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Washington's apple crop rebounds, giving retailers promotion opportunities aplenty
Washington's apple crop rebounds, giving retailers promotion opportunities aplenty

After growers faced a year of weather extremes in 2022, Washington state rebounded in 2023, increasing production by about 38% year over year, according to the U.S. Apple Association.

Limoneira Co. notes seasonally increased lemon pricing in results
Limoneira Co. notes seasonally increased lemon pricing in results

Santa Paula, Calif.-based Limoneira Co. reported financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended Oct. 31 that reflected improved lemon pricing compared with a year ago.

Grants for spotted lanternfly control available in New Jersey
Grants for spotted lanternfly control available in New Jersey

Counties and municipalities can apply for grant funds to help defray prevention and population reduction activities on private and public lands.

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Global container trade faces geopolitical challenges, report says

The biggest headache resulting from geopolitical upheaval is the associated costs that companies will have to bear on top of the rising operating costs they have to already face, says a report from Container xChange.

EPA approves biocontrol that targets Colorado potato beetle
EPA approves biocontrol that targets Colorado potato beetle

New foliar-applied product specifically targets the Colorado potato beetle, which has shown resistance to conventional pesticides.

Winter Sweetz launches annual Sweeter in Texas sweepstakes
Winter Sweetz launches annual Sweeter in Texas sweepstakes

The Texas-based grapefruit brand says the promotion will educate consumers on the state's red grapefruit season, while aiming to drive online sales and inspire increased consumption during peak production time.

USDA says organic vegetable imports mixed, exports down in 2023
USDA says organic vegetable imports mixed, exports down in 2023

Exports and imports of organic fresh vegetables showed varying trends in the past year, according to USDA statistics.

GOPEX 2024: Where fresh produce and  conscious consumerism meet
GOPEX 2024: Where fresh produce and conscious consumerism meet

How does the fresh produce industry earn the business and sustain the trust of today’s conscious consumers committed to responsible purchasing? GOPEX 2024 will explore this with industry leaders across the supply chain.

MIT study looks at a healthy diet's effect on Type 2 diabetes
MIT study looks at a healthy diet's effect on Type 2 diabetes

The new study attempts to determine the value of “food-as-medicine” programs to treat diabetes by means of improved nutrition.

Citrus greening quarantine expanded in Louisiana
Citrus greening quarantine expanded in Louisiana

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says this move updates the federal quarantine with the addition of Saint Charles Parish and now matches the state-based quarantine.

NGA announces 3 staff promotions
NGA announces 3 staff promotions

The National Grocers Association has announced promotions for three key senior staff executives.

G&R Farms unveils new website to align with rebrand
G&R Farms unveils new website to align with rebrand

The Glennville, Ga.-based third-generation family farm specializing in sweet onions has launched a newly updated website aligned with its rebrand.

New York governor restricts neonicotinoid use
New York governor restricts neonicotinoid use

By signing the Birds and Bees Protection Act, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state is "taking a significant stride in protecting our kids, environment and essential pollinators."

Here's how organic tomato purchases are trending, according to a consumer survey
Here's how organic tomato purchases are trending, according to a consumer survey

The Packer’s Organic Fresh Trends 2024 shows that the percentage of consumers who said they purchased organic tomatoes exclusively continues to rise.

Albertsons Cos. to reward shoppers who achieve nutrition, activity goals
Albertsons Cos. to reward shoppers who achieve nutrition, activity goals

The Boise, Idaho-based company said it will offer double rewards for healthy choices and quadruple rewards for Own Brands purchases during January.

Farm Foundation names 2024 Agricultural Scholars
Farm Foundation names 2024 Agricultural Scholars

Twenty graduate students were selected to join the program for inspiration and training in agricultural policy, commodity market analysis, agricultural finance and other applied fields.

CMI notes strong growth in branded organic apple sales
CMI notes strong growth in branded organic apple sales

The Wenatchee, Wash.-based company is reporting major growth in branded organic apple sales dollars and more promotion opportunities ahead.

