Latest News From Industry

Pandemic forces Toronto wholesalers to be quick on their feet, consultant says
Pandemic forces Toronto wholesalers to be quick on their feet, consultant says

Wholesalers and distributors in Toronto continue to adjust to changing business realities, said Mike Mauti, managing partner for Execulytics Consulting, Milton, Ontario.

Sun World appoints new executive VP, chief science officer
Sun World appoints new executive VP, chief science officer

Sun World has appointed Jennifer Petersen as its new executive vice president and chief science officer. Petersen will oversee activities pertaining to breeding, variety development, genetics and related technologies.

Vilsack Shares Top Three Priorities
Vilsack Shares Top Three Priorities

Secretary Vilsack hinted there is a new trade position to be filled at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Just When You Think Fertilizer Shortages are Improving, Trucker Vaccine Mandates Slam Supply Chain Into Disarray
Just When You Think Fertilizer Shortages are Improving, Trucker Vaccine Mandates Slam Supply Chain Into Disarray

Recent COVID-19 vaccine mandates in both the U.S. and Canada could take even more truckers off the road. Trucking industry experts warn while empty store shelves could turn into more fertilizer shortages next.

Dirty Boots Advocacy: Farm Journal Announces Carbon Council
Dirty Boots Advocacy: Farm Journal Announces Carbon Council

These charter members bring a range of expertise and the drive to share the financial and ecological benefits of carbon programs. 

U.S. apple industry suffers big declines in exports to Southeast Asia
U.S. apple industry suffers big declines in exports to Southeast Asia

U.S. apple growers have suffered big drops in export sales to Southeast Asia, and retaliatory tariffs imposed by China on U.S. apples in 2018 are the reason why.

GSI marketing firm appoints new marketing vice president
GSI marketing firm appoints new marketing vice president

Cincinnati, Ohio-based strategic marketing firm GoldenSun Insights has appointed Naba Bakar as vice president of marketing. 

The Hass Avocado Board partners with Walk with a Doc for a second year
The Hass Avocado Board partners with Walk with a Doc for a second year

The Hass Avocado Board is expanding its partnership with the nonprofit Walk with a Doc for a second year to step up education about the importance of investing in heart health through nutrition, movement, and community.

Capay Organic, Creekside Organics, Inc. merge
Capay Organic, Creekside Organics, Inc. merge

Capay Organic and Creekside Organics, Inc. announce the merger of their strengths into one organization under the leadership of Creekside Organics CEO, Brenda Haught.

Canada taking comments on proposed regulations on single-use plastics
Canada taking comments on proposed regulations on single-use plastics

The government of Canada is taking public comments on a proposed regulation to ban some single-use plastic items.

Output drops for processing-tomato farmers amid challenges
Output drops for processing-tomato farmers amid challenges

California’s anticipated tomato production shrank last year due to water shortages and higher production costs, farmers say.

December storms deliver modest increase in water allocations
December storms deliver modest increase in water allocations

California farmers and ranchers may have some modest relief in water allocations this year due to December rains.

Citrus farmers face rising costs, smaller harvests
Citrus farmers face rising costs, smaller harvests

California's citrus groves look remarkably different than they did last year. A record crop weighed down mandarin trees and navel oranges stayed on trees late into the summer months due to shipping issues.

$72.9M in grant funding available through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
$72.9M in grant funding available through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

More than $70 million will be distributed this year to winning applications from the USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

OTA, National Latino Farmers and Ranchers form alliance
OTA, National Latino Farmers and Ranchers form alliance

The National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association and Organic Trade Association will form an alliance that will help both organizations strengthen their impact on national public policy. 

New York group provides solutions for food-supply resiliency
New York group provides solutions for food-supply resiliency

While New York alone can’t solve supply chain disruptions caused by global shipping delays, the state can adopt policies and make investments that help grow the local farm and food system, one expert said.

Well•Pict Berries to exhibit at GOPEX
Well•Pict Berries to exhibit at GOPEX

The Well•Pict tradeshow crew is heading to Hollywood, Fla., for the Global Organic Produce Expo, going on Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Celebrate Mexico’s unique mango
Celebrate Mexico’s unique mango

The Crespo Organic Ataulfo program offers an option, that aims to educate and drive the repeat consumption and allure of Mexico’s unique and incredibly sweet cultivar.

