Latest News From Foodservice

National foodservice and marketing agency Advantage Waypoint represents The Fresh Group Ltd. Maglio Cos. 

Potato sales have taken a big turn toward the retail channel during the current COVID-19 pandemic, and suppliers of Idaho spuds have adapted.

The Walmart Foundation has given Brighter Bites $1.5 million to expand to California and support efforts in existing cities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Max Yeater, who spent the past 25 years at Pro*Act, is director of strategy at Pacific International Marketing, a new position at the Salinas, Calif., company.

Vertical farming company Kalera, Orlando, Fla., has hired Marc Jennings as vice president of foodservice sales and Mark Gagnon as vice president of sales for retail accounts.

Andy Hamilton is the new CEO of Markon Cooperative, Salinas, Calif.

Combs Wholesale Produce Co. is moving to a larger space to capitalize on expanding product lines and customer base.

With support from Bayer, the United Fresh Start Foundation is celebrating National School Lunch Week from Oct. 12-16.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending flexibilities to allow free meals to continue to be available to all children throughout the entire 2020-2021 school year. 

Just about all of the Red River Valley potato grower-shippers were impacted to some degree by a drop in foodservice business during the coronavirus pandemic.

Foodservice distributor Ben E. Keith Foods, Ft. Worth, Texas, has named Lipman Family Farms, Immokalee, Fla., as produce supplier of the year.

The Pear Bureau Northwest is celebrating National Pizza Month (October) by bringing back the pear pizza campaign.

Food Fight GA, established during the COVID-19 pandemic to help Atlanta-area restaurant workers and farmers who supply the restaurants, is being recognized with a Produce Marketing Association Impact Award.

Avocados From Mexico has established Avo University, a free online guide with separate training for retailers/wholesalers and foodservice personnel.

FiveStar Gourmet Foods, Ontario, Calif., is introducing a retail and school foodservice line with 12 stock-keeping units, designed to serve families and schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Summerland, British Columbia, has hired Bob Wilkinson as director of sales.

With nearly one in six restaurants closed, the National Restaurant Association is lobbying Congress for more relief from the devastation to foodservice demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the next phase for the restaurant industry becomes clearer, how will distributors and restaurants prepare for what could be a very difficult fall and winter?

Calavo Growers reported avocado volume rose 18.2% in the quarter ending July 31, but that was offset by a 37% decline in average selling prices.

The Platinum Packaging Group, Paramount, Calif., and Terphane have been working together to provide companies with the ability to pack prepared meals with an emphasis on food safety.

Despite the bottom dropping out of the restaurant industry as businesses closed in response to the spread of the coronavirus this spring, mushroom companies saw volume drop just 2% for the year that ended June 30.

The Packer’s Tom Karst visited Aug. 31 with Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, president and CEO of the Produce Better Health Foundation about National Fruits & Veggies Month activities in September.

Consumer prices for food sold at grocery stores declined 1% from June to July but still are running 4.6% higher than a year ago.

The National Watermelon Promotion Board has been working to keep watermelons on foodservice menus even as the COVID-19 pandemic changed the sector.

Loffredo Fresh Foods, Des Moines, Iowa, is branching out to Minneapolis, delivering to customers from a new distribution center.

Basciani Foods Inc., Avondale, Pa., which has been searching for a bag to protect and extend the shelf life of mushrooms for years, is now shipping foodservice packs in bags.

Pro*Act, Monterey, Calif., has hired H.O. “Chip” Walker III as president and CEO.

A new report says some foodservice operators are focusing on healthy items to appeal to consumers.

Salinas, Calif.-based Church Brothers Farms is increasing production and availability of its Ready Leaf and Urban Blend items.

Fresh Innovations LLC has opened two new facilities and plans to launch a new, innovative product in the fall, said Jay Alley, vice president of sales.

Two produce industry veterans, Doug Fisher and Joe Cimino, have established Re Fresh LLC, a Salinas, Calif.-based produce procurement company.

ProPacific Fresh, Durham, Calif., has been awarded a $135 million contract by Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support to supply fresh fruits and vegetables.

To stay afloat, many restaurants have reduced offerings, cut hours and increased pricing. For most , none of this is sustainable for the long term. What are we going to do as a country to help restaurants out?

Freshouse II LLC, Salisbury, N.C., is recalling citrus and potatoes that were packed on equipment on which Listeria monocytogenes was detected during routine testing.

Eagle Eye Produce, Idaho Falls, is shipping new crop yellow and red onions, with white onions to follow soon.

Probably no segment of the economy has suffered more from the COVID-19 pandemic than the foodservice industry.

Mangoes already are an extremely popular item in restaurants, but industry members heard from some subject matter experts about how to boost the fruit’s acceptance even more during a web seminar.

Commodity boards, commissions and councils have found that partnering with foodservice operations is an effective way to move more of their product.

Customer transactions at major U.S. restaurant chains may have dipped by 10% the week ending July 5 compared to a year ago, but the decline was an improvement over the previous week’s 14%, drop.

Whether it’s providing fresh produce for foodservice operators, retailers or other customers, sustainability is top of mind at Oxnard, Calif.-based Boskovich Farms Inc., said Mike O’Leary.

If you ask a produce supplier how foodservice business has been these days, you’re likely to get a blank stare.

Eagle Eye Produce, Idaho Falls, is shipping new crop russets, which will be followed shortly by harvesting of red and yellow potatoes.

Meal kit provider Hello Fresh has won Santa Paula, Calif.-based Limoneira Co. inaugural Pink Lemon of the Year Award for 2019-20.

Recovering from the human and economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic won’t be easy.

Fresh produce advocates Lori Taylor and Shreela Sharma recently spoke at the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior’s annual conference.

The world has changed for Morrison Healthcare, which provides food for more than 750 hospitals and healthcare systems nationwide, but the hospital cafes never closed.

The California Avocado Commission, Irvine, has customized retail and foodservice promotions planned throughout the summer.

How was your experience at PMA Foodservice Delivered? The Packer's Tom Karst, Ashley Nickle and Amy Sowder compare notes on the second big online event for the produce industry in this episode of Packer Insight.

Once the foodservice industry re-emerges from the coronavirus shutdowns, it will be changed forever. How does the industry make sure the change is for the better?

The 2020 Produce Marketing Association Foodservice: Delivered conference brought attendees from more than 40 different countries together for virtual networking and education sessions.