness team in North America has announced the publication of the North American Agribusiness Review.

What a consumer survey shows about packaged produce purchasing habits
What a consumer survey shows about packaged produce purchasing habits

The Packer's Fresh Trends 2024 survey asked consumers if they purchased packed produce in the past year. Here's what the data shows in various shopper demographics.

Better Earth launches e-commerce platform and expands staff
Better Earth launches e-commerce platform and expands staff

The Atlanta-based compostable packaging supplier says its new e-commerce store enables restaurant owners, caterers and eco-conscious consumers to quickly find and purchase compostable foodservice packaging products.

New Jersey grower wins National Outstanding Young Farmer Award
New Jersey grower wins National Outstanding Young Farmer Award

Byron DuBois was among award finalists selected based on progress in an agricultural career, the extent of soil and water conservation practices and contributions to the well-being of the community, state and nation,

Allen Lund Co. promotes GM to senior director of carrier development
Allen Lund Co. promotes GM to senior director of carrier development

In the role, Matt Minthorn will focus on the carrier side of ALC's business, overseeing activities related to carrier relations, compliance, and fraud prevention.

Lipman Family Farms adds board members
Lipman Family Farms adds board members

The four newly appointed board members will help drive growth and innovation, bringing experience in distribution, retail, ag biotech and more to enhance strategic vision and sustainability, the company says.

Dole Organic Fair Trade Certified Pineapples earn Good Housekeeping sustainable innovation award
Dole Organic Fair Trade Certified Pineapples earn Good Housekeeping sustainable innovation award

Dole Organic Fair Trade Certified Pineapples are grown year-round in Costa Rica according to strict social, environmental and economic standards, says Dole Food Co.

EPC annual gala to honor former president Marianne Santo
EPC annual gala to honor former president Marianne Santo

The Eastern Produce Council is set to honor former president Marianne Santo at the John McAleavey Annual Gala on April 6.

Grower-shippers optimistic about productive Southeast berry season
Grower-shippers optimistic about productive Southeast berry season

Here's why they expect to see ample volume of good-quality strawberries, blueberries and blackberries during the late winter and early spring period.

Citrus canker quarantine expanded in Texas
Citrus canker quarantine expanded in Texas

Following positive detections, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Texas Department of Agriculture established new quarantine areas and expanded existing quarantine areas.

Fresh Produce Association of Americas adds produce industry veterans 
Fresh Produce Association of Americas adds produce industry veterans 

John Toner and Phil Gruszka have joined the organization as business development directors.

Zespri's latest forecast shows high returns for end of season
Zespri's latest forecast shows high returns for end of season

Good fruit quality and an increase in demand helped the New Zealand-based kiwifruit marketer increase orchard gate returns for the 2023-24 season.

IFCO delivers record environmental savings during 2023
IFCO delivers record environmental savings during 2023

The provider of reusable packaging containers for fresh products, also awarded customers with sustainability certificates to highlight specific environmental savings achieved with IFCO.

Sorma Group launches new box-filling robot
Sorma Group launches new box-filling robot

The robot can place up to 30 to 40 packs of produce a minute, an efficiency that can substitute for one or two production line operators, the company says.

Garden of Eden re-opens culinary destination with Manhattan store
Garden of Eden re-opens culinary destination with Manhattan store

Garden of Eden and Eden Gourmet Marketplace celebrated 30 years with a store re-opening in Gramercy Park, offering premium groceries and community discounts.

Stemilt Growers shares organic promotion ideas for spring
Stemilt Growers shares organic promotion ideas for spring

With ample supply and Earth Day nearing, the Wenatchee, Wash.-based packer, grower and distributor is offering tips on how retailers can capitalize on the growing interest in the organic category.

Kwik Lok has new director of business development
Kwik Lok has new director of business development

Chris Latta, most recently vice president of global sales for Binsfeld Engineering, has experience with sales, marketing and industrial design.

FiveStar Gourmet Foods adds former Chiquita exec to board
FiveStar Gourmet Foods adds former Chiquita exec to board

The Ontario, Calif.-based company said Chris Dougan, former senior vice president of sales for Chiquita Brands International and Fresh Express, will be instrumental in shaping its future growth.

Study shows $2.5B impact of potatoes on Michigan's economy
Study shows $2.5B impact of potatoes on Michigan's economy

A Michigan State University report published by the Michigan Potato Industry Commission shows potatoes as the second-largest specialty crop grown in the state.

Category Partners names director of analytics
Category Partners names director of analytics

With a background in category management and market research, Walter Liu brings experience from his tenures at Del Monte Fresh Produce and Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

 Pear Bureau executive elected chairman of World Apple and Pear Association
Pear Bureau executive elected chairman of World Apple and Pear Association

The World Apple and Pear Association has elected Jeff Correa, director of international marketing at Pear Bureau Northwest, as chairman of the association.

Agrovision pens large-scale berry farming deal in China
Agrovision pens large-scale berry farming deal in China

The Los Angeles-based producer and year-round supplier of premium superfruits has signed an agreement to introduce large-scale farming operations in the Yunnan province of China.

Grupo Alta hosts farmworker social event ahead of Jalisco grape season
Grupo Alta hosts farmworker social event ahead of Jalisco grape season

La Escuela de Asociados, which is Spanish for the School of Associates, is a key component of Grupo Alta's recruitment process when new workers from the southern states of Mexico migrate north for employment.

