Latest News From Retail

Polymer Logistics’ new booth at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit highlights the company’s Source to Store to Door reusable packaging and merchandising systems.

I was reviewing last week’s column when Russ T. Blade appeared between some books on my desk.

Mushroom company Giorgio Fresh is celebrating its 90th anniversary with new packaging.

Reusable Plastic Container company IFCO has appointed Dan Martin to president of IFCO North America.

NatureSweet, San Antonio, is introducing a new line of branded greenhouse cucumbers, peppers and large tomatoes at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Oct. 19-20 in Orlando, Fla.

Ocean Mist is kicking off a fall consumer promotion that includes give-away sweepstakes, social media influencers and advertising, and geo-targeted coupons.

Garlic grower-marketer I Love Produce is promoting its Monster Garlic brand with a Halloween Promotion called OctCLOVErfest, partnering with Elvira, aka Mistress of the Dark.

The Pear Bureau Northwest plans an “aggressive” reintroduction of a conditioned pear program, and is teaming up with the National Mango Board to drive home to retailers the importance of stocking ready-to-eat fruit.

With just two shipping weekends before Halloween, there is an abundant amount of pumpkins to be sold.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has appointed six members to the National Mango Board.

Honeybear Brands is set for a big splash at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Oct. 19-20 in Orlando, Fla.

Dole Food Co., Westlake Village, Calif., has unveiled a new logo and brand identity for all company products, including salads and other items from Dole Fresh Vegetables.

Naturipe has hired Steven Ware as vice president and general manager of value-added fresh.

Sliced apple company Crunch Pak, Cashmere, Wash., is launching new products and a refreshed package design at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit.

Bridges Produce, Portland, Ore., has hired Jose Merced in sales and business development.

J&J Family of Farms, Westlake, Fla., has hired David Duggan in sales.

Dole Food Co., Westlake Village, Calif., has unveiled a new logo and brand identity for all company products, including salads and other items from Dole Fresh Vegetables.

Just weeks after Schnuck Markets Inc. raised money for Hurricane Florence victims, the retailer is again collecting donations, for Hurricane Michael victims.

Alsum Farms & Produce Inc., Friesland, Wis., plans to introduce a new brand, Harvest Delites, for potatoes.

When a wildfire raged in Shasta and Trinity counties in Northern California, Raley’s customers pitched in with donations to the fire relief effort.

Just weeks after Schnuck Markets Inc. raised money for Hurricane Florence victims, the retailer is again collecting donations, for Hurricane Michael victims.

Are you sweet or smooth?

It’s a business owner’s worst nightmare: To spend a lifetime building a brand with a sterling reputation, only to have it ruined in an instant.

“There’s never enough time to do something right the first time, but there’s always time to do it over.”

Mann Packing Co.’s Nourish Bowls aren’t just for lunch and dinner anymore.

The feedback after each Fresh Summit indicates that retailers and other buyers arrive at the massive expo with one overarching objective — identify new products, new services and new opportunities.

CMI Orchards plans to unveil a new brand identity for the Ambrosia apple at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit in Orlando, Fla.

Misionero Vegetables, Gonzales, Calif., will be displaying new salad kits, bowls and washed and trimmed lettuces at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit.

At the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit, The Wonderful Co. will be celebrating an investment of more than $1 billion in the past decade to market pistachios, pomegranate juice and Halo-brand mandarins.

Greenhouse grower Pure Flavor, Leamington, Ontario, is launching seven products at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Oct. 19-20 in Orlando, Fla.

San Juan Bautista, Calif.-based Earthbound Farm plans to introduce three new organic lettuce blends at The Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit — Rosé, Mighty Spinach and Red Baby Butter.

Editor Tom Karst and retail editor Ashley Nickle discuss the latest on the farm bill and the selection of the 2018 Produce Retailer of the Year, Mike Orf with Hy-Vee. 

Washington grower-shippers offer their customers a wider selection of branded apples than ever, but getting their product on produce shelves can be a challenge.

Dole Fresh Vegetables has joined forces with Vineland, N.J.-based Safeway Fresh Foods to develop fruit and vegetable products.

POM Wonderful, grower of fresh pomegranates and producer of pomegranate juice, has a new monstrous million-dollar, multi-year marketing campaign.

Some time ago, I ran into a produce manager that I know, who only has a couple of years’ experience.

Sunview Marketing International, Delano, Calif., is introducing a proprietary grape, Sweet Carnival, with commercial volumes expected next year.

Renaissance Food Group, Rancho Cordova, Calif., will feature Garden Highway brand One Pot Kits at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Oct. 19-20 in Orlando, Fla.

DelFrescoPure is investing in technology with a new mechanized stand-alone growing system for the company’s living herbs and microgreens in a year-round process.

Greenhouse tomato grower NatureSweet has promoted Jim McErlean to vice president of sales.

DelFrescoPure is investing in technology with a new mechanized stand-alone growing system for the company’s living herbs and microgreens in a year-round process.

Miss Chiquita, who first introduced bananas to consumers in 1944, has grown to icon status with her induction into the Advertising Week Madison Avenue Walk of Fame.

Aldi is a company that I have always been fascinated by; with over 1,800 locations in 35 states, it has a revenue projection by retail analysts just north of $11 billion in 2018, yet they largely fly under the radar.

Wonderful Pistachios, celebrating 10 years, plans to keep on crackin’, with a $55 million marketing campaign kicking off in November.

Branch: A Family of Farms is using new eco-friendly trays for corn year-round.

A group of Georgia fruit and nut growers is launching a new brand called Pecan Nation.

Limoneira, which partners with chefs, nutritionists, green cleaning experts and others who help the brand maximize its messages to consumers, is highlighting fall snack ideas.

Wonderful Pistachios, celebrating 10 years, plans to keep on crackin’, with a $55 million marketing campaign kicking off in November.

The California Table Grape Commission is highlighting the fruit’s versatility in recipes with the help of chef Ellie Krieger, best-selling author and registered dietitian.

AgroFresh Solutions Inc., Philadelphia, has an addition to its line of products designed to extend shelf life.