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Spinach recalled by Fresh Express for possible listeria contamination
Spinach recalled by Fresh Express for possible listeria contamination

The company said a random sampling of its bagged spinach yielded a positive result for Listera monocytogenes.

$103M in emergency funds allocated to tackle exotic fruit flies
$103M in emergency funds allocated to tackle exotic fruit flies

The USDA earmarked half of its emergency fund to respond to exotic fruit fly outbreaks in California, which threaten the fresh produce industry in the state.

Indoor ag leaders forecast strong growth at NYPS
Indoor ag leaders forecast strong growth at NYPS

The recent NYPS spotlighted CEA success stories during an educational panel discussion organized by the Controlled Environment Agriculture Alliance and moderated by Tom Stenzel, the CEA Alliance’s executive director.

New Legislation Would Require USDA to Study Fertilizer Industry
New Legislation Would Require USDA to Study Fertilizer Industry

The Fertilizer Research Act has been introduced by three senators to require USDA to study competition and trends in the fertilizer market.

Stone fruit recall updated with stores impacted by listeria outbreak
Stone fruit recall updated with stores impacted by listeria outbreak

The Food and Drug Administration said this recall involves conventionally grown peaches, plums and nectarines sold nationwide and distributed by HMC Farms.

New toolkit from IFPA helps produce industry expand diversity efforts
New toolkit from IFPA helps produce industry expand diversity efforts

This new resource from the International Fresh Produce Association offers guidance and certifications on how to develop and implement diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Strong start for potato shipments from Red River Valley
Strong start for potato shipments from Red River Valley

Potato movement has been good throughout the Red River Valley at the start of this season.

Does Your Farm's Culture Pass This Easy Test?
Does Your Farm's Culture Pass This Easy Test?

Prioritizing culture is often overlooked when it comes to employee management and retention.

An alleged $2.6 million was embezzled by a former employee of the Oklahoma Beef Council.
9 businesses banned by USDA for PACA violations

Failure to meet contract obligations and failure to pay reparations caused the department to sanction the businesses and principal operators and prevent them from working in the produce industry.

After nearly 60 years, The Ruby Co. is still in growth mode
After nearly 60 years, The Ruby Co. is still in growth mode

The national produce distribution and supply company has focused on providing a range of customers with whole fruits and vegetables, with an emphasis on potatoes and onions, said Josh Wolff, partner.

Seen and heard at NYPS — Part 3
Seen and heard at NYPS — Part 3

With the theme "Gratitude," the recent NYPS drew more than 5,000 players from across the fresh produce supply chain to the Javits Center, where industry professionals discussed products, promotional campaigns and more.

Chipotle invests $50M in ag robotics, climate-smart fertilizer
Chipotle invests $50M in ag robotics, climate-smart fertilizer

Funds will help build Greenfield Robotics' autonomous technology into other crops and Nitricity’s fertilizer produced without carbon emissions. Field trials begin for Nitricity’s fertilizer in the Salinas Valley.

Online grocers posted $8.1B in sales for November 
Online grocers posted $8.1B in sales for November 

In its November grocery shopping survey, Brick Meets Click/Mercatus found more U.S. households turned to mass retailers for major grocery purchases.

Products that can help enhance retailers' avocado category
Products that can help enhance retailers' avocado category

Retailers can add to the excitement of the Super Bowl by enhancing their avocado categories with some innovative product tie-ins.

Sunrise Fresh CEO wins California Farm Bureau award
Sunrise Fresh CEO wins California Farm Bureau award

Jacob "Jake" Samuel has helped build the premium dried fruit business into one of the leading suppliers of unsweetened, all-natural fruits for ingredient use.

Potatoes enjoy a big footprint at retail
Potatoes enjoy a big footprint at retail

Ranking second only to tomatoes among vegetables in retail sales, U.S. retail potato sales topped $3.78 billion in 2022, up 15.3% compared with 2021.