Food prices in December up 6.3%, according to USDA Food Price report
Food prices in December up 6.3%, according to USDA Food Price report

The USDA’s latest Food Price report reveals that food prices in December 2021 were up 6.3% higher than in December 2020.

Food Inflation Makes Your Super Bowl Party Cost More
Food Inflation Makes Your Super Bowl Party Cost More

“Food inflation is a hot topic,” Michael Swanson says noting that overall prices in the category are running at 6% higher than a year ago, whereas typically year-to-year food inflation is 1%.

Bagging the Tomato King: The Insane Hunt for Agriculture’s Wildest Con Man
Bagging the Tomato King: The Insane Hunt for Agriculture’s Wildest Con Man

What happens when Dog the Bounty Hunter, agriculture, tomatoes, pickles, worms, survival bunkers, miracle juice, and a bizarre flimflam man get dumped in cauldron? Welcome to a swindle and chase for the ages.

John Phipps: Is a Possible Cyberwarfare Attack Looming for Your Farm? Why Tractors May Be Next
John Phipps: Is a Possible Cyberwarfare Attack Looming for Your Farm? Why Tractors May Be Next

After ransomware attacks hit two co-ops and an equipment auction site last year, John Phipps says his guess is tractors being hacked to override factory engine or emission controls are ripe for self-inflicted hacks.

Omicron’s Effect on Food Demand and The Supply Chain
Omicron’s Effect on Food Demand and The Supply Chain

“I wouldn't be surprised as we put Omicron behind us that we're going to see a restaurant recovery in the summer. But right now the supermarket is still doing quite well on a historical basis," says Michael Swanson.

Former Allen Lund Dallas manager to receive Scott Toothaker Award
Former Allen Lund Dallas manager to receive Scott Toothaker Award

Scott Fletcher will be among industry leaders to be honored Jan. 24 at the Texas International Produce and Association’s Hall of Fame Banquet.

North Central Regional Center for Rural Development celebrates 50 years of rural development
North Central Regional Center for Rural Development celebrates 50 years of rural development

August will mark 50 years since President Richard Nixon signed the Rural Development Act of 1972, creating the Rural Regional Development Centers located throughout the United States.

DLF International looking to grow, rebrand
DLF International looking to grow, rebrand

DLF International expects grapefruit into April and Valencia juice oranges through mid-July. The company also expects tangerines through middle of April and Honey Bells into mid-February.

Freska Produce announces completion of 3 ripening rooms in its Oxnard, CA location for mangos and avocados
Freska Produce announces completion of 3 ripening rooms in its Oxnard, CA location for mangos and avocados

Freska Produce International announced that it has completed the construction of 3 ripening rooms at its Oxnard CA Facility for use with Mangos and Avocados.

Fruit and vegetable consumption low, CDC reports
Fruit and vegetable consumption low, CDC reports

Just one in 10 Americans eat recommended levels of vegetables, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control.

National Mango Board seeks nominees 
National Mango Board seeks nominees 

The National Mango Board is seeking nominations for seven open board member positions.

Crystal Valley Foods announces expansion
Crystal Valley Foods announces expansion

Crystal Valley Foods (Crystal Valley) announced today that it has finalized the acquisition of additional bays on the Los Angeles Wholesale Terminal Market, adjacent to its current location.

Continental Grain Co. invests in Agroberries 
Continental Grain Co. invests in Agroberries 

New York City-based Continental Grain Co. (Conti) has announced an investment in global berry marketer Agroberries, according to a news release.

Watercooler Chat: New editors, GOPEX and retail shortages
Watercooler Chat: New editors, GOPEX and retail shortages

In this video, we chat with two new editors, Melissa Treolo and Ed Boling, and we cover the Global Organic Produce Expo (GOPEX) and retail shortages.

ProAmpac announces smart packaging partnership with Rutgers professor
ProAmpac announces smart packaging partnership with Rutgers professor

Flexible packaging and material science company ProAmpac has partnered with Kit Yam, a professor in Rutgers University's food science department.

IFPA: DHS to require non-U.S. individual travelers entering the U.S. at land ports of entrys to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
IFPA: DHS to require non-U.S. individual travelers entering the U.S. at land ports of entrys to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19

The International Fresh Produce Association was briefed that, effective January 22, 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection would begin enforcing a requirement for entry into the U.S. for essential workers. 

