Latest News From Retail

Chilean fruit — Summer’s just a phone call (to your supplier) away
Chilean fruit — Summer’s just a phone call (to your supplier) away

As the pandemic trudges into winter, a taste of summer from Chile may be just what the doctor ordered.

Pummelo grabs interest on PMG
Pummelo grabs interest on PMG

Organic pears, in the PMG top 10 for the past couple of weeks, took over as No. 1 the week of Nov. 9, bumping lettuce to No. 2.

Potatoes, onions at home in multicultural cuisines
Potatoes, onions at home in multicultural cuisines

Marketing to different ethnic and demographic groups requires flexibility and a diverse portfolio of products, marketers say.

Wonderful Halos focuses on sweetness for 2020 season marketing
Wonderful Halos focuses on sweetness for 2020 season marketing

Wonderful Halos is starting its 2020 season with a marketing campaign focusing on the consistent quality and sweetness of the mandarins.

Walmart sales still up  but show reduced growth

Retail food sales are still up big, but the cruise control button is off.

Don Limón launches direct sourcing retail plan

Don Limón – the international fresh fruit exporter-importer – is excited to announce the launch of its retail partnership program to offer greater flexibility as the trend towards direct sourcing intensifies. 

Eagle Eye puts spotlight on growers
Eagle Eye puts spotlight on growers

Idaho Falls, Idaho-based Eagle Eye Produce is “putting a bigger focus on building our brand and promoting the people behind the brand," said Joe Ange, director of business development.

Envy apples featured in Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas

Envy apples will be a part of a recent Christmas tradition, with promotions during the Hallmark Channel’s popular Countdown to Christmas programming.

Colorado Potato Administrative Committee focuses on social
Colorado Potato Administrative Committee focuses on social

Jessica Crowther has been promoted to chief marketing officer with the Monte Vista-based Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, said Jim Ehrlich, executive director.

Specialty offerings expand reach of potatoes and onions
Specialty offerings expand reach of potatoes and onions

Specialty varieties play a central role in marketing potatoes and onions, marketers say.

Holidays could look different, but spud, onion supplies ample
Holidays could look different, but spud, onion supplies ample

Potato and onion suppliers say they will have plenty of product on hand for Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts in 2020.

Pandemic alters some potato, onion marketing tactics
Pandemic alters some potato, onion marketing tactics

Potato and onion marketers say COVID-19 has forced them to alter plans in certain channels, but the pandemic hasn’t stopped them.

Opportunity buys for next week ⁠— Blueberries, asparagus, avocados
Opportunity buys for next week ⁠— Blueberries, asparagus, avocados

Looking for more of what's in season? Check out these highlights from the latest crop report by Markon Cooperative to see items that check the boxes for price, quality and availability for the week of Nov. 15.

A season to lead with gratitude
A season to lead with gratitude

On the surface, finding anything to be thankful for in 2020 might seem like a stretch. Yet, in the middle of the storm, there is still room for gratitude. There is still cause for thanksgiving.

West Coast Produce Expo Booth Briefs — Pure Flavor, Wholly Guacamole
West Coast Produce Expo Booth Briefs — Pure Flavor, Wholly Guacamole

Below are highlights from a few of the exhibitors at the virtual 2020 West Coast Produce Expo.

Packer Insight — Produce and politics, retailer insights, AFM
Packer Insight — Produce and politics, retailer insights, AFM

The Packer's editors discuss key topics of the week, including federal policy and leadership changes affecting produce; retailer insight at West Coast Produce Expo; and Avocados From Mexico's new Super Bowl strategy.

West Coast Produce Expo Booth Briefs — Grimmway, Purefresh, Mother Raw
West Coast Produce Expo Booth Briefs — Grimmway, Purefresh, Mother Raw

Here's what exhibitors were highlighting in their booths at West Coast Produce Expo.

Michael Schutt of Raley's talks e-commerce at WCPE
Michael Schutt of Raley's talks e-commerce at WCPE

Michael Schutt discussed at the West Coast Produce Expo his company’s growing online business and his experience with navigating the pandemic as he has transitioned into a new role.

Jeff Cady talks leadership, key attributes for produce roles at WCPE
Jeff Cady talks leadership, key attributes for produce roles at WCPE

Jeff Cady shared his takeaways on how 2020 has developed him as a leader, which characteristics are essential for different produce roles, and opportunities he’s taken to continue his development and that of his team.

Maine potato grower debuts Fenway Reds at Hannaford stores

In the fall of 2019, Green Thumb Farms launched the “Farmer’s First” program to develop new potato varieties for retailers – and to help consumers discover new products that work well in their kitchens.

NGA Show, Indoor Ag-Con to co-locate in 2021

The NGA Show and Indoor Ag-Con, the premier agriculture conference and trade show for the indoor and vertical farming industry, announced that they will co-locate in 2021 for the first time.

Advance your avocado merchandising
Advance your avocado merchandising

How are other stores across the country merchandising avocados? Here's a glimpse of what we've been seeing.

Chilean organic blueberry growers see systems approach as boon
Chilean organic blueberry growers see systems approach as boon

A systems approach regulation, recently published in the Federal Register, should facilitate organic blueberry shipments from Chile to the U.S., said Karen Brux, managing director of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association.

Analyst: Amazon’s grocery stores should be taken seriously
Analyst: Amazon’s grocery stores should be taken seriously

Precise location and efficient operation of stores are among the reasons the grocery industry should be taking seriously Amazon’s new banner, said Bill Bishop, chief architect of consulting firm Brick Meets Click.

Pom Wonderful pomegranate campaign covers arils, juice, fruit

Pom Wonderful, Los Angeles, is launching its largest digital campaign for pomegranates, pomegranate juice and arils.

