Latest News From Industry

Alsum Farms to celebrate 50 years of ‘Growing Goodness’
Alsum Farms to celebrate 50 years of ‘Growing Goodness’

A half-century in the making, the Friesland, Wis.-based fresh market grower, packer and shipper of Wisconsin Healthy Grown potatoes, pumpkins and onions is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023.

USDA announces $39M grape purchase
USDA announces $39M grape purchase

The agency said the grapes will be used for distribution to child nutrition and other related domestic food assistance programs for fiscal year 2023, which extends through the end of September.

KeHE Distributors acquires DPI Specialty Foods
KeHE Distributors acquires DPI Specialty Foods

KeHE Distributors says the transaction broadens its customer base and bolsters its existing warehouse infrastructure.

Florida tomato leaders asks Commerce Department to revise approach to Mexico-U.S. tomato trade
Florida tomato leaders asks Commerce Department to revise approach to Mexico-U.S. tomato trade

A Florida group has asked the Commerce Department to dump price agreements and implement antidumping duties on Mexican tomatoes.

Michigan Apple Committee to launch new website for the 2023 crop year
Michigan Apple Committee to launch new website for the 2023 crop year

The Michigan Apple Committee will launch a new, re-designed website for the 2023 crop year, says Diane Smith, executive director.

Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance backs disaster relief, mechanization bills
Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance backs disaster relief, mechanization bills

The specialty crop alliance is endorsing two bills that it believes supports a competitive and strong future for the sector in both domestic and global marketplaces.

Oceanside Pole and Oppy eye vine-ripened tomato harvest   
Oceanside Pole and Oppy eye vine-ripened tomato harvest  

California’s Oceanside Pole says it’s ready to harvest the season’s first vine-ripened tomatoes at the end of June alongside exclusive marketer Oppy.

Dole to offer a 'Pine for a Pint' in nationwide blood drive
Dole to offer a 'Pine for a Pint' in nationwide blood drive

Celebrating National Pineapple Day, Dole is launching a blood drive and charitable campaign June 27 in eight U.S. cities in honor of the pineapple’s hospitality and friendship symbolism.

Congress funds breeding and HLB programs to bolster citrus industry
Congress funds breeding and HLB programs to bolster citrus industry

Congress is funding an additional $1 million to a breeding program in California to identify new citrus varieties best suited for changing climatic pressures, such as drought, and resistant to pests and diseases.

How Albert Heijn’s produce supplier is using AI to reduce strawberry waste
How Albert Heijn’s produce supplier is using AI to reduce strawberry waste

The Netherlands largest supermarket chain and its sole produce supplier have partnered with OneThird, a Dutch food tech company created to address the annual loss of one-third of all food produced due to spoilage.

Whole Foods Market honors Ciruli Bros. with Supplier All-Star Award
Whole Foods Market honors Ciruli Bros. with Supplier All-Star Award

The Arizona-based produce broker, shipper and wholesaler received Whole Foods Market’s annual supplier award that recognizes 15 brands that raise the bar for quality, innovation, value and social responsibility.

What’s new at OPS 2023
What’s new at OPS 2023

The countdown is on for Organic Produce Summit 2023, which organizers say is on track to be the largest in the event’s history and is slated to include several new additions to the two-day gathering.

Year-over-year inflation slows in May
Year-over-year inflation slows in May

Overall year-over-year consumer inflation fell from 4.9% in April to 4% in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

‘Today’ show’s Al Roker spotlights California Avocado Month
‘Today’ show’s Al Roker spotlights California Avocado Month

Just in time for California Avocado Month, the “Today” show featured a story from Al Roker about his visit to one of the state's oldest avocado groves, Rancho Vazquez in Azusa, Calif.

Produce advocates press Congress about next farm bill
Produce advocates press Congress about next farm bill

According to recent testimony, top farm bill priorities for specialty crops include research, crop insurance, conservation and the climate, nutrition, the Specialty Crop Block Grants initiative, organics and trade.

Cool cucumbers, perfect peppers: Winners of annual Greenhouse Competitions announced
Cool cucumbers, perfect peppers: Winners of annual Greenhouse Competitions announced

The Greenhouse Competitions, presented in part by farm sponsors Sunset/Mastronardi Produce Ltd. and Nature Fresh Farms, kicked off June 7 with 183 entries delivered to Kingsville Community Centre in Ontario.