Stemilt Growers reflects on successes of 2023, looks ahead to 2024
Stemilt Growers reflects on successes of 2023, looks ahead to 2024

The packer, grower and distributor of pears, apples and stone fruit says new variety development and organic offerings is a key part of 2024 plans.

The Giant Co.’s Feeding School Kids initiative returns
The Giant Co.’s Feeding School Kids initiative returns

Customers are invited to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, buy a reusable bag or convert their Choice shopper points into a donation for local public school districts’ food programs.

IFPA cites 10 key impacts for 2023
IFPA cites 10 key impacts for 2023

Advancing the health of consumers, the produce and floral industries, and the planet are at the heart of 10 key 2023 impacts from the International Fresh Produce Association, the group says.

Survey: Organic cucumber demand continues to move higher
Survey: Organic cucumber demand continues to move higher

The Packer’s Organic Fresh Trends 2024 reports that 13% of consumers said they shop for organic cucumbers exclusively, and 1 in 3 consumers reported purchasing organic cucumbers at least periodically. 

USDA releases more food supply infrastructure grants
USDA releases more food supply infrastructure grants

The grants will help boost cold and dry storage facilities and increase distribution channels in Oklahoma and South Carolina.

The El Niño Effect: Is El Niño to Blame for the Historic Heat and Drought that Gripped the U.S. in 2023?
The El Niño Effect: Is El Niño to Blame for the Historic Heat and Drought that Gripped the U.S. in 2023?

From the intense heat in the South to drought blanketing much of the U.S., weather stole headlines again in 2023. What caused such extreme conditions? One meteorologist explains the culprits of the heat and drought.

Inside Morton Williams’ west side glory
Inside Morton Williams’ west side glory

With an emphasis on local produce, the specialty supermarket — boasting 15 stores in New York and one in New Jersey — sources the majority of its produce from Hunts Point Market in the Bronx, N.Y.

Plenty of room to grow mushroom sales
Plenty of room to grow mushroom sales

Giving consumers more options is a good way to promote mushroom sales, marketers say.

Soybean sprouts recalled due to listeria risk
Soybean sprouts recalled due to listeria risk

A company has recalled its 1-pound bags of soybean sprouts with a sell-by date of Dec. 14, 2023, due to a positive random test.

Salix Fruits strengthens partnerships in the Moroccan citrus industry
Salix Fruits strengthens partnerships in the Moroccan citrus industry

Vince Biasibetti, U.S. sales executive for Salix Fruits, visited citrus producers in Morocco, aimed at securing the necessary volume for programs with clients in the U.S. and exploring possibilities for trading clients.

U.S. farmer sentiment stable, survey says
U.S. farmer sentiment stable, survey says

Inflation was less of a worry for U.S. farmers in December, a new survey says.

Another lawsuit filed in salmonella outbreak in cantaloupes
Another lawsuit filed in salmonella outbreak in cantaloupes

As of Dec. 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the salmonella outbreak traced to fresh-cut and whole cantaloupe sickened more than 302 people in 42 states.

South Korea orange imports to rise, USDA reports says
South Korea orange imports to rise, USDA reports says

The country's increase in imported orange consumption in the marketing year 2023-24 is helped by the decrease in domestic fruit supply and a recovery in the supply of U.S. navel oranges, a USDA report says.

2024 AgTech Predictions: 5 Trends To Watch
2024 AgTech Predictions: 5 Trends To Watch

Ron Baruchi, CEO of Agmatix, outlines the key technology trends anticipated in the agricultural industry over the coming year.

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Equal Exchange’s Solution to Unethical Avocado Consumption
Equal Exchange’s Solution to Unethical Avocado Consumption

Against a backdrop of corporate consolidation, Michoacán’s small-scale avocado farmers tend to receive a disproportionately small share of the profits generated by the sale of their product.

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Growers spotlight top sustainability challenges to know for 2024
Growers spotlight top sustainability challenges to know for 2024

While most produce industry players recognize the benefits of operating sustainably, they also face numerous challenges in such efforts. Here's what growers and allied businesses recently told The Packer.

