Latest News From Industry

Wish Farms introduces Pink-A-Boo Pineberries
Wish Farms introduces Pink-A-Boo Pineberries

International grower and year-round marketer of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, Wish Farms, is proud to announce the fifth berry to its lineup: Pink-A-Boo Pineberries.

Diving into Israel's technological innovation 
Diving into Israel's technological innovation 

The most recent episode of Voices of the Valley explores global water management innovation with Ethy Levy, Israel CEO and Founder of Bridge Hub.

UT launches Farming Fundamentals program
UT launches Farming Fundamentals program

University of Tennessee Extension is launching a new educational program uniquely designed to help beginning farmers or individuals starting a new venture in agriculture.

Producer Price Index jumps nearly 10% in November compared with year ago
Producer Price Index jumps nearly 10% in November compared with year ago

The producer price index recorded an unadjusted increase of 9.6% for the 12 months ended in November.

Healthy Family Project 2021 efforts make impact with $250,000 donation
Healthy Family Project 2021 efforts make impact with $250,000 donation

Healthy Family Project will close out 2021 with $250,000 raised through retail and digital cause marketing programs adding to the total $7 million raised for charities that benefit families and children.

Wild Weather This Week Could Bring Needed Drought Relief to Withered West
Wild Weather This Week Could Bring Needed Drought Relief to Withered West

California could see monumental rain and snow this week. The powerful storm is expected to drench the West Coast, as forecasters say the system could bring a month's worth of rain in a matter of days.

CBO Report Shows True Cost of Biden Administration's Build Back Better Plan Closer to $5T
CBO Report Shows True Cost of Biden Administration's Build Back Better Plan Closer to $5T

Senate leadership’s timeline for the BBB proposal is just before Christmas, according to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Centrist Sen. Joe Manchin is calling for a strategic pause for the vote, delaying it into 2022.

House of Avocado showcases regional supply model at NYPS participation
House of Avocado showcases regional supply model at NYPS participation

Inventive company House of Avocado (La Casa del Aguacate) will showcase its full line of products and regional supply model at the New York Produce Show, December 15th, in booth 569.

New York State announces milestone in construction of New York State Regional Food Hub
New York State announces milestone in construction of New York State Regional Food Hub

New York State on Dec. 10 announced the "topping off" ceremony of the New York State Regional Food Hub in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx.

FPFC holds charity auction supporting Caterina’s Club and Second Harvest Food Bank
FPFC holds charity auction supporting Caterina’s Club and Second Harvest Food Bank

The Fresh Produce & Floral Council (FPFC) held a successful charity auction and luncheon on Wednesday, December 8th at the Anaheim Hills Golf Course.

NatureSweet seeks relief for specialty tomato industry 
NatureSweet seeks relief for specialty tomato industry 

NatureSweet has submitted a request to the Department of Commerce for a "Changed Circumstance Review," which would release certain greenhouse-grown specialty tomatoes from coverage under the 2019 Suspension Agreement.

FFVA, lawmakers, press USDA on grapefruit inspections
FFVA, lawmakers, press USDA on grapefruit inspections

On Thursday, a bipartisan letter was sent to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to urge the USDA “immediately reverse” its decision to suspend Section 8e grapefruit juice content standards for imported grapefruits.

APHIS will no longer accept unoriginal electronic phytosanitary certificates and forms after Dec. 31, 2021
APHIS will no longer accept unoriginal electronic phytosanitary certificates and forms after Dec. 31, 2021

The USDA responded to the unprecedented challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic on trade by allowing importers of plant commodities to upload copies of phytosanitary certificates and forms.

New York Produce Show to cap — finally— this EPC Leadership Class
New York Produce Show to cap — finally— this EPC Leadership Class

It’s been the longest year ever for participants of the 2021 Eastern Produce Council Leadership Class, who will be honored at the Dec. 15 New York Produce Show keynote breakfast.

