Latest News From Retail

After 11 years with the National Mango Board, Wendy McManus is preparing to move on to a new venture. The retail program manager plans to leave in June, launching business coaching tailored to the produce industry.

As in many regions of the U.S., the Northern California retail scene, which has seen gradual changes over the years, could be on the verge of another shakeup.

Oxnard, Calif.-based Mission Produce has releases two guides on best practices for handling avocados at retail and foodservice.

The United States received a record 145 million pounds of Peruvian avocados this year, helping meet demand in a market short of domestic supplies.

Vidalia onion grower Shuman Produce will have cooking demos featuring sweet onions and sweet potatoes at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit.

Rochester, Minn.-based Reichel Foods’ line of Pro2snax to the Max is now available nationwide in four flavors, according to a news release.

The latest Idaho Potato Commission TV commercial aired during the Sept. 22 Boise State University versus University of Virginia football game played in Albertson’s Stadium in Boise, Idaho.

Well-Pict Inc. has added two segments to its retailer-oriented Well-Pict Berry Academy educational video series.

Ron Hemmersbach, longtime vice president of finance for Peak of the Market, has retired.

Avocados From Mexico is putting on a show of its own at its booth at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit convention and expo Oct. 19-21 in New Orleans.

Hurst International is bringing its Versaprint produce labeling system to the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit convention and expo in New Orleans.

CERRITOS, Calif. — For those who fear that the retail industry may be dying, Steven Muro had some somewhat reassuring words.

Baldor Specialty Foods plans to soon debut a vegetable side kits line under its Urban Roots brand.

Concord Foods LLC has launched a line of seasoning and smoothie mixes, Concord Fresh Success, which will be showcased during the Produce Marketing Association’s convention and expo in New Orleans.

Avocados From Mexico has created a culinary center to host its Avo University and foodservice and retail guests.

The California Avocado Commission expects a larger crop and longer season for 2018, and the group will discuss its plans for next year during the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit.

Salinas, Calif.-based Mann Packing expanded its Nourish Bowls line of single-service warm meals by adding a Spicy Thai flavor with fresh kohlrabi noodles.

Whole Foods’ well reported price cuts after the Amazon purchase have been more noise than savings, one analyst shows.

About 160 retailers partner with San Francisco-based Instacart. It’s a valuable tool for grocers to dip into e-commerce without the infrastructure and labor spending developing a program in-house.

Preconditioning kiwifruit is an important step for grower-shippers who see sales potential in ready-to-eat product.

Is this finally the year for immigration reform for ag employers?

Just because summer is over, it doesn’t mean we have to forget about those high-season strawberry profits until spring. In fact, now is the time to combine three market concepts to keep sales growing more than ever.

Bee Sweet Citrus is preparing for its first time as a Fresh Summit exhibitor at the Produce Marketing Association’s Oct. 19-21 conference and expo in New Orleans.

Retail prices for fresh fruits will be flat for 2017 and increase 2% to 3% in 2018, according to a new government forecast.

For the sixth year in a row, sweet corn marketer GloriAnn Farms is supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation through the Corn for the Cause campaign.

Stemilt Growers has much higher organic volumes in many of its apple varieties this season.

Newcomerstown, Ohio-based Tastee Apple Inc. is introducing two caramel apples for this fall.

The Hass Avocado Board’s research into consumption trends continues to show the importance of promoting the fruit for events and holidays, with Cinco de Mayo setting a retail sales record this year.

Wal-Mart is phasing in more stringent requirements on suppliers, including those that ship fresh fruits and vegetables, in an effort to increase the frequency of on-time and in-full deliveries.

Big changes likely are in store for the Southern California retail scene, but as of yet, no one knows for sure how extensive those changes will be or what impact they'll have.

With its patented shelf life-extending coating Edipeel approved for organic and conventional produce, Apeel Sciences is marketing to commercial shippers in the U.S. and small growers in developing countries.

Its initial forecast for 2018 calls for a modest rise in retail food prices.

Boise, Idaho-based WinCo Foods partnered with the Chilean Citrus Committee on a recent promotion with social media and in-store components.

Not long ago, things were vastly different for terminal market-based produce companies. An ever-changing environment has forced distributors to adapt.

Specialty vegetables are increasing in popularity, but they are still a tiny fish in the overall produce pond.

Specialties aren’t scary. That’s the message suppliers and retailers must partner together to spread in order to convert consumers.

Suppliers can hardly contain their enthusiasm when you talk to them about the arrival of California cherries at retail each spring.

After entering into a consent decision with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to settle its Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act case, Fresh & Easy LLC has satisfied the terms of the agreement.

Kansas City, Kan.-based Associated Wholesale Grocers and potato industry defendants have resolved a lawsuit alleging price fixing by the United Potato Growers of America.

Produce Marketing Association has named Shawn Baldwin, senior vice president of produce and global food sourcing for Wal-Mart, to its board of directors.

The dollar and convenience store trend may be a downer for fresh produce consumption. That is at least one takeaway from a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service that looks at where

Kansas City, Kan.-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. reported record consolidated net sales of $9.18 billion and an all-time high year-end patronage distribution of $201.7 million. <p></p> AWG's net sales of $9

The Hass Avocado Board recently released a study that displays the growing prevalence of avocados at 13 U.S. holidays and events.

A friend of mine recently asked me what I thought about the anti-food waste movement.

The Target Corp., Minneapolis, Minn., appointed Jeff Burt as senior vice president of grocery, fresh food and beverage.

Los Angeles based cold-press juicer manufacturer Juicero is installing juice bars in 11 Whole Foods Market locations in Southern California.

Dan Coborn, 86, former chairman, president and CEO of Coborn's Inc., has died.

What does a dollar buy you? An avocado, an apple, an orange, a head of cabbage?

Virtually every retail produce department features the accents of red, yellow and brown potatoes.

DENVER - While foodservice has been gaining market share of potato sales in recent years, the erosion at retail is slowing and showing signs of turning around, Potatoes USA leaders say.