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7 top food and beverage trends for 2024
7 top food and beverage trends for 2024

KeHE, a distributor of natural and organic, specialty and fresh products, has identified its top seven trends in the food and beverage industry for 2024, and fresh produce has the potential to play a role in each one.

IFPA talks food affordability, packaging policy with Canadian prime minister  
IFPA talks food affordability, packaging policy with Canadian prime minister  

International Fresh Produce Association executives attended a Nov. 15 roundtable meeting focused on U.S. and Canadian consumer food affordability with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

'Like our Super Bowl' — Wada Farms readies for busy holiday season
'Like our Super Bowl' — Wada Farms readies for busy holiday season

The grower of potatoes and onions discusses its volume and quality as consumers prepare to celebrate over meals with family and friends.

L.A. distributors deal with freeway closure
L.A. distributors deal with freeway closure

A massive pallet fire beneath a raised section of the busy 10 Freeway near downtown Los Angeles has caused headaches for tenants on the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market and surrounding produce businesses.

USDA seeks application grant reviewers for farm labor pilot
USDA seeks application grant reviewers for farm labor pilot

The USDA is seeking reviewers to evaluate grant applications submitted under the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program.

How Fox Packaging aims to meet the citrus industry's needs
How Fox Packaging aims to meet the citrus industry's needs

One trend in the fresh produce/citrus packaging space is the increasing demand for sustainable and recyclable materials, says Jacob Fox, sales representative for Fox Packaging, McAllen, Texas.

Chilean avocado output in 2023-24 to leap 20%
Chilean avocado output in 2023-24 to leap 20%

Favorable climatic conditions and abundant rainfall contributed to the bigger crop, according to a new USDA report.

Peru grape exports will increase slightly, USDA reports
Peru grape exports will increase slightly, USDA reports

Peruvian grape exports in the 2023-24 marketing year will increase by 2%, according to a new USDA report.

Inflation and high grocery prices impact holiday food donations, fresh produce purchases, survey finds
Inflation and high grocery prices impact holiday food donations, fresh produce purchases, survey finds

Divert has released new data that finds nearly 20% fewer consumers are donating this holiday season and nearly 72% of consumers are changing their grocery shopping habits and behaviors amid the current economic climate.

Organically Grown Co. gives over $200,000 through grant program
Organically Grown Co. gives over $200,000 through grant program

Portland, Ore.-based Organically Grown Co. has announced that more than $200,000 in grants will be awarded to organizations that align with their mission to grow the organic agriculture movement.

Big apple volumes and lower prices open the door for retail promotions
Big apple volumes and lower prices open the door for retail promotions

Apple volume is up, and prices are down. That equation adds up to more apple promotion opportunities, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt Growers.

Gotham Greens launches new salad kit line
Gotham Greens launches new salad kit line

The salad kits, featuring greenhouse-grown lettuce as well as toppings and dressings, are now available at select Kroger and Jewel-Osco stores, with additional distribution in early 2024.

U.S. fresh apple holdings up on Nov. 1
U.S. fresh apple holdings up on Nov. 1

U.S. fresh apple holdings on Nov. 1 were 36% more than reported last November and 21% more than the November five-year average.

Congress Can't Ignore the Mental Health Crisis Anymore, Costa Says
Congress Can't Ignore the Mental Health Crisis Anymore, Costa Says

More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness. U.S. Representative Jim Costa (D-CA) says Congress cannot ignore the mental health crisis in America anymore. 

Arizona kicks off leafy greens season, celebrates state’s leafy greens month
Arizona kicks off leafy greens season, celebrates state’s leafy greens month

“Right now, Arizona farms are actively growing and harvesting all leafy greens from iceberg and romaine to spinach and spring mix,” said Teressa Lopez, administrator of the Arizona LGMA program.

University develops machine-harvestable tomato
University develops machine-harvestable tomato

The University of Florida has come up with a tomato variety that some say could be a game-changer for the state’s tomato industry.

Cotija Avocados sees room to grow
Cotija Avocados sees room to grow

Cotija Avocados is diversifying its offering into organics and value-added services, says Bryan Prihoda, president and chief financial officer of the hass avocado supplier.

