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Mango importer's campaign to aid jaguar conservation programs
Mango importer's campaign to aid jaguar conservation programs

Splendid by Porvenir says its Save the Jaguar campaign will return to celebrate the upcoming Jaguar honey mango crop.

Pacific Coast Fruit Co. unveils name change
Pacific Coast Fruit Co. unveils name change

The Portland, Ore.-based company says the new name — Pacific Coast Fresh Co. — better reflects the company’s evolution and current offerings.

FirstFruits Farms expands sales team 
FirstFruits Farms expands sales team 

The company says new additions to the sales team will help it add territories and grow in market space in the Midwest.

Driscoll’s offering heart-shaped raspberry clamshell
Driscoll’s offering heart-shaped raspberry clamshell

Driscoll’s says the limited-availability packaging can be found at select retailers while supplies last.

Berries and avocados led growth in U.S. imports of Mexican produce
Berries and avocados led growth in U.S. imports of Mexican produce

From 2014 to 2023, U.S. imports of Mexican berries (excluding strawberries) rose 307%, while avocado imports jumped 215%, USDA trade data shows.

Research details how foodborne pathogens can evade sanitizers
Research details how foodborne pathogens can evade sanitizers

New research shows that foodborne pathogens such as Listeria can persist in packinghouses when biofilms attach to the food's surface and create a shield over the pathogen.

Drought relief noted for some regions in Chile
Drought relief noted for some regions in Chile

Drought is a significant long-term challenge for Chilean fruit producers, but there has been some relief in the past year, a new USDA report on the country’s economic outlook says.

Hy-Vee integrates Instacart's fulfillment capabilities for same-day delivery
Hy-Vee integrates Instacart's fulfillment capabilities for same-day delivery

Hy-Vee has expanded its partnership with Instacart, integrating same-day delivery into its platforms via Instacart's fulfillment-as-a-service, to enhancing the customer experience and meeting evolving needs.

Retail report shows customers flocked to bagged avocados during summer holidays
Retail report shows customers flocked to bagged avocados during summer holidays

The Hass Avocado Board's recent avocado holiday retail recap showed strong Independence Day and Labor Day sales, as customers purchased more than 2 million bagged avocados in the third quarter.

Farmworker Florentino Reyes picks tomatoes Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at a field near Mendota, Calif.
NASDA members urge collaboration by U.S. agencies on ag labor shortages

Members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture have encouraged federal agencies to develop strategies that address agricultural labor shortages across the country.

Side Delights updates Bakeables package design
Side Delights updates Bakeables package design

The brand says the design change comes as shopper demand increases for healthy, convenient and cost-effective meals.

Brighter Bites named strategic partner of MyPlate.gov
Brighter Bites named strategic partner of MyPlate.gov

Brighter Bites joins a variety of organizations and companies to elevate USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate’s mission to encourage healthier eating habits and choices.

USDA invests more than $70M to protect against invasive pests
USDA invests more than $70M to protect against invasive pests

Projects include researching the giant hornet, pest detection in stone fruit, and disease-free citrus planting materials.

$270M awarded to build supply chain resiliency
$270M awarded to build supply chain resiliency

Through a competitive grant process, states and territories will issue subawards of infrastructure grants available through a USDA-administered Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program.

AgroFresh reveals expanded solutions, brand refresh at Fruit Logistica
AgroFresh reveals expanded solutions, brand refresh at Fruit Logistica

The post-harvest technologies provider shared new messaging, a brand refresh and the latest since its September 2023 acquisition of South Africa-based packaging solutions provider Tessara at Fruit Logistica.

Indoor Ag-Con details event's keynotes
Indoor Ag-Con details event's keynotes

The event focused on indoor agriculture and vertical farming returns to Las Vegas on March 11-12 and will feature speakers from Gotham Greens, Red Sun Farms, Little Leaf Farms and more.