What comes first: food or people?
What comes first: food or people?

Seen on Social: Our favorite posts of the week from the produce industry.

Potato Expo set for big networking and education opportunities
Potato Expo set for big networking and education opportunities

A big potato industry reunion is right around the corner.

USDA launches loan guarantee program to create more market opportunities
USDA launches loan guarantee program to create more market opportunities

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the USDA is deploying $100 million under the new Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program to make available nearly $1 billion in loan guarantees.

Fifth Wheel Freight has partnered with Loadsure
Fifth Wheel Freight has partnered with Loadsure

Fifth Wheel Freight has partnered with Loadsure, a freight insurance company that ushers spot freight cargo insurance into the modern age through an AI- and automation-powered platform.

Sweet Valley Citrus debuts regional brand
Sweet Valley Citrus debuts regional brand

The Cold Hardy Citrus Association (CHCA) will debut their newly created regional brand—Sweet Valley Citrus—at the New York Produce Show on December 15, 2021.

Ocean Shipping Reform Act passes the U.S. House of Representatives
Ocean Shipping Reform Act passes the U.S. House of Representatives

Legislation that seeks to reform policies that have resulted in delays in product delivery and backlog at key ports has been passed by the House of Representatives.

Envy boosts sales as the "ultimate holiday apple"
Envy boosts sales as the "ultimate holiday apple"

Envy apples remain the best-selling premium apple brand for the 52-weeks ending Nov. 6, according to Nielsen statistics.

20 Michigan schools to receive salad bars from United Fresh Start Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield
20 Michigan schools to receive salad bars from United Fresh Start Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield

A partnership between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the United Fresh Start Foundation will deliver 20 salad bars to six Michigan school districts as part of the national Salad Bars to Schools initiative.

APHIS Establishes Citrus Greening (Huanglongbing) Quarantines in Alabama
APHIS Establishes Citrus Greening (Huanglongbing) Quarantines in Alabama

The USDA, in cooperation with the Alabama agriculture officials, is establishing quarantines for Huanglongbing (HLB; citrus greening) in all of Baldwin and Mobile Counties in Alabama.

U.S. fresh produce exports score slight gains
U.S. fresh produce exports score slight gains

U.S. exports of fresh fruit and vegetables squeezed out moderate gains in the 12-month period from November 2020 to October 2021, government trade data shows.

Sysco to acquire The Coastal Companies
Sysco to acquire The Coastal Companies

Houston-based Sysco Corporation has announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Laurel, Md.-based The Coastal Companies from Continental Grain Company. 

West Mexico Winter Produce Business Updates 2021
West Mexico Winter Produce Business Updates 2021

The following business updates from West Mexico produce distributors were collected by The Packer's Tom Burfield.

Eggplant, green beans gain popularity
Eggplant, green beans gain popularity

Eggplant and green beans are two items that Nogales, Ariz.-area distributors say are flourishing.

Espinoza thrives in her Produce House
Espinoza thrives in her Produce House

As a young college student, Raquel Espinoza envisioned herself studying law and embarking on a career in the legal field.

Goldenberry Farms opens USA Market with initial shipments to Miami and Los Angeles
Goldenberry Farms opens USA Market with initial shipments to Miami and Los Angeles

Goldenberry Farms has begun exporting its Premium brand of Goldenberries to the US market, in conjunction with a strategic 18 month launch plan and multi-faceted “Mother Nature’s Candy” marketing campaign.

FPAA continues to serve the Nogales industry
FPAA continues to serve the Nogales industry

The FPAA is putting more emphasis on social media this season as it continues its efforts to support members who provide the U.S. and Canada with a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables from Mexico.

Arrowfarms to celebrate produce magic, sustainable packaging at NY Produce Show
Arrowfarms to celebrate produce magic, sustainable packaging at NY Produce Show

Produce with superpowers and disappearing packaging: Come be amazed at Arrowfarms' booth at the 2021 New York Produce Show, Dec. 12-16.

