News
Driven by breakthrough varietal innovations from leaders like Wish Farms and Naturipe, and supported by record-breaking retail data from the California Strawberry Commission, the berry category is entering 2026 as a $500 million growth engine for the produce department.
The Packer recently connected with Danny Dumas, senior vice president of sales, marketing and product management for Fresh Del Monte, to learn how the Florida-based company sees the new food pyramid influencing the fresh produce department at retail and what the company’s pending acquisition of Del Monte assets means for its future.
Circana’s vice president of the fresh foods group says the fresh produce industry is poised for a record-breaking dollar growth in 2026 but cautions the industry must move away from a commodity mindset toward data-driven consumer insights.
The foodservice leader is expanding the postharvest technology to more than 30 locations to improve product broccoli quality and reduce supply chain shrink.
University of Florida expert warns that while overhead irrigation and row covers are vital for saving fruit from the cold, those protective measures could also threaten to spread pathogens and delay fungicide treatments.
After a high-profile debut and a splash in Times Square, CarrieAnn Arias, president and CEO of USA Pears, says the organization’s new look is successfully bridging the gap between vintage charm and modern nutritional demands.
Carol Barsotti will oversee public relations, government affairs and community impact. She’ll hold the role while continuing as president of fieldTRUE, a farm-box subscription business.
The grocer says the free, monthly interactive events help customers shop with confidence.
The online share of total grocery spending reaches 19% as order frequency rates continue to climb, with more than half of monthly users placing three or more orders during December, according to Brick Meets Click’s Grocery Shopper Survey.
The California Strawberry Commission’s 2025 Shopper Playbook shares strategies for retail growth.
The National Grocers Association praises a push for federal investigations into discriminatory pricing practices, arguing that enforcing antitrust laws is essential to leveling the playing field for independent grocers.
As the industry transitions to an interim final rule and new wage methodologies, experts say the difference between a routine application and a costly audit lies in the fine print of job orders.
The seed and technology company’s global R&D head for vegetable seeds shares how Syngenta aims to bring a new breed of flavorful melons and more to retail.
Two years after acquiring Stern Produce, the integration of the companies is finished, creating a Phoenix hub that can better serve customers.
In her new role, Gilbert will support customer success through close collaboration and technical insight on the West Coast.
Lidl U.S. has appointed Marco Giudici, the company’s current chief customer officer and former head of Lidl Romania, as interim CEO, succeeding Joel Rampoldt. This appointment comes as the retailer continues to refine its domestic growth strategy and operational efficiency.
The Washington Red Raspberry Commission says a byproduct of Mexico’s fight against spotted wing drosophila is flooding the U.S. puree market with low-cost fruit that domestic processors can’t match.
UnitedAg’s wellness centers across California’s Central Valley are trying to break down health care barriers to farmworkers through a holistic, people-focused strategy.
Economic losses to specialty crops last year were on a level that can put farming operations out of business, with the American Farm Bureau Federation estimating billions in losses to almonds, apples, lettuce, potatoes, strawberries and blueberries alone.
Built on the legacy of the Johnston family’s 1920s homestead in Gilbert, Ariz., Agritopia has evolved from a traditional desert farm into a premier “agri-hood” where 11 acres of organic orchards and row crops serve as the social heart of a modern residential village.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced new Section 32 purchases of almonds, pistachios, raisins and grape juice to go to those in need.
The commission has also elected a new slate of officers for its board of directors.
As the East Coast sales manager, Blume will oversee sales strategy while working out the company’s Philadelphia sales office.
As Gen Z and millennials normalize organic consumption, the industry faces a pivotal moment: scaling production to meet “mainstream” demand without losing the trust and innovation that built the movement.
The California-based company says while outreach to customers is important, so too is telling the story of its employees and employment opportunities.
At just 15 years old, Malon E.D. James is blending his grandmother’s wisdom with high-tech innovation to fight food deserts from a lab in Atlanta.
Yield Energy says its Yield Edge DERMS can earn growers money through utility incentive programs or save them on energy bills.
Produce sales veteran Richie Keirouz will lead the company’s sales strategy and support its continued expansion.
A group representing the winter strawberry industry seeks federal relief after two decades of alleged market distortion and injury from low-priced competition.
Following a key federal court victory, attorney Gonzalo Peralta explains why the “legal buffer” defense failed to protect a Michigan blueberry operation from human trafficking claims.