Latest News From Industry

Canada’s Top 100 Employers recognizes Oppy for second time
Canada’s Top 100 Employers recognizes Oppy for second time

 Honored for the first time in 2020, the leading grower, The Oppenheimer Group (Oppy) was selected as one of Canada’s Top Employers for the second year in a row. 

USDA restricts PACA violators in Missouri and Pennsylvania from operating in the produce industry
USDA restricts PACA violators in Missouri and Pennsylvania from operating in the produce industry

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 the PACA.

USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Fuentes Farms LLC
USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Fuentes Farms LLC

The ISDA announced that Fuentes Farms LLC satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $13,200 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.

USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Texas Best Produce
USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Texas Best Produce

The USDA announced that David Lopez, doing business as Texas Best Produce, satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $47,880 issued under the PACA involving unpaid produce transactions.

Sollum Technologies completes its largest-ever smart LED lighting installation
Sollum Technologies completes its largest-ever smart LED lighting installation

In time for winter production, Sollum Technologies has completed the expansion of its smart LED lighting solution at Allegro Acres, a greenhouse pepper farm in Kingsville, Ontario.

United Fresh and Canadian Produce Marketing Association Release USA/Canada Labeling Guide
United Fresh and Canadian Produce Marketing Association Release USA/Canada Labeling Guide

United Fresh Produce Association and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) are pleased to announce the release of the Second Edition of the USA/Canada Labeling Guide.

RPE, Tasteful Selections come together as Tasteful Partners
RPE, Tasteful Selections come together as Tasteful Partners

Tasteful Selections and RPE, its exclusive sales and marketing partner since Tasteful Selections planted its first potato in 2010, announced on Nov. 10 the formation of a new entity, Tasteful Partners.

CKF invests in new production facility in British Columbia 
CKF invests in new production facility in British Columbia 

Hantsport, Nova Scotia-based CKF Inc. has announced investments to substantially increase its thermoformed molded fiber production capacity.

USDA begins accepting applications for new Farm and Food Workers Relief grant program
USDA begins accepting applications for new Farm and Food Workers Relief grant program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it is accepting applications for the new Farm and Food Workers Relief (FFWR) grant program first announced on Sept. 7, 2021.

They call it a platform for good reason
They call it a platform for good reason

It’s not for nothing that we refer to different social media — LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter in this case — as platforms.

Eyes Wide Shut? US Agriculture Faces China Reckoning
Eyes Wide Shut? US Agriculture Faces China Reckoning

China is the kingpin customer of U.S. ag commodities while openly attempting to destroy America’s position atop the global ladder. Does the odd paradox portend feast or famine for U.S. farmers?

USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on OM Vegetable
USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on OM Vegetable

The USDA announced that OM Vegetable Inc. satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $17,518 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.

DC Signal to Noise: Infrastructure Passed; It's Time for Reconciliation
DC Signal to Noise: Infrastructure Passed; It's Time for Reconciliation

The $1.2T infrastructure bill passed through the House following months of negotiation. Farm country can expect $550 billion in new spending. AgriTalk’s Chip Flory and Pro Farmer’s Jim Wiesemeyer take a closer look.

Blueberry industry votes to continue national research and promotion program
Blueberry industry votes to continue national research and promotion program

The blueberry industry’s national research and promotion program has been okayed for another five years.

California Farm Bureau hails critical investments in infrastructure 
California Farm Bureau hails critical investments in infrastructure 

California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson today applauded members of Congress for passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, hailing its crucial benefits for California’s agricultural communities. 

Joint Statement from North America’s Fresh Produce Industry on Supply Chain Disruptions
Joint Statement from North America’s Fresh Produce Industry on Supply Chain Disruptions

Produce associations have released a joint statement calling for urgent government action to address significant ongoing supply chain disruptions.

Commissioner Nikki Fried Calls on USDA to provide fairness to Florida farmers
Commissioner Nikki Fried Calls on USDA to provide fairness to Florida farmers

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, calling for federal action to address continued unfair foreign trade practices.

