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Container shipping report projects a 'grumpy' year ahead

Container xChange has released its second annual "2023 Shipping Industry Trends and Future of Shipping in 2024" report.

IFPA highlights donation partnerships on Giving Tuesday
IFPA highlights donation partnerships on Giving Tuesday

The International Fresh Produce Association celebrated Giving Tuesday by reflecting on food donation partnerships with its annual Global Produce and Floral Show.

Founder of Panorama Produce remembered
Founder of Panorama Produce remembered

In a recent call with The Packer, Jeffrey Nagelberg's son, Eric, recounted his father’s wisdom in the produce business and in life, specifically admiring his ability to find the middle ground in produce relationships.  

The 2023 Packer 25 — Oscar Guzman
The 2023 Packer 25 — Oscar Guzman

Meet Oscar Guzman of Progressive Produce, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

How to make the most of the plant-based boom
How to make the most of the plant-based boom

Fresh produce is the original plant-based food. How can growers, suppliers and retailers make the most of this healthy eating trend?

South Mill Champs acquires World Fresh Produce
South Mill Champs acquires World Fresh Produce

South Mill Champs, a vertically integrated North American grower and supplier of fresh mushrooms and functional mushroom foods, has acquired World Fresh Produce, a global fresh produce sourcing organization.

Report: Online food delivery to grow 60% by 2027
Report: Online food delivery to grow 60% by 2027

The global online food delivery market is expected to grow by 60% and reach $1.65 trillion in value by 2027, according to new research.

Equifruit president receives Canadian women entrepreneur award
Equifruit president receives Canadian women entrepreneur award

Equifruit President Jennie Coleman was recently honored with the RBC Momentum Award, during a ceremony celebrating Canada's most accomplished women entrepreneurs.

Study: Warehousing and storage industry most stressful in America
Study: Warehousing and storage industry most stressful in America

Warehousing/storage is the most stressful industry in the U.S., according to a new study by Trē House, a marketer of hemp-derived products and other items.

What’s hot in specialty produce? Flavor leads the way
What’s hot in specialty produce? Flavor leads the way

Baldor Specialty Foods’ Kenneth Bower shares insights on specialty produce trends for retail and foodservice customers.

Dole launches premium dragon fruit program in North America
Dole launches premium dragon fruit program in North America

Dole Food Co. is now offering dragon fruit to consumers across the western U.S. and Canada.

U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes see growth in value
U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes see growth in value

The value of U.S. tomato imports from Mexico from October 2022 through September 2023 reached $2.7 billion.

EFI, Kroger explore the Ethical Charter Implementation Program
EFI, Kroger explore the Ethical Charter Implementation Program

Peter O’Driscoll, executive director of Equitable Food Initiative, and Kim Combs, supplier verification manager with The Kroger Co., explore the topic in this “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Lupe Gonzalo
The 2023 Packer 25 — Lupe Gonzalo

Meet Lupe Gonzalo of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

Zespri expects kiwifruit returns at record levels for 2023-24 season
Zespri expects kiwifruit returns at record levels for 2023-24 season

Zespri has released its November forecast for the 2023-24 season, with Green, Organic Green and RubyRed per tray returns forecast at record levels.

USDA files action against Florida business for alleged PACA violations
USDA files action against Florida business for alleged PACA violations

The USDA has filed an administrative complaint against Cantero Produce Corp. for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Ron Ferri
The 2023 Packer 25 — Ron Ferri

Meet Ron Ferri of Tops Friendly Markets, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

USDA files action against New York company for alleged PACA violations
USDA files action against New York company for alleged PACA violations

The USDA has filed an administrative complaint against United Vegetable Produce Inc. (United Vegetable) for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Dwight Ferguson
The 2023 Packer 25 — Dwight Ferguson

Meet Dwight Ferguson of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

USDA restricts PACA violators in California, Illinois and Texas
USDA restricts PACA violators in California, Illinois and Texas

The USDA sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

Ark Foods to trial new watermelon varieties
Ark Foods to trial new watermelon varieties

Immokalee, Fla.-based Ark Foods has announced a pilot project that will expand its activities into the fruit industry with a watermelon trial.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Cheryl Enlow
The 2023 Packer 25 — Cheryl Enlow

Meet Cheryl Enlow of Renaissance Food Group, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

Mission Produce celebrates its 2023 global community giving
Mission Produce celebrates its 2023 global community giving

Oxnard, Calif.-based Mission Produce, Inc. has announced its 2023 global giving results to positively impact its surrounding communities.

7 merchandising tips to maximize sales for the winter holiday season
7 merchandising tips to maximize sales for the winter holiday season

The holidays have plenty of hustle and bustle for shoppers, so convenience, the right variety and value (more than ever) will be at the top of their lists. Give the gift of ease in picking produce to fill their carts.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Madelyn Edlin
The 2023 Packer 25 — Madelyn Edlin

Meet Madelyn Edlin of the Equitable Food Initiative, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

Veg-Fresh Farms achieves EFI certification
Veg-Fresh Farms achieves EFI certification

The Corona, Calif.-based agribusiness, which partners with farmers in California and Mexico to provide year-round conventional and organic fresh fruit and vegetables, has received Equitable Food Initiative certification.

NGA Foundation offers retailers tech assistance for online SNAP EBT purchases
NGA Foundation offers retailers tech assistance for online SNAP EBT purchases

The National Grocers Association Foundation has officially launched the SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center website.

