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New packaging offered by Long Wind Farm
New packaging offered by Long Wind Farm

Cardboard clamshells are new for tomato grower Long Wind Farm, East Thetford, Vt. 

Quarter ending Sept. 30 sees potato sales increase compared with 2019
Quarter ending Sept. 30 sees potato sales increase compared with 2019

During the first quarter of Potatoes USA’s Marketing Year 2022 (July - September 2021), potato sales decreased in dollars by 1.1% and in volume by 5.7% compared to the same period in 2020.

Ecoripe Tropicals expect steady organic ginger supply
Ecoripe Tropicals expect steady organic ginger supply

Miami, Fla.-based Ecoripe Tropicals is expecting steady supplies of organic ginger, said company president Marc Holbik.

What's the Secret to Managing Michigan State's Real Grass Football Field? Science
What's the Secret to Managing Michigan State's Real Grass Football Field? Science

In 2019, Michigan State University returned to natural grass for its football field, after a 33 year hiatus. And it's science that helps the turf team manage the field and provide optimal conditions for the games.

Packer 25 2021 - Brent Erenwert
Packer 25 2021 - Brent Erenwert

I have been very fortunate over my career to have had many great achievements. Though my biggest accomplishment as a professional has been helping migrate my father’s company into an industry recognized brand.

Market loosens for Mexican avocados
Market loosens for Mexican avocados

The U.S. market has opened up significantly this fall as plenty of good-quality, reasonably priced avocados make their way across the Mexican border.

Parker Farms anticipates good supply of organic broccoli for holiday demand
Parker Farms anticipates good supply of organic broccoli for holiday demand

Organic broccoli, pepper, squash and cucumber supplier Parker Farms is adding new organic growers in North Carolina, said Sean McFadden, in business development at the Oak Grove, Va.-based company.

Course offered on correct oversight of organic claims at farmers markets
Course offered on correct oversight of organic claims at farmers markets

A course educating farmers market managers, vendors, and consumers about how to identify potentially mislabeled and misrepresented organic products is being offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Maine Farmers Exchange looks for good year
Maine Farmers Exchange looks for good year

A strong, high-quality potato crop should put the Maine Famers Exchange and its customers in a good position this year, said Bob Davis, vice president of the Presque Isle, Maine-based company.

Produce industry calls for ‘urgent government action’ to resolve supply chain stress
Produce industry calls for ‘urgent government action’ to resolve supply chain stress

At least 21 produce industry organizations in Canada and the U.S. issued a joint statement calling for “urgent government action” to address significant ongoing supply chain disruptions.

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McDonald’s Commits $5 Million to Accelerate Climate-Smart Farming Solutions

McDonald’s is committing $5 million and partnering with AgMission, a global collaboration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture and to develop and implement climate-smart farming solutions.

Packer 25 2021 — Chris Miller
Packer 25 2021 — Chris Miller

About three weeks in, there was a blizzard, and I was a newbie closing the department on my own. It was the craziest, most frenetic work environment ... I got the produce bug quick and haven’t turned back.

Farmland LP Announces Vital Farmland REIT LLC surpasses $100 million in equity capital raised
Farmland LP Announces Vital Farmland REIT LLC surpasses $100 million in equity capital raised

Farmland LP announced that its second fund, Vital Farmland REIT LLC (Fund II), has surpassed $100 million in equity commitments and is on target to reach its $150 million goal by the final closing date in December.

NGA delivers plea for help with labor, trucking shortage and retail concentration
NGA delivers plea for help with labor, trucking shortage and retail concentration

Putting trucking issues and concerns about retail in the crosshairs, the extraordinary transportation and labor pressures on the food supply chain were the focus of an House Agriculture Committee hearing on Nov. 3.

FWF appoints Josh Brawley as chief operating officer
FWF appoints Josh Brawley as chief operating officer

Fifth Wheel Freight founder and chairman Brian Bennett announced a new chief operating officer this week. Josh Brawley steps into a new role that shapes senior leadership and fosters continued growth.