Produce distribution company joins FreshEdge
Produce distribution company joins FreshEdge

KT Produce, a produce distribution company based out of Lowell, Ark., has joined FreshEdge, a family of fresh food distribution companies backed by Wind Point Partners.

Inside Wegmans' world-class Astor Place market
Inside Wegmans' world-class Astor Place market

From the moment shoppers enter the 87,500-square-foot Astor Place Wegmans — the Rochester, N.Y.-based grocer's newest store — the fresh produce storytelling begins.

USDA, California offer $30M in food supply infrastructure grants
USDA, California offer $30M in food supply infrastructure grants

The grants — also available in Nebraska and Rhode Island — aim to bolster the processing, aggregation and distribution of agricultural products in the states.

White House: Congress risks shorting WIC benefits for parents and children
White House: Congress risks shorting WIC benefits for parents and children

Congress must act soon to increase funding for the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or risk the program will have to turn away assistance to participants before the end of next year.

University receives grant to help storage of organic potatoes
University receives grant to help storage of organic potatoes

Oregon State University researchers have been awarded $2 million from the USDA to develop improved ways of preventing stored potatoes from sprouting, particularly in the organic sector.

Farmer's Best increases acreage of seedless cucumbers, other items
Farmer's Best increases acreage of seedless cucumbers, other items

Farmer's Best LLC will increase its acreage in seedless cucumbers, elongated red peppers, and eggplant programs, says Sasha Lewton, sales manager.

Unlocking the impact of difficult conversations to benefit your business
Unlocking the impact of difficult conversations to benefit your business

In this "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast episode, Louisa Clark of Confidently There joins LeAnne Ruzzamenti of Equitable Food Initiative to talk about why open communication is the key to successful organizational culture.

Red Passion kiwifruit increasing for Oppy
Red Passion kiwifruit increasing for Oppy

Hailing from Italy and Greece, Red Passion-branded red kiwifruit is grown under a protective layer of plastic to deliver a consistent and high-quality eating experience, according to Oppy.

Food supply-chain solutions provider secures $35M investment
Food supply-chain solutions provider secures $35M investment

Silo Technologies says the funding will advance its capacity to develop modular solutions for inventory management, freight logistics, enhanced order management, modern payment options and innovative capital solutions.

Class action lawsuit filed in Quebec following salmonella outbreak
Class action lawsuit filed in Quebec following salmonella outbreak

Slater Vecchio, a legal firm specializing in personal injury claims, said the outbreak sickened more than 91 people in Quebec.

Hass Avocado Board announces new executive committee members
Hass Avocado Board announces new executive committee members

Two producers and two importers were officially seated as committee members Dec. 6.

NCAE petitions to change wage formula for H-2A program
NCAE petitions to change wage formula for H-2A program

Ag employers want relief from high H-2A wage rates, and they want relief now.

Seen and heard at NYPS — Part 2
Seen and heard at NYPS — Part 2

From fresh flavors to new packaging to promotable product, the fresh fruit and vegetable industry hit the New York Produce Show, Dec. 5-7 at the Javits Center, ready to put their best produce foot forward.

Guatemalan exports boost Pacific Trellis Fruit's mini watermelon production
Guatemalan exports boost Pacific Trellis Fruit's mini watermelon production

Year-round grower-shipper and marketer of fresh fruit said adding production helps the company provide its PureHeart mini watermelon 52 weeks a year. 

Trade numbers show stable exports, moderate import growth
Trade numbers show stable exports, moderate import growth

New trade numbers through October indicate little change in U.S. fresh produce export shipments compared with a year ago, while U.S. imports of fresh fruits and vegetables are up moderately in the last 12 months.

USDA says citrus company failed to pay produce sellers $1M
USDA says citrus company failed to pay produce sellers $1M

The agency has filed a Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act complaint against a California company, alleging that it failed to pay two sellers.

Inflation slows again in November
Inflation slows again in November

Consumer retail prices in November were up 3.1% compared to a year ago, down slightly from the 3.2% annual inflation rate reported in October.

