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Church Brothers Farms buys storage and distribution facilities to enhance shipping
Church Brothers Farms buys storage and distribution facilities to enhance shipping

The company says it anticipates distribution activities will begin fall 2023 at the locations in central Salinas, Calif., with the long-term goal of accommodating all of its shipping needs.

Shuman Farms unveils renovated packing facility, big messaging to consumers
Shuman Farms unveils renovated packing facility, big messaging to consumers

Shuman Farms is wrapping up an extensive renovation of its packing facility in Cobbtown, Ga., says John Shuman, president and CEO of Shuman Farms.

Bako Sweet features redesigned packaging
Bako Sweet features redesigned packaging

Bakersfield, Calif.-based Country Sweet Produce’s Bako Sweet label has redesigned its conventional and organic mesh bags as well as its Single Sweet stickers. 

Stemilt highlights EFI team projects during Farmworker Awareness Week  
Stemilt highlights EFI team projects during Farmworker Awareness Week  

Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers is celebrating Farmworker Awareness Week by sharing the key role farmworkers play in its success.

Growers discuss why urban agriculture deserves more attention
Growers discuss why urban agriculture deserves more attention

While urban agriculture is sometimes written off as too niche, in a recent SXSW panel urban ag advocates shared why growing food in cities should have a seat at the table and a bigger share of the market.

The best time to eat bananas? ‘It’s Chiquita O’clock’ campaign offers all-day ideas
The best time to eat bananas? ‘It’s Chiquita O’clock’ campaign offers all-day ideas

The limited-edition Blue Sticker series is complete with scannable stickers that highlight ways the bananas can be consumed at all times of the day.

Albertsons Cos. redesigns O Organics brand packaging, launches Gen Z campaign
Albertsons Cos. redesigns O Organics brand packaging, launches Gen Z campaign

The O Organics brand of Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons is celebrating its growth and evolution with vibrant new packaging designed to stand out.

Proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger is topic of Arizona attorney general’s listening session
Proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger is topic of Arizona attorney general’s listening session

State Attorney General Kris Mayes has launched an antitrust investigation of the proposed merger, and listening sessions are scheduled for participants to hear directly from those who will be affected by this move.

Idaho potatoes are first vegetable to participate in American Diabetes Association Better Choices for Life program
Idaho potatoes are first vegetable to participate in American Diabetes Association Better Choices for Life program

The Idaho Potato Commission and the American Diabetes Association have agreed to a partnership intended to help educate tens of millions of Americans on how to add Idaho potatoes to their meal plan.

Ample citrus volume available at Bee Sweet Citrus
Ample citrus volume available at Bee Sweet Citrus

As California’s domestic citrus season reaches its peak, the Fowler, Calif.-based company reports that it will have a good supply of grapefruit, lemons and navel oranges.

Growers see traceability as essential to food safety
Growers see traceability as essential to food safety

“I think traceability should be a demand [for a shipper] as a member of the produce industry as we work to provide healthy and safe fruits and vegetables,” says Chelsea Consalo of Consalo Family Farms.

National Grocers Association ad calls out power retail buyers
National Grocers Association ad calls out power retail buyers

The National Grocers Association created a TV commercial saying the tactics of dominant food retailers are unfair and discriminatory, harming the ability of smaller, locally owned businesses to compete.

USDA restricts four PACA violators
USDA restricts four PACA violators

The USDA has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased.

Research presentations set for CPS Produce Safety Research Symposium
Research presentations set for CPS Produce Safety Research Symposium

The 2023 Center for Produce Safety’s Research Symposium is set for June 20-21 at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead, Ga.

Lemons
Lemons continue to gain in per capita consumption, with imports now playing a bigger role

Retail per capita availability of fresh lemons jumped from 3.3 pounds in 2011 to 4.7 pounds in 2020, a gain of 42% during that time, according to USDA statistics.

California Rodeo Salinas to host FIRA USA 2023
California Rodeo Salinas to host FIRA USA 2023

Agtech, farm robotics and growers are coming together this April for a traveling ag roadshow that spotlights farm innovations.

