Latest News From Industry

Law enforcement officials in Tulare County California arrested this man for allegedly stealing and reselling more than 42,000 pounds of pistachios. The goods had been repackaged into 2,000 pound sacks for resale. 

While you may be used to summer’s sizzling temperatures, your team could face serious danger.

The National Council of Agricultural Employers announced today that the Council’s ongoing collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control has resulted in another opportunity to protect farmworkers from COVID-19.

Arable Capital Partners (“Arable”) announced today the acquisition of Royal Ridge Fruits, Dorsing Farms, Inc. and related entities.

There is a lot to love about fruit, including the plethora of songs about it. Listen here for The Packer's picks of top fruity tunes.

Lafayette, N.J.-based Element Farms completed construction and onboarding at its first facility and has revealed expansion plans: a 2.5-acre greenhouse designed specifically for growing baby spinach year-round.

USDA Secretary Vilsack announced $4 Billion to Ag Producers and Businesses in Round II of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative.

The Business for Impact at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business is launching a new industry leadership initiative.

Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rick Scott, R-Fla. re-introduced legislation to help Florida fruit and vegetable growers combat unfair trade practices “by countries like Mexico,” according to a news release.

This week, our favorite posts on social media are all about making art, featuring families and creating cool recipes — always recipes.

Family Tree Farms’ modernized brand preserves the heart and soul of its deep family roots while introducing a contemporary, consumer-focused story of the world’s most flavorful fruit.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has determined that Stephen Press, Sharon Press and Francis Manzo are not responsibly connected to Farmer Jacks Produce LLC, operating out of Middlesex, N.J.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint against Rain Forest Produce Inc. for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

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 PACA.

The National Potato Council (NPC) today participated in an agriculture industry roundtable discussion with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

If you've been wondering whether your business could benefit from a podcast, the Tuesday session in the Reimagine Conversations series was made for you, covering content planning, distribution, monetization and more.

United Fresh's Reimagine Conversations panelists share these creative strategies in recruiting, onboarding and retaining post-harvest workers in several different sectors of the produce industry.

A 17-year conflict over aircraft subsidies is coming to a temporary close as the U.S. and European Union have agreed to a truce, and it could spill over into a positive move for certain U.S. agricultural goods. 

Silt, Colo.-based Spring Born, an indoor hydroponic farm, launched its website launch this week, highlighting the farm’s sustainable practices, state-of-the-art technology, and product offerings.

The USDA announced that COOQ Merchants & Consulting Inc., satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $11,305 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.

The Produce Marketing Association has officially opened registration for this year’s Fresh Summit which will be held in-person in New Orleans, La.

For those transitioning back into social life out in the real world, a networking golf event is ideal.

This year’s Washington Conference from the United Fresh Produce Association will be “live and in-person” Sept. 20-22 in Washington, D.C.

Radish volume in Western Michigan is expected stable for the Van Solkema Family Farm, said Adam Harnish, sales representative for the  Byron Center, Mich.-based company.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today additional aid to agricultural producers and businesses as part of the USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.

Michael Family Farms, Urbana, Ohio, has increased its potato acreage by 35% in 2021 compared with 2020, said Kathy Michael Sponheim, co-owner and sales, marketing and administration.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has determined that Samuel Sustarich is not responsibly connected to C & D Distributors Inc., Evanston, Ill.

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

The USDA announced that Martinez Fresh Produce LLC satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $47,803 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.

Indoor agriculture is booming with new investment, and one South Bend, Ind.-based hydroponic greenhouse is no exception.

Give the women and children more fresh produce.

A federal judge announced Friday a decision to halt payments in a USDA loan forgiveness program designed to help farmers of color. USDA has until Friday to respond to the court’s temporary restraining order. 

Creepy crawly bugs come in all shapes and sizes in this great wide world of ours, and we know that every insect plays a part in keeping our environment in balance.  

Egg Harbor City, N.J.-based Consalo Family Farms hired Miles Fraser-Jones as vice president of new business development and procurement.

A great shipping season is anticipated for Miedema Produce Inc., Hudsonville, Mich., said Todd Miedema, co-owner.

Oxnard, Calif.-based avocado marketer Mission Produce, Inc. has reported a 6% increase in total revenue for the quarter ending April 30.

Thumbs, at your mark (on your phone): The 2021 social media challenge, #JerseyFreshisCOOLER, has kicked off.

Social media memes of the plump, pear-shaped avocado cartoon figure lifting weights or telling itself in the mirror that it’s the “good kind of fat” parallel the Health at Every Size movement.

Seen on Social: We spotlight produce industry posts on the top five social media platforms that caught our attention this week.

More than a month of protests over a tax reform bill in Colombia have slowed the exports of some agricultural commodities, including hass avocados and bananas, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports.

Research repeatedly proves employee-referred candidates are three times more likely to be a good match for the job.

If the whole point of the Peruvian Avocado Commission is to get more people to eat more avocados from Peru, then promoting the pear-shaped, mild-tasting, buttery fruit is of utmost importance.

 New data from Avocados From Mexico shows that 2021 Mexican avocado imports are on track to reach 2.4 billion pounds by July 5, which would end the fiscal year on a record-setting note. 

Mastronardi Produce and Rhode Island Grows have broken ground on the construction of a 25-acre greenhouse in Exeter, Rhode Island – an effort to bring more high-flavor fresh fruits and vegetables to the region.

Nearly 300 agricultural organizations called on U.S. Senate leaders to “develop and pass” legislation addressing agricultural labor reform.

Citing an “acute and critical need” magnified by another all-too-familiar drought, a national coalition urged Senate leaders yesterday to take action to address the shortcomings of aging water infrastructure.

Expanded melon output is expected this summer from Los Angeles-based Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms, according to Josh Leichter, CEO.

Farm Journal has announced that a #FarmONTM Benefit Concert will be presented in partnership with the National FFA Foundation on Thursday, August 26, at Frahm Farmland in Colby, KS.

There are no antitrust regulatory hurdles remaining for the creation of a new company that will combine Total Produce plc and Dole Food Co. 

From a vast array of plumcots and apriums, to a menagerie of melons, to a brigade of roots and radishes, there is no shortage of options in the world of specialty produce, and consumers are intrigued.