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University of Georgia gets $4M to combat silverleaf whitefly
University of Georgia gets $4M to combat silverleaf whitefly

Researchers seek integrated pest management solutions to control silverleaf whitefly, a devastating pest to vegetables.

Associated Food Stores adds new purchasing, food safety technology
Associated Food Stores adds new purchasing, food safety technology

Procurant, a software for retail grocers, said it will help the Salt Lake City-based retailer with greater connectivity and traceability of perishable goods.

Upside debuts new dashboard
Upside debuts new dashboard

The new and improved Upside Dashboard redefines measurement, giving retailers data needed to make decisions regarding industry changes.

Apple holdings remain high
Apple holdings remain high

While the U.S. Apple Association reports some movement of fresh and processing apples, the overall number of apples in holding still remains high.

Boots on the ground: How conservation steward Javier Zamora supports new farmers
Boots on the ground: How conservation steward Javier Zamora supports new farmers

Specialty crop growers, farm advocates and America's Conservation Ag Movement gathered at JSM Organics Farm in California in September 2023 for a bilingual field day to learn from conservation steward, Javier Zamora.

New York governor presents new ag initiatives
New York governor presents new ag initiatives

Programs include a one-stop shop for agricultural employers and employees, as well as leadership and education opportunities in agriculture for New York youth.

Mexico to see blueberry production bump
Mexico to see blueberry production bump

Mexico’s blueberry production in 2024 is forecast to rise 8% over 2023, according to a new USDA report.

How Stop & Shop is fighting school hunger
How Stop & Shop is fighting school hunger

Stop & Shop and Badger Technologies are partnering on a #MartyTheRobot special promotion at the National Retail Federation 2024 in support of the School Food Pantry Program at New York City-area schools.

Registration opens for Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s annual convention
Registration opens for Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s annual convention

The largest event in the country dedicated to fresh fruits and vegetables, held this year in Vancouver at the end of April, will co-locate with the International Sustainability Summit.

IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center launches Enterprise Traceability Education Suite
IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center launches Enterprise Traceability Education Suite

The education suite empowers organizations to train their employees on key traceability concepts, prepare for incoming regulations, and take steps to reduce the impact of recalls.

Little Bear Produce and Driscoll Children’s Hospital transform young lives together
Little Bear Produce and Driscoll Children’s Hospital transform young lives together

A new endowment is set to fund wellness programs for children in South Texas.

IFPA launches ad campaign defending WIC program
IFPA launches ad campaign defending WIC program

The WIC program, which provides supplemental benefits to mothers, infants and children battling food insecurity, is at risk of funding being slashed as part of the arguments on federal spending.

Salix Fruits expands global footprint with a new office
Salix Fruits expands global footprint with a new office

Philadelphia-based Salix Fruits said its newest office in Singapore will help the company grow its presence in Asia.

5 food trends The Fresh Market bets will be big in 2024
5 food trends The Fresh Market bets will be big in 2024

The Greensboro, N.C.-based grocer has named five food and beverage trends it predicts will be hot in the year ahead, with produce playing a role in each.

Potato LEAF announces new ‘Leadership in the Field’ program
Potato LEAF announces new ‘Leadership in the Field’ program

The program is set for July 15-18 at the Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pa. Applications are being accepted through March 1 and are open to anyone in the U.S. potato industry.

Texas International Produce Association adds 5 to hall of fame
Texas International Produce Association adds 5 to hall of fame

The association will recognize leaders from Little Bear Produce, Dixondale Farms, Val Verde Vegetable Co., and more.

Edible Garden expands company’s distribution network
Edible Garden expands company’s distribution network

Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace will carry Edible Garden’s products in its retail locations throughout New York and New Jersey.

Villita Avocados to offer 100% plastic-free bags to U.S. retailers
Villita Avocados to offer 100% plastic-free bags to U.S. retailers

Villita Avocados said it is hopeful other produce companies will follow its lead by being more environmentally conscious and steer away from using plastic.

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives makes senior director promotion
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives makes senior director promotion

The organization said Smith, who has been promoted to senior director of member and industry relations, will also organize its education programming.

9 sustainability trends to watch in 2024
9 sustainability trends to watch in 2024

Sustainability experts share topics poised to make headlines in the year ahead.

Report explores retail produce manager training and job satisfaction
Report explores retail produce manager training and job satisfaction

Retailers looking to better support and equip their produce managers have a new resource to explore.

Agtech company Burro gets $24M investment
Agtech company Burro gets $24M investment

The autonomous agriculture solution company says the investment from Translink Capital and Catalyst Investors will boost its future plans.

Organic Trade Association expands leadership team with co-CEOs
Organic Trade Association expands leadership team with co-CEOs

OTA says the leadership structure reflects the expanding vision of the trade association and the increasing opportunities and potential in the organic sector.

Dole boosts shipping capacity for tropical fruits
Dole boosts shipping capacity for tropical fruits

Company adds routes to the Northeast from Columbia, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador to boost supplies of bananas, pineapples, dragon fruit, mangoes and limes.

Idaho Potato Commission names new retail promotion director
Idaho Potato Commission names new retail promotion director

Patrick Mills joins the commission as retail promotion director for the West and Canada following Kent Beasley's retirement.

California Avocado Commission selects Curious Plot as agency of record
California Avocado Commission selects Curious Plot as agency of record

The commission said it had searched for a new consumer marketing agency that could conduct both consumer advertising and consumer public relations activities.

