Latest News From Industry

Global Cherry Summit and Agricultural Water Summit postponed until 2022
Global Cherry Summit and Agricultural Water Summit postponed until 2022

Two major industry events that were due to take place this year, the Global Cherry Summit and the Agricultural Water Summit, have both been postponed until 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Georgia produce business
USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Georgia produce business

The USDA announced that Jusgo Duluth LLC, doing business as Jusgo Supermarket, satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $135,785 issued under the PACA involving unpaid produce transactions.

HHS Secretary visits farmworker  vaccination clinic
HHS Secretary visits farmworker vaccination clinic

On July 23, the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Xavier Becerra, visited and observed a farmworker vaccination clinic in Salinas, Calif.

USDA announces revised performance measures for AMS grant programs
USDA announces revised performance measures for AMS grant programs

The USDA has announced updated performance measures for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program and other programs.

Bridges Produce offers expanded cranberry program
Bridges Produce offers expanded cranberry program

Bridges Produce along with partner Fruit d’Or which owns and develops the brand’s Patience Fruit & Co. Organic and Decas Farms, will offer more flexibility for their expanded cranberry program this fall.

Bayer reinforces commitment to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption
Bayer reinforces commitment to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption

Bayer said it has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting increased worldwide consumption of fruits and vegetables with the announcement of new portfolio innovations and a business strategy for horticulture.

Shay Myers urges Congress to act now on immigration reform
Shay Myers urges Congress to act now on immigration reform

Don’t put off immigration reform any longer.

Texas Onion Industry Wraps Up First-Ever Marketing Campaign
Texas Onion Industry Wraps Up First-Ever Marketing Campaign

The 2020 – 2021 Texas 1015 Sweet Onion (TX1015) marketing campaign has wrapped up for the season.

Chiquita Paints the World with a Yellow Brush in Latest Campaign
Chiquita Paints the World with a Yellow Brush in Latest Campaign

The color yellow is often associated with happiness, optimism creativity, and sunshine, which is why it’s no surprise that one of the Pantone 2021 colors of the year is a soft shade of yellow called “Illuminating."

USDA releases solicitation for mixed fresh produce cartons
USDA releases solicitation for mixed fresh produce cartons

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released a solicitation for 436,000 cartons of mixed fresh produce for the Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Celebrating the Skills of the Farmers and Farmworkers Who Bring Food to Your Table
Celebrating the Skills of the Farmers and Farmworkers Who Bring Food to Your Table

In “Farm Fresh,” a series of videos released today on YouTube by Western Growers, we celebrate the extraordinary skills and ingenuity of the farmers and farmworkers who work to bring food to America’s tables.

First Quality Produce’s fresh new look
First Quality Produce’s fresh new look

CA, First Quality distributes to hotels, restaurants, school districts, casinos, and many more. After nearly 32 years with their famous tomato logo, they are excited to reveal a new and fresh look.

Ag Leaders Urge Labor Reform in Historic Hearing of Judiciary Committee
Ag Leaders Urge Labor Reform in Historic Hearing of Judiciary Committee

U.S. ag is suffering from a labor shortage that could increase production costs and consumer food prices if not addressed through visa reform to provide better access to the foreign-born workers on which it depends.

Nature Fresh Farms featured in an episode of YTV’s Kid Food Nation: The Show
Nature Fresh Farms featured in an episode of YTV’s Kid Food Nation: The Show

Nature Fresh Farms joins YTV’s Kid Food Nation: The Show to educate children on greenhouse growing and fresh vegetable production.

California growers to remain vigilant against spread of COVID-19
California growers to remain vigilant against spread of COVID-19

Central California growers have come a long way in one year to push back against the COVID-19 pandemic, but the journey isn’t over yet.

“World Avocado Cup Regatta” returns to San Diego Bay
“World Avocado Cup Regatta” returns to San Diego Bay

The World Avocado Organization (WAO) and the historic San Diego Yacht Club will host the second edition of the World Avocado Cup Regatta on July 31 – August 1, 2021.