USDA establishes food purchase program to “transform” the food system
USDA establishes food purchase program to “transform” the food system

The USDA has announced the establishment of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program that will award up to $400 million for emergency food assistance purchases of domestic local foods.

Farm Journal acquires Precision Reach
Farm Journal acquires Precision Reach

Farm Journal today announced the acquisition of Precision Reach, the leading programmatic digital services company serving the agricultural market.

Maryland's Best Expo set for Jan. 19
Maryland's Best Expo set for Jan. 19

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will host the Maryland’s Best Expo on Wednesday, January 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.

Making the case for ugly produce
Making the case for ugly produce

Explaining the value of misshapen vegetables—that they are as healthful as their picture-perfect counterparts and buying them helps reduce food waste—could help improve sales of “ugly” produce.

Sakata Seed America announces sale of carrot program to Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc. 
Sakata Seed America announces sale of carrot program to Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc. 

Sakata Seed America has officially signed an agreement finalizing the sale of its carrot breeding program to long-standing corporate partner, Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc., or IFSI.

USDA invests $633 million in climate-smart and resilient infrastructure for people in rural communities
USDA invests $633 million in climate-smart and resilient infrastructure for people in rural communities

United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Department is investing $633 million to reduce the impacts of climate change on rural communities.

Dole plc issues quarterly report, describes strong results
Dole plc issues quarterly report, describes strong results

Mixed industry trends led to mixed results for Dole plc in the quarter ending Sept. 30.

Emerging Leaders program launches to help fund and mentor cream of the crop in fresh produce charities
Emerging Leaders program launches to help fund and mentor cream of the crop in fresh produce charities

The next generation of leaders working in charities and not-for-profit organizations in the fresh produce sector can now apply for a round of funding and a series of one-to-one mentoring sessions.

USDA announces big potato purchase
USDA announces big potato purchase

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has purchased more than 100,000 50-pound cartons of potatoes.

2021 Controlled Environment Agriculture Census offers insight on sustainability issues
2021 Controlled Environment Agriculture Census offers insight on sustainability issues

How ready are controlled environment agriculture operators for a sustainable future?

U.S. Department of Labor to change method for setting wage rates for the H-2A program
U.S. Department of Labor to change method for setting wage rates for the H-2A program

The way the government calculates the H-2A program’s wage rate is changing, but perhaps for the worse for growers.

Lessons learned from carrots and laughable rambutans
Lessons learned from carrots and laughable rambutans

Here's what we learned — and what entertained us! — on produce-related social media this week.

Food benefits platform used to address food insecurity within local communities
Food benefits platform used to address food insecurity within local communities

Food insecurity is at an all-time high, with one in eight Americans reporting some level of uncertainty about where their next meal will come from.

Totam Seeds launches new website
Totam Seeds launches new website

Totam Seeds has recently announced the launch of its new website with updated product pages and a clean and modern design.

U.S. Department of Labor extends comment period for COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard
U.S. Department of Labor extends comment period for COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has extended the comment period for the COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard to Jan. 19, 2022.

USDA announces virtual Agricultural Outlook Forum theme and program
USDA announces virtual Agricultural Outlook Forum theme and program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the theme and program of the 98th Agricultural Outlook Forum, a virtual event that will be held on February 24-25, 2022.

USA Pears to focus on digital events for worldwide pear celebration
USA Pears to focus on digital events for worldwide pear celebration

Pear Bureau Northwest is launching the sixth edition of its annual World Pear Day on December 4.

USDA restricts PACA violators in Minnesota and New York from operating in the produce business
USDA restricts PACA violators in Minnesota and New York from operating in the produce business

The USDA has imposed sanctions on two produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under PACA.

USDA files action against Central Market of FL II Inc. in Florida for alleged PACA violations
USDA files action against Central Market of FL II Inc. in Florida for alleged PACA violations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint against Central Market of FL II Inc. for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).