Latest News From Industry

USDA takes action against Texas company for alleged PACA violations
USDA takes action against Texas company for alleged PACA violations

The USDA has filed an administrative complaint against Heyvel Produce LLC for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

Steve Wozniak to headline IFPA’s Global Produce & Floral Show
Steve Wozniak to headline IFPA’s Global Produce & Floral Show

The International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral show this October will feature Steve Wozniak as a keynote speaker, introduced by incoming IFPA Chair John Anderson, CEO of Oppy.

Amfresh and EQT acquire IFG, launch new global breeding company
Amfresh and EQT acquire IFG, launch new global breeding company

Amfresh Group, in partnership with EQT Future and Paine Schwartz Partners, has acquired IFG, a global table grape and cherry breeding company. Together they have formed a new entity: Bloom Fresh International.

Alsum Farms & Produce 50th anniversary celebration raises thousands for Wisconsin FFA chapters
Alsum Farms & Produce 50th anniversary celebration raises thousands for Wisconsin FFA chapters

Friesland, Wis.-based Alsum Farms & Produce celebrated 50 years in business on Aug. 11-12.

What do interest rate increases and bank downgrades mean for farmers?
What do interest rate increases and bank downgrades mean for farmers?

Three recent headlines from the financial world have farmers asking how those events could affect their lending situation.

Michigan Apple Committee's website has a new look for consumers
Michigan Apple Committee's website has a new look for consumers

The revamped website provides apple consumers with recipes, health information, varietal information and grower biographies.

Summer sales strong in Michigan
Summer sales strong in Michigan

The season may have gotten off to a later start than usual, but Michigan produce distributors say they’re seeing a superb summer so far.

How the FARMS program helps cultivate California ag’s next generation
How the FARMS program helps cultivate California ag’s next generation

The FARMS program has introduced careers in ag and environmental sciences to tens of thousands of high school youth, most with no previous access to these opportunities.

Michigan Apple Committee cuts retail marketing efforts
Michigan Apple Committee cuts retail marketing efforts

Starting with the 2023 crop year, the Lansing-based Michigan Apple Committee will no longer engage in retail marketing efforts, said Diane Smith, executive director.

Bound for Boston: NEPC bets on casino hotel for 2023 Produce, Floral & Foodservice Expo
Bound for Boston: NEPC bets on casino hotel for 2023 Produce, Floral & Foodservice Expo

The New England Produce Council’s Produce, Floral & Foodservice Expo is officially Aug. 21-22, but everything happens within 24 hours.

Chile celebrates 20 years of free trade with the U.S.
Chile celebrates 20 years of free trade with the U.S.

Chile is celebrating 20 years of free trade with the U.S.

USDA report cites rising farm labor costs but also rising productivity
USDA report cites rising farm labor costs but also rising productivity

Although farm wages have been rising, a new USDA report says those rising costs have been offset by rising productivity and/or output prices.

Athlete, activist, entrepreneur Allyson Felix to headline IFPA global show women's breakfast
Athlete, activist, entrepreneur Allyson Felix to headline IFPA global show women's breakfast

The most decorated American track and field Olympian, entrepreneur and founder of Saysh is slated to speak at the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast at The Global Produce & Floral Show.

Oregon and Washington pear producers vote to continue federal marketing order
Oregon and Washington pear producers vote to continue federal marketing order

The vote allows the Oregon and Washington pear industry and the Fresh and Processed Pear Committee to conduct production and marketing research and promotional initiatives including paid advertising with USDA oversight.

Meet the new faces of New England Produce Council
Meet the new faces of New England Produce Council

Expect to see some new faces on New England Produce Council’s two boards: the executive board and board of directors.

Dole’s Bobby Banana visits Boys & Girls Club, kicks off national back-to-school celebration
Dole’s Bobby Banana visits Boys & Girls Club, kicks off national back-to-school celebration

With the goal of helping kids make healthy after-school snacks this fall, Bobby Banana, the 7-foot mascot of Dole Food Co., visited the Oak Forest campus of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Charlotte on Aug. 4.

