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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.

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.