Latest News From Retail

Cucumbers knocked honeydew melons off the top spot on PMG the week of June 22, while peaches hung on to No. 2 and okra moved up a place to No. 3.

The Hass Avocado Board has released a new tool to help merchandizers prioritize potential opportunities in 45 U.S. markets.

Apeel Sciences, Santa Barbara, Calif., is expanding distribution of limes treated to extend shelf life through Robinson Fresh.

LGS Specialty Sales, New Rochelle, N. Y., kicked off its summer citrus with lemons from Argentina and Chile.

International Fruit Genetics, Bakersfield, Calif., is adding six grape varieties with unique flavors and shapes to its lineup.

There hasn’t been a fresh produce supplier or farm in the UK that hasn’t been impacted by COVID-19. In some instances, it has shown how fragile our supply chains are — in others, how robust they can be.

Homegrown Organic Farms is partnering with Valles del Sur, a Chilean grower, to import organic blueberries.

Tori Spelling, Beverly Hills 90210 star and beauty brands influencer, is including The Produce Moms in her June Celebrity Gift Box.

(UPDATED/CORRECTED) Cyclospora infections linked to Fresh Express garden salads continue to rise and now include Walmart private-label bagged salads, including salad served at a North Dakota restaurant.

The Produce Traceability Initiative has added/upgrade four tools for the industry to support traceability implementation.

The produce industry has been working to help feed families during the COVID-19 pandemic in a number of ways.

Schnucks Markets Inc., St. Louis, is pledging to buy more than $5 million of local produce and other goods this year.

The National Pecan Federation has petitioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish a research and promotion program to expand markets for pecans.

Working with farmers in Tennessee, Genera is contracting switchgrass and biomass sorghum as inputs to create compostable, sustainable packaging when its manufacturing facility comes online later this year.

The Oppenheimer Group has acquired a 50% share in Agroretail, a Peruvian produce supplier.

California Giant Berry Farms is starting summer blueberry season with strong volumes in the Pacific Northwest.

The National Watermelon Promotion Board is inviting retailers and commissaries to enter its Watermelon Retail Merchandising Contest.

Tom Karst, Ashley Nickle and Amy Sowder discuss some of the key topics of the week, from requested changes on direct payments to growers, to COVID-19 outbreaks at produce operations, to retail awards.

Lakeside Organic Gardens, Watsonville, Calif., has a unique new product, organic fioretto.

The COVID-19 crisis has caused consumers to see plastic produce in a new way.

Are consumers changing their preferences around fresh produce because of COVID-19? And will their new behaviors stick around after the pandemic has subsided?

Fresh produce dollar sales growth fell below 10% for the first time in nearly two months as the timing of Father’s Day produced unfavorable sales comparisons for some items.

West Pak Avocado, Murrieta, Calif., has released a new video in its Avo Effect campaign.

Despite myriad COVID-19 -related challenges, Los Angeles area grocery stores have fared well from a sales perspective since the pandemic broke out.

Honeydew melons maintained their No. 1 spot on PMG the week of June 15, while peaches and oranges shuffled to No. 2 and No. 3.

Washington apple specialty license plates will be available to order from the Department of Licensing July 1.

Stemilt Growers’ summer stone fruit is arriving, giving retailers a chance to boost summer fruit and organic fruit categories.

Hy-Vee, Aldi and Jewel-Osco have recalled private label garden salads supplied by Fresh Express after they were linked to an outbreak of cyclospora, with cases rapidly increasing.

The produce business seems to be gradually rebounding in Los Angeles as stores and restaurants start to reopen after more than two months of shutdowns triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Mango Board is having a webinar about evolving mango strategy.

Episode 4 of Tip of the Iceberg Podcast features a discussion between editor-in-chief Tom Karst, retail editor Ashley Nickle and Northeast editor Amy Sowder about the industry's first virtual trade show.

Sunkist's Julie DeWolf and Christina Ward spoke with The Packer's Ashley Nickle about what the company did to make the most of the industry's first virtual trade show.

Mary Coppola, vice president of marketing and communications for the United Fresh Produce Association, said the engagement of retailers on its United Fresh Live! virtual platform exceeded United's expectations.

The award recipient each year is featured on the cover of our magazine — now PMG, formerly Produce Retailer — and recognized in a ceremony at the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit.

Georgia watermelon season is peaking as July 4th nears.

Editor-in-chief Tom Karst, retail editor Ashley Nickle and Northeast editor Amy Sowder discuss their experiences on the trade show "floor" and what they heard from exhibitors at the United Fresh Live! virtual event.

Kingsville, Ontario-based Mastronardi Produce highlighted at its United Fresh Live! booth several of its newest products, including its Honey Bombs cherry tomatoes-on-the-vine and its Shazam! and Kaboom! peppers.

Windset Farms spoke with visitors to its United Fresh Live! booth about its greenhouse-grown Cameo cherry tomatoes-on-the-vine, its Crescendo long peppers, its Fresco Baby Cucumbers and other items.

Mount Maunganui, New Zealand-based Zespri and Miami-based Fresh Directions International shared a booth at the first-ever United Fresh Live! virtual event.

Bancroft, Wis.-based RPE discussed at its United Fresh Live! booth products including the American Blend, which features red, white and blue bite-size potatoes in a 24-ounce bag with an American flag graphic.

Table grapes are available year-round, thanks to offshore export programs, but they seem to be associated more with the warm, summer months and outdoor eating occasions.

Seald Sweet made a point at its United Fresh Live! booth to emphasize the international aspect of its business, introducing visitors to its growers around the world as part of its video education offerings.

Produce for Kids has a new website with detailed recipes and other information designed to engage consumers.

Pharr, Texas-based Villita Avocados plans to debut in mid-July a guacamole product line under its We Love Guac label.

As disastrous as we all know COVID-19 has been to our nation and to the fresh produce industry, the collateral damage still brings me up short.

Fresh Express has recalled Southwest Chopped Salads Kits from 11 states because of allergens that are not identified on list of ingredients.

Pineapple grower-importer Chestnut Hill Farms is partnering with Fresh Fruit, a Dominican Republic exporter, to provide organic fair-trade bananas to East Coast and Gulf Coast states.

If you read the headline and shuddered a little inside, you’re not alone.

Yuma, Ariz.-based Bard Valley Date Growers has introduced a new product: dark chocolate-covered Medjool dates with sea salt.

Fresh produce companies that exhibited at United Fresh Live! praised the organization for adapting amid the COVID-19 pandemic and creating a positive experience despite having to hold the event online.