Latest News From Retail

In terms of health benefits, five a day is the sweet spot for fruit and vegetable consumption.

There's a new leader on PMG. Blueberries vaulted into the No. 1 spot the week of March 1 after a long stretch out of the top 20 fruits and vegetables.

More Sprouts Farmers Market locations are on the way, with several coming soon in a new, smaller store format.

Bard Valley Natural Delights’ are an essential part of the Ramadan tradition as Muslims begin the daily ritual of fasting from sunrise to sunset.

Bill Kelley, the group vice president of produce commissary for Hy-Vee, is retiring after four decades with the company.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based SpartanNash has promoted Amy McClellan to vice president of fresh merchandising.

Mission for Nutrition, the National Nutrition Month promotion from Healthy Family Project, features tools and opportunities for retail dietitians.

In preparation for "Cinco de Mango," the National Mango Board is offering a limited number of themed display bins to U.S. mango shippers on a first-come, first-served basis.

Houston-based MountainKing is offering retailers large, half-pallet bins with 12.5 cubic feet of space ideal for the grower’s 1.5-pound and five-pound packages, according to a news release.

The Millen, Ga.-based Southeast Produce Council said it will again work with FMI and unveil the 2021 edition of the produce industry’s premier research, the Power of Produce, at Southern Exposure on April 7. 

Sprouts Farmers Market plans to open two new fresh distribution centers this year: one in Colorado next month, and one in Florida in early summer.

One in 24 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer, but early detection and eating a cancer-protective diet can reduce your risk.

The latest grocery shopping survey from Brick Meets Click and Mercatus found that online sales rose to $9.3 billion in January as nearly 70 million households placed orders.

Greer’s Market Store #27 in Hurley, Miss., took first place in the first-ever display and sales contest featuring Sunrays grapes from Tarrytown, N.Y.-based Jac. Vandenberg.

Pan Pacific International Holdings, which owns more than 600 stores globally, has announced an agreement to acquire high-end California chain Gelson’s from TPG Capital.

The newest FreshFacts on Retail report from United Fresh sums up the fourth quarter of 2020 and the year overall, along with spotlighting upcoming seasonal categories cucumbers, mangoes and mushrooms.

G&R Farms is excited to continue the Growing America’s Farmers program with regional and national retailers looking to grow sales and support scholarships for FFA students planning careers in production agriculture. 

Dallas-based Avocados From Mexico is teaming with tortilla brand Mission Foods for the second consecutive year for the return of “Taco Tip Off.”

Strawberries enjoyed a third week in a row at No. 1 on PMG, while pummelos bumped oranges down to take the No. 2 spot, landing oranges at No. 3.

Side Delights revealed recently released trend data on the growing focus on the health benefits of foods and the impact it has on consumer behavior.

A new partnership between Carlisle, Pa.-based The Giant Co. and HowGood will provide environmental and social impact ratings for products in the retailer’s online store.

Santa Maria, Calif.-based Gold Coast Packing is now offering 2-pound packs of value-added vegetables in response to new consumer shopping patterns.

The trends of more meals being consumed at home and more people focusing on health continued in January and boosted retail produce sales 9.7% compared to 2019.

Catch up on the news of the week, from the blueberry imports investigation decision to the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention to a new organic report, in this latest episode of Packer Insight.

Aldi plans to open 100 more stores in 2021, focusing on California, Florida, Arizona and the Northeast.

After six years of successful advertising in the Super Bowl, Dallas-based Avocados From Mexico shifted its strategy to help drive retail sales during the fall.

Strawberries retained the No. 1 spot on PMG the week of Feb. 1, but apples rose from No. 8 the previous week to take the No. 2 slot.

Take this quick quiz to test your knowledge on fruit and vegetable promotions related to the Super bowl.

Retailers should push technology providers to create solutions that would allow easier use of nutrition incentive programs that could boost fruit and vegetable consumption.

Fresno, Calif.-based Fowler Packing, which markets mandarins under its Peelz brand, has expanded its offerings to include organic mandarins and dekopon mandarins.

Kingsville, Ontario-based Red Sun Farms has updated its company logo, increasing the prominence of the Red Sun name while retaining the signature butterfly and bright colors.

Pummelos were finally knocked from their weeks-long run at No. 1 when strawberries took the top spot on PMG the week of Jan. 25.

Pittsburgh-based Fifth Season, a vertical, robotic farming company, expanded its distribution partnership with Giant Eagle Inc.

Amado, Ariz.-based Wholesum has a new line of vegetables in sustainable packaging that will roll out in stores this month.

Dorn Wenninger is the new senior vice president of produce for United Natural Foods Inc.

The newest tomato from the Pure Flavor brand comes to market with a Superior Taste Award from the International Taste Institute.

Although it’s snowy and cold in Washington State, Stemilt’s beautiful Artisan Organics™ Fuji apples shine bright on packing lines this week.

Starting in April 2021, That's Tasty – a Shenandoah Growers brand – will roll out a living potted herbs program that makes it simpler than ever for retail partners nationwide to drive incremental spring sales.

Naturipe is bringing back the FeBLUEary blueberry campaign to grocery stores for the fifth year, along with a new push on digital platforms.

Caitlin Tierney, who most recently was the senior director of fresh for 99 Cents Only Stores, has joined Mastronardi Produce as business director for western operations.

The California Walnut Board is launching its fourth American Heart Month campaign in February, expanding its popular retail marketing program in an effort to encourage consumers to make healthier food choices.

CMI Orchards, its growers, partners, and retailers are enjoying success built on accurate trend forecasts first identified years ago.

December was a very strong month for apples and pears, which were up 7% and 12% in dollar sales, respectively.

Fresh produce retail inflation for 2020 was less than 1% and the forecast for 2021 calls for continued stability in retail prices.

The National Mango Board has scheduled a web seminar to introduce its retail strategy for whole and fresh-cut mangoes for 2021.

The California Walnut Board, in partnership with the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), announced today the launch of Have A Plant®: The Plant-Forward Eating Guide.

Crawford discusses how FreshDirect has worked to its online platform a positive experience for shoppers, and he discusses merchandising fresh food in the online space. 

Just as quick-service restaurants use enticing menu board images to drive sales, retailers are relying on the same concept to capture the attention of shoppers seeking a suitable side dish.

Pummelo, oranges and strawberries carried the top three spots on PMG for the third week in a row, while lettuce rose three places to No. 4, and apples gained four spots to complete the top 5.

LGS Specialty Sales, a leading importer of citrus, avocados, grapes, and persimmons, announces a limited-time offering of pink packaging for the Darling Clementine® line ahead of Valentine’s Day.