Tajín-dipped California strawberries trending for Valentine's Day
Tajín-dipped California strawberries trending for Valentine's Day

Tajín and California Strawberries are highlighting how Tajín-dipped strawberries are a growing trend for Valentine's Day.

Mother Earth Mushrooms launches redesigned website
Mother Earth Mushrooms launches redesigned website

The Pennsylvania-based mushroom grower updated its website to include nutrition, varieties grown and also sections for retailers, distributors and foodservice customers.

Keeping up with the Kardashians and FiveStar Gourmet Foods
Keeping up with the Kardashians and FiveStar Gourmet Foods

What’s trending in the world of pre-packaged gourmet salads? At the recent GOPEX 2024, FiveStar Gourmet Foods' Tal Shoshan dished on the salad trends stealing the show.

SIMBA adds traceability feature
SIMBA adds traceability feature

The software application provides production and inventory tracking and traceability reporting using bar-code technology.

SEPC's Southern Exposure set to return, honor ‘unseen heroes’ of produce industry
SEPC's Southern Exposure set to return, honor ‘unseen heroes’ of produce industry

The Southeast Produce Council is gearing up for its flagship event, the Southern Exposure trade show and conference, March 7-9 in Tampa, Fla., bringing together fresh produce industry leaders, innovators and buyers.

Ahold Delhaize USA has new deal with DoorDash
Ahold Delhaize USA has new deal with DoorDash

Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Co., Hannaford and Stop & Shop customers will gain access to an additional delivery option.

Sipcam Agro expands availability of tool for disease control in grapes
Sipcam Agro expands availability of tool for disease control in grapes

The company’s new biofungicide, Mevalone, is now available to treat bunch rot and powdery mildew in California.

Instacart welcomes Whole Foods Market in Canada
Instacart welcomes Whole Foods Market in Canada

The new partnership brings online grocery delivery to Whole Foods Market customers in Canada for the first time.

USDA: Farm sector profits forecast to fall
USDA: Farm sector profits forecast to fall

U.S. net farm income is forecast by the USDA at $116.1 billion in calendar year 2024, a decrease of $39.8 billion (25.5%) compared with 2023.

Texas A&M works to develop disease-resistant spinach
Texas A&M works to develop disease-resistant spinach

Texas A&M AgriLife researchers are part of a multistate project to help identify disease resistance in spinach to help develop future cultivars.

Report reveals Ontario shoppers' lingering financial concerns
Report reveals Ontario shoppers' lingering financial concerns

The report from the Ontario Produce Marketing Association and Numerator shows Ontario consumer trends amid economic uncertainty, shedding light on spending patterns and sentiments.

Local Bounti secures $15M in funding
Local Bounti secures $15M in funding

This new funding from Cargill Financial Services International is part of the indoor agriculture company’s amended credit facility to continue expansion plans.

Produce Alliance announces new president
Produce Alliance announces new president

Chicago-based Produce Alliance, an entity of the Buyers Edge Platform Fresh Division, has named Chris Rheault as its president.

MountainKing readies petite-sized potato varieties for crawfish season
MountainKing readies petite-sized potato varieties for crawfish season

The fresh potato grower and packager says it will offer its Crawfish B-Red potatoes, Crawfish Medley Pack and Crawfish Gold Pack to retailers, along with additional sales support.

Mastronardi Produce wins four awards at global packaging competition
Mastronardi Produce wins four awards at global packaging competition

The Kingsville, Ontario-based greenhouse grower's marketing team won for its lettuce, tomato, cucumber and berry packaging.

Nature Fresh Farms earns honors for packaging design
Nature Fresh Farms earns honors for packaging design

The Leamington, Ontario-based company received "Best in Class" honors and an Award of Distinction for its packaging design at this year’s PAC Global Awards competition.

Almond Board of California declares Feb. 12 “National Recover Day”
Almond Board of California declares Feb. 12 “National Recover Day”

Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders and California Almonds have teamed up to share the health benefits of incorporating almonds into a recovery day diet, especially on the day after the Super Bowl.