How Avocados From Mexico is supporting Super Bowl promotions
How Avocados From Mexico is supporting Super Bowl promotions

The trade organization says it recognizes the dominance of Mexican avocados during this time of year and goes all out to help retailers score big returns by promoting the fruit.

Outlook strong for potato promotion opportunities at Christmas and beyond
Outlook strong for potato promotion opportunities at Christmas and beyond

Based on market conditions in early December, the 2023-24 season is setting up to be a very good year for potato promotions.

USDA bans 3 businesses from operating for PACA violations
USDA bans 3 businesses from operating for PACA violations

Stemming from failure to pay Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act reparations, the department barred principal operators from working in PACA-licensed businesses and also suspended the PACA licenses of businesses.

Report: Water risks threaten U.S. agriculture
Report: Water risks threaten U.S. agriculture

The study finds growers also are facing rising water-related farming costs, particularly in Midwest and Western states.

10 ways to use 10 pounds of Sunkist oranges
10 ways to use 10 pounds of Sunkist oranges

To help consumers make the most of its festively packaged 10-pound carton of navel oranges this holiday season, Sunkist is offering 10 recipes and tips for making fruit purchases go further. 

New event tackles challenges of table grape export market
New event tackles challenges of table grape export market

Largest exporters of table grapes, Chile and Peru, to lead a discussion on changes in buying habits, headwinds in the export industry amid production increases.

Calavo adds VP to lead tomato and papaya sales
Calavo adds VP to lead tomato and papaya sales

Kurt Kistler has over 25 years of fresh produce industry experience, having spent the last seven years at Charlie’s Produce.

Fresh apple holdings up by 33% year over year
Fresh apple holdings up by 33% year over year

In its latest apple holding report, the U.S. Apple Association said inventories are up 20% more than the five-year average and higher than this same time last year.

Avocado suppliers and retailers kick off Super Bowl plans
Avocado suppliers and retailers kick off Super Bowl plans

It’s still December, but suppliers of avocados and avocado-related products say it’s not too early to start making plans for 2024 Super Bowl promotions.

Seen and heard at New York Produce Show — Part 1
Seen and heard at New York Produce Show — Part 1

From the sublime local dancers who performed at the opening breakfast to the hot dog carts stationed throughout the show floor, the 14th annual NYPS once again delivered an only-in-the-Big-Apple industry experience.

Commercial spraying with drone technology begins in Salinas Valley
Commercial spraying with drone technology begins in Salinas Valley

Guardian Agriculture has deployed four of its aviation-grade Vertical Take-Off and Landing, or eVTOL, aircraft to spray crops in California's Salinas Valley.

Baldor President Michael Muzyk receives NYPS Lifetime Achievement Award
Baldor President Michael Muzyk receives NYPS Lifetime Achievement Award

Baldor Specialty Foods President Michael Muzyk received the New York Produce Show’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Dec. 6, prior to a ribbon cutting to open the show’s exhibition hall.

IFCO cites gains in ESG 2023 report
IFCO cites gains in ESG 2023 report

The document provides an extensive overview of the company's activities and achievements in three core areas — Thriving Business, Thriving Planet and Thriving Society — against the baseline year of 2020.

PennRose Farms looks to rising volume of Mexican produce
PennRose Farms looks to rising volume of Mexican produce

Volume of Mexican produce items was expected to increase for PennRose Farms LLC after Thanksgiving, says spokesperson Christopher Ciruli.

Emerald reflects on the pursuit of cutting-edge packaging
Emerald reflects on the pursuit of cutting-edge packaging

When Emerald Packaging Inc. was established 60 years ago, the firm occupied 25,000 square feet and employed about 70 workers; the flexible packaging provider now has a 200,000-square-foot facility and 250 employees.

New app developed for vegetable growers
New app developed for vegetable growers

The new MyIPM for Vegetables app offers pest and disease identification as well as best practices for managing them.

World Packaging Organisation talks about industry's role in sustainability
World Packaging Organisation talks about industry's role in sustainability

President of the organization will participate in a panel on sustainable food packaging at the United Nation’s climate conference.