How packinghouses are delivering quality for Calavo Growers
How packinghouses are delivering quality for Calavo Growers

Calavo's packinghouses in Michoacán and Jalisco are "the foundation of our Mexican avocado sourcing programs,” says Peter Shore, vice president of produce management.

Potato volume up, prices down for holidays
Potato volume up, prices down for holidays

Plenty of potatoes should be available for holiday repasts this year, and ample volume should mean favorable prices for consumers.

Kroger lowers prices on Thanksgiving
Kroger lowers prices on Thanksgiving

The Cincinnati-based grocer says it’s offering a holiday meal at less than $5 per person — making celebrations even more affordable than last year.

Climate Robotics wins AgSharks Pitch Competition
Climate Robotics wins AgSharks Pitch Competition

The developer of mobile biochar production systems for commercial agriculture was one of three startups that pitched inventions in front of an audience of more than 300 fresh produce farmers and industry leaders.

 Lipman Family Farms celebrates 'Day of Good' by giving back
Lipman Family Farms celebrates 'Day of Good' by giving back

The annual event is marked by Lipman locations across North America uniting to devote time to serving communities.

Lineage marks grand opening of Houston ColdPort facility
Lineage marks grand opening of Houston ColdPort facility

The new facility is expected to strengthen Lineage’s network in Texas, which now spans more than 189 million cubic feet of capacity across 19 locations.

What growers are saying about the quality of onions this season
What growers are saying about the quality of onions this season

Grower-shippers say onion volume has inched upward this season, and plenty of good-quality onions should be available for the holidays and beyond.

The Packer celebrates produce retail and marketing excellence
The Packer celebrates produce retail and marketing excellence

Watch as the recipients of this year’s awards for Produce Retailer of the Year and Produce Marketer of the Year are honored at the recent International Fresh Produce Association's Global Produce and Floral Show.

Giant Food’s Rob Nickels on making your supermarket a destination for fresh
Giant Food’s Rob Nickels on making your supermarket a destination for fresh

The featured guest on this "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast episode is Rob Nickels, who handles category management, procurement and merchandising of fresh produce and floral for Giant Food.

Legislation introduced to boost exports of specialty crops
Legislation introduced to boost exports of specialty crops

Supporters say the Specialty CROP Act responds to continued high tariffs, burdensome labeling requirements and other trade barriers that restrict U.S. products from accessing foreign markets.

Loblaw to launch Small Supplier Program
Loblaw to launch Small Supplier Program

Canadian Produce Marketing Association President Ron Lemaire says the new Loblaw program can be a "catalyst" to the success of small fresh fruit and vegetable businesses.

Western Growers elects new board chair
Western Growers elects new board chair

Stuart Woolf, president and CEO of Woolf Farming & Processing, was first elected to the Western Growers board in 2015.

Chilean fruit industry evaluating impact of recent rains
Chilean fruit industry evaluating impact of recent rains

“Climate change and the El Niño phenomenon are putting agriculture in Chile and the world to the test,” said Iván Marambio, president of Frutas de Chile.

USDA nutrition incentives aim to improve access to healthy food 
USDA nutrition incentives aim to improve access to healthy food 

The USDA says it is investing more than $52 million to improve dietary health and access to fresh fruits and vegetables for eligible families.

North American importers of Chilean grapes seek approval of systems approach
North American importers of Chilean grapes seek approval of systems approach

With the 2023-24 Chilean table grape season starting in November, Chilean grape importers from across the U.S. are urgently requesting the U.S. authorities to accelerate the authorization of a systems approach.

Vic Savanello joins FreshPro Foods
Vic Savanello joins FreshPro Foods

Industry veteran Vic Savanello has joined FreshPro Foods as vice president of merchandising, sales and business development.

Amid challenges, passion drives Florida tomato growers
Amid challenges, passion drives Florida tomato growers

It’s not easy being a tomato farmer in Florida, but even as their numbers dwindle, enough die-hard farmers remain to earn Florida the No. 1 ranking for the value of fresh-market tomatoes in the U.S.