Potato retail sales up double digits year-over-year, report says
Potato retail sales up double digits year-over-year, report says

U.S. retail sales of potatoes have grown 16.8% from July 2022 through June 2023, according to a recent Circana report.

Onion industry leaders, researchers to host National Onion Association Convention
Onion industry leaders, researchers to host National Onion Association Convention

The National Onion Association Convention will bring together industry advocates and allium researchers on the riverwalk in San Antonio on Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.

Mission Produce appoints SpartanNash exec to board of directors
Mission Produce appoints SpartanNash exec to board of directors

The Oxnard, Calif.-based company has appointed SpartanNash President and CEO Tony Bashir Sarsam to its board of directors, effective Aug. 14.

Mushroom Council and Culinary Institute of America launch plant-forward video series
Mushroom Council and Culinary Institute of America launch plant-forward video series

The Mushroom Council and The Culinary Institute of America are taking chefs on a globally inspired culinary tour — featuring mushrooms as the star ingredient — in their recently launched educational video series.

Chefs battle for 'Top Guac' honor
Chefs battle for 'Top Guac' honor

The Top Guac challenge was met.

GrubMarket acquires London Fruit to further expand in Texas
GrubMarket acquires London Fruit to further expand in Texas

London Fruit operates a facility in south Texas that spans almost 50,000 square feet, including refrigerated cold storage and a USDA organic-certified repacking space.

Department of Labor says investigation recovers $45K in back wages from fruit company
Department of Labor says investigation recovers $45K in back wages from fruit company

The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has found the Timberville, Va.-based Mt. Clifton Fruit Company LLC violated multiple requirements of the H-2A agricultural worker program.

Investors to CEA: The time for profitability is now
Investors to CEA: The time for profitability is now

As the CEA industry matures, investors are increasingly eager to see results in the form of productivity and profitability.

Renowned academic to be keynote speaker at Western Growers annual meeting
Renowned academic to be keynote speaker at Western Growers annual meeting

Western Growers has announced that Dr. Temple Grandin will be the kickoff keynote speaker at the group’s 97th Annual Meeting in Hawaii.

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. reports strong quarter
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. reports strong quarter

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. reported a doubling of net income for the second quarter that ended June 30.

Capitol Hill celebrates National Blueberry Month
Capitol Hill celebrates National Blueberry Month

Representatives in Washington D.C., enjoyed blueberries during the first National Blueberry Month this July, whether through tasting berry-laden treats or advocating for agriculture policy.

Florida produce firm awarded $189M contract
Florida produce firm awarded $189M contract

Freedom Fresh LLC, Medley, Fla., has been awarded a five-year, $189.5 million contract to supply fresh fruit and vegetables to government customers.

Farmers remain cautiously optimistic about ag economy
Farmers remain cautiously optimistic about ag economy

Agricultural producer sentiment improved slightly in July as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index rose 2 points to a reading of 123.

Legislation would create a permanent program for ag disaster relief
Legislation would create a permanent program for ag disaster relief

U.S. lawmakers are proposing to create a permanent structure at the USDA to provide relief to growers who lose crops because of natural disasters.

Keynote lineup unveiled for IFPA's Global Produce & Floral Show
Keynote lineup unveiled for IFPA's Global Produce & Floral Show

Drawing from the worlds of big business, athletics, and global technology strategy and innovation, the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show has unveiled its keynote lineup for 2023.

FPAA invites industry membership from three states as its preps for new expo
FPAA invites industry membership from three states as its preps for new expo

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas has expanded into California, Texas and New Mexico — and recently shared more details on its November expo.

NABC to explore 'inspiring possibilities' at Blueberry Summit
NABC to explore 'inspiring possibilities' at Blueberry Summit

The North American Blueberry Council will hold its Blueberry Summit in Savannah, Ga., Sept. 27-29.

Seen and heard at IFPA Foodservice Conference
Seen and heard at IFPA Foodservice Conference

International Fresh Produce Association welcomed produce suppliers, foodservice innovators, chefs, K-12 professionals, menu planners and more to Foodservice Conference on July 27-28.

