Latest News From Industry

One in six young people nationwide, 16.2 percent of youth ages 10-17, have obesity, according to the newest available data.

The third annual National Fruits & Veggies Month (NFVM) campaign from the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) has officially wrapped and like previous campaigns, saw sweet success.

The Senate passed a resolution recognizing October as California Farmer and Farmworker Month in perpetuity.

Episode 61 of the Tip of the Iceberg Podcast takes a turn toward a road less traveled and features a small farmer with a big digital presence: Liset Garcia of Sweet Girl Farms in Reedley, Calif.

UPDATED: A recent substantial decline in ocean container rates from Asia to the U.S. may give U.S. fresh produce exporters a slightly better chance at finding slots to ship to Asia and other markets.

NatureSweet is expanding its operations through a joint venture with Ganfer, the premier high technology greenhouse grower in Mexico.

Informing Californians about farmers' stewardship of scarce water supplies is one goal of the Cultivate California campaign.

Hionis Greenhouses, Whitehouse Station, N.J., provided another learning experience for the third Eastern Produce Council Leadership Class.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that California, Florida, Utah and Wisconsin have entered into domestic mutual reliance agreements with the agency.

With the help of an experienced North American banana industry leader, the Ecuadorian banana company Favorita is looking to expand in the U.S. market.

The Center for Growing Talent by the PMA, in partnership with Frieda’s owners, awarded the winner of the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Fresh Perspectives Scholarship to Melanny Gomez Cruz of Four Seasons Produce.

As backlogs at U.S. ports and climbing shipping rates plague the supply chain, new data shows container shipping rates between the U.S and China are dropping by more than 50% in  just a month. 

This week, we loved your posts about inspiring industry professionals, cartoon robot chefs and cocktail contests.

The Hass Avocado Board is partnering with AltaMed Health Services to offer communities in Southern California bilingual resources to help fight against type 2 diabetes.

The playing field for U.S. fruit growers and other businesses exporting to China remains titled against them, President Biden believes.

In this episode, Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, president and CEO of Produce for a Better Health, speaks about shifting the focus beyond produce sales to consumption.

GEM-Pack Berries LLC and Red Blossom Sales Inc. are combining forces.

RLS Logistics recently welcomed Partners Alliance Cold Storage, Ontario, CA, as a warehouse partner and member of the RLS network of cold chain solutions providers.

The U.S. Department of Labor on Oct. 4 announced the availability of up to $5 million in grant funding to support core standards to combat labor abuses by employers in Mexico’s tomato and chile pepper sectors.

A virtual working meeting is expected before year's end between President Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a Request for Applications (RFA) for the new Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program and encourages eligible entities to apply now for funds.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is rolling out a new insurance option specifically for agricultural producers with small farms who sell locally.

Meal kits are growing in popularity, with national sales predicted to increase from $4.6 billion in 2017 to $11.6 billion in 2022.

Dwight Ferguson will be the last Produce Marketing Association chairman — ever.

The PMA has announced that an Online Fresh Ideas Showcase, where companies can share their innovative products and services, will be available for buyers to see the newest flavors and solutions.   

For the first time in over a year, many students will be back in school buildings, navigating a new normal.

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer declined in September, down 14 points to a reading of 124.

Pure Green Farms, the Midwest hydroponic greenhouse, announced that Cincinnati-based LaRosa’s Family Pizzeria will be offering Pure Green Farms Baby Green Leaf lettuce on its menu beginning today.

Rainier Partners, a private equity firm based in Seattle, WA, today announced the acquisition of JS Ag Packaging (“JS Ag”) by Calpine Containers (“Calpine”), a Rainier portfolio company.

Stemilt was presented the Legacy Award in Technology by NCW Tech Alliance.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC) will hold a virtual meeting Nov. 3-4, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET each day.

2021 has brought a year of celebration for the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission as they began celebrating their 60th anniversary milestone.

In this Q&A with The Packer, United Fresh's Tom Stenzel and the Produce Marketing Association's Cathy Burns preview the new association launching in January.

Salix Fruits, the leading company in the import and export of fresh fruits, announced that the Southern Hemisphere’s orange season, which is about to end, will have a positive balance compared to 2020.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on Florida Cool Cargo Inc. (Florida Cool), Miami, Fla., for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). 

The NGA commends Congress and the Biden administration for including an increase in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children benefits in the stopgap budget resolution passed this week.

The first meeting of the Chilean fruit industry summoned more than 500 attendees in person and reached nearly 10,000 views via streaming, in its two days of panels and specialized talks on the sector.  

United Fresh Produce Association is now accepting applications for Class Three of the Produce Safety Immersion Program.

Stressing the power of habits in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, a virtual session called Insights, Ideas & Inspiration To Put More Plants On The Plate kicked off the Have A Plant Nation Ambassador Event.

Children who eat more fruits and vegetables have better mental wellbeing, according to new research from the United Kingdom’s University of East Anglia Health and Social Care Partners.

The U.S. Apple Association has launched its 2021-22 Apples4Ed initiative—a grant program that supports healthy eating initiatives in public schools across the United States.

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will begin issuing inspection certificates and audit reports in several formats as the agency deploys the Specialty Crops Integrated Operating Network (SCION).

Thanks to a $100,000 philanthropic investment to the Ag One Foundation at Fresno State, the J. G. Boswell Foundation has established an endowment to support the University Agricultural Laboratory.

The Packer announces the 2022 Global Organic Produce Expo is set for Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, 2022, in sunny South Florida.

BOSTON — This food trend forecaster studied serial killers as a criminalist in London before going to culinary school and becoming a registered dietitian — and she has a different way of predicting consumer trends.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a comprehensive set of investments to address challenges facing America’s agricultural producers.

Mission Produce Inc. on Sept. 29 announced the grand opening of its new mega center in Laredo, Texas, in celebration of the Company’s first anniversary of its initial public offering on Oct. 1.

For the past 13 years, Reidsville, Ga.-based Shuman Farms has distributed special, pink RealSweet® onion bags, display bins, and POS during the month of October to support breast cancer awareness.

National Health Institute Director Dr. Francis Collins stepped up to the AgriTalk microphone to share the CDC’s recommendation for the Pfizer COVID-19 booster with Host Chip Flory.

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Chiquita is once again giving its iconic Blue Sticker a pink makeover to match the Pink Ribbon - an international symbol for breast cancer awareness.