Latest News From Industry

A Florida woman pleaded guilty on April 6 to a federal racketeering conspiracy that victimized Mexican agricultural workers admitted into the U.S. under the H-2A temporary visa program, according to a news release.

Lewis Center, Ohio-based Triple T Transport is launching Stay In Your Lane, a weekly podcast tackling the issues facing the modern logistics and transport industry, according to a news release.

These news items were gathered from media releases and booth information at Fruit Logistica, which took place April 5-7 in Berlin, Germany.

Beating the pandemic odds, Toughkenamon, Pa.-based Manfredi Cold Storage & Distribution is in expansion mode, says President Frank Manfredi.

The Packer sits down with Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, president and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation, to discuss the organization's upcoming annual Consumer Connection Conference.

U.S. fresh apples in storage on April 1 totaled 53.3 million 42-pound cartons, 4% more than the inventories reported last April and 1.9% less than the April five-year average, according to the U.S. Apple Association.

The 2022 Fruit Logistica Innovation Award went to the Amela tomato by Granada La Palma from Spain, according to a news release.

Out on the show floor and in business sessions, sustainability was a hot topic as was the need for the industry to continue to innovate and drive fresh produce consumption.

The April 5-7 Fruit Logistica show in Berlin was the backdrop of several developments at TOMRA Food that recognized the company’s past growth and future ambitions.

A coalition of farmers and organizations ran an ad in the Wall Street Journal to educate consumers on the fact that farms producing much of the food in the U.S. shouldn't be taken for granted.

While the pandemic created intense discomfort, it also taught the industry it can change and change quickly, said Ron Lemaire at the 96th annual CPMA Convention and Trade Show.

11% of customers purchased apricots within the past 12 months. They were the No. 1 fruit that shoppers bought as organic periodically, with 50% of buyers saying they selected organic fruit at least some of the time.

The long tail of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to influence the fresh produce industry, and a new 36-page trends report from Fruit Logistica looks at how operators are using lessons learned to prepare for tomorrow.

Chilean exporter Subsole, agreed to sell to Frutura, formed in 2021 with the acquisition of Agrícola Don Ricardo in Peru, Dayka & Hackett in California and TerraFresh Organics US and Frutura Uruguay in March 2022.

On March 22, the USDA and the Texas Department of Agriculture established a new Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine in Zapata, Zapata County, Texas.

The USDA announced that Carla Langarcia, doing business as Barajas Produce, satisfied a $7,293 reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.

The USDA announced that Alko Green Fresh LLC satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $19,900 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.

U.S. and Mexican agriculture officials have agreed that U.S. fresh potato access will expand in Mexico by May 15.

Bradford, Ontario-based Gwillimdale Farms has announced the debut of a brand new and fully automated potato grading system that has created room for a new line of No. 2 potatoes called Conscious Consumption.

Western Fresh Marketing Inc. recently moved to a new office in Fresno, Calif., after 23 years in nearby Madera. The new location places the company more strategically.

ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, has announced it has entered an agreement to acquire a majority equity stake in Unifrutti Group, a global distributor of fresh produce, from existing shareholders.

California water agencies will receive just 5% of what they requested. That’s down from an allocated 15% in January. The beginning of 2022 was the driest January through March stretch in 100 years.

The USDA announced that Carioto Produce, Inc., satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $11,510 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.

The USDA has announced that Natura Fresh LLC satisfied a $3,168 reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.

The fourth Eastern Produce Council Leadership Class — including produce retailer and supplier professionals — saw first-hand the increasing complexity of the produce logistics and distribution system.

Bobalu Berry Farms continues to celebrate 60 years in business with yet another milestone. For the first time, the company has offices in the Watsonville/Salinas, Calif. area.

Calavo has unveiled a brand refresh that company leaders say signals the evolution of the legacy brand to an image and personality that highlights the marketer’s “one-company vision” and future innovation.

Collaboration is not a word that comes to mind in politics these days. On March 29, 2022, the state of California, the federal government and San Joaquin Valley water leaders made an announcement of agreement.

Los Alamitos, Calif.-based Frieda’s Inc. is celebrating 60 years in business and is taking the opportunity to celebrate the innovations the company has contributed over the decades.

A March 31 fire at San Juan, Texas-based Rio Fresh Inc. has significantly damaged a large portion of the company's fresh onion packing facility, according to a news release.

The USDA announced it intends to renew the charter of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC).

Martori Farms, a grower and shipper of melons nationwide, recently acquired Santa Rosa Produce. The merging of the two farms will increase Martori’s supply of melons.

Limes from Mexico, Colombia and Peru give SiCar Farms plenty of options for consumers, said Jackie Carrillo, director of sales and marketing for the McAllen, Texas-based company.

The commodity markets came under pressure to start the week as traders tried to shed risk over shipping concerns in China as COVID-19 concerns caused officials to shut down transportation amid a two-pronged lockdown.

Registration for the West Coast Produce Expo (WCPE) golf tournament is now open and spots are filling up fast.

President Biden's USDA FY 2023 budget proposal focuses on climate, conservation and research with $3.8 billion discretionary spending increase for USDA with climate, conservation and clean energy the major focal points.

The USDA has announced that LS & CX LLC satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $73,586 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.

Retailer recognizes the Salinas, Calif.-based produce company as a "top performer and supplier."

The industry looks forward to this year’s Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s annual Convention and Trade Show in Montreal.

Juice has been a popular alternative to eating fresh fruits and vegetables for some time. Fresno, Calif.-based Trinity Fruit Sales has added their own brand to the table.

The California Fresh Fruit Association kicked off its new fiscal year on Tuesday, March 15, during the annual membership meeting at the 86th annual meeting in Laguna Beach, California.

Susanne Klose is the new senior director of research and development at Church Brothers Farms. She has a strong scientific background working for UC Davis, Iowa State University and universities in Germany.

BioSafe Systems, LLC is a leader in environmentally sustainable practices and products. The company has developed a soil amendment and foliage spray that bolsters crop health in agricultural and horticultural crops.

Porterville, Calif.-based Homegrown Organic Farms has announced its Northwest organic blueberry farms in Oregon have earned Equitable Food Initiative certification. 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.  – After two years of virtual events, Kansas City, Kan.-based Associated Wholesale Grocers brought back its Innovation Showcase in-person for 2022, and the March 21-23 event didn’t disappoint.

USDA now expects food price inflation in 2022 to be from 4.5% to 5.5%, compared with 2021, based on the all-food Consumer Price Index. No category shows a potential decline.

Don’t be afraid to get a little personal on social media, even on the business-focused Linkedin platform.

Supply chain logistics,  food safety, social responsibility, and U.S.-Mexico trade issues were hot topics at the March 16 Spring Policy Summit, hosted by the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas.

Reedley, Calif.-based Frutura has signed an agreement to acquire Uruguay-based Citrícola Salteña (Caputto), a global supplier and marketer of high-quality citrus and juice, according to a news release.

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association has announced the "rising stars" participating in its mentoring program during this year's convention in Montreal.