Latest News From Industry

It'd be easy to pity the grapefruit, overshadowed by mountains of super-sweet, easy-peel, kid-friendly mandarins ... but there is hope yet for this sunny yellow globe.

As you're getting plans in place now for how best to take advantage of cherries this summer, take a look at the historic pricing and sizing information reported by USDA to get a feel for what's ahead.

Grower-shippers were reluctant to go on record with their predictions for this season’s cherry crop, but most agreed that, if Mother Nature cooperates, there should be plenty to go around this spring and summer.

Fresh Trends says that 44% of consumers purchased garlic in the past month. That’s a lot of customers buying garlic, but it could be even more, with the right approach.

Each week The Packer releases its digital version of the print newspaper. Check out this week's issue.

DL Group USA Inc., Frescos Del Pacifico LLC, Raul Trevino and Sons, Simply Natural Harvest LLC, and TM Hill Produce LLC are new companies to the Market. Aloe Organics LLC, Misfits Market and others have updates.

Restaurants are shuttered; drive-thru windows are feeling a bit too close for comfort; quick trips to the coffee shop for a muffin and latte are temporarily on hold...and have been for a while now.

Restaurants are shuttered; drive-thru windows are feeling a bit too close for comfort; quick trips to the coffee shop for a muffin and latte are temporarily on hold...and have been for a while now.

Our readers have voted and the results are in. What are the biggest hassles of working from home? You may be surprised.

Cascade Fruit Growers LLC, Farmhouse Delivery Inc., King Citrus Produce LLC, Sunrise International Market, and Ubananoo Inc. are new companies to the Market. Fordel Marketing LLC, Fortinos and others have Updates.

USDA suspends PACA license on Bucks Fresh Produce LLC. Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods, Fresh Local Produce of Ohio LLC, S&H LLC are new companies to the Market. Bella Vista Produce Inc., Oz Farm and others have updates.

Suffering millions in lost farm sales because of COVID-19 restrictions on restaurants since mid-March, some Florida growers are now selling some of their crops directly to consumers.

Coco's Produce LLC, Hanline Frozen Foods, Inc., Olive Tree Market, Sugar Mountain Produce, and Sweet Life LLC are new companies to the Market. Richard Lucido & Sons Inc., Strike Fumigants and others have changes.

Baja's Produce Inc. and YW International Inc. have been Endorsed. 89 International Inc., Ci Mistic Sas Fruits and Vegetables LLC, Middle Child Management Inc., are new companies to the Market, plus updates.

Frieda's Inc., and Utopia Produce Inc. have been Endorsed. Megalestari Corp., Montoro Produce Company, Paseo Solutions, LLC, and True North Farms LLC are new companies to the Market and More!

Industry associations have presented to the U.S. Department of Agriculture what is being called a Produce Market Stabilization Program to help produce operators survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

A USDA administrative complaint filed against Southern Sun LLC. Hacienda Ag Incorporated, Heritage Farms LLC, MJR Produce Inc., are new companies to the Market. DMA Solutions Inc. and others have updates.

Boston-based Costa Fruit & Produce is distributing fruit snack packs to area healthcare workers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against Southern Sun LLC, Swedesboro, N.J., alleging it failed to pay almost $750,000 owed to produce sellers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on five businesses to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

Am Group Inc., New York Produce Inc., Start Produce Inc., and V & M Fresh Produce LLC have been sanctioned by USDA. Coop 303 and Valley Packing Inc. are new firms to the Market. A & R Fresh LLC and others have changes.

Aptar Food + Beverage, Plantar De Colombia, and Revol Greens are new companies to the Market. Baker Produce Inc., Don Limón America Inc., Shipley Sales LLC, Sweet Darling Sales Inc., and others have updates.

The majority of consumers polled by The Packer believe they are buying more produce than they were 20 years ago.

Big E Produce has been Endorsed. Sleeper's Market and Summit Ag LLC are new companies to the Market. Allied Grape Growers, Gencon Inc., Oakdale Farms Country Barn, Potomac Vegetable Farms Inc., and others have updates.

The 2020 Grow-NY business competition is seeking applications. 

The Eastern Produce Council has cancelled Casino Night, a highly anticipated event for the industry, due to the new coronavirus, COVID-19.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed a complaint against Bella Fresh Houston LLC, alleging the company failed to pay more than $3.15 million to produce suppliers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has sanctioned business in three states for violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

The USDA reports actions against Bella Fresh Houston LLC, El Chinelo Produce Inc. and Orion Pacific International Inc. 1-876Grocery and Freight Farms are new companies to the Market. Ranalli Farms & others have changes.

The U.S. fresh produce industry needs the federal government’s immediate assistance to recover from economic distress caused by the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.

Fresh produce industry groups are alerting growers and other PACA licensees about the importance of maintaining the protections afforded by the law as the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 continues.

Brookshire Grocery Company and Wazobia African Market are new companies to the Market. Carleton Farms, Frecon Fruit Farms Inc., Paradise Meadows, Pattersons Fruit Farm, Satur Farms and others have updates.

t's watermelon season in Florida. But as the top U.S. watermelon-producing state prepares for harvest, many of the workers needed to collect the crop are stuck in Mexico, unable to secure visas.

Natural Brands Inc. and Streef Produce Ltd. are new companies to the Market. California Specialty Produce Inc., Delfrutti, Grocers Supply Produce Co LLC, The Fruit Basket LLC, Tri Cal Inc., and others have updates.

How have your working conditions changed amid the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic? Tell us more for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card. 

Congress and the Trump administration are sending $2 trillion in cash to help a U.S. economy that has been staggered by the coronavirus COVID-19 since mid-March, and the produce industry is anxious to see their share.

The United Fresh Produce Association is extending the application period for the 26th class of its leadership program because of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

The Packer’s Tom Karst visited on March 26 with Richard Owen, vice president of global membership and engagement for the Produce Marketing Association.

The Department of State is taking steps to reduce delays in the processing of H-2A workers caused by the COVID-19 crisis.

PAB Produce Inc., Los Angeles, has posted a surety bond with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to employ Jose Del Toro Jr.

The USDA announced actions taken regarding Enson Trading Corp. and PAB Produce Inc. Holistic Solutions Global and King Specialty Foods are new companies to the Market. Cinnabar Produce and others have changes.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed a Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act administrative complaint against the Enson Group LLC, doing business as Eternal Food Service.

In part one of our series, we covered the basics of crisping and preparing your fresh produce. With all that work now complete, you are ready to go into physically setting the rack and painting your picture!

Phoenix Microgreens, Sunshine Orchards and Y Hata & Co Limited are new companies to the Market. Arca Organics, La Galera Produce LLC, Lynn-Ette & Sons Inc., Oneonta Trading Corp. and others have updates.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has compiled a list of FAQs for the Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act as customers ask suppliers about extending payment terms.

The Packer’s Tom Karst visits March 24 with Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, president and CEO of the Produce for Better Health Foundation about PBH’s recent consumer-facing activity in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.

South Africa will go on a nationwide lockdown midnight March 26 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, but industry sources report fruit exports are expected to continue without interruption.

Scammers are using the COVID-19 situation to steal personal information from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, the U.S. Department of Agriculture warned March 24.

The Packer’s Tom Karst visited March 24 with Ron Lemaire, president of the CPMA, about the decision to cancel the CPMA show and other produce industry effects from the COVID-19 outbreak.

New Day Farms, Swanson's Foods Inc, and Willy's Supervalu are new companies to the Market. McPeak Orchards, Moxxy Marketing, South Tex Organics LLC, Vine Line Produce Distribution and others have changes.