Melon shippers collaborating to offer year-round supplies
Melon shippers collaborating to offer year-round supplies

The strategic marketing alliance will provide cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon and mixed melons to retail, foodservice and fresh-cut customers.

Protein-based coating could keep produce fresh and reduce waste, researcher says
Protein-based coating could keep produce fresh and reduce waste, researcher says

A Rice University researcher has developed a protein-based coating for fresh produce that he says could prevent food waste and preserve freshness.

Rainier Fruit Co. touts year-round organic apple volume
Rainier Fruit Co. touts year-round organic apple volume

While the overall Washington state crop is down from last year, Rainier Fruit Co. says its diversity in growing locations mitigated some of the weather events from last spring.

The BEP Produce Distributor Conference convenes in New Orleans
The BEP Produce Distributor Conference convenes in New Orleans

The Buyers Edge Platform Produce Division recently hosted its annual BEP Produce Distributors Conference — formerly the Produce Alliance National Conference — in New Orleans.

 National Mango Board elects 2023 officers
National Mango Board elects 2023 officers

Four other members also will serve on the executive board, supporting the newly elected officers in leading the National Mango Board and serving the mango industry.

What retail RDs do can reap some produce dollars
What retail RDs do can reap some produce dollars

How retail dietitians drive produce purchases in the store and online.

Share-ify adds Shannon Shuman as senior vice president
Share-ify adds Shannon Shuman as senior vice president

Shuman will be leading business development initiatives to maximize the growth potential for the Share-ify platform. The company offers solutions for corporate compliance, food safety and quality assurance.

Study: Eating enough vegetables can be a boost for better mental health
Study: Eating enough vegetables can be a boost for better mental health

Eat your vegetables. Your happiness could depend on it.

Nonprofits secure $4M in USDA Climate-Smart Commodities funding
Nonprofits secure $4M in USDA Climate-Smart Commodities funding

A Greener World, along with a farm equity and soil health nonprofit, are teaming up to expand access to regenerative farming markets with $4 million in funding from the USDA.

Three keynote speakers set for Global Food Safety Initiative conference
Three keynote speakers set for Global Food Safety Initiative conference

GFSI’s 22nd annual conference, "Delivering Safe Food in Turbulent Times: The Need for Agility & Resilience," will be a three-day event held at the Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta, April 24-27.

SunFed and Verdant Technologies partner to deliver fresher cucumbers
SunFed and Verdant Technologies partner to deliver fresher cucumbers

After conducting trials to support commercialization, Verdant Technologies is now partnering with SunFed to use Verdant’s HarvestHold Fresh technology to deliver fresh and greener cucumbers.

UnitedAg annual conference focused on ‘building communities’
UnitedAg annual conference focused on ‘building communities’

The two-day event focused on the importance of building a brand and the need for a more personalized health care experience — all in hopes of building a healthier and more sustainable agricultural community.

Flashfood expands leadership team
Flashfood expands leadership team

The digital marketplace that strives to eliminate retail food waste by connecting consumers with discounted food nearing its best-by date has appointed Jordan Schenck and Sepideh Burkett to leadership roles.

Hazel Technologies names Parker Booth as new CEO
Hazel Technologies names Parker Booth as new CEO

Booth replaces co-founder Aidan Mouat, who had been CEO since 2015. Mouat remains in an advisory capacity for the Chicago-based company.

Stemilt investing in automated pear packing line
Stemilt investing in automated pear packing line

The Wenatchee, Wash.-based company aims to have the foundation and walls of the building complete by the end of August and have the line fully operational by 2024.

Institute of Food Technologists releases commodity-specific food traceability video series
Institute of Food Technologists releases commodity-specific food traceability video series

The Chicago-based Institute of Food Technologists has released a series of educational videos on the FDA’s Food Traceability Rule.

Honeybear Brands ready to fill Honeycrisp gap with Chilean fruit
Honeybear Brands ready to fill Honeycrisp gap with Chilean fruit

Elgin, Minn.-based Honeybear Brands is bringing in Chilean Honeycrisp apples to help fill a shortfall in the U.S. supply of that variety.