Is Your Dog America’s Best Farm Dog?
Is Your Dog America’s Best Farm Dog?

Your dog could be named the top dog in the U.S. Enter America’s Best Farm Dog Contest, brought to you by New Holland.

What we found inside this week’s box of chocolates
What we found inside this week’s box of chocolates

Forrest Gump’s charming philosophy proves true for social media as well as life: These platforms are like a box of chocolates. You never know what posts you’re going to get.

Jeremy McGovern takes over as new manager of ALC Los Angeles
Jeremy McGovern takes over as new manager of ALC Los Angeles

The Allen Lund Company announces Jeremy McGovern will be taking over as manager of the Los Angeles sales office. 

Salix Fruits rebrands
Salix Fruits rebrands

In 2011, when Salix Fruits, the leading company in import and export of fresh fruits, was born, its founder, Juan González Pita, bought the logo from a website for less than 25 dollars.

Dole plc announces launch of initial public offering
Dole plc announces launch of initial public offering

Dole plc announced that it has launched the roadshow for its initial public offering of 26,000,000 ordinary shares pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-1 filed with the U.S. SEC.

Brothers Produce expand its cold storage offerings
Brothers Produce expand its cold storage offerings

Brothers Produce, established in Houston in 1985, is proud to announce its expanding its line of cold storage services.

What’s going on in the mushroom world?
What’s going on in the mushroom world?

We know it’s tough out there. But you mushroom growers, packers, shippers and marketers have some wins too.

Packer Insight — Tomato wars, water crisis, acquisitions
Packer Insight — Tomato wars, water crisis, acquisitions

In this episode of Packer Insight, editor-in-chief Tom Karst, Northeast editor Amy Sowder and retail editor Ashley Nickle discuss the California water crisis, the tomato wars and recent acquisition activity.

Farm Journal Announces Easton Corbin to Headline #FarmON Benefit Concert
Farm Journal Announces Easton Corbin to Headline #FarmON Benefit Concert

Farm Journal announced that country music star Easton Corbin will headline the live 2021 #FarmON Benefit Concert during Farm Journal Field Days. Proceeds will go to the National FFA Foundation.

Port of Oakland volume spiked 11.4% in first half of 2021
Port of Oakland volume spiked 11.4% in first half of 2021

Port of Oakland first half 2021 total cargo volume increased 11.4 percent over 2020 and forecasters envision no letup.

USDA restricts PACA violators in California, Nevada, New York and Puerto Rico from operating in the produce industry
USDA restricts PACA violators in California, Nevada, New York and Puerto Rico from operating in the produce industry

The USDA has imposed sanctions on four 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 files action against Ringer & Son Brokerage Co. Inc. in Colorado for alleged PACA violations
USDA files action against Ringer & Son Brokerage Co. Inc. in Colorado for alleged PACA violations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint against Ringer & Son Brokerage Co. Inc. for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

USDA cites Southern Produce Distributors Inc. in North Carolina for PACA violations
USDA cites Southern Produce Distributors Inc. in North Carolina for PACA violations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on Southern Produce Distributors Inc. (SPD), Faison, N.C., for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on New York produce business
USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on New York produce business

The USDA announced that Family Fruit 2 Inc., satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $47,025 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.

USDA sets dates for Blueberry Research and Promotion Program continuance referendum
USDA sets dates for Blueberry Research and Promotion Program continuance referendum

The USDA announced it will conduct a referendum for eligible domestic producers and importers of highbush blueberries on whether to continue the Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order.

USDA warns of fraudulent emails misusing the PACA name
USDA warns of fraudulent emails misusing the PACA name

The USDA warns members of the produce industry to beware of a fraudulent “phishing” scam where criminals have been sending fraudulent email messages using the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act Division name.

