Latest News From Industry

USDA NIFA invests over $34 million to support healthy eating for low-income Americans
USDA NIFA invests over $34 million to support healthy eating for low-income Americans

The USDA NIFA has announced an investment of over $34 million to support greater food access and nutrition security for low-income and at-risk communities through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP).

U.S. potato crop rated 2% lower
U.S. potato crop rated 2% lower

U.S. potato production for 2021 is down slightly compared with the 2020 crop, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s November crop production report.

Fruit Logistica moves to April 2022 
Fruit Logistica moves to April 2022 

The fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic is worsening the situation in many European countries.

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Harvest of Thanks: Touching Stories of Grit and Gratitude Showcase the Resilience in Rural America

As families gather to give thanks this year, Farm Journal shares stories of grit and gratitude. From surviving a raging wildfire to a mail carrier who saved a rancher's life, each show resilience of rural America.

Now Available: Award-winning documentary, ‘The Last Harvest,’ releases for free exclusively on Vimeo
Now Available: Award-winning documentary, ‘The Last Harvest,’ releases for free exclusively on Vimeo

The award-winning documentary, “The Last Harvest,” releases for free exclusively on Vimeo for a timely message of appreciation and acknowledgment of the challenges facing those who grow and harvest our food.

FPAA celebrates another successful year of the Nogales Produce Convention and Golf Tournament
FPAA celebrates another successful year of the Nogales Produce Convention and Golf Tournament

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) celebrated its 52nd Nogales Produce Convention and Golf Tournament on November 4th -6th at the historic Tubac Golf Resort and Spa.

Lori Taylor promotes the produce industry to Fedex
Lori Taylor promotes the produce industry to Fedex

Lori Taylor and THE PRODUCE MOMS® continue to promote the messages and missions of the produce industry.  

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Former Philly market CEO Caesar DiCrecchio gets 10 years for stealing $7.8 million

Caesar DiCrecchio was sentenced to spend 10-plus years in prison, three years of supervised release and pay $8 million in restitution for defrauding the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market of more than $7.8 million.

NYC flexes its muscles with return of New York Produce Show — in person
NYC flexes its muscles with return of New York Produce Show — in person

NEW YORK — To anyone who knows and loves New York City, it’s no surprise there are more than 92,300 #nystrong and 67,650 #newyorkstrong hashtags on Instagram.

DC Signal to Noise: Inflation's Slice of Thanksgiving Pie
DC Signal to Noise: Inflation's Slice of Thanksgiving Pie

Build Back Better heads to the Senate while Conservation Credit Corporation allocates $27 billion to conservation. Plus, when will the EPA announce RFS mandates?

Adopt An Attitude Of Gratitude
Adopt An Attitude Of Gratitude

Gratitude is like a muscle, the more you exercise it the stronger it becomes.

SEPC announces SEPC University educational session speaker
SEPC announces SEPC University educational session speaker

The Southeast Produce Council has just announced another incredible SEPC University Educational Session to be held during Southern Exposure in March.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack comments on Canada’s suspension of potatoes from Prince Edward Island to the U.S.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack comments on Canada’s suspension of potatoes from Prince Edward Island to the U.S.

The USDA commends Canada for implementing the necessary plant health (phytosanitary) measures to safeguard against the transmission of potato wart disease from Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, to the United States.

U.S. potato industry supports CFIA action to protect Canadian provinces and U.S. after additional disease detections
U.S. potato industry supports CFIA action to protect Canadian provinces and U.S. after additional disease detections

The National Potato Council and grower organizations throughout the United States today welcomed the announcement by Canada to prevent the spread of potato wart from Prince Edward Island.

Texas International Produce Association hosts skeet shoot PAC fundraiser
Texas International Produce Association hosts skeet shoot PAC fundraiser

In what has become a recurring event for the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA), last night was the organization’s annual Pull-for-PAC Skeet Shoot fundraiser.

The House passes BBB Act — Do the costs outweigh the benefits?
The House passes BBB Act — Do the costs outweigh the benefits?

The U.S. House of Representatives passed President Joe Biden’s ‘Build Back Better’ plan, also known as the reconciliation package. This vote came after months of debate and countless rewrites to the plan.