Albertsons reports net sales, revenue increases in Q3
Albertsons reports net sales, revenue increases in Q3

The Boise, Idaho-based company reported that digital and identical sales helped buoy its third-quarter results for fiscal year 2023.

School nutrition group calls for increased federal support
School nutrition group calls for increased federal support

A new School Nutrition Association survey report says economic, procurement and regulatory issues are obstacles facing school meal administrators as pandemic-era assistance comes to an end.

Peru asparagus import group names new co-chairs
Peru asparagus import group names new co-chairs

For 2024-2025, Carlos Solf of Southern Specialties will serve as East Coast chair and Craig Rolandelli of Jacobs Malcolm & Burtt will be the West Coast chair.

Virginia Tech to tackle spring frosts in apples, controlled environment agriculture
Virginia Tech to tackle spring frosts in apples, controlled environment agriculture

The USDA has awarded the university and Virginia Cooperative Extension more than $550,000 to help strengthen specialty crop production in the state.

Associated Wholesale Grocers' CEO retires
Associated Wholesale Grocers' CEO retires

The cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned supermarkets has named Dan Funk as its new president and CEO.

Dole launches health and wellness programs for 2024
Dole launches health and wellness programs for 2024

The company is once again partnering with No Kid Hungry and will host its Share our Strength program to raise funds and awareness for children in need.

Law firm files class action lawsuit in Canada following salmonella outbreak in cantaloupes
Law firm files class action lawsuit in Canada following salmonella outbreak in cantaloupes

The law firm said it filed the class action lawsuit in British Columbia on behalf of all persons of Canada, excluding Québec, who purchased or became ill from consuming cantaloupes involved in the salmonella outbreak.

Meet 'Taco Tuesday’s next-door neighbor,' Mushroom Monday
Meet 'Taco Tuesday’s next-door neighbor,' Mushroom Monday

The Mushroom Council's new marketing initiative initially will be centered around foodservice.

USDA researchers explore antimicrobial benefits of mushrooms
USDA researchers explore antimicrobial benefits of mushrooms

The goal of the research is to make food crops safer throughout the production process, from farm to fork; it's looking at the ability of mushroom extracts to mitigate chronic human health conditions.

Focus on flavor profiles, health benefits key for New York apple marketing efforts
Focus on flavor profiles, health benefits key for New York apple marketing efforts

Despite weather challenges this season, growers “look hopeful for '24,” said Cynthia Haskins, president and CEO of New York Apples. “We have a good mix of different apple varieties that are out there ...”

IFPA promotes sustainability leader to vice president 
IFPA promotes sustainability leader to vice president 

International Fresh Produce Association has promoted Tamara Muruetagoiena to the newly created role of vice president of sustainability.

Sprouts names new national director of produce for fruit
Sprouts names new national director of produce for fruit

The company has promoted its senior category manager to oversee its fruit produce category.

National Mango Board seeks nominations for open board seats
National Mango Board seeks nominations for open board seats

Nomination for six open seats open through Feb. 29. The seats include foreign producers, importers, first handlers and domestic producers.

Fresha debuts new packaging for carrots
Fresha debuts new packaging for carrots

The Minnesota-based grower, packer and shipper of fresh carrots said its refreshed look will make its products pop in the produce aisle.

Podcast: Top sustainability trends in 2024
Podcast: Top sustainability trends in 2024

In this "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast, Kieran Ficken McNeice, director of sustainability programs with Measure to Improve, shares the trends poised to have a big impact on sustainability this year.

Cornell University releases three new apple rootstocks
Cornell University releases three new apple rootstocks

Additions to the Geneva rootstock line are semi-dwarfing, productive and even fire blight resistant.

Survey: Nearly 1 in 5 consumers report purchasing organic spinach exclusively
Survey: Nearly 1 in 5 consumers report purchasing organic spinach exclusively

Organic spinach has proven to be an essential ingredient in a successful modern produce department. Here's what The Packer’s Organic Fresh Trends 2024 survey learned from produce shoppers' responses.

Grower-Shipper Association of Central California appoints new board members
Grower-Shipper Association of Central California appoints new board members

These new members, which include Carmen Ponce of Tanimura & Antle, Chris Drew of Ocean Mist Farm and Kiana Amarel of BlazerWilkinsonGee, will serve a three-year term.

Following another large crop, Michigan apple experts offer insight for retailers
Following another large crop, Michigan apple experts offer insight for retailers

Michigan apple growers experienced some localized frost damage in the spring but still had a great growing year.

USDA offers $3M in funding for climate-smart production
USDA offers $3M in funding for climate-smart production

The funding is earmarked to educate small-scale, underserved and organic farmers on risk management and climate-smart practices.

Hurlbert returns as CEO of Local Bounti
Hurlbert returns as CEO of Local Bounti

Indoor agriculture company said its co-founder, Craig Hurlbert, reprises his role as chief executive officer as part of a company restructuring.

New indoor vertical farming facility opens in Buffalo, N.Y.
New indoor vertical farming facility opens in Buffalo, N.Y.

The farm will grow hydroponic vegetables and herbs year-round and provide residents in the city access to fresh produce.

Honeybear Brands is touting EverCrisp as a late-season star for retailers
Honeybear Brands is touting EverCrisp as a late-season star for retailers

Honeybear Brands says it is delighting retailers and shoppers with its growing supply of the late-season EverCrisp variety. 

Sev-Rend expands macro- and micropreforating offerings
Sev-Rend expands macro- and micropreforating offerings

The company said the new inline hot needle micropreforating and in-register macropreforating capabilities offer more customizable solutions for clients.