What Florida strawberry growers anticipate as the season ramps up
What Florida strawberry growers anticipate as the season ramps up

Picking for most growers in the Sunshine State got underway in early to mid-November, and supplies were slowly but surely picking up throughout December.

A look at Philadelphia's historic produce scene
A look at Philadelphia's historic produce scene

The Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market opened in 2011 but traces its roots back to colonial times when some of its tenants got their start at the city’s Dock Street marketplace.

Lancaster Foods grows from humble beginnings
Lancaster Foods grows from humble beginnings

When John Gates started delivering fruits, vegetables and fresh-cut products with his brother Dave, he never dreamed the weekend venture would evolve into a major wholesale distributor and fresh-cut processing company.

Stemilt helps local children in foster care at holidays
Stemilt helps local children in foster care at holidays

This is the 11th year employees of the grower, packer and shipper of tree fruit shopped, wrapped and donated gifts to children in the care of the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Family Services.

DiSilva Fruit, Morning Kiss Organic invite retailers to promote citrus in January   
DiSilva Fruit, Morning Kiss Organic invite retailers to promote citrus in January  

With California, Florida and Texas crops in full swing, January is the best time of year to promote citrus, say the Massachusetts-based companies.

Year in Produce 2023: Remembering the people we lost
Year in Produce 2023: Remembering the people we lost

Leaders, innovators and industry stalwarts were among those who died in 2023, with their peers remembering their professional contributions and impact on the produce industry.

New app helps growers avoid leaving climate-smart funding on the table
New app helps growers avoid leaving climate-smart funding on the table

Farm Journal’s beta Climate-Smart Opportunity Navigator tool seeks to match growers with Climate-Smart Commodities grants tailored to their operation.

Federal produce inspector accused of false reporting, accepting bribes
Federal produce inspector accused of false reporting, accepting bribes

A federal grand jury indicted a Mansfield, Texas, man in December for allegedly submitting false inspection reports in exchange for bribe payments.

USDA looks to purchase over 1M cartons of fruit
USDA looks to purchase over 1M cartons of fruit

The USDA is asking for offers from produce distributors to sell fresh apples and pears to the agency for use in school lunches and other feeding programs.

Bananas lead U.S. imports from Central America
Bananas lead U.S. imports from Central America

U.S. imports of Central American bananas totaled $1.8 billion from November 2022 to October 2023, trade figures show.

Year in Produce 2023: Variety innovation aided by GMO and CRISPR technology
Year in Produce 2023: Variety innovation aided by GMO and CRISPR technology

Only a few fresh fruit and vegetables are available in GMO varieties, but advances in CRISPR breeding technology means more genetically improved foods will be headed to shopping carts in coming years.

Sun Belle marks arrival of seasonal red currants
Sun Belle marks arrival of seasonal red currants

The Schiller Park, Ill.-based company says the season’s first Chilean red currants under the Sun Belle label are hitting stores now and will be available through mid-February.

USDA amends Florida Citrus Marketing Order
USDA amends Florida Citrus Marketing Order

Some of the amendments include reducing membership of the Florida Citrus Administrative Committee and updating quorum requirements.

Year in Produce 2023: Weather extremes impact California grapes and South America fruit
Year in Produce 2023: Weather extremes impact California grapes and South America fruit

Rain is always welcome by farmers except when it isn’t, and there was a lot of that sentiment at times during 2023.

As food prices cool, here's what USDA is projecting
As food prices cool, here's what USDA is projecting

In November, all food prices were measured 2.9% higher than a year ago, according to the latest Consumer Price Index. The USDA has also provided an outlook for food prices in 2024.

Fresh From Florida shares strawberry promotion plans
Fresh From Florida shares strawberry promotion plans

Print, digital and retail promotions such as grocery cart ads, weekly circulars, social media campaigns, shoppable ads and more will be used to spread the word about the Sunshine State’s juicy red strawberries.

New Survey Shows Labor is Serious Challenge for Ag Industry
New Survey Shows Labor is Serious Challenge for Ag Industry

The availability of livestock workers was ranked as more limited than crop workers and finding long-term help seen as more difficult than temporary help due to the seasonal nature of the ag industry.