Hunts Point proud: Inside the predominantly family-run produce market feeding millions
Hunts Point proud: Inside the predominantly family-run produce market feeding millions

A powerful force in fresh produce, Hunts Point Produce Market is as rich in family history as it is passionate about feeding fresh fruits and vegetables to some 22 million people every year.

Florida citrus forecast up for 2023-24
Florida citrus forecast up for 2023-24

Florida citrus production is up this year, according to the USDA’s November crop production report.

Cabilfrut, Green SuperFood combining efforts in avocado production and marketing
Cabilfrut, Green SuperFood combining efforts in avocado production and marketing

The companies say the alliance will allow them to combine the production and logistics experience that Green SuperFood has in Colombia and Cabilfrut’s knowledge in exporting and international markets.

The 2023 Packer 25 — John Dyke
The 2023 Packer 25 — John Dyke

Meet John Dyke of Turnip Truck Natural Food, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Gabriela D’Arrigo
The 2023 Packer 25 — Gabriela D’Arrigo

Meet Gabriela D’Arrigo of D'Arrigo New York, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

Instacart launches 3rd annual fruit and vegetable giving campaign
Instacart launches 3rd annual fruit and vegetable giving campaign

For every customer dollar spent via Instacart between Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 on select products from four partner brands, Instacart and the participating brands will collectively donate 1 serving of fruits and vegetables.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Sabrina Castillo Lora
The 2023 Packer 25 — Sabrina Castillo Lora

Meet Sabrina Castillo Lora of LUV by Fresh Directions International, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Travis Breihan
The 2023 Packer 25 — Travis Breihan

Meet Travis Breihan of Smallhold, one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

The 2023 Packer 25 — Dan Atkinson
The 2023 Packer 25 — Dan Atkinson

Meet Dan Atkinson of Hy-Vee Inc., one of the The Packer 25's 2023 honorees.

Introducing the 2023 Packer 25
Introducing the 2023 Packer 25

The Packer's annual tribute is spotlighting 25 people leading the charge in the fresh produce industry.

Produce and the city: In Mexico's capital, fruit and veg are stars
Produce and the city: In Mexico's capital, fruit and veg are stars

With this pictorial of Mexico City’s Soriana supermarket, we launch Market Crush, a new series featuring retail produce purveyors who are crushing it when it comes to dynamic displays that drive shoppers to buy.

FreshDirect reveals 5 food trend predictions for 2024
FreshDirect reveals 5 food trend predictions for 2024

From flavor and function to sustainability and small plates, FreshDirect has revealed its 2024 food trend insights curated by the company’s merchant team of category specialists. 

Report: Most Mexican tomatoes grown in controlled conditions
Report: Most Mexican tomatoes grown in controlled conditions

In Mexico, "growers throughout the country use greenhouses, shade houses, high-tunnel systems, and other climate-control technologies to supply the U.S. market year-round,” the report said.

Market Crush: Food Lion in Raleigh, N.C.
Market Crush: Food Lion in Raleigh, N.C.

A produce professional was stocking the department shelves on a summery mid-morning Monday at Food Lion in Greystone Village in North Raleigh, N.C.

California Walnut Board, Commission launch direct-to-consumer holiday campaign
California Walnut Board, Commission launch direct-to-consumer holiday campaign

With the aim of increasing walnut consumption this holiday season, the California Walnut Board and Commission have launched a direct-to-consumer marketing campaign highlighting the role walnuts play in festivities.

The Giant Co. appoints new VPs
The Giant Co. appoints new VPs

The Giant Co. has named Brian Lorenz as vice president of omnichannel fresh merchandising and Kathy Sweigert as vice president of the mid-Atlantic division, both effective Nov. 27.

Yields expected to pick up after slow start in southern Texas
Yields expected to pick up after slow start in southern Texas

A long, hot summer followed by an early fall freeze threw grower-shippers a curveball at the start of the fall season in southern Texas, but they’re hopeful things will straighten out by mid-December.

Podcast: Why ag needs to budget for IT
Podcast: Why ag needs to budget for IT

In this latest "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast with ZAG Technical Services, Chief Financial Officer Tim Bussey explores the importance of making an investment in tech, the biggest challenges faced in IT planning and more.

USA Pears to celebrate World Pear Day with live stream demos, new recipes
USA Pears to celebrate World Pear Day with live stream demos, new recipes

“For the eighth annual World Pear Day celebration, USA Pears will once again be partnering with the online platform, Kittch, to showcase six popular chefs preparing a variety of global dishes,” said Jeff Correa of PBNW.

Sun World expands import footprint in North America
Sun World expands import footprint in North America

Sun World International has added eight importers to its panel of 28 companies that hold a license to distribute and market Sun World’s full line of proprietary grapes.

U.S. imports of Mexican vegetables show growth
U.S. imports of Mexican vegetables show growth

U.S. imports of Mexican fresh vegetables enjoyed a strong year in 2022-23, however, USDA numbers say the value of U.S. imports of Mexican fresh fruit was flat compared with 2021-22.

How packaging suppliers can help trim costs
How packaging suppliers can help trim costs

If you’re in the produce industry and looking to enhance your bottom line — and who isn’t — your packaging supplier may be able to lend a hand.

Canadian produce industry advocates for affordable, healthy food during PM roundtable
Canadian produce industry advocates for affordable, healthy food during PM roundtable

Fresh produce representatives recently met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to voice concerns and emphasize industry initiatives.