Celebrate National Avocado Day with a cupcake
Celebrate National Avocado Day with a cupcake

Avocados From Mexico is partnering with cupcake bakery chain Sprinkles to launch a Chocolate Dulce De Leche cupcake celebrating National Avocado Day on July 31.

PepsiCo and Walmart collaborate to invest $120M in regenerative ag
PepsiCo and Walmart collaborate to invest $120M in regenerative ag

PepsiCo and Walmart say they aim to support regenerative agriculture across more than 2 million acres of farmland in the U.S. and Canada.

Public relations firm adds ag focus
Public relations firm adds ag focus

5W Public Relations will work with growers, brands and industry associations across the farming and growing space, including producers of products delivered fresh to consumers as well as prepackaged and dry goods.

Square Roots pauses commercial production, pivots to ‘farming as a service’ model
Square Roots pauses commercial production, pivots to ‘farming as a service’ model

As part of shifting its business model, the hydroponic grower is pausing production, closing three of its four container farms across the U.S. and laying off staff.

Specialty crop coalition backs proposed legislation addressing farm bill priorities
Specialty crop coalition backs proposed legislation addressing farm bill priorities

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance has endorsed legislation that it says addresses several key priorities in the 2023 farm bill.

Chipotle partners with Avocados from Peru to offer free guac
Chipotle partners with Avocados from Peru to offer free guac

Avocado fans will have something extra to celebrate this National Avocado Day, July 31, as Chipotle Mexican Grill and Avocados from Peru have partnered to offer Chipotle Rewards members free guacamole.

Stemilt honored for Project SEARCH partnership
Stemilt honored for Project SEARCH partnership

The Wenatchee, Wash.-based grower-packer-shipper of tree fruit collaborated with Eastmont High School on the transition to work program that provides education and training to young people with disabilities.

The Packer, EFI launch Grow the Good award to highlight farmworkers
The Packer, EFI launch Grow the Good award to highlight farmworkers

The program is open to farmworkers not in a management or administrative role who work in farm labor or production. They must have worked in fresh produce for at least two years and embody values that “Grow the Good."

Food inflation slowing but still above historical norms
Food inflation slowing but still above historical norms

Food prices also are expected to continue to decelerate but not decline in 2024, according to a new USDA report.

USDA offers fellowship to help with food system transformation efforts
USDA offers fellowship to help with food system transformation efforts

The USDA has entered into a cooperative agreement with the Federation of American Scientists to establish a new Food Supply Chain Impact Fellowship.

Video series aims to elevate outdoor grilling with help from Vidalia onions
Video series aims to elevate outdoor grilling with help from Vidalia onions

The Vidalia Onion Committee is partnering with Certified Angus Beef for a social media content series intended to help at-home chefs with recipes and grilling inspiration.

AppHarvest seeks to sell its farms in Chapter 11 filing
AppHarvest seeks to sell its farms in Chapter 11 filing

The indoor grower has secured a financing commitment to support operations at three of its four farms during Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and hopes to maintain operations and employees through transition.

Good Foods launches one-of-a-kind Guac-a-rita
Good Foods launches one-of-a-kind Guac-a-rita

The Pleasant Prairie, Wis.-based company has combined two quintessential summertime treats — guacamole and margaritas — to celebrate July’s National Tequila and National Avocado Days.

California restaurants use LTOs to promote local avocados
California restaurants use LTOs to promote local avocados

This spring and summer, California-based restaurant chains Flame Broiler Inc. and Del Taco showcased the use of fresh California avocados in limited-time offers from early May through mid-July.

AppHarvest responds to recent financial news
AppHarvest responds to recent financial news

The Kentucky-based greenhouse grower is seeking to reassure stakeholders in a stated response to recent news of creditor and property issues facing several of its farms.

Ohio suppliers cope with inflation
Ohio suppliers cope with inflation

Inflation is still in evidence throughout the Ohio produce industry, but fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers say some costs seem to be trending downward — though labor remains a challenge.