The Packer seeks nominations for the 2024 Canadian Produce Person of the Year
The Packer seeks nominations for the 2024 Canadian Produce Person of the Year

Do you know someone who is advancing the Canadian produce industry, creating change and giving a voice to the underrepresented in fresh produce? The Packer wants to hear from you. Deadline for nominations is March 18.

Save Mart Cos. names new chief merchandising and marketing officer
Save Mart Cos. names new chief merchandising and marketing officer

Chris Hooks, whose experience spans conventional grocery, discount retail and private label, joins the Modesto, Calif.-based grocer's executive leadership team.

How CHEP U.S. strives to increase supply chain efficiency
How CHEP U.S. strives to increase supply chain efficiency

CHEP U.S. aims to help growers and their partners across the supply network transport fresh produce more efficiently, sustainably and safely, says Jason Adlam, vice president of new business development.

Survey reveals consumer attitudes toward packaging
Survey reveals consumer attitudes toward packaging

Consumers appreciate the economy of bulk produce, but packaged produce also has strong consumer appeal, according to The Packer's Fresh Trends 2024 survey.

How technology can help protect bees and aid beekeepers
How technology can help protect bees and aid beekeepers

In this "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast episode, Omer Davidi, CEO of beehive technology platform BeeHero, shares how his company’s innovations help maximize crop yields for an important resource in the produce industry. 

UnitedAg set for April annual meeting
UnitedAg set for April annual meeting

The three-day event has a focus on collaboration and networking; UnitedAg said the event’s attendance will include over 300 representatives from member organizations, partners and other influential ag leaders.

Emissions data added to corrugated industry life-cycle assessment
Emissions data added to corrugated industry life-cycle assessment

Companies tracking environmental, social and governance, or ESG, performance can now find more information for the life-cycle assessment of corrugated packaging.

Sunkist to play matchmaker for National Sunkist Citrus Day
Sunkist to play matchmaker for National Sunkist Citrus Day

The California-based fresh citrus cooperative is offering tools to help consumers use citrus to elevate at-home meals and providing displays to help retailers boost sales.

Chiquita pledges additional 10 years of protection to nature reserve
Chiquita pledges additional 10 years of protection to nature reserve

The Nogal Reserve in Costa Rica was established as a private wildlife refuge as the result of a joint effort between Chiquita and a portion of its clients, honoring the communities and land from which its bananas grow.

IFPA convenes global executive leaders at Berlin summit
IFPA convenes global executive leaders at Berlin summit

BERLIN — International Fresh Produce Association's annual Executive Leadership Summit, held one day prior to Fruit Logistica, welcomed more than 120 executive leaders from 24 countries.

California Ag Leadership Foundation adds board members
California Ag Leadership Foundation adds board members

Measure to Improve's CEO and Burford Ranch's director of farming have joined the foundation board.

Seen and heard at Fruit Logistica 2024 — Part 3
Seen and heard at Fruit Logistica 2024 — Part 3

BERLIN — From new tech to new tastes and so much more, innovation filled the aisles at the recent Fruit Logistica, held Feb. 7-9 at Messe Berlin.

BeeHero adds chief sales and marketing officer
BeeHero adds chief sales and marketing officer

Industry veteran Ze’ev Barylk brings experience from Rivulus and Netafilm to the precision pollination and hive sensing company.

National Produce Prescription Collaborative’s fly-in promotes food as medicine
National Produce Prescription Collaborative’s fly-in promotes food as medicine

The event, hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services, highlighted the correlation between nutrition and health.

Ontario greenhouse industry faces challenges amid growth potential
Ontario greenhouse industry faces challenges amid growth potential

While the past few years have been volatile, growers in the province see plenty of opportunities.

Brambles ranked second-most sustainable company
Brambles ranked second-most sustainable company

Atlanta-based Brambles has advanced one position to be ranked the second most sustainable company in the world by Corporate Knights in its 2024 Global 100 list.

These consumers are more likely to avoid produce in plastic packaging
These consumers are more likely to avoid produce in plastic packaging

The Packer's Fresh Trends 2024 showed that 44% of all surveyed consumers indicated they try to avoid buying produce in plastic packaging.

Honeybear Brands shares details on Chilean apple, pear imports
Honeybear Brands shares details on Chilean apple, pear imports

Honeybear Brands says it is gearing up to deliver a bounty of fresh Chilean apples and pears to retailers nationwide.

California Table Grape Commission advocates for competitiveness
California Table Grape Commission advocates for competitiveness

In remarks to the USDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, incoming commission president Ian LeMay encouraged promotions to extend access to markets.

USDA: Ag imports to slow, but fresh produce imports to remain relatively strong
USDA: Ag imports to slow, but fresh produce imports to remain relatively strong

Within the broad horticultural products group, fresh fruits and vegetables imports are forecast to grow at a relatively strong annual rate of 2.1% over the decade, the USDA said in its long-term trade projection.

Another state files lawsuit to block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger
Another state files lawsuit to block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is seeking to block the Kroger-Albertsons merger, citing consumer harm. The companies have defended the merger and pledged to fight lawsuit.

Stemilt president and CEO named Apple Citizen of the Year
Stemilt president and CEO named Apple Citizen of the Year

Washington State Apple Blossom Festival recognized the Stemilt executive for the company’s support of the state’s tree fruit industry.

Report: Fruit and nut production to show mixed trends
Report: Fruit and nut production to show mixed trends

While noncitrus fruit production is predicted to remain relatively stable for the next decade, citrus output will fluctuate and nut production is projected to grow, the USDA says in its long-term outlook report.