Sun World acquires mango variety, plans to expand portfolio
Sun World acquires mango variety, plans to expand portfolio

Kankun is the first commercial Sun World mango variety available for license, the company says.

Mission Produce reports 19% growth in Q2 avocado volume  
Mission Produce reports 19% growth in Q2 avocado volume  

While the company saw 19% growth in avocado volume sold in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year, its total revenue for that period decreased 20% to $221.1 million compared to last year.

AeroFarms’ Marc Oshima ‘optimistic’ in face of Chapter 11 filing
AeroFarms’ Marc Oshima ‘optimistic’ in face of Chapter 11 filing

The indoor vertical farmer is the latest controlled environment agriculture company to suffer a setback, but the company's Marc Oshima is confident that AeroFarms will emerge stronger.

Agriculture groups support U.K. trade opportunity
Agriculture groups support U.K. trade opportunity

Multiple agriculture organizations are urging Congress to give President Joe Biden the authority to negotiate a comprehensive trade agreement with the United Kingdom.

AppHarvest faces foreclosure of its Richmond tomato farm
AppHarvest faces foreclosure of its Richmond tomato farm

A recent public filing could cause the indoor grower to default on its Richmond farm facility and trigger a domino effect, leading to additional farm foreclosures.

USDA to raise fee for full lot inspection services by 8%
USDA to raise fee for full lot inspection services by 8%

Starting in October the USDA will be charging increased fees for selected specialty crop grading and inspection services.

IFG set to open research lab this summer 
IFG set to open research lab this summer 

The new laboratory is part of the Bakersfield, Calif.-based table grape breeder’s $19 million IFG Discovery Center Campus that is slated to open in spring 2024.

California Avocado Commission director shares leadership insights at conference
California Avocado Commission director shares leadership insights at conference

The California Avocado Commission shared guidance to the next generation of women leaders in fresh produce at the IFPA Women’s Fresh Perspective Conference in Orlando, Fla.

Seed breeder Enza Zaden touts research approach and global accomplishments
Seed breeder Enza Zaden touts research approach and global accomplishments

Since 1938, Enza Zaden has been expanding its seed-breeding innovation to countries throughout the world.

Arkansas Grown program heating up for summer
Arkansas Grown program heating up for summer

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Arkansas Grown program has a lot on its plate this summer, with plans for an advertising campaign and farmers market week, while preparing for its annual expo.

Produce industry podcast celebrates 1 million downloads
Produce industry podcast celebrates 1 million downloads

Patrick Kelly’s three year old podcast has grown not only in episodes and downloads, but also in number of productions and products.

Demand for greenhouse produce fuels sales surge, innovation
Demand for greenhouse produce fuels sales surge, innovation

As climate change presents farmers with serious challenges in the field, from prolonged drought periods to heat waves, the greenhouse produce business is booming.

Alpine Fresh breaks ground on Florida facility
Alpine Fresh breaks ground on Florida facility

The Miami-based grower, shipper and marketer is expanding its operational capabilities with a new cold storage facility in Sweetwater, Fla.

Canadian produce industry urges government to support its sustainability efforts
Canadian produce industry urges government to support its sustainability efforts

Canadian fresh produce industry leaders met with parliamentarians and government officials at the May 30 Farm to Plate 2023 held in Ottawa.

Brighter Bites celebrates community collaboration
Brighter Bites celebrates community collaboration

Brighter Bites recently held its inaugural Monterey County Spring Luncheon in Monterey, Calif., for a larger conversation on creating communities of health through fresh food.

Summer watermelon promo spotlights fruit's mood-boosting benefits
Summer watermelon promo spotlights fruit's mood-boosting benefits

The National Watermelon Promotion Board has launched a summer-long promotion leveraging recent research that finds the majority of consumers say eating watermelon boosts their mood.

Rice Fruit Co. celebrates 110 years
Rice Fruit Co. celebrates 110 years

Biglerville, Pa.-based Rice Fruit Co. is celebrating 110 years in 2023, but the history of the Rice family in the region goes back even further.

Gem-Pack and Well-Pict Berries combine companies
Gem-Pack and Well-Pict Berries combine companies

The Irvine, Calif.-based Gem-Pack is “excited to welcome the Well-Pict team and its impactful brand into the company’s already dynamic assemblage.”