Every Body Eat wins $1 million Grow-NY grand prize
Every Body Eat wins $1 million Grow-NY grand prize

Every Body Eat nabbed the $1 million grand prize in the Grow-NY food innovation and agriculture technology business competition based in Syracuse, N.Y. Other startups shared the rest of the prizes, totaling $2 million.

PEI potato industry expresses shock at CFIA decision to suspend potato exports to U.S.
PEI potato industry expresses shock at CFIA decision to suspend potato exports to U.S.

The Prince Edward Island Potato Board said it is "shocked" by the decision by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to suspend the certification of exports of all potatoes from Prince Edward Island to the U.S.

UPDATED: CFIA shuts down fresh potato shipments from Prince Edward Island to the U.S.
UPDATED: CFIA shuts down fresh potato shipments from Prince Edward Island to the U.S.

UPDATED: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Nov. 22 said it has suspended the movement of fresh potatoes from Prince Edward to the U.S., including fresh table stock and fresh processing potatoes. 

Idaho Potato Commission revamps website
Idaho Potato Commission revamps website

The Idaho Potato Commission has revamped its website, with the new design featuring new campaigns and enhanced recipe categorization by diet.

DLF International announces operation expansions and staff updates
DLF International announces operation expansions and staff updates

Feek Properties LLC, which owns Fort Pierce, Fla.-based DLF International, has added 750 new acres for grapefruit production this year and are in the process of expanding further, said Doug Feek, president.

Recent survey of New York City restaurants finds more than 90% of restaurants have customer-facing challenges
Recent survey of New York City restaurants finds more than 90% of restaurants have customer-facing challenges

Attendees of the New York Produce Show and Conference will find plenty of restaurants open for business in December, but the recovery from the pandemic continues to be rocky for many operators.

Hazel Technologies expands to West Coast
Hazel Technologies expands to West Coast

 Hazel Technologies Inc. announced its first major corporate expansion beyond its Chicago headquarters – a new Fresno, CA research center and west coast customer support office.

Infrastructure deal brings wins for industry
Infrastructure deal brings wins for industry

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act bring wins for the fresh produce industry, industry leaders believe.

Regional apple data shows promising numbers during Stemilt’s Fast Facts: The Cast
Regional apple data shows promising numbers during Stemilt’s Fast Facts: The Cast

Apple season has come into full swing for produce departments across the U.S. and made up 6.2 percent of total produce department sales over the last 12 weeks.

Vilsack: Build Back Better bill largest effort ever to combat the climate crisis
Vilsack: Build Back Better bill largest effort ever to combat the climate crisis

The Build Back Better bill is the largest effort in American history to combat the climate crisis and includes a focus on climate-smart agriculture, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.

University of Florida citrus faculty secure federal funding in ongoing fight against citrus greening 
University of Florida citrus faculty secure federal funding in ongoing fight against citrus greening 

University of Florida citrus researchers continue to provide innovative leadership in the fight against the devastating disease Huanglongbing, also known as citrus greening disease. 

Yellow, petite potatoes see retail growth
Yellow, petite potatoes see retail growth

Yellow and petite potatoes were up in dollar and volume sales from July through September this year compared with the same quarter a year ago, according to a report on fresh potato sales from Potatoes USA.

$53 million in narcotics  found in truck carrying Mexican cauliflower
$53 million in narcotics found in truck carrying Mexican cauliflower

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers seized narcotics in two enforcement actions this weekend, that totaled over $53,200,000 in street value.

John Deere and UAW reach new 6-year deal, ending month-long strike
John Deere and UAW reach new 6-year deal, ending month-long strike

Members of the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) approved a new six-year deal on Wednesday with a 61% vote. The new agreement includes a signing bonus, wage increases, as well as enhanced retirement options.

Fifth Wheel Freight celebrated for innovative, culture-focused workplace
Fifth Wheel Freight celebrated for innovative, culture-focused workplace

The Detroit Free Press announced its annual “Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces” list on Sunday. Fifth Wheel Freight (FWF) was honored for the second straight year for its innovative, culture-focused workplace.

U.S. potato exports trending higher
U.S. potato exports trending higher

U.S. exports of frozen potato products increased by 30% for the July – September 2021 quarter compared to 2020.