Pear Bureau prepares for World Pear Day

Pear Bureau Northwest is launching the 2020 edition of its annual World Pear Day on December 5.

Wish Farms brand refresh includes label, website, app updates
Wish Farms brand refresh includes label, website, app updates

Berry grower-marketer Wish Farms, Plant City, Fla., is refreshing its brand with a new look for packaging, new label messaging, updated website and a smartphone app.

Lettuce takes over on PMG
Lettuce takes over on PMG

The top five fruits and vegetables on PMG saw some dramatic shifts the week of Nov. 9 as lettuce moved up from No. 3 to No. 1, oranges climbed from No. 8 to No. 2, and organic pears moved from No. 6 to No. 3.

Sunions returning to store shelves

Sunions®, America’s first tearless and sweet onion, are hitting retail shelves this week. Decades of research and a tightly controlled testing protocol are to thank for these game-changing onions. 

See ya sweatpants and stock-up trips to the grocery store
See ya sweatpants and stock-up trips to the grocery store

See ya, sweatpants, Zoom calls and stock-up trips to the grocery store.

Stemilt encourages multi-variety ads to counter apple category dip

U.S. apple sales and volume in October were off a beat from a year ago, and Stemilt Growers says one way to counter that is to promote multiple varieties in a range of pack options.

Packer Insight — Politics and produce, H-2A, Hunts Point and stellar columns
Packer Insight — Politics and produce, H-2A, Hunts Point and stellar columns

The Packer's Tom Karst, Amy Sowder and Ashley Nickle discuss the key topics of the week, from election fallout and implications for produce to the latest from New York to great columns from longtime retail executives.

Prepare to win this holiday season
Prepare to win this holiday season

Each year retailers lean into the final two months of the calendar to capitalize on a strong demand for produce as well as seasonal items meant to charm the senses during what generally is a jubilant and festive period.

Sustainability valued but definition elusive

Retailers care about sustainability because consumers care, but for many the pursuit of sustainability tends to be more of an afterthought than top priority.

Applewood Fresh and the Produce Moms co-brand apple packages

Sparta, Mich.-based apple shipper Applewood Fresh and The Produce Moms have launched a co-branded apple package timed for fall sales and the holiday baking season.

Organic produce gaining ground in grocery stores

It’s a rarity these days to find a supermarket that doesn’t stock at least a limited selection of organic fruits and vegetables, and most stores feature a wide range of organic options to choose from.

Tasteful Selections makes Inc. list of fast-growing private companies

Inc. magazine revealed its annual Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies, and Arvin, Calif.-based Tasteful Selections ranked No. 3,941 on the list, according to a news release.

The Produce Aisle with Armand Lobato
How to keep your customers

From which chain does a customer go home with their goods, feeling like “their” store is somewhere they’re likely to return to on a regular basis?

Conversations at WCPE: Steve Lutz on shifting shopper behaviors present and future
Conversations at WCPE: Steve Lutz on shifting shopper behaviors present and future

Steve Lutz, senior vice president of insights and innovation for Category Partners, will speak Nov. 11 at the West Coast Produce Expo about shifting shopper behaviors present and future amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Natural Grocers issues voluntary recall on organic elderberries

Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc. iis voluntarily recalling Natural Grocers Brand 4-ounce Organic Whole Elderberries after being notified by its supplier of the potential presence of Salmonella.

Time to nominate your great produce managers for national recognition
Time to nominate your great produce managers for national recognition

The United Fresh Produce Association is now accepting nominations for its 2021 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program.

Pomegranates, kiwifruit see interest on PMG

Pumpkins regained the top two spots on PMG the week of Oct. 26, leading up to Halloween, while lettuce moved up a couple of places to No. 3.

Rob Ybarra, director of produce for Rouses, will discuss at the West Coast Produce Expo the challenge of navigating the pandemic and hurricanes while continuing to create enjoyable experiences for shoppers.
Conversations at WCPE: Rouses' Rob Ybarra on navigating pandemic, hurricanes and more

Rob Ybarra, director of produce for Rouses, will discuss at the West Coast Produce Expo the challenge of navigating the pandemic and hurricanes while continuing to create enjoyable experiences for shoppers.

Bagged salads: New product offerings deliver ‘restaurant’ flavors

With flavors like Maple Bourbon Bacon and descriptions like Ranch-seasoned crouton crumble, roasted sunflower seeds and a creamy ranch dressing, today’s packaged salad components read more like menu items. 

Packaged salads boom as consumers eat at home
Packaged salads boom as consumers eat at home

Sales of packaged salads are exploding, tossed from a modest single-digit growth to a 33% spike during the now infamous week of coronavirus-related panic buying in mid-March. 

Dole promotes cooking campaign with Pixar’s Ratatouille 

Dole Food Company is giving food, cooking and Disney fans the chance to create their own at-home version of Gusteau’s, the iconic Parisienne restaurant at the center of Disney and Pixar’s Ratatouille.

Walmart to hand out Rockit apples at trick-or-treating events

Walmart stores in numerous states will be handing out Rockit apples from Chelan Fresh during drive-through Halloween events.

Packer Insight — FDA investigations, H-2A news, online grocery and more
Packer Insight — FDA investigations, H-2A news, online grocery and more

Tom Karst, Chris Koger, Amy Sowder and Ashley Nickle take you through the big stories of the week, from developments related to H-2A wages to company news born from increased demand for online grocery services.

Ambrosia Gold has broad appeal

After more than a decade of robust category performance in the U.S.A., Ambrosia continues to hold its position as one of America’s favorite apples.

National Watermelon Promotion Board continues focus in fall, winter
National Watermelon Promotion Board continues focus in fall, winter

On the heels of strategic planning and virtual Board meeting, the National Watermelon Promotion Board is entering in to the fall and winter months well-positioned to strengthen demand for watermelon.