Avocados From Mexico returns to the Super Bowl with new television spot
Avocados From Mexico returns to the Super Bowl with new television spot

Avocados From Mexico will be back again for the National Football League’s biggest game in February, and former New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees will star in the group’s 30-second television spot.

4Earth Farms expands output, introduces new organic programs
4Earth Farms expands output, introduces new organic programs

Commerce, Calif.-based 4Earth Farms has several new organic programs this year, said Mark Munger, vice president of the company.

Sage Fruit again partners with Apeel Sciences for organic apples
Sage Fruit again partners with Apeel Sciences for organic apples

Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co. will again partner with Apeel Sciences to treat its organic apples, said Chuck Sinks, Sage Fruit president of sales and marketing.

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United Fresh and produce groups issue joint statement on supply chain disruptions

The House Agriculture Committee on Nov. 3 held a hearing on the challenges facing the entire agricultural supply chain.

Tre’dish receives $10 million investment as home-to-home food economy grows
Tre’dish receives $10 million investment as home-to-home food economy grows

Home-to-Home food technology platform and community marketplace Tre’dish has today announced a $10m seed funding round as it commercializes and scales operations across the U.S. and Canada.

Turning a perpetual ag pain point into patented technology
Turning a perpetual ag pain point into patented technology

Hands-free access to digital technology is a ubiquitous problem in the agriculture industry, said Bruce Rasa, CEO of AgVoice, and his company’s solution to the issue was just awarded a patent three months ago.

Higher input costs and labor shortages influence bottom line, Fresh Del Monte reports
Higher input costs and labor shortages influence bottom line, Fresh Del Monte reports

Higher input costs and labor shortages have dented the bottom line for Coral Gables, Fla.-based Fresh Del Monte Produce, the company reported Nov. 3 in its quarterly earnings update.

Packer 25 2021 — Claudia Harumi Kuniyoshi
Packer 25 2021 — Claudia Harumi Kuniyoshi

I was in the Midwest and decided I wanted to do greenhouse research. I was studying crop protection for corn and soybeans.

Ample supplies of Peruvian asparagus expected
Ample supplies of Peruvian asparagus expected

Supplies of Peruvian asparagus should be plentiful for festive holiday meals, and importers say quality should be good.

U.S., EU launch collaboration platform on agriculture
U.S., EU launch collaboration platform on agriculture

EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski and United States Secretary of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack jointly issue a statement on transatlantic collaboration platform on agriculture.

2020 Maine potato rewind
2020 Maine potato rewind

Maine potato growers experienced a down production year in 2020. Way down.

Organic produce market to grow up to 10% in 2022
Organic produce market to grow up to 10% in 2022

With younger consumers driving growth, the organic produce sector will likely experience 5% to 10% growth in sales dollars in 2022, according to Mike Mauti, managing partner of Canada-based Execulytics Consulting.

SanLucar and Disney´s "Encanto" enchant with juicy-sweet fruit
SanLucar and Disney´s "Encanto" enchant with juicy-sweet fruit

In the new Disney film “Encanto”, the cheerful Madrigal family from Colombia experiences a truly fortunate adventure.

Wada Farms sees strong market outlook
Wada Farms sees strong market outlook

Foodservice demand is strong for Wada Farms, said Joe Esta, vice president of the Idaho Falls, Idaho-based company.

USDA: Apply now for the Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program
USDA: Apply now for the Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program

USDA is currently accepting applications for the Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program.

Naturipe’s Berry Parfait a NACS show favorite
Naturipe’s Berry Parfait a NACS show favorite

During its debut at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show, Naturipe Snacks Berry Parfaits were ranked as the #2 Cool New Product (and the #1 ranked food item).

FDA Update: Investigation of the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions
FDA Update: Investigation of the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions.

Produce industry veteran Walter Ram named FPAA 2021 Pillar of the Industry
Produce industry veteran Walter Ram named FPAA 2021 Pillar of the Industry

The FPAA is honored to announce Walter Ram, Vice President of Food Safety at Giumarra Companies, as the 2021 recipient. 

Launching agriculture innovation mission for climate
Launching agriculture innovation mission for climate

The United States and United Arab Emirates officially launched the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) alongside 31 countries and over 48 non-government partners.