California Company Says the Future of Tractors Is Electric
California Company Says the Future of Tractors Is Electric

“This is the perfect time to launch a truly renewable, electric powered tractor, which is repowered with solar energy,” says Mani Iyer.

U.S. Department of Labor issues emergency temporary standard to protect workers from coronavirus
U.S. Department of Labor issues emergency temporary standard to protect workers from coronavirus

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced a new emergency temporary standard to protect more than 84 million workers from the spread of the coronavirus on the job.

USDA restricts PACA violators in California and Texas from operating in the produce industry
USDA restricts PACA violators in California and Texas from operating in the produce industry

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

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the Passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the Passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

“This is a transformative, historic investment for America as President Biden delivers on his promise to rebuild the physical infrastructure of our country..."

Bipartisan infrastructure bill delivers major water improvements for West
Bipartisan infrastructure bill delivers major water improvements for West

“Western fresh produce growers and indeed farmers throughout the West have reason to celebrate passage of this bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Statement of NCFC President Chuck Conner on OSHA Vaccine Mandate ETS
Statement of NCFC President Chuck Conner on OSHA Vaccine Mandate ETS

"I am disappointed that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) emergency temporary standard (ETS) on a vaccine mandate for larger employers fails to adopt several commonsense accommodations...."

What's the Secret to Managing Michigan State's Real Grass Football Field? Science
What's the Secret to Managing Michigan State's Real Grass Football Field? Science

In 2019, Michigan State University returned to natural grass for its football field, after a 33 year hiatus. And it's science that helps the turf team manage the field and provide optimal conditions for the games.

Market loosens for Mexican avocados
Market loosens for Mexican avocados

The U.S. market has opened up significantly this fall as plenty of good-quality, reasonably priced avocados make their way across the Mexican border.

Produce industry calls for ‘urgent government action’ to resolve supply chain stress
Produce industry calls for ‘urgent government action’ to resolve supply chain stress

At least 21 produce industry organizations in Canada and the U.S. issued a joint statement calling for “urgent government action” to address significant ongoing supply chain disruptions.

McDonalds_store
McDonald’s Commits $5 Million to Accelerate Climate-Smart Farming Solutions

McDonald’s is committing $5 million and partnering with AgMission, a global collaboration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture and to develop and implement climate-smart farming solutions.

NGA delivers plea for help with labor, trucking shortage and retail concentration
NGA delivers plea for help with labor, trucking shortage and retail concentration

Putting trucking issues and concerns about retail in the crosshairs, the extraordinary transportation and labor pressures on the food supply chain were the focus of an House Agriculture Committee hearing on Nov. 3.

capital
United Fresh and produce groups issue joint statement on supply chain disruptions

The House Agriculture Committee on Nov. 3 held a hearing on the challenges facing the entire agricultural supply chain.

Higher input costs and labor shortages influence bottom line, Fresh Del Monte reports
Higher input costs and labor shortages influence bottom line, Fresh Del Monte reports

Higher input costs and labor shortages have dented the bottom line for Coral Gables, Fla.-based Fresh Del Monte Produce, the company reported Nov. 3 in its quarterly earnings update.

USDA: Apply now for the Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program
USDA: Apply now for the Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program

USDA is currently accepting applications for the Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program.

Launching agriculture innovation mission for climate
Launching agriculture innovation mission for climate

The United States and United Arab Emirates officially launched the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) alongside 31 countries and over 48 non-government partners.

Steel and aluminum imports are the latest target
U.S. lifts duties on European steel and aluminum

The U.S. and European Union reached an agreement in late October to allow the resumption of duty-free European steel and aluminum into the U.S.

Tim Tebow, Heather Chauvin to speak at SEPC Southern Exposure event
Tim Tebow, Heather Chauvin to speak at SEPC Southern Exposure event

The Southeast Produce Council has just announced a heroic lineup of speakers for upcoming Southern Exposure: The Marvel of Produce set to take place March 3-5, 2022.