Growers speak out on water crisis
Growers speak out on water crisis

California’s water crisis is bad and getting worse.

Consumer prices jump nearly 1% in June
Consumer prices jump nearly 1% in June

he Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 0.9%in June on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.6% in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Another battle in the tomato war
Another battle in the tomato war

The battle over Mexican tomato prices has reared up again between warring grower groups.

Using social media for (all kinds of) good
Using social media for (all kinds of) good

These are the produce posts that caught our attention this week.

Marketing California avocados
Marketing California avocados

“July is part of peak California avocado season, with advertising and promotional support in full swing,” said Jan DeLyser, vice president marketing of the Commission.

Earthcycle packaging now on retail shelves with paper sleeves
Earthcycle packaging now on retail shelves with paper sleeves

CKF, Inc.’s Earthcycle brand of home compostable and recyclable packaging has expanded its range of sustainable options for its customers to encase their fresh produce by commercializing paper sleeves.

USDA announces reopening of pecan marketing order continuance referendum
USDA announces reopening of pecan marketing order continuance referendum

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reopened the referendum voting period from June 29, through July 23, 2021, for pecan growers to vote on whether to continue their Federal marketing order.

Fresh Innovations California rewards COVID-19 vaccinated employees with a vaccination lottery
Fresh Innovations California rewards COVID-19 vaccinated employees with a vaccination lottery

Fresh Innovations California, LLC wraps up their employee COVID-19 vaccination lottery!

Packer Insight – "Healthy" conversation, New York crops and retail awards
Packer Insight – "Healthy" conversation, New York crops and retail awards

Tom Karst, Amy Sowder and Ashley Nickle discuss the FDA's exploration of regulating use of the term "healthy" on food labels, plus New York crops and retail awards, in this episode of Packer Insight.

Desmond O'Rourke talks apple industry changes, challenges, opportunities
Desmond O'Rourke talks apple industry changes, challenges, opportunities

Episode 54 of Tip of the Iceberg Podcast features a conversation between The Packer's editor-in-chief Tom Karst and Desmond O’Rourke, an economist and longtime apple industry observer.

Minkus Family Farms expands
Minkus Family Farms expands

Minkus Family Farms, New Hampton, N.Y., has almost completed a facility expansion.

USDA announces upgrades to its Agricultural Transportation Open Data Visualization Platform
USDA announces upgrades to its Agricultural Transportation Open Data Visualization Platform

The USDA has announced that it has upgraded its Agricultural Transportation Open Data Platform with new datasets and dashboards on rail, truck, barge and ocean vessels.

Empire State Producers Expo set for 2022
Empire State Producers Expo set for 2022

The next Empire State Producers Expo will be in-person Jan. 11-13, 2022, said Brian Reeves, president of New York State Vegetable Growers Association.

RMA authorizes emergency procedures to help drought-impacted producers
RMA authorizes emergency procedures to help drought-impacted producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is authorizing emergency procedures to help agricultural producers impacted by extreme drought conditions.

Farmers already forced to abandon crops as additional water restrictions loom
Farmers already forced to abandon crops as additional water restrictions loom

Bringing into focus some of the California crop losses caused by the 2021 drought, Western Growers has released a series of videos called “No Water = No Crops.”  

New promotional toolkit available from Produce for Better Health
New promotional toolkit available from Produce for Better Health

To ensure companies are ready for September, National Fruits & Veggies Month, Produce for Better Health Foundation has launched a 2021 toolkit.

Smurfit Kappa acquires operations in Mexico, strengthening its customer offering 
Smurfit Kappa acquires operations in Mexico, strengthening its customer offering 

Smurfit Kappa Group is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of Cartonbox, a folding carton company located in Monterrey, in the north- east of Mexico. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercept rare pest in produce shipment
U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercept rare pest in produce shipment

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at the Pharr International Bridge discovered a rare pest, a first-in-nation discovery, in a shipment of coconuts.