Natural Grocers releases 2023 ESG Report
Natural Grocers releases 2023 ESG Report

The family-operated specialty says the report highlights its continued support of regenerative and sustainable agricultural practices.

Western Growers University introduces Training Needs Assessment Tool
Western Growers University introduces Training Needs Assessment Tool

The resource is designed to streamline training planning, identifying needs to help companies make informed decisions and elevate a team's capabilities.

Autonomous ag robotics company raises $11.5M, eyes U.S. expansion
Autonomous ag robotics company raises $11.5M, eyes U.S. expansion

Saga Robotics’ solutions use UV-C light to eradicate powdery mildew in strawberry fields and vineyards. The company said it plans to expand in the U.S. to deploy its solutions in vineyards thanks to its latest funding.

Toronto-area produce distributors seen gains in foodservice sales
Toronto-area produce distributors seen gains in foodservice sales

Foodservice business in the area has been making gains over the past couple of years, but it’s not yet back to pre-pandemic levels.

FDA ends probe of Listeria outbreak in peaches, nectarines
FDA ends probe of Listeria outbreak in peaches, nectarines

The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the investigation into a listeria outbreak traced to stone fruit is now closed.

Bloom Fresh to license its protected plant varieties in China
Bloom Fresh to license its protected plant varieties in China

Bloom Fresh International Ltd., responsible for table grape varieties such as Cotton Candy and Sweet Globe, will license its protected plant varieties to Chinese growers.

FMI president and CEO criticizes politicization of grocery prices
FMI president and CEO criticizes politicization of grocery prices

Despite inflationary increases and short-term price fluctuations, the real cost of groceries in the U.S. as a share of household income has remained consistent, and relatively flat, over the last two decades.

Stemilt Growers celebrates 60th anniversary
Stemilt Growers celebrates 60th anniversary

One of the largest growers, shippers and packers of cherries, pears and apples recently marked the milestone with celebrations and a look back at the company's history.

ProducePay raises $38M in Series D financing
ProducePay raises $38M in Series D financing

The Los Angeles-based agtech company says it will use the latest capital to accelerate expansion to Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, as well as advance the development of technology and services.

Fresha refreshes website to reflect new-look brand
Fresha refreshes website to reflect new-look brand

The Morris, Minn.-based grower-packer-shipper of carrots says the website will enhance the user’s experience and features a modern design with playful elements.

Study: Multistate foodborne illness outbreaks change public perception of restaurants 
Study: Multistate foodborne illness outbreaks change public perception of restaurants 

Multistate foodborne illness outbreaks bring swift financial losses to restaurants, increased media attention and an environment that makes subsequent smaller outbreaks more financially damaging, a new study says.

CEA Alliance members advocate for indoor farming
CEA Alliance members advocate for indoor farming

At a recent Washington, D.C., fly-in, members of the trade association spoke to federal lawmakers and officials about the vital role controlled environment agriculture plays in the farming industry.

FMI weighs in on proposed food waste national strategy
FMI weighs in on proposed food waste national strategy

The food industry association's comments underscored addressing food loss and waste throughout the entire food supply chain and offered recommendations for consideration as three federal agencies finalize the strategy.

Agrovision celebrates 10 years of growing berries
Agrovision celebrates 10 years of growing berries

The Los Angeles-based producer says it has become the third-largest grower of blueberries in Peru, capturing a leading position in the global premium blueberry market.

Zespri sees dollar and volume gains
Zespri sees dollar and volume gains

Zespri’s SunGold has generated double-digit growth in both dollars and volume helping to solidify a top brand position, the marketer says.

Emergency declared as atmospheric rivers ravage Southern California
Emergency declared as atmospheric rivers ravage Southern California

Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for eight counties as a series of winter storms began impacting much of the state with high winds, damaging rain and heavy snowfall.

Kroger names interim CFO
Kroger names interim CFO

With CFO Gary Millerchip departing for his new role as executive vice president and chief financial officer at Costco Wholesale Corp., Todd Foley will fill the position until a successor is named.