Latest News From Industry

The USDA says the specialty crops competitiveness initiative will raise awareness of which of its services and resources are available support to the specialty crops industry and help identify gaps in those services.

Rep. Thompson, chairman of the House Ag Committee, continues to express optimism about passing a new farm bill in December in the House of Representatives. But he says an extension of the current farm bill is needed.

More than 500 attendees, buyers and exhibitors attended the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas’ inaugural Southwest International Produce Expo.

KeHE Distributors, a distributor of natural, organic, specialty and fresh products, says it has “learned to navigate” the ever-evolving distribution landscape through a focus on pick rates, fill rates and flexibility.

Later this month, San Joaquin Valley, Calif.-based Live Oak Farms is poised to begin importing product from its farming operations in Mexico to help complete a 52-week cycle of availability on green and red bell peppers.

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 PACA.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the USDA are taking nominations for members of a new trade advisory group known as the Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee.

The Packer caught up with Northland Potato Growers Association on camera at IFPA’s recent Global Produce and Floral Show to learn more about what makes potatoes from the Red River Valley unique.

Ocean Mist Farms unveiled a 30-by-30-foot booth at the recent Global Produce and Floral Show, providing an opportunity to tell the story of the fourth-generation legacy company and its value-added products.

The Omaha, Neb.-based company has joined FreshEdge, a family of fresh food distribution companies backed by private-equity investment firm Wind Point Partners.

Weather, labor shortages and geopolitical challenges are complicating the global fresh produce trade, but technological innovations and new products signal ample opportunities ahead, a new report says.

Bloom Fresh, a premium fruit-breeding company specializing in table grapes, cherries and raisins, says it's taking proactive measures to safeguard table grape production as El Niño threatens vineyards across the globe.

The Packer caught up with Fair Trade USA founder and CEO Paul Rice at IFPA’s Global Produce and Floral Show to learn more about the organization’s newly launched Produce Program Innovation.

Produce advocates sought to connect and inspire retail dietitians at this year's Food and Nutrition Conference and the Retail Registered Dietitian Immersion Event at the IFPA's recent Global Produce and Floral Show.

The Packer caught up with Red Sun Farms' Carlos Visconti on camera at IFPA’s recent Global Produce and Floral Show to learn more about the company’s seed-to-plate innovation.

Noting a slight decline in net sales but improved profits in its banana trade, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc.  has reported financial results for the third quarter.

Avocados From Mexico will be the title sponsor of the Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl.

Kristin Dinsmore chats with key executives about their family-oriented culture and commitment to sustainable operations.

Among it's contributions to the event, the association will provide New York state-grown apples at the finish line, at several related events and to race volunteers.

The Packer caught up with Gem-Pack Berries on camera at IFPA’s Global Produce and Floral Show to learn more about the company’s strong growth and family-focused approach.

What tech skills do job seekers need to thrive in their search? Rex Lawrence of produce job search firm Joe Produce answers that question and more in this ZAG Tech-partnered "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast.

Sun World International recently took to New York City to officially debut its Autumncrisp brand grapes’ global consumer marketing campaign.

As the companies report seeing a healthy growing season throughout the Pacific Northwest and Wisconsin, a "fun-focused" retail campaign is set to embrace the emerging "Friendsgiving" trend.

The USDA has awarded more than $32 million for 98 grant projects to expand and strengthen local and regional food systems and increase the availability of locally grown agricultural products.

The Syngenta Group has been recognized as one of the globe’s top five leading employers in the 2023 Science Careers Top Employers Survey.

The Packer caught up with Mastronardi Produce on camera at IFPA’s Global Produce and Floral Show to learn more about what makes its new Sunset Summer Dream Raspberries unique.

The National Grocers Association Foundation has wrapped its Point of Sale Produce Prescription Workgroup, creating a core functionality document intended for efficient and accurate produce prescription POS solutions.

The avocado producer and distributor has mapped out a plan to double its avocado ripening capacity and add mango operations to its distribution center in Dartford, England, by next spring.

The commission says the new direction is "focused on the California brand with an emphasis on targeting and investment efficiencies,” which also included the hiring of an in-house marketing manager.

From new products and packaging to new marketing campaigns and recent acquisitions, many companies embraced IFPA's Global Produce and Floral Show as an opportunity to introduce the latest and greatest in the fresh space.

The Fresno, Calif.-based stone fruit producer has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, seeking a third-party sale or conversion of existing debt into equity ownership.

Political unrest, a healthy ag economy and the start of an election year. These are all reasons economists in the October Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor think it could 2025 before Congress passes a new farm bill.

The produce industry’s mad merchandising skills are evidenced by the National Watermelon Promotion Board’s newly named winners in its annual Retail Merchandising Contest.

According to advocacy groups, the Financial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Act seeks to provide needed financial protections that would help avoid bankruptcy, such as the recent case of Lakeside Produce.

Luis Guardia, president of the Food Research & Action Center, said the group is troubled that a recent USDA report reveals hunger in America soared in 2022 after falling the previous year due to pandemic relief efforts.

GrubMarket has acquired PA China Farm, a provider of specialty fruits and vegetables.

The USDA says it will establish a Regional Agricultural Promotion Program and expand federal procurement of U.S. agricultural products aimed at bolstering specialty crop exports and addressing food insecurity globally.

“Our Centre of Sales and Marketing Excellence is the gateway to all of our major markets ... and it was brilliant we could have our growers join us for this important event,” said Zespri CEO Dan Mathieson.

Avocados From Mexico celebrated its 10th anniversary at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce and Floral Show, Oct. 19-21, with a VIP event in its booth.

The purpose of the pilot program is to improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency by addressing challenges agricultural employers face with labor shortages and instability, the USDA says.

“Innovation” was the word on everyone’s lips at the International Fresh Produce Association’s high-energy and well-attended Global Produce and Floral Show, Oct. 19-21.

From the proliferation of compostable packaging options to a snack-sized supernova, fresh produce purveyors unveiled the most exciting updates and products at the 2023 Global Produce and Floral Show in Anaheim, Calif.

IFPA’s bustling Global Produce and Floral Show brought together members from the fresh produce supply chain from more than 60 countries and featured over 1,160 exhibiting companies, including 157 first-timers.

Attendees brought their A-game to the show floor at the IFPA’s 2023 Global Produce & Floral trade show, creating an inspired, and at times raucous, display of products, people and innovations.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce and Floral Show kicked off with a rousing State of the Industry address by CEO Cathy Burns, Oct. 19.

The International Fresh Produce Association has kicked off its annual show, bringing together a diverse industry and delivering programming and parties with its signature showmanship and panache.

Among its priorities, the bill proposes creating a Specialty Crop Mechanization and Automation Research and Development Program within the USDA to support specialty crop mechanization and automation projects.

Los Angeles-based Giumarra Companies will host the “Giumarra Golf Club” as part of the company’s broad participation at IFPA’s Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, Calif.

Through the partnership, students receive a coupon for fresh produce, redeemable at local Dollar General stores that now offer fresh fruit and vegetables.

The 15th anniversary of Fruit Attraction ended Oct. 5 with the best participation figures in the history of the trade fair.