Latest News From Industry

Gonzales, Calif.-based Misionero has partnered with Grupo Altex, Mexico City, to add resources, growing regions and processing capabilities.

Higher wages, water regulations, immigration policies and health care costs are some of the top concerns for California fruit growers, packers and shippers in 2021.

The United Fresh Produce Association is offering web seminars on Feb. 23 and Feb. 25 that will take a deep dive into foodservice and retail sales trends.

A recent United reFresh session featured conversation on opportunities to more effectively sell produce online, from basics like more complete product detail pages to merchandising tools designed to increase urgency.

The seventh annual Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association conference will feature more than 50 speakers across sessions on topics from labor to online selling platforms to water scarcity.

Trends to heed: organic apple and pear sales continue their boom, Cosmic Crisp® apple rises in rank in its sophomore year, and proprietary apples, such as Autumn Glory®, drive category growth.

During the virtual Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Annie Miller noticed her young neighbors had food delivered daily amid the winter snowfall in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

The value of U.S. apple exports fell 11% in 2020, but government trade statistics show that orange exports increased in value by 8%.

There are several ways to ensure profitability when considering whether to add distribution or delivery services to your company.

The Fresh Produce & Floral Council's 2021 Apprentice Program is accepting applications through Feb. 22.

Atlanta-based Graphic Packaging International has launched ProducePack, a sustainable paperboard packaging range of solutions for fresh produce.

In addition to its annual Hall of Fame inductions, the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) presented several other annual Industry Awards during a virtual ceremony held February 2-3, 2021.

This year United Fresh is taking BrandStorm virtual on March 9-11. Among the events is a Zoom background contest.

The United Fresh Produce Association has launched its 2021 Compensation Survey for the fresh produce industry, with the results expected in June.

You had to crawl out of your comfort zone — if you hadn’t already — to make it as a fruit or vegetable grower in 2020 and going into 2021.

 Every five years the CDFA holds a mandated referendum vote to provide California avocado growers the opportunity to determine whether the California Avocado Commission will be reapproved.

Schenectady, N.Y.-based Price Chopper/Market 32 and Williamsville, N.Y.-based Tops Markets have agreed to merge, with the new parent company operating roughly 300 stores.

Catch up quick on news of the week with The Packer's editor-in-chief Tom Karst, retail editor Ashley Nickle and Northeast editor Amy Sowder on this latest episode of Packer Insight.

A year after it opened, the Kopke Distribution Center is fully operational in Vineland, N.J., and providing key logistic support for Great Neck, N.Y.-based William H. Kopke Jr., Inc.

Macfrut, an international produce trade fair, is scheduled for Sept. 7-9 at Italy’s Rimini Expo Centre.

The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a case that challenges California’s 45-year-old access regulation for union representatives.

San Francisco-based Imperfect Foods has announced increased investment in the company.

The 2021 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention will open Feb. 8 online and continue with live sessions through Feb. 11.

Newark, N.J.-based AeroFarms, an indoor vertical farming company, won the Circular Economy Innovation of the Year from the EDIE Sustainability Leaders Awards.

Hosted by the Texas International Produce Association, the 2021 Viva Fresh Expo is right around the corner with both in-person and digital elements.

For home delivery, Baldor Specialty Foods, Bronx, N.Y., has created a Peak Season Box of fresh fruits and vegetables in their prime time.

Pure Green Farms, South Bend, Ind., has launched its website the first week of February to highlight the farm’s technology, growing practices and products.

Tom Vilsack will easily be confirmed as the Agriculture Secretary by the full Senate by Feb. 4 after the Senate Agriculture Committee gave him unanimous support on Feb. 2. 

Episode 34 of Tip of the Iceberg Podcast features an interview with Mushroom Council's Eric Davis, who discusses the organization's ongoing promotion of The Blend and the council's new #FeedYourImmuneSystem campaign.

The variety of vegetables that Americans eat has expanded in the last 20 years, according to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture report.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility detected packages containing alleged fentanyl and cocaine in a commercial tractor/trailer arriving from Mexico with fresh produce.

Aided by the USDA funds, Pear Bureau Northwest has launched a series of consumer outreach promotions using new digital platforms and content partners.

COVID-19 relief, climate change legislation and nutrition programs are top priorities for Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., incoming chairwoman of the U.S. Agriculture Committee.

Lunar New Year, which begins on February 12, 2021, is the perfect time to help shoppers discover new food favorites, and Frieda’s customized Asian vegetable program makes it easy.

Kent, Wash.-based Pacific Coast Fruit Co., acquired Seattle-based Northwest Specialty Produce.

¡Yo Quiero!, a Texas based company specializing in avocado, guacamole and dip products, is getting consumers ready for the Big Game!

Applications are now being accepted for Class 51 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP).

In April, CPMA will host its Annual Convention and Trade Show in a new online forum called Fresh Week.

PBH wants to recognize all those who committed to fruit and vegetable consumption – one of the industry’s most challenging issues – in 2020, one of the most unique years in American history.

 As the Southeast Produce Council continues with preparations for Southern Exposure to be held April 6 – 8 in Orlando, Florida, the SEPC team is working diligently to ensure the health and safety of attendees.

Salix Fruits shipped more than 40,000 pallets of fruit in 2020, a growth of 100%, with with increases in citrus and apples, the main products of Salix´s supply.

Hancock Natural Resource Group, a company of Manulife Investment Management, announced it has completed a majority acquisition of David Del Curto S.A. on behalf of its third-party clients.

Get a quick rundown of the produce industry news of the week from editor-in-chief Tom Karst, news editor Chris Koger, Northeast editor Amy Sowder and retail editor Ashley Nickle in this latest episode of Packer Insight.

President of GoldenSun Insights, Randy Riley, will be speaking virtually at ASTA’s 60th Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference to be held on February 1st, 2021.

Pear Bureau Northwest is partnering with one of the most famous Mexican wrestlers (Luchador), Psycho Clown, who will tout healthy, delicious pears to his broad fanbase.

California’s 800,000 farmworkers have been hit hard by COVID-19, the disease that has infected more than 25 million people and killed more than 420,000 in the United States.

More than 100 chefs from across the United Arab Emirates created history on January 4 by producing 2,209 pies made with USA Pears and setting a Guinness World Record for the longest line of pies.

United Fresh’s sixth annual BrandStorm event will feature a panel of marketing icons Roger Pepperl, Cindy Jewell and Mark Munger, sharing perspectives on the past, present and future of fresh produce marketing

A Jan. 21 fire destroyed a dehydrated potato processing facility in Warden, Wash.

Our Shillington Box facility proves “unmatched” in its expertise and customer service as it helps their client expand its national footprint by way of e-commerce.