Sprouts to eliminate single-use plastic bags by end of 2023
Sprouts to eliminate single-use plastic bags by end of 2023

The Phoenix-based grocer says it will eliminate single-use plastic bags at checkout by the end of 2023, removing over 200 million single-use plastic bags from circulation each year.  

Eat up that education! Check out the March-April PMG magazine
Eat up that education! Check out the March-April PMG magazine

The theme of this spring issue is education. If we’re doing our jobs right, we’re learning all the time, day in, day out, year round.

Farmworkers open up about their experiences in new video series
Farmworkers open up about their experiences in new video series

The Equitable Food Initiative's leadership team committee worked with farming operations and co-workers to create the series to educate and raise awareness about the realities of being a farmworker.

The first New Zealand apples head for international markets
The first New Zealand apples head for international markets

Early season poppi and royal gala apples are kicking off the New Zealand apple harvest season, with growers reporting high quality fruit despite recent cyclone.

SpartanNash ships food to California residents affected by flooding
SpartanNash ships food to California residents affected by flooding

The retailer has partnered with the American Red Cross to assist in disaster relief efforts in Southern California.

Food inflation still hot, USDA reports
Food inflation still hot, USDA reports

Grocery food inflation isn’t easy to tame, and the USDA’s latest inflation forecast for 2023 predicts prices for the year could rise as much as 10% over 2022.

Importers of Mexican produce emphasize sustainability
Importers of Mexican produce emphasize sustainability

Sustainability, a top-of-mind topic for U.S. growers, shippers and retailers, is a priority south of the border as well.

Cargo Ships Leave West Coast Ports As Labor Talks Show 'Little to No' Progress
Cargo Ships Leave West Coast Ports As Labor Talks Show 'Little to No' Progress

Rail strikes ran headlines in late 2022 and came to an end in December when Congress passed an agreement. But there may be another strike looming in the transportation sector unless the Biden administration changes pace.

AeroFarms hires Robert Ferla and John Freitas for retail, foodservice expansion
AeroFarms hires Robert Ferla and John Freitas for retail, foodservice expansion

AeroFarms has hired two more produce leaders to support retail and foodservice business. The controlled environment agriculture company, based in Newark, N.J., has farms along the Eastern Seaboard and in Abu Dhabi.

A guide to getting around Viva Fresh 2023
A guide to getting around Viva Fresh 2023

Get ready with this events schedule and the map and list of exhibitors.

Oppy secures year-round blueberry program with North Carolina addition
Oppy secures year-round blueberry program with North Carolina addition

North Carolina’s berry season is anticipated to bridge the gap between growing seasons in Mexico and the Pacific Northwest, with blueberries starting in late April.

DelFrescoPure expands sales team
DelFrescoPure expands sales team

Kingsville, Ontario-based grower DelFrescoPure has expanded its sales team with fresh produce industry veteran Michael Jones.

Economic value of fresh produce imports from Mexico on the rise
Economic value of fresh produce imports from Mexico on the rise

According to research released in February from Texas A&M University, U.S. imports of fruits, vegetables and nuts from Mexico totaled $18.7 billion during 2022.

Growers and agtech entrepreneurs pack their bags for Viva Fresh 2023
Growers and agtech entrepreneurs pack their bags for Viva Fresh 2023

Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association, says more controlled environment agriculture firms are establishing themselves in Texas to better serve local and regional marketplaces.

Viva Fresh 2023 ready to ‘walk the talk’
Viva Fresh 2023 ready to ‘walk the talk’

The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) has eyes on the prize for its Viva Fresh 2023 event, and they’re all pointed toward promoting health and wellness through increased fruit and vegetable consumption.

Vidalia crop coming on strong after Christmas cold
Vidalia crop coming on strong after Christmas cold

Vidalia onion plants endured a cold snap around Christmas but the crop has looked good the past couple of months, said Vidalia Onion Committee Chairman Cliff Riner, the crop production manager for G&R Farms.

NJDA and Rutgers team up for food safety training
NJDA and Rutgers team up for food safety training

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture and Rutgers University Cooperative Extension offer Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training required by the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule.