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AeroFarms emerges from Chapter 11, plans for future profitable growth
AeroFarms emerges from Chapter 11, plans for future profitable growth

The indoor vertical farming company has completed its restructuring process and exit from Chapter 11. To lead AeroFarms through its next stage of growth, the company has appointed Molly Montgomery acting CEO.

Manufacturers, customers aim for sustainability in packaging
Manufacturers, customers aim for sustainability in packaging

Sustainability has become a buzzword in the produce industry, and beyond, but providing sustainable packaging or running a sustainable operation can be challenging at times.

Northwest pear shippers find their best market in Mexico
Northwest pear shippers find their best market in Mexico

Export demand may account for perhaps 30% of Northwest pear volume in 2023, said Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of the Pear Bureau Northwest.

SEPC research study sheds light on the fresh produce consumer
SEPC research study sheds light on the fresh produce consumer

The Southeast Produce Council released its “What’s New? 2023” consumer report highlighting produce trends and opportunities at the Southern Innovations conference Sept. 14-16 in Charlotte, N.C.

California Table Grape Commission reflects on a century of plant breeding
California Table Grape Commission reflects on a century of plant breeding

“It is not an overstatement to say that this program changed the table grape industry and the world of table grape breeding,” said Ross Jones, California Table Grape Commission senior vice president.

Kroger Health to offer medically tailored meals with full servings of veg
Kroger Health to offer medically tailored meals with full servings of veg

Kroger is collaborating with Performance Kitchen to offer medically tailored meals aimed at improving consumers’ overall health and potentially saving the nation billions in health care costs.

Let mushrooms be themselves, says Le Bernardin’s chef Eric Ripert
Let mushrooms be themselves, says Le Bernardin’s chef Eric Ripert

Two chefs from New York City's Le Bernardin and Planta and two representatives from mushroom-meat brands, Fable Foods and MyForest Foods, discuss center-plate mushrooms at the Plant Based World Expo.

G&R Farms optimistic about Peruvian onion crop
G&R Farms optimistic about Peruvian onion crop

Representing a counter-season balance to the Vidalia onion deal, strong supplies of Peruvian onions are anticipated for G&R Farms, says Steven Shuman.

Progress reported on U.S.-Mexico food safety partnership
Progress reported on U.S.-Mexico food safety partnership

A recent meeting of the FDA and its regulatory counterparts in Mexico focused on laboratory collaboration, food safety training and industry outreach, as well as outbreak prevention and response.

Former FDA deputy commissioner offers insight about the food safety evolution ahead
Former FDA deputy commissioner offers insight about the food safety evolution ahead

The Packer met with Frank Yiannas to discuss his recent pivot to the private sector, why fresh produce needs food safety leaders and the opportunities he sees to raise the bar for indoor-grown leafy greens.

Photos: IFPA’s Washington Conference
Photos: IFPA’s Washington Conference

The International Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Conference kicked off on Sept. 12 and has gathered members to Capitol Hill to advocate for the policies and legislation critical to the produce industry.

USDA restricts PACA violators in Florida, Illinois and New York
USDA restricts PACA violators in Florida, Illinois and New York

The USDA has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the PACA.

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U.S. specialty crop coalition endorses farm bill legislation

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance has endorsed legislation that would address specialty crop industry priorities.

They did what to their melons? Learning from an old family-favorite technique
They did what to their melons? Learning from an old family-favorite technique

Mulling over melon practices: My, how our perspective changes as we grow up, open our minds and discover that the Greatest Generation might have known something we didn’t.

Kentucky firm awarded $122M federal supply contract
Kentucky firm awarded $122M federal supply contract

Creation Gardens Inc., Louisville, Ky., has been awarded a maximum $122.7 million contract to supply fresh fruit and vegetables to military and school customers.

State officials call for investment in apprenticeship programs, ag literacy
State officials call for investment in apprenticeship programs, ag literacy

Members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture amended the organization’s policy to support increased investment in apprenticeships and educational programs at their 2023 annual meeting.

New tech platform seeks to mine supply chain data for insights
New tech platform seeks to mine supply chain data for insights

ZAG Technical Services has launched a tech tool, Syncrova, that aims to gather and manage data, surfacing actionable insights for businesses across the agricultural supply chain.

