Latest News From Retail

Curious about the new items in the Season & Steam lineup from Ocean Mist Farms? Retail editor Ashley Nickle and copy editor and designer Amelia Freidline tried them out in this latest episode of Millennials Eat.

United Fresh Produce Association is launching the United re-Fresh Experience, a monthly series of events in January 2021 to re-Fresh your business, re-Fresh your company, and re-Fresh your life.  

Wholesaler-distributor Organically Grown Co., Portland, Ore., continues a rebranding process, introducing updates to its logo, website, packaging and truck wraps.

The top 20 produce items on PMG shuffled a bit the week of Oct. 19, with new citrus items joining the list and tropical fruit getting some interest as well.

Five produce industry veterans who now specialize in consulting will discuss at the online West Coast Produce Expo how company leaders should adapt their business models, strategies and goals for 2021 and beyond.

It is the dawn of a new era in the sustainable packaging sector: Sorma Group is introducing fruit and vegetable packaging that is 100% paper-based and therefore completely recyclable.

Consumers are planning their holidays sooner and smaller this year.

The Produce for Better Health Foundation’s National Fruits & Veggies Month campaign in September generated nearly 75 million impressions through traditional and social media channels.

Get a rundown of the news of the week from Tom Karst, Chris Koger, Ashley Nickle and Amy Sowder on topics from Trevor Suslow leaving PMA to Oleen Smethurst receiving the Canadian Produce Person of the Year Award.

No matter what, there is always something we can be thankful for.

Chiquita Brands International, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., is asking consumers to share their Halloween costumes on social media, with a chance of being featured on the company’s Instagram page.

Consumers continue to buy more fresh potatoes during the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting sales in most fresh categories and pushing sales of all potato products, including frozen, to five-year records.

Curious about the new Just Add Chicken salad kits from Dole? Retail editor Ashley Nickle and copy editor and designer Amelia Freidline tried them out for the latest new product review in the Millennials Eat video series.

Supporters of both political parties are nearly identical in their love of fruits and vegetables, a new survey shows.

The National Mango Board will no longer promote frozen mangoes after a recent vote, in which a majority of importers of the frozen fruit rejected participation in the board.

Curious about the new line of "carrot swaps" that Bolthouse Farms debuted at Fresh Summit? Copy editor and designer Amelia Freidline and retail editor Ashley Nickle tried them out for an episode of Millennials Eat!

A year ago, the trend in the produce industry was toward reducing or even eliminating packaging.

Produce marketers have been keeping COVID-19 and the “new normal” in mind as they prepare to promote their products and support their retail partners this holiday season.

The National Watermelon Board received 220 entries for its annual display contest, and the board has named Powell’s Supermarket in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, as the grand prize winner for 2020.

Fresh produce sales at retail totaled $5.04 billion in the four September weeks, up 10.7% from the same period in 2019.

Vertical farming company Kalera, Orlando, Fla., has hired Marc Jennings as vice president of foodservice sales and Mark Gagnon as vice president of sales for retail accounts.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put packaging at a premium, marketers s

Mandarins have been taking market share from navel oranges for several years, grower-shippers say. But they may be helping the overall citrus category, said Casey Creamer.

The Sunripe Freshmarket location in the Hyde Park section of London, Ontario, offers a selection of citrus items year-round, but shoppers seem to prefer product from California, said Randy Jeffery, produce manager. 

Fall is in full swing now, and seasonal favorite pumpkins took the top two spots on PMG the week of Oct. 12.

Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market projects trends including “epic breakfast” and “basics on fire” for 2021.

Grocery industry veteran James Harris has been doing formally for a while now what he had been doing informally his whole career: helping retailers find and develop local and minority suppliers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the outbreak of salmonella linked to peaches from Prima Wawona/Wawona Packing Co., but the Food and Drug Administration is continuing its investigation.

During his close to 25 years in the produce business, Rich Gonzales has been around the block, and then some.

Curious about the new pink pineapple from Del Monte? Retail editor Ashley Nickle and copy editor and designer Amelia Freidline got to try the limited-edition Pinkglow variety this week.

BBC World News is airing a global look at how the coronavirus caused unprecedented challenges to the supply, including the effects felt in the U.S.

Xavier Equihua has always taken a multi-tactic creative approach to marketing.

The fresh produce industry has been a new challenge for Potandon Produce’s Carter Bray, but it’s been one that he has welcomed.

Episode 18 of Tip of the Iceberg Podcast, brought to you by The Packer and PMG, features a discussion between editors Tom Karst, Ashley Nickle and Amy Sowder about the experience of Fresh Summit 2020.

Combs Wholesale Produce Co. is moving to a larger space to capitalize on expanding product lines and customer base.

The Packer's editor-in-chief Tom Karst, retail editor Ashley Nickle and Northeast editor Amy Sowder recap the final day of the big week of PMA's Fresh Summit, from celebrity appearances to education sessions.

Malvern, Pa.-based Acme Markets, which is owned by Albertsons, announced plans this week to buy 27 Kings Food Market and Balducci’s Food Lovers Market stores.

The Produce Marketing Association recognized four retail leaders Oct. 14 at Fresh Summit with its new Retail Merchant Innovation Award.

Good Foods, Pleasant Prairie, Wis., is again tackling hunger, with a college football-themed promotion to raise money for Brighter Bites.

Successfully marketing the health and wellness benefits of vegetables, fruits and flowers begins with understanding the specific consumer pain points those products can ease.

The Produce Marketing Association plans to increase its value for members in the coming years by significantly expanding its content offerings, incoming chairman Dwight Ferguson said Oct. 15 at PMA’s Fresh Summit.

Produce departments featured sweet displays promoting Bland Farms Vidalia onions in connection with its promotion with “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run.”

A $20 million advertising campaign will help consumers think of Wonderful Pistachios when they are looking for a plant protein.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Dole Food Co. has introduced a new line of salad kits that include leafy greens, dressings and toppings along with an original sauté sauce and seasoned finishing sauces for chicken.

DiSilva Fruit, part of the Arrowfarms family of companies, Chelsea, Mass., is promoting a line of cold-pressed juices.

PMG recognized Jeff Cady, director of produce and floral for Tops Friendly Markets, as the 2020 Produce Retailer of the Year with a virtual presentation Oct. 14 at the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit.

Honeybear Brands, Elgin, Minn., is adding price look-up stickers featuring emojis on apples to help consumers experience “all the feels.”

Innovation is a priority for Bakersfield, Calif.-based Bolthouse Farms, and the latest result of the company’s research and development is a new lineup of “carrot swaps.”

Editor-in-chief Tom Karst, retail editor Ashley Nickle and Northeast editor Amy Sowder discuss the first day of Fresh Summit 2020, from the platform itself to education sessions and the State of the Industry address.

Raley’s has promoted Michael Schutt, previously the company’s senior category manager of produce and floral, to the role of director of produce and floral.