Oppy's avocado outlook includes introducing home compostable bag
Oppy's avocado outlook includes introducing home compostable bag

Oppy’s marketing plan for Mexican avocados centers around the pillars of sustainability, high quality and reliability, says Rodrigo Lopez, category director of citrus and avocados.

Naturipe tracking avocado supply dynamics for customers
Naturipe tracking avocado supply dynamics for customers

With all eyes on football, Naturipe is ready to support promotions that Avocados From Mexico is launching, says Andy Bruno, president of Naturipe Farms' avocado division.

dVida expands tropical fruit availability
dVida expands tropical fruit availability

The dVida Co. has announced year-round availability for its mango and dragon fruit programs.

Kroger holiday campaign — with produce cameo — inspires multicultural mealtime gathering
Kroger holiday campaign — with produce cameo — inspires multicultural mealtime gathering

The Kroger Co. has found a recipe for animated holiday success with its recently released film campaign that encourages consumers to “Bring a new recipe to the table.”

Bee Sweet Citrus ramping up holiday citrus promotions
Bee Sweet Citrus ramping up holiday citrus promotions

“While the season got off to a late start, the overall quality and flavor of our fruit has been nothing short of excellent," said Bee Sweet Citrus sales representative Jason Sadoian.

Mission Produce leverages Mexican avocado size profile for promo opportunities
Mission Produce leverages Mexican avocado size profile for promo opportunities

The 2023-24 Mexican avocado season is expected to produce plentiful volumes of excellent quality for both conventional and organic avocados, says Monica Robles, Mission Produce's director of Mexico sourcing.

New potato plant variety called a natural, affordable radiation sensor
New potato plant variety called a natural, affordable radiation sensor

A researcher at the University of Tennessee Herbert College of Agriculture has developed a potato plant that can detect gamma radiation.

Will Border Security Issues Force Congress To Take Action On Immigration Reform? Ag Economists Say It's Unlikely
Will Border Security Issues Force Congress To Take Action On Immigration Reform? Ag Economists Say It's Unlikely

The debate over immigration continues to be an issue in Washington. However, the Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor shows economists are still skeptical it's enough for Congress to act on immigration reform.

How the winter crop is shaping up for California vegetable growers
How the winter crop is shaping up for California vegetable growers

When snow blankets much of the country’s farmland and temperatures drop to single digits, growers in California’s desert regions shift into high gear with their winter vegetable crops.

New Zealand apple output to rise slightly, but acreage drops
New Zealand apple output to rise slightly, but acreage drops

New Zealand apple planted area will drop substantially because of damage from cyclone Gabrielle in February, according to a news USDA report.

Equitable Food Initiative welcomes new project manager and marketing associate
Equitable Food Initiative welcomes new project manager and marketing associate

Gabriela Lopez-Barry joins EFI as the Ethical Charter Implementation Program project manager and Alexandra Martinez joins as marketing and sales associate. 

FPAA announces elected board members for 2023 
FPAA announces elected board members for 2023 

Fresh Produce Association of the Americas members elected new directors to the board and celebrated the Member of the Year and the Pillar of the Industry at its annual meeting on Nov. 2.

U.S. ag trade negotiator talks apple industry issues during visit to orchard
U.S. ag trade negotiator talks apple industry issues during visit to orchard

The chief ag negotiator in the office of the U.S. trade representative was among those visiting Cherry Hill Orchards & Farm Market in Lancaster, Pa., to discuss trade, jobs and market conditions.

Upside partners with Associated Wholesale Grocers, aims to grow member profits
Upside partners with Associated Wholesale Grocers, aims to grow member profits

The Upside partnership is expected to open new opportunities for profit generation for AWG members and further expand the Washington, D.C.-based company's rapidly growing network of 100,000 retailers nationwide.

New Legislation Looks To Connect Farmland And Ranchland To Broadband
New Legislation Looks To Connect Farmland And Ranchland To Broadband

The Last Acre Act would help expand high-speed internet access across eligible farmland, ranchland and farm sites. At least 15% of farms and ranches have no access to the internet today. 

CMI Orchards salutes veterans with American Dream apples
CMI Orchards salutes veterans with American Dream apples

Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards says its ready to keep up traditions and let its dedication to the American Dream shine this Veterans Day.