Ocean Spray and Brightseed collaborate to decode the health potential of the cranberry
Ocean Spray and Brightseed collaborate to decode the health potential of the cranberry

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. and Brightseed, an A.I.-led biosciences company today announced an agreement to leverage Brightseed’s A.I., Forager, to profile the compounds in cranberries.

Driscoll’s Sweetest Batch blueberries in peak availability for the holiday season
Driscoll’s Sweetest Batch blueberries in peak availability for the holiday season

Just in time for the holiday season, Driscoll’s Sweetest Batch blueberries are in peak availability to capture the hottest holiday trend of grazing boards.

Why You’re Really Procrastinating
Why You’re Really Procrastinating

If you are prone to occasional – or even not-so-occasional – procrastination, are you lazy, incompetent, and unreliable?

Good Foods announces Danica Patrick as new brand ambassador
Good Foods announces Danica Patrick as new brand ambassador

Good Foods, a category leader of plant based dips and good-for-you products, announces its partnership with former professional racing driver, Danica Patrick.

OSHA suspends activities related to vaccine mandate
OSHA suspends activities related to vaccine mandate

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced it has suspended activities related to the implementation and enforcement of the agency’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard.

Homegrown Organic Farms unveils new specialty citrus micro-brand
Homegrown Organic Farms unveils new specialty citrus micro-brand

Homegrown Organic Farms is pleased to announce the Buck Brand organic specialty citrus micro-brand.

There’s a lot to celebrate on social media right now
There’s a lot to celebrate on social media right now

We’re all about the holidays here at The Packer and PMG. As foodies in the biz, we get excited about the (arguably) biggest food holiday of the year in late November, followed by other food-centric gatherings.

Veg-Fresh Farms celebrates accomplishments
Veg-Fresh Farms celebrates accomplishments

Veg-Fresh Farms is closing out 2021 on a high note; the company was awarded Supplier of the Year by two major national restaurant chains, and recently received a score of 99% after an unannounced, 3-day audit by SQF.

Natural Delights debuts new trade resources on website
Natural Delights debuts new trade resources on website

Natural Delights new Trade Resources page, which provides easy access to category insights and an expanded library of marketing tools and resources for retailers.

FPAA announces new board members 
FPAA announces new board members 

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) held its annual meeting on November 4th, 2021.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods offers online product purchasing tool
Duda Farm Fresh Foods offers online product purchasing tool

Oviedo, Fla.-based Duda Farm Fresh Foods has announced the investment in an online product purchasing tool that is connected to major national retailers and grocery fulfillment companies. 

USDA seeks big purchase of fresh produce boxes
USDA seeks big purchase of fresh produce boxes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is looking to buy 2.14 million 10- to 12-pound boxes of mixed fresh produce for The Emergency Food Assistance Program.

U.S. imports of Chilean berries see big increase
U.S. imports of Chilean berries see big increase

A review of U.S. imports of Chilean produce reveals 2020-21 strong increases for blueberries, strawberries, apples, kiwifruit, plums and peaches.

Fruit Logistica restricts access to only fully vaccinated or recovered for February show in Berlin
Fruit Logistica restricts access to only fully vaccinated or recovered for February show in Berlin

Only those who are fully vaccinated or recovered from the coronavirus will be allowed to attend Fruit Logistica 2022, according to event organizers.

Mexico publishes U.S. potato import requirement document
Mexico publishes U.S. potato import requirement document

For the past 20 years, U.S., fresh potato exports to Mexico have been limited to the region within 26 kilometers of the U.S. border.

DNO welcomes Marissa Dake as director of communications and public affairs
DNO welcomes Marissa Dake as director of communications and public affairs

Columbus, Ohio-based DNO Produce, a leading wholesale distributor and fresh-cut produce processor, has named Marissa Dake as Director of Communications and Public Affairs.

Type of packaging important, but consumers say price holds sway over decisions
Type of packaging important, but consumers say price holds sway over decisions

Nearly 2 in 10 consumers polled by The Packer this year say the biggest influence on their produce purchasing decisions is the type of packaging used.

Industry leaders say infrastructure bill will bring needed investments
Industry leaders say infrastructure bill will bring needed investments

Long-term government help to deliver more water to California growers is on its way.