November kicks off Arizona lettuce and leafy greens harvest and celebration
November kicks off Arizona lettuce and leafy greens harvest and celebration

Arizona’s Governor Ducey has proclaimed November 2021 as Arizona Leafy Greens month.

Oppy unveils first vertical farming partnership
Oppy unveils first vertical farming partnership

UP Vertical Farms is a cutting edge new indoor farm leading the way with the upcoming launch of Canada’s first touchless, high density indoor vertical farm for growing customizable baby leafy greens.

Agrology introduces a predictive agriculture system for specialty crops
Agrology introduces a predictive agriculture system for specialty crops

Agrology has introduced the first Predictive Agricultural System that is an effective, affordable, and easy-to-use way to predict and address a variety of critical farming challenges.

We took our awards ceremony online, for now
We took our awards ceremony online, for now

Watch our winning 2021 produce retailer and marketer get accolades. Find out why they won.

F&S Produce Co. rebranded F&S Fresh Foods
F&S Produce Co. rebranded F&S Fresh Foods

F&S Produce Co. has changed its name to F&S Fresh Foods in a rebrand that best represents the company’s capabilities and forward focus on fresh foods, not just fresh produce.

John Phipps: How Dire is the World's Energy Crisis?
John Phipps: How Dire is the World's Energy Crisis?

The theme of Covid shutdowns, along with shifts to greener energy and other decisions, has led to a network of shortages that threaten home heating in Britain, electricity in Brazil, and availability of power in China.

Hass Avocado Board offers web seminar on using data and research
Hass Avocado Board offers web seminar on using data and research

Finding market insights from the Hass Avocado Board’s data and research is the focus of a web seminar scheduled for Nov. 18.

Vilsack touts President Biden’s Framework for the Build Back Better Act
Vilsack touts President Biden’s Framework for the Build Back Better Act

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the below statement following President Biden’s announcement of the framework for Build Back Better.

From Historic Conservation Funding to Farmer Debt Relief, Who Will Pay for Biden's Revised Build Back Better Plan?
From Historic Conservation Funding to Farmer Debt Relief, Who Will Pay for Biden's Revised Build Back Better Plan?

Biden's new Build Back Better plan could have a sweeping impact on ag. The plan provides a boost to biofuels and conservation efforts and expands USDA's proposed minority farmer and rancher debt relief by $6 billion.

Farmer co-ops applaud climate-smart agriculture provisions in Build Back Better framework
Farmer co-ops applaud climate-smart agriculture provisions in Build Back Better framework

The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives expressed its support for the inclusion of significant new funding to promote the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices.

New Sweet on Citrus Campaign celebrates Bee Sweet’s modernized label
New Sweet on Citrus Campaign celebrates Bee Sweet’s modernized label

The Bee Sweet Citrus marketing team has launched a multi-faceted marketing campaign to celebrate the rebrand of its label and the firm's diverse citrus line.

$1B to Biofuels in Build Back Better
$1B to Biofuels in Build Back Better

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Rep. Cindy Axne joined AgriTalk with host Chip Flory and Pro Farmer Policy Analyst Jim Wiesemeyer recently to comb through President Biden’s reframe of the Build Back Better (BBB) plan.

Study looks at role of dust in potential cross-contamination
Study looks at role of dust in potential cross-contamination

Researchers have conducted significant research into the role of water in foodborne outbreaks, but the potential for dust particles to transfer pathogens onto produce has been largely overlooked. 

International Fresh Produce Association unveils name, organization goals
International Fresh Produce Association unveils name, organization goals

Top leaders of the new International Fresh Produce Association convened in a video call with more than 20 members of the media to talk about the goals and mission of the new industry group.

Floral Marketing Alliance will launch with new association
Floral Marketing Alliance will launch with new association

International Fresh Produce Association Co-CEOs Cathy Burns and Tom Stenzel were joined by industry leaders to share updates about the new produce and floral association.

Foundation for Fresh Produce is launched with new association
Foundation for Fresh Produce is launched with new association

As a complementary philanthropic partner of the new International Fresh Produce Association, the Foundation for Fresh Produce will be launched with a vision to grow a healthier world.