 Weis Markets selected as Mango Retailer of the Year
 Weis Markets selected as Mango Retailer of the Year

The recognition celebrates Sunbury, Pa.-based Weis Markets' exceptional dedication to providing consumers with the freshest and highest-quality mangoes, according to a news release.

Afresh offers inventory management solution for grocers
Afresh offers inventory management solution for grocers

The San Francisco-based company has added an inventory management solution to its AI-powered fresh tech platform used by grocers, including Fresh Thyme and Heinen's.

Organic Grower Summit session to look at artificial intelligence in farming
Organic Grower Summit session to look at artificial intelligence in farming

An “Unlocking the Value of AI on the Digital Farming Journey" session will explore how AI and machine learning are providing data-driven insights and forecasts for specialty crop markets.

DiMare California appoints president of DMB Packing
DiMare California appoints president of DMB Packing

Jeff Dolan, who previously held the position of field operations manager, will oversee all operations regarding the growing, packing and shipping of fresh-market tomatoes in California.

3 food safety tools that could level up the fresh produce supply chain
3 food safety tools that could level up the fresh produce supply chain

The Food Safety Modernization Act’s new traceability final rule, the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement’s leafy greens assessment tool and the “Romaine Test and Learn” study seek to raise the bar and improve food safety.

Chiquita lights up Times Square with 'It Peels So Good' billboard
Chiquita lights up Times Square with 'It Peels So Good' billboard

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Chiquita has announced the unveiling of a new billboard in New York City’s iconic Times Square.

New territory head named for U.S. and Canada for Syngenta Vegetables Seeds
New territory head named for U.S. and Canada for Syngenta Vegetables Seeds

Woodland, Calif.-based Syngenta Vegetable Seeds has announced the appointment of Juan Pablo López as territory head for vegetable seeds in the U.S. and Canada.

Albertsons launches 30-minute groceries — is rapid delivery returning?
Albertsons launches 30-minute groceries — is rapid delivery returning?

Albertsons Cos., Boise, Idaho, has launched Flash grocery service, allowing customers to receive their DriveUp & Go and delivery orders in as little as 30 minutes.

August inflation ticks up
August inflation ticks up

Inflation has wobbled, but it won’t fall down.

Side Delights selects new sustainable, recyclable packaging solution
Side Delights selects new sustainable, recyclable packaging solution

BioFlex is a low-density polyethylene plastic that looks and works like most plastic containers but breaks down and won’t remain in a landfill for generations, according to a news release.

Candy Snaps season extended with new variety
Candy Snaps season extended with new variety

The newly patented table grape varietal, known as IFG Forty-one, is expected to extend Candy Snaps' availability in retail stores for several more weeks during the early-to-midsummer season.

Meet Taylor Farms’ new snackable celery
Meet Taylor Farms’ new snackable celery

The Salinas, Calif.-based producer is adding a bite-sized celery, cut into 1.5-inch pieces, to its fresh vegetable offerings this fall.

How Tops Friendly Markets makes helping neighbors a core value
How Tops Friendly Markets makes helping neighbors a core value

To learn more about Tops’ philanthropy, The Packer recently spoke with Andy Brocato, manager of corporate contributions and donations for Tops.

Berry imports, organic strawberries show rapid growth
Berry imports, organic strawberries show rapid growth

The observations come from a USDA Economic Research Service report examining changes in domestic production, consumption, prices and trade for strawberries and blueberries over two decades.

New rule aims to give H-2A workers new protections
New rule aims to give H-2A workers new protections

The proposal would strengthen protections for farmworkers in the H-2A program and help prevent abuses that undermine wages and standards for all agricultural workers, according to the Department of Labor.

Westfalia Fruit USA to unveil zero-plastic packaging for avocados
Westfalia Fruit USA to unveil zero-plastic packaging for avocados

Oxnard, Calif.-based Westfalia Fruit USA has recently launched a 100% plastic-free bagged avocado program in the U.S.

Canada’s greenhouse industry takes flight at Ontario airport
Canada’s greenhouse industry takes flight at Ontario airport

The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers’ “This is Greenhouse Goodness” campaign has converted the baggage claim area at Windsor International Airport to resemble an educational greenhouse farm.

Countdown to zero: How one grower brings carbon-neutral bananas to market
Countdown to zero: How one grower brings carbon-neutral bananas to market

An International Fresh Produce Association case study reveals how tropical fruit grower Kapi Kapi approaches sustainable banana production and bringing carbon-neutral bananas to market.

Oppy names regional sales directors
Oppy names regional sales directors

Oppy has elevated Ben Vallejo and Jim Leach from management roles to director-level responsibilities.

Food expenditures up nearly 13% in 2022, report says
Food expenditures up nearly 13% in 2022, report says

Highlighted by a 12.7% increase in food purchases, average consumer expenditures were way up in 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.

New York company penalized for PACA violations, USDA says
New York company penalized for PACA violations, USDA says

The sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

USDA cites Louisiana company for PACA violations
USDA cites Louisiana company for PACA violations

These sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

National Council of Agricultural Employers opens registration for Ag Labor Forum
National Council of Agricultural Employers opens registration for Ag Labor Forum

The event will bring together attorneys, academics, agents, and representatives from federal agencies and foreign governments to delve into labor issues facing U.S. agricultural employers.

Avocados From Mexico partners with Susan G. Komen to fight breast cancer
Avocados From Mexico partners with Susan G. Komen to fight breast cancer

For the third year in a row, Avocados From Mexico is partnering with the world’s largest nonprofit source of funding for the fight against breast cancer — Susan G. Komen — during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Clean Eating Challenge seeks participants ready to pursue a healthy lifestyle change
Clean Eating Challenge seeks participants ready to pursue a healthy lifestyle change

The healthy lifestyle challenge hosted by the Texas International Produce Association is accepting applications to join and compete for a Peloton bike through Sept. 28, 2023.

High quality, good sizing and healthy yields forecast for California pomegranates
High quality, good sizing and healthy yields forecast for California pomegranates

If the largely favorable 2023 growing season and recent sales figures are any indication, this should be another good year for the coral-red fruit with leathery skin and jewel-like arils.

Shuman Farms offering strong volume of Peruvian onions
Shuman Farms offering strong volume of Peruvian onions

Cobbtown, Ga.-based Shuman Farms has started shipping its premium sweet onions from Peru and the marketer expects to ship from Peru through March, said John Shuman, president and CEO.

Albertsons Cos.’ Patrick O’Brien among IFPA’s 2023 Retail Produce Manager Award winners
Albertsons Cos.’ Patrick O’Brien among IFPA’s 2023 Retail Produce Manager Award winners

DENVER — Patrick O'Brien, produce manager of a Safeway store near the University of Denver, was recently honored with the International Fresh Produce Association’s 2023 Retail Produce Manager Award.

India slashes tariffs on blueberries, cranberries and other U.S. ag exports
India slashes tariffs on blueberries, cranberries and other U.S. ag exports

After recent tariff lifts on apples, walnuts and almonds, India has slashed tariffs for additional U.S. exports, including include blueberries and cranberries, signaling increased opportunities for American producers.

North Carolina muscadine grape program offered by Happy Dirt
North Carolina muscadine grape program offered by Happy Dirt

With the organic muscadine grape program, Happy Dirt and one of the company’s North Carolina farmer-partners are working to build awareness around the grape’s unique flavors, adaptability and health benefits.

How Tops Friendly Markets tackles food waste, recycling and conserving energy
How Tops Friendly Markets tackles food waste, recycling and conserving energy

Ensuring your supermarket is doing what it can to be more environmentally and socially sustainable means attacking this ongoing goal from every angle.

TIPA and CNG partner to bolster the compostable packaging market
TIPA and CNG partner to bolster the compostable packaging market

The packaging solutions provider and specialty film manufacturer have teamed to drive local U.S. production and adoption of compostable packaging.

How inflation and customer concerns  are influencing the packaging industry
How inflation and customer concerns are influencing the packaging industry

If you’re going to be successful in the packaging industry, it’s imperative that you stay in tune with your customers’ needs, industry experts say.