Latest News From Industry

Gleaning produce for charitable organizations is one of several ways that employees of NatureFresh Farms gave to charities in Ontario, Canada, and Ohio, where it has production.

New Jersey vegetable producer James Abma Jr., Wyckoff, is New Jersey’s 2019 Outstanding Young Farmer.

Western Growers will host its first 2019 AgTechx event in February in West Sacramento, Calif.

Creation Gardens Inc., Louisville, Ky., has been awarded a maximum $49.5 million contract to supply fresh fruits and vegetables to military and school customers in Kentucky and Indiana.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on Dec. 21 outlined what functions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture remain available during the government shutdown.

Calling the legislation a big win for fresh produce interests, industry advocates celebrated the signing of the farm bill by President Trump Dec. 20.

On Dec. 19, Border Patrol agents stopped a tractor-trailer.

Farm Journal yesterday responded to a complaint by Blue Book Services in U.S. District Court, where Blue Book has claimed companies cannot include their Blue Book ratings in their individual Produce Market Guide profile.

Starting Jan. 1, the Wonderful Company, Los Angeles, Calif., said it will raise its minimum wage to $15 per hour for full-time California employees.

Targeting sweet cherry growers for a total of more than $100 million in relief, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is launching the second and final round of trade mitigation payments.

If 2019 is anything like 2018, the fresh produce industry will see many familiar challenges. 

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher said the New Jersey Agricultural Society, Bushels of Blessings and the Foodshed Alliance will share a $100,000 Gleaning Support Grant. 

More than 99% of samples tested in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Data Program had residue levels well below levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Bakersfield, Cali.-based Arable Capital Partners has completed the acquisition of three irrigation companies. 

Pompano Beach, Fla.-based Southern Specialties has partnered with national nonprofit Brighter Bites to provide two varieties of produce each week to the organization’s Southwest Florida program. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee will meet in January.

Produce retailers capitalize on shoppers’ New Year’s resolutions

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cited Tumi Produce International Corp., Bronx, N.Y., for failing to pay for more than half a million dollars of produce.

Based on a recent farm labor survey, U.S. growers who use the H-2A guest worker program likely will face a steep increase in labor costs in 2019.

After a weekend meeting with President Xi Jinping of China, President Trump said he will delay a planned escalation of tariffs on Chinese from Jan. 1 to March 1.

The U.S. on Nov. 30 joined Canada and Mexico to sign the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, a new trade agreement that will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The 2018 farm bill may finally have the momentum to clear Congress.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection authorities seized almost $1 million worth of methamphetamine and cocaine from a commercial shipment of fresh produce at the Pharr (Texas) International Bridge.

The St. Paul, Minn.-based packaging organization Ameripen is calling for a broad effort to build a comprehensive U.S. strategy to reach the goals of 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging.

The global produce packaging market will grow at an annual 4.5% rate in the next five years, a new forecast says.

Newly available Fresh Trends data looks at consumer buying habits for bulk and fresh produce, showing both presentations have strong support.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has lifted the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act ban on Amon Foods Inc., Hayward, Calif.

The Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association, which jointly launched the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices, are offering a web seminar as they seek endorsers of the document.

The U.S. Department has cited Frutera Del Litoral USA LLC, Miami, for failing to pay for almost $700,000 of produce.

Philadelphia specialty wholesaler John Vena Inc. has hired Joe Killian to focus on the company’s business development in the retail sector.

Proposing to replace a requirement to place farm job postings in newspapers with the option to use online media, the Department of Labor has taken the first step toward promised H-2A reforms.

NOGALES, Ariz. — The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas’ 50th Annual Produce Convention honored Rosie Cornelius with the Pillar of the FPAA Award Nov. 2 at the group’s Gala celebration.

Congressional Republicans lost their majority in the House of Representative but retained control of the Senate in Nov. 6 election contests.

Registration is open for the Texas International Produce Association ‘s fifth annual Viva Fresh Produce Expo.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported that a Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act complaint Imperial Frozen Foods Op Co LLC, Wake Forest, N.C., has been closed.

Talk about a meeting between president's Trump and Jinping have changed the mood of commodity markets. 

SUNSET® has ventured into a new partnership with United Kingdom-based BerryWorld®. The Packer stopped by their booth at PMA’s Fresh Summit Convention + Expo to learn more about this partnership.

Cathy Burns encouraged suppliers, importers and buyers at the 50th Nogales Produce Convention to take a close look at the Produce Industry Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices and consider endorsing it.

The United Fresh Produce Association has announced a new, member-exclusive All Access Education Package for 2019.

Fueled by a tight supply of legal farm workers, the number of H-2A temporary agricultural workers certified soared by more than 20% in the past year.

The International Corrugated Packaging Foundation has approved $1 million to expand corrugated packaging curriculum in the U.S.

California is easily the top-ranked state for both fresh fruit and fresh vegetable exports, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Briefing members of the media Oct. 20, Robert Schueller, director of public relations at Los Angeles, Calif.-based World Variety Produce, covered a wide range of specialty produce trends.

Retail food price inflation is expected to be flat in 2018 and inch only modestly higher in 2019, according to a new report.

Loffredo Fresh Produce Co. Inc., Des Moines, Iowa, and Greenberg Fruit Co., Omaha, Neb., have been awarded fresh produce supply contracts by the Defense Logistics Agency.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Pulling in about 21,000 attendees from 60 countries, the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit in Orlando was another smashing success.

Good Foods Group has added five game-changing plant-based dips to its product line. The Packer stopped by the booth at PMA to check out the new snacks.

BrightFarms Inc. is a strong believer in providing consumers with year-round local produce. Check out this exclusive interview from PMA to learn how the company is bringing growth to the salad category.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers recently intercepted 280 pounds of cocaine in a shipment of berries crossing into Canada at Port Huron, Mich.

FiveStar Gourmet Foods and its Simply Fresh brand is pushing innovation in the premium salad space, says Tal Shoshan, chief executive officer of the Ontario, Calif.-based company.