New book shows grapes a top food for immunity and brain health
New book shows grapes a top food for immunity and brain health

Grapes are a top food for immunity and brain health, according to a new book soon to be released by dietitian and author Patricia Bannan.

Tip of the Iceberg Podcast — New editors, GOPEX, retail shortages
Tip of the Iceberg Podcast — New editors, GOPEX, retail shortages

Listen to Episode 69, featuring two new editors at The Packer and PMG, discussion about the coming GOPEX show in Florida and retail shortages.

Limoneira grows revenue
Limoneira grows revenue

Higher lemon prices and increased brokered fruit revenue helped Limoneira offset lower exports and reduced lemon volume for the fourth quarter ending Oct. 31.

Bee Sweet modernizes brand amidst farming challenges
Bee Sweet modernizes brand amidst farming challenges

Water availability and costs have long been major challenges for the citrus industry, along with increases in cultural and labor costs.

EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Fauci on COVID Pandemic — "It Will End"
EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Fauci on COVID Pandemic — "It Will End"

Rural communities are likely to see an outbreak of the COVID-19 variant omicron later than big cities but Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden, Dr. Anthony Fauci says the pandemic will eventually end.

California grape companies partner on sustainability
California grape companies partner on sustainability

Columbine Vineyards, a part of the AC Foods family, has announced a partnership with Four Star Sales Inc. to meet the increasing demands of the fresh table grape industry.

Rural Hospitals Face Staffing Shortages Amid Omicron Outbreak
Rural Hospitals Face Staffing Shortages Amid Omicron Outbreak

Small, rural hospitals are struggling to keep, find or hire staff as the omicron variant begins its push across rural America. Rural healthcare advocates say it's already creating an unsafe situation.

FPAA: ITC reports confirm Mexican imports needed to meet increased U.S. consumer demand for cucumbers and squash
FPAA: ITC reports confirm Mexican imports needed to meet increased U.S. consumer demand for cucumbers and squash

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) recently issued reports summarizing its findings from its investigations on the U.S. cucumber and squash industries and the effect that imports had on seasonal growers.

Multi-million dollar reusable packaging theft operation taken down in Chicago
Multi-million dollar reusable packaging theft operation taken down in Chicago

In 2021, a major plastic container theft sting was executed in Cook County, Illinois.

USDA adds infested field in the pale cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) regulated area in Idaho
USDA adds infested field in the pale cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) regulated area in Idaho

On November 29, 2021, during a routine delimiting survey, the USDA confirmed the detection of pale cyst nematode (PCN) in one potato production field located in Bingham County, Idaho.

USDA announces nearly $6M in citrus purchases for nutrition programs
USDA announces nearly $6M in citrus purchases for nutrition programs

The USDA has announced a combined purchase of more than 440,000 cartons of fresh oranges and grapefruit for distribution to nutrition programs.

Bobalu Berry Farms shares 2022 plans 
Bobalu Berry Farms shares 2022 plans 

As Bobalu Berry Farms reflects on their 60-year anniversary coming into the 2022 season, the Jones Family views 2021 as the real milestone year completing the transition to a fully integrated company.   

Ben E. Keith Foods opens new foodservice distribution center
Ben E. Keith Foods opens new foodservice distribution center

Fort Worth, Texas-based Ben E. Keith Foods on Jan. 10 shipped the first orders from its Southeast Division’s new location in New Brockton, Ala.

Texas rural land values rose again in 2016, marking six consecutive years of increases, according to data gathered by the Texas Real Estate Center (REC) and Texas A&M University.
White House Will Recruit Rural Land For New Clean Energy Projects, Could it Create Too Much Competition for Land?

The Biden Administration is deploying money and resources to ramp up clean energy projects across rural America. The White House says the plan taps federal lands to install wind, solar and geothermal energy projects.

FFVA: New import studies on squash, cucumbers confirm need for trade relief
FFVA: New import studies on squash, cucumbers confirm need for trade relief

While making no recommendations, the U.S. International Trade Commission has issued reports showing big effects of U.S. imports of squash and cucumbers on the domestic market.

FirstFruits Marketing announces partnership with Stadelman Fruit
FirstFruits Marketing announces partnership with Stadelman Fruit

Yakima, Wash.-based FirstFruits Marketing has added Zillah, Wash.-based Stadelman Fruit as their partner for pear growing and distribution.