Retail | Packer

Brendon Kline joins sales at Organic Harvest Network

Apr 22, 2019 by Chris Koger

Brendan Kline has joined the Organic Harvest Network as a sales associate.

Bland Farms introduces new Vidalia onion bags, displays

Apr 22, 2019 by Chris Koger

With a new Vidalia onion season officially opening April 22, Bland Farms has a new package design.

Giant Food to pilot Produce Rx program

Apr 22, 2019 by Ashley Nickle

Medicaid beneficiaries with diet-related chronic illnesses can receive prescriptions and coupons for fresh produce as a part of a pilot with a Giant Food store in Washington D.C.

Packer Insight — SNAP news and best retailers for produce

Apr 22, 2019 by Ashley Nickle

Editor-in-chief Tom Karst and retail editor Ashley Nickle discuss a couple of the big stories of the week, including some innovation happening in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and a retailer ranking that produced a list of best grocers for fresh produce.

Flavor expects huge growth for Verry Cherry plums

Apr 22, 2019 by Jim Offner

Hanford, Calif.-based Flavor Tree Fruit Co. LLC now is focusing on specialty items for the California summer fruit deal, and perhaps its biggest is its Verry Cherry plum – a high-brix fruit cross between various cherry and plum varieties, said Maurice Cameron, president.

Good movement, short crop, sets firm apple price outlook

Apr 18, 2019 by Tom Karst

Good retail sales in March with a dwindling storage apple crop may push prices higher late in the season.

Gem avocados from Index Fresh return to store shelves

Apr 18, 2019 by Chris Koger

Index Fresh, Riverside, Calif., is again shipping Gem avocados, to complement full-size hass avocados grown in California.

USDA launches pilot for online SNAP purchases

Apr 18, 2019 by Tom Karst

Food stamp participants will be able to select and pay for their groceries online during a new pilot in New York.

Ocean Spray adopts sustainability initiative

Apr 18, 2019 by Chris Koger

Farmer-owned cooperative Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., Boston, has launched a sustainable agriculture initiative.

J&D Produce rolls out HoneySweet marketing plan

Apr 18, 2019 by Chris Koger

J&D Produce, Edingburg, Texas, has a new consumer marketing campaign featuring its HoneySweet onion brand.

Village Farms add colorful spring recipes

Apr 17, 2019 by Chris Koger

Village Farms is featuring two new spring-themed recipes, Hash Brown Egg Nests with Blistered Tomatoes and Stuffed Tomato Tulips.

Investment firm to acquire Smart & Final for $1.1 billion

Apr 17, 2019 by Ashley Nickle

Apollo Global Management plans to purchase for a second time Commerce, Calif.-based Smart & Final, which manages 324 stores.

PMA CEO urges industry to get produce in the plant-based conversation

Apr 17, 2019 by Ashley Nickle

PHILADELPHIA — The growing interest in plant-based diets is an opportunity the produce industry needs to seize, PMA CEO Cathy Burns said April 11 during her address at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Connections Retail event.

Consumer Reports ranks best grocery stores for produce quality, variety

Apr 17, 2019 by Ashley Nickle

Central Market, Wegmans, Heinen’s, Gelson’s, Trader Joe’s and Market Basket scored highest in customer satisfaction in the latest ranking of grocery stores by Consumer Reports.

FiveStar hires Kate Brooks as VP of Eastern sales

Apr 17, 2019 by Chris Koger

FiveStar Gourmet Foods, Ontario, Calif., has hired Kate Brooks as vice president of sales-East.

All produce needs sometimes is a push

Apr 17, 2019 by Armand Lobato

I hear the most interesting things while shopping.

Zespri launches season with new consumer campaign

Apr 16, 2019 by ckoger@farmjournal.com

Zespri is starting the season with new kiwifruit packaging and a national campaign, Let Your Taste Wander.

Anthony Vineyards expands storage

Apr 16, 2019 by Tom Burfield

Bakersfield, Calif.-based Anthony Vineyards is expanding its cold storage facilities by 50,000 square feet to accommodate new table grape varieties, said Bob Bianco, co-owner.

Cal-Organic potato program starts shipping

Apr 15, 2019 by ckoger@farmjournal.com

Cal-Organic Farms, Bakersfield, Calif., is shipping new crop red and gold potatoes to U.S. and Canadian customers.

Dole Bountiful salads offer plant-based proteins

Apr 15, 2019 by ckoger@farmjournal.com

Dole Food Co. is offering a new line of Bountiful Kits, ready-to-eat salad kits that feature the plant-based protein trend.