Ag Economy Barometer: Farmer sentiment weakens amid rising concerns of a cost-price squeeze
Ag Economy Barometer: Farmer sentiment weakens amid rising concerns of a cost-price squeeze

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer recorded a drop in producer sentiment in October, down 3 points to a reading of 121.

Steel and aluminum imports are the latest target
U.S. lifts duties on European steel and aluminum

The U.S. and European Union reached an agreement in late October to allow the resumption of duty-free European steel and aluminum into the U.S.

Packer 25 2021 — J.M. Procacci
Packer 25 2021 — J.M. Procacci

During my career I’ve worked for several divisions of Procacci Holdings. Until 2007, my education was not very complete in the produce industry.

Viva Fresh Clean Eating Challenge: Back in action
Viva Fresh Clean Eating Challenge: Back in action

After two successful years where participants have lost over 650 pounds and gained years to their lives, the health and wellness challenge continues to draw interest from industry hopefuls looking for a change.

On the scene in Idaho Falls, Idaho with Potandon Produce
On the scene in Idaho Falls, Idaho with Potandon Produce

The Packer caught up with Potandon Produce’s Marketing Manager Dan Fitzgerald to discuss the innovation and market penetration behind One Step …. Done!

Tim Tebow, Heather Chauvin to speak at SEPC Southern Exposure event
Tim Tebow, Heather Chauvin to speak at SEPC Southern Exposure event

The Southeast Produce Council has just announced a heroic lineup of speakers for upcoming Southern Exposure: The Marvel of Produce set to take place March 3-5, 2022.

Maine potato growers look to good year
Maine potato growers look to good year

2021 is a vintage year for Maine potatoes, industry leaders believe.

U.S. organic imports growing from Mexico, Peru
U.S. organic imports growing from Mexico, Peru

U.S. imports of organic fresh produce from Mexico and Peru are growing fast, U.S. Department of Agriculture trade numbers reveal.

November kicks off Arizona lettuce and leafy greens harvest and celebration
November kicks off Arizona lettuce and leafy greens harvest and celebration

Arizona’s Governor Ducey has proclaimed November 2021 as Arizona Leafy Greens month.

Oklahoma Grocer Reasor’s Sells to Brookshire Grocery Co. 
Oklahoma Grocer Reasor’s Sells to Brookshire Grocery Co. 

Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) and Reasor’s LLC are excited to announce that they have entered into an agreement under which BGC will acquire Reasor’s 17 stores in Oklahoma.

Nature Fresh Farms signs one of North Americas largest lighting supply agreements with Agrolux
Nature Fresh Farms signs one of North Americas largest lighting supply agreements with Agrolux

Nature Fresh Farms Sales adds 123 acres of lit production with their growing partners Nature Fresh Farms, Ketler Farms, and VineFresh, leading to one of the largest signings of LED/HPS lights in North America.

EFI-Certified NatureSweet Tomatoes Earns Communitas Award for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility
EFI-Certified NatureSweet Tomatoes Earns Communitas Award for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility

Equitable Food Initiative is proud to announce that EFI-certified NatureSweet® Tomatoes has earned a Communitas Award for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility thanks to leadership efforts during the pandemic. 

Limoneira adds Elizabeth Mora to board of directors
Limoneira adds Elizabeth Mora to board of directors

Limoneira is thrilled to announce the appointment of Elizabeth (Beth) Mora to the Company’s Board of Directors.

Oppy unveils first vertical farming partnership
Oppy unveils first vertical farming partnership

UP Vertical Farms is a cutting edge new indoor farm leading the way with the upcoming launch of Canada’s first touchless, high density indoor vertical farm for growing customizable baby leafy greens.

Saint Lucia seeks U.S. access for fresh mangoes 
Saint Lucia seeks U.S. access for fresh mangoes 

The Government of Saint Lucia has asked USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize the importation of Mango (Mangifera indica) fruit for consumption into the United States and Territories.

Uganda seeks U.S. access for bananas
Uganda seeks U.S. access for bananas

The Government of Uganda has asked USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize the importation of fresh green, mature bananas for consumption into the continental United States.