Latest News From Retail

Renaissance Food Group (RFG) has hired Eastern U.S. director of sales and promoted someone to a new position at the company, senior vice president of supply chain.

A chopped romaine recall by Fresh Express, Salinas, Calif., for cyclospora concerns has led Caito Foods LLC to pull 25 deli salads and wrap products from retailers.

Pistachio and almond grower-processor Nichols Farms, Hanford, Calif., is expanding its marketing and sales due to increased supply and demand, and has hired two people in marketing and retail sales.

Hatch chile season is starting a bit early this year, and Los Alamitos, Calif.-based Frieda’s Inc. has rolled out a new look for the peppers.

Ireland-based Total Produce has been cleared by the European Commission for its plan to purchase a 45% stake in Dole Food Co.

The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences reminds consumers that National Avocado Day — July 31 — is a good time to celebrate the fruit’s nutritious attributes.

Ireland-based Total Produce has been cleared by the European Commission for its plan to purchase a 45% stake in Dole Food Co.

Amelia Freidline and Ashley Nickle discuss the produce age gap for sweet corn, which according to Fresh Trends research is purchased significantly more by older generations than by millennial consumers.

U.S. shoppers 50 and older cite high delivery fees, quality issues, wrong orders and the possibility of difficult returns as barriers to using online grocery services.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide linked to fresh-cut melons distributed by Caito Foods LLC is over, but health officials were unable to find a common source.

People magazine has listed Wegmans at No. 11 on its annual 50 Companies That Care ranking.

Tom Karst and Ashley Nickle discuss the big stories of the week, including United Natural Food's acquisition of Supervalu, reaction to the Trump administration's tariff relief plan and underreported stories in produce.

Although this season got off to a slower start than last year, Chile expects to ship a record 101,000 tons of mandarins to North America this year, a 32% increase from 2017.

Plant-based meal kit company Purple Carrot now offers users three meal plans of recipes from which to choose: Quick & Easy, High Protein and Chef’s Choice.

United Natural Foods has agreed to purchase Supervalu for approximately $2.9 billion, less than one month before a proxy showdown was set to take place at a Supervalu’s annual shareholder meeting.

Ashley Nickle, staff writer for The Packer, has been promoted to editor of sister publication Produce Retailer, and retail editor of The Packer.

True Food Innovations has purchased the assets of meal kit company Chef’d, which about one week earlier had ceased operations after it ran out of money.

When I was young I’d occasionally join up with some of my newspaper delivery pals after our morning routes were complete and we’d go fishing.

Mann Packing Co., Salinas, Calif., recently hired Lawrence Henrard as vice president of operations, Bob Licker as regional sales manager and Jeff Hutterer as regional business manager.

Michèle McMillan is the new director of national accounts at Thomas Fresh, Calgary, Alberta.

Nogales, Ariz.-based Wilson Produce is boosting its offerings, refreshing its branding and adding more customer resources.

Bonipak Produce Inc., Santa Maria, Calif., has promoted Stan Otremba to director of sales.

John Woodall is the Michigan Apple Committee’s new regional manager for the northern U.S.

A recent Hass Avocado Board study shows that even as consumption of the fruit has risen in many demographic groups, Hispanic consumers continue to outpace others in many areas.

Wawona Packing Co. LLC, Cutler, Calif., has acquired the stone fruit breeding assets of Burchell Nursery Inc., including more than 60 patented fruit trees and associated genetics.

(UPDATED, July 25) After a commercial rollout with avocados in June, Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Apeel Sciences has introduced shelf-life extending Apeel products for conventional and organic citrus.

Wawona Packing Co. LLC, Cutler, Calif., has acquired the stone fruit breeding assets of Burchell Nursery Inc., including more than 60 patented fruit trees and associated genetics.

Delano, Calif.-based Pretty Lady Vineyards said ideal weather in central California has set up an excellent fresh grape season.

Copy editor and designer Amelia Freidline and retail editor Ashley Nickle discuss millennial-friendly uses for blueberries, from salads to sauces to cakes. 

Tom Karst and Ashley Nickle discuss their new roles at The Packer and Produce Retailer and review their reporting this week on how a heat wave in California is affecting avocados and lemons.

Get ready for a rave in the produce aisle.

Walmart and chefs in five cities will work together this summer to promote produce grown in their respective states.

Meal kit company Chef'd has gone out of business.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s Southern California Expo July 17 featured the annual “Buz” Bolstad Award presentation and a sold-out expo floor with more than 200 booths.

Is voice-assist technology like Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri the future of cooking? Produce Retailer Pamela Riemenschneider and The Packer staff writer Ashley Nickle discuss on this edition of Packer Insight.

Los Alamitos, Calif.-based Frieda’s has seen a strong reception for the tamarind it is sourcing from Thailand.

Oakshire Mushroom Farm Inc., Kennett Square, Pa., has hired Mark Kreiner as sales manager.

The National Mango Board is celebrating mangoes all summer long, with a special emphasis on South Florida’s contributions to the U.S. mango industry.

What do the latest developments in the United Kingdom retail landscape mean for the supply chain, particularly in the U.S.?

Amelia Freidline and Ashley Nickle talk cucumbers and the likelihood-of-purchase age gap for them.

Staff writer Ashley Nickle discusses the details of the new Kroger payment policy and the Supervalu takeover bid.

July is National Blueberry Month, and New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher celebrated with a visit to Macrie Bros. Blueberry Farm.

Can you think of one good leadership trait? One comes instantly to my mind: Management by walking around.

For four weeks this summer, Chiquita stickers will be co-branded with a Shazam code that shoppers can scan to see videos of how bananas move through the supply chain from Latin American farms to U.S. grocery stores.

Choose messaging and product placement that’s likely to appeal to both halves of your customer base rather than alienating one to favor the other.

MONTEREY, Calif. — Starting with education sessions, followed by a discussion with big-name retailers and a full expo floor, the Organic Produce Summit gave a well-rounded overview of the segment on July 12.

Rob O’Rourke, the vice president of RJO Produce Marketing whose produce industry career spanned nearly four decades, has died.

Market Fresh Produce LLC has hired Kelby Werner as a regional sales specialist.

Consumer demand has prompted Irwindale, Calif.-based Ready Pac Foods to bring its barbecue-themed Bistro Bowl back into the rotation.

When it comes to avocados, there are just some things you AvocaDO, and others you DON’T.