Latest News From Industry

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wholesale Produce Supply adds G.O. Fresh 
Wholesale Produce Supply adds G.O. Fresh 

Wholesale Produce Supply, a portfolio company of Cross Rapids Capital LP, says the addition of G.O. Fresh expands its fresh-cut capabilities and product offerings.

Applicants sought for SEPC leadership program
Applicants sought for SEPC leadership program

The Southeast Produce Council is welcoming applications for the second class of the Next Generation Leadership Academy, a year-long program is designed to honor and invest in future leaders in the produce industry.

Why it's important to advocate for the produce industry
Why it's important to advocate for the produce industry

In this "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast episode, Marissa Dake of DNO Produce joins LeAnne Ruzzamenti with EFI to discuss how everyone in the fresh produce industry can be an advocate, starting with a few small steps.

Wonderful Pistachios and Major League Eating to host Get Crackin’ Eating Championship
Wonderful Pistachios and Major League Eating to host Get Crackin’ Eating Championship

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa is set to compete against world champion competitive eater Joey Chestnut during the second annual Wonderful Pistachios Get Crackin’ Eating Championship on World Pistachio Day.

USApple unveils 2024 NextGen Apple Fellowship class
USApple unveils 2024 NextGen Apple Fellowship class

Young professionals will participate in the association’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and will get firsthand experience with legislative and regulatory issues important to the apple industry.

Agtools to show at Fruit Logistica
Agtools to show at Fruit Logistica

Irvine, Calif.-based Agtools is heading to the Feb. 7-9 Fruit Logistica show in Berlin, Germany to share insights on avocados.

Mission Produce to showcase ripening innovation at Fruit Logistica
Mission Produce to showcase ripening innovation at Fruit Logistica

The Oxnard, Calif.-based company, which sources, produces and distributes fresh hass avocados, is set to showcase its advanced ripe-room technology, “Mission Control,” at Fruit Logistica, Feb. 7-9, in Berlin.

Dole celebrates 125th year of its banana business
Dole celebrates 125th year of its banana business

Dole is marking 125 years of farming, shipping and selling bananas in 2024 with a year-long celebration featuring contests, partnerships, proclamations, recipes and other promotions.

American Farm Bureau, others sue California over climate regulations
American Farm Bureau, others sue California over climate regulations

The American Farm Bureau Federation, Western Growers Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the California Chamber of Commerce claim the new laws violate the First Amendment and overstep the Clean Air Act.

Chiquita teams with Happy Art Movement founder Romero Britto
Chiquita teams with Happy Art Movement founder Romero Britto

Seeking to capture the “joyful spirit” of its brand, Chiquita says its latest campaign, “Pop by Nature,” is a vivid fusion of art and nature.

USDA report highlights results of pesticide residue tests in food
USDA report highlights results of pesticide residue tests in food

The 2022 Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary notes that tests were conducted on 10,665 samples from 23 commodities including fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, dairy, nuts and grains.

USDA grants aim to fuel specialty crop research, global exports
USDA grants aim to fuel specialty crop research, global exports

A new initiative provides $65 million for projects to help the specialty crop sector increase global exports and an additional $72.9 million is available for research through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

FPAA outlines plans for its Spring Policy Summit
FPAA outlines plans for its Spring Policy Summit

The event is dedicated to cultivating meaningful discussions surrounding policies and regulations impacting the importation of fresh produce, the association says.

Consumer Connection Conference aims to ignite fresh produce consumption, outreach
Consumer Connection Conference aims to ignite fresh produce consumption, outreach

Designed to connect the fresh produce industry with people who directly influence consumer consumption, the Consumer Connection Conference is set for April 29 through May 1 in Phoenix.

Ocean Spray Cranberries updates branding with 'uncommonly wild' look
Ocean Spray Cranberries updates branding with 'uncommonly wild' look

The brand says its new look reflects the nearly 700 family farmers who grow for the nearly 95-year-old co-op.

CAC forecasts smaller California avocado crop this year
CAC forecasts smaller California avocado crop this year

California Avocado Commission has released its official crop forecast for the fiscal year 2023-24, projecting 208 million pounds, compared to the prior year volume of 237 million pounds.

Prima Wawona to lay off more than 5,400 workers
Prima Wawona to lay off more than 5,400 workers

As part of the company’s plan to liquidate assets following a bankruptcy filing, it gave a 60-day notice to its workforce.

Southeastern Grocers completes divestiture of Fresco y Más
Southeastern Grocers completes divestiture of Fresco y Más

The Fresco y Más banner, including all 28 stores and four pharmacies, was sold to Fresco Retail Group LLC, an investment group strategically focused on food and grocery.

GOPEX 2024 seen and heard — Part 2
GOPEX 2024 seen and heard — Part 2

GOPEX 2024, which explored the intersection of fresh produce and conscious consumerism with industry leaders from across the supply chain, also featured a vast array of new products and innovation on the expo floor.

Seen and heard at GOPEX 2024 — Part 1
Seen and heard at GOPEX 2024 — Part 1

GOPEX 2024 explored the intersection of fresh produce and conscious consumerism with industry leaders from across the supply chain Jan. 22-24 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Wandin Valley Farms' Cheery Nebula named ‘Best Cherry’ at fundraiser
Wandin Valley Farms' Cheery Nebula named ‘Best Cherry’ at fundraiser

Wandin Valley Farms has been recognized at the Sydney Markets Cherry Auction for growing the “best cherry” in Australia — Bloom Fresh’s Cheery Nebula cherry variety.

USDA plans Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee virtual meeting
USDA plans Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee virtual meeting

The meeting is open to up to 100 public attendees on a first-come, first-served basis

Unifrutti Group set to acquire Verfrut 
Unifrutti Group set to acquire Verfrut 

Unifrutti said the move supports its strategy of building a globally diversified premium fruit platform, while complementing its product offering by adding a strong table grape and cherry platform.

SpartanNash implements new food traceability program
SpartanNash implements new food traceability program

SpartanNash now enables the real-time exchange of food traceability data across its suppliers, distribution centers, company stores and independent grocer customers.

Nichino America, Sipcam Agro cross-license specialty crop solutions
Nichino America, Sipcam Agro cross-license specialty crop solutions

In this new agreement, Nichino grants Sipcam access to miticide and insecticide formulations, and Sipcam expands distribution rights of its powdery mildew fungicide.

Industry leaders discuss the importance of Brighter Bites
Industry leaders discuss the importance of Brighter Bites

The Houston-based nonprofit says it has distributed over $17 million in retail cost of produce since fall 2022 to the more than 50,000 families enrolled in the program.

Discover AgroFresh at Fruit Logistica
Discover AgroFresh at Fruit Logistica

AgroFresh experts will be available at Fruit Logistica in Berlin to discuss technologies that help reduce food waste and extend fruit quality.

Researchers look at tomato health benefits
Researchers look at tomato health benefits

Scientists at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and the Ohio State University have been working to investigate how tomatoes may be imparting health benefits in a recently published study.

KeHE opens Miami distribution center
KeHE opens Miami distribution center

KeHE Distributors has opened a new Miami distribution center with 360,000 additional square feet, which it says will bring job opportunities and economic growth to the local community.

KESI Management joins FreshEdge
KESI Management joins FreshEdge

Food and beverage company KESI Management has joined FreshEdge, a collaboration that builds on their four-year partnership.

Kroger-Albertsons merger delayed
Kroger-Albertsons merger delayed

The proposed merger between the retail giants, as well as related divestiture with C&S Wholesale Grocers, is facing a setback following a lawsuit filed by Washington state's attorney general.

Calavo Growers makes move to sell fresh-cut business
Calavo Growers makes move to sell fresh-cut business

The global avocado industry provider based in Santa Paula, Calif., says it is exploring the sale of its fresh-cut division — formerly RFG — to F&S Fresh Foods.

How the Mushroom Council aligns marketing to resonate with consumers
How the Mushroom Council aligns marketing to resonate with consumers

The beauty of fresh mushrooms is that they often are the answer to multiple culinary trends, says Eric Davis, spokesperson for the Mushroom Council, which says it aligns its marketing to take advantage of those trends.

Potato Expo 2024 raises the roof in Texas
Potato Expo 2024 raises the roof in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — The National Potato Council is reporting a record-breaking year for its Potato Expo 2024, which drew 2,320 attendees and 216 exhibitors to the Austin Convention Center, Jan. 10-11.

Prima Wawona liquidates assets after unsuccessful attempt to sell at auction
Prima Wawona liquidates assets after unsuccessful attempt to sell at auction

The company failed to secure a high enough value for its assets through auction, the company said it plans to liquidate assets including 13,500 acres.

Bipartisan effort hopes to freeze H-2A wages
Bipartisan effort hopes to freeze H-2A wages

Michigan Rep. Bill Huizenga and 74 members of Congress penned a letter to House and Senate appropriations leaders asking for a stay in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate for the H-2A program.

New York governor presents new ag initiatives
New York governor presents new ag initiatives

Programs include a one-stop shop for agricultural employers and employees, as well as leadership and education opportunities in agriculture for New York youth.

Registration opens for Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s annual convention
Registration opens for Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s annual convention

The largest event in the country dedicated to fresh fruits and vegetables, held this year in Vancouver at the end of April, will co-locate with the International Sustainability Summit.

IFPA launches ad campaign defending WIC program
IFPA launches ad campaign defending WIC program

The WIC program, which provides supplemental benefits to mothers, infants and children battling food insecurity, is at risk of funding being slashed as part of the arguments on federal spending.

Salix Fruits expands global footprint with a new office
Salix Fruits expands global footprint with a new office

Philadelphia-based Salix Fruits said its newest office in Singapore will help the company grow its presence in Asia.

National Mango Board seeks nominations for open board seats
National Mango Board seeks nominations for open board seats

Nomination for six open seats open through Feb. 29. The seats include foreign producers, importers, first handlers and domestic producers.