Senate committee hears voices for H-2A reform
Senate committee hears voices for H-2A reform

From farm to table, immigrant workers get the job done. At least for now. That was the theme of a May 31 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing where lawmakers heard impassioned testimony from growers and worker advocates.

Association: Debt limit agreement could cause WIC funding shortfall
Association: Debt limit agreement could cause WIC funding shortfall

The tentative agreement to suspend the debt ceiling could have negative consequences for the Women Infants and Children program, an advocacy group says.

Arable Capital Partners invests in Organicgirl
Arable Capital Partners invests in Organicgirl

The agribusiness and sustainable food investor has added Organicgirl salad company to its portfolio of investments that include Blazer Wilkinson Gee, Laurel AG & Water, Pacific Trellis Fruit and Royal Ridge Fruits.

T&G commissions automated New Zealand packhouse
T&G commissions automated New Zealand packhouse

The automated facility, with 1.7 hectares of roof space, is expected to pack more than 125 million kilograms of apples per season — twice the volume of apples currently packed — once construction is complete.

How Fresh Del Monte is using data to drive sustainability
How Fresh Del Monte is using data to drive sustainability

Fresh Del Monte has partnered with Inteligistics to use its cloud-based technology to track and link quality data, transportation, storage conditions and shipping information from its avocado packing facility in Mexico.

Eastern Produce Council’s annual BBQ celebrates New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Doug Fisher
Eastern Produce Council’s annual BBQ celebrates New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Doug Fisher

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture hosted the Eastern Produce Council's Annual BBQ May 23, at Demarest Farm in Hillsdale, N.J., celebrating a leader's retirement, a scholarship winner and sharing crop updates.

Experts discuss what's ahead for the shifting CEA marketplace
Experts discuss what's ahead for the shifting CEA marketplace

A panel that included a retailer, distributor, marketer and grower shared insights on where the indoor ag market is headed and ways to support its growth at the West Coast Produce Expo in Palm Desert, Calif.

USDA restricts PACA violators in California and Texas from operating
USDA restricts PACA violators in California and Texas from operating

The USDA says it has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce.

California Giant Berry Farms eyes promotable strawberry volumes
California Giant Berry Farms eyes promotable strawberry volumes

The Watsonville, Calif.-based company predicts a bountiful summer of California strawberries ahead, as it forecasts promotable volumes of its cornerstone product.

New study tags New Yorkers as 'most obsessed' with produce
New study tags New Yorkers as 'most obsessed' with produce

New York, California and Massachusetts are tops in per capita consumer interest in fruits and vegetables, according to new research.

Fresh Farms launches ‘Taste to Believe’ campaign ahead of Mexican grape season
Fresh Farms launches ‘Taste to Believe’ campaign ahead of Mexican grape season

The Sonora, Mexico-based grower, packer and shipper of high-quality produce has launched a new marketing campaign designed to encourage consumers to try a variety of candy grapes.

Opal Apple Youth Make A Difference Initiative announces grant awardees
Opal Apple Youth Make A Difference Initiative announces grant awardees

Yakima, Wash.-based FirstFruits Farms, in conjunction with Opal Apple, has announced the recipients of the Opal Youth Make A Difference Grant.

What’s down the road for transportation costs?
What’s down the road for transportation costs?

To learn how the late start to this year’s domestic produce season might impact transportation costs and availability, The Packer recently spoke with Dean Croke, principal analyst for DAT Freight & Analytics.

FreshEdge acquires Panama Banana
FreshEdge acquires Panama Banana

Indianapolis-based FreshEdge, a family of fresh food distribution companies backed by Wind Point Partners, has acquired Chicago wholesaler Panama Banana.

Revol Greens cuts ribbon on 20-acre greenhouse in Texas
Revol Greens cuts ribbon on 20-acre greenhouse in Texas

The indoor ag grower has added 20 acres in Central Texas to its controlled environment agriculture footprint, which also includes operations in Minnesota, Georgia and California.

Mushroom Council targets Texas BBQ music festival with ‘Shroom House’
Mushroom Council targets Texas BBQ music festival with ‘Shroom House’

At Austin’s Hot Luck Food and Music Festival, there will be a “Shroom House” experiential collaboration with Wicked Kitchen’s Chef Derek Sarno.