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Leading Harvest expands to Australia to streamline sustainability reporting in ag
Leading Harvest expands to Australia to streamline sustainability reporting in ag

The nonprofit provides farmers and agriculture customers with a universal certification through its unique Farmland Management Standard, which standardizes sustainability verification and reporting across the industry.

Tech platform WayBeyond, with funding from BASF, eyes opportunities in CEA
Tech platform WayBeyond, with funding from BASF, eyes opportunities in CEA

The agtech software-as-a-service (SaaS) company is developing tools to improve yields, quality and profitability for controlled environment agriculture operations with help from BASF Venture Capital's investment.

SustainLabel recognized by Association of Plastic Recyclers' program
SustainLabel recognized by Association of Plastic Recyclers' program

New Kensington, Pa.-based Yerecic Label's new label construction for PET packaging has been recognized by the APR's Meets Preferred Guidance program.

Walmart to offer an Easter meal and basket at last year’s price
Walmart to offer an Easter meal and basket at last year’s price

With food inflation woes weighing on the minds of many heading into spring, Walmart says it wants its customers to focus on celebrating rather than skimping this Easter.

FDACS offers display bins to help retailers' spring produce promotions
FDACS offers display bins to help retailers' spring produce promotions

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides the Fresh From Florida-branded bins to retail partners, and they can be used as endcaps or stand-alone floor displays.

Texas onion sizing, and yields, looking good so far for Little Bear Produce
Texas onion sizing, and yields, looking good so far for Little Bear Produce

Texas onion acreage for Little Bear Produce is similar to the past few years, but with larger onion size, yields could be up this year, says Jeff Brechler, sales representative with the company.

March apple holdings down 7%
March apple holdings down 7%

Fresh apple holdings on March 1 totaled 62 million bushel cartons, 7.3% less than the same time last year, according to a U.S. Apple Association survey.

Meijer to support SNAP benefits on Flashfood
Meijer to support SNAP benefits on Flashfood

The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based grocer has expanded its Flashfood program, making it the first retailer nationwide to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits through the app.

Apeel Sciences names produce supply chain veterans to leadership team
Apeel Sciences names produce supply chain veterans to leadership team

The company says the produce supply chain experience of Ryan Fink and Marius du Plessis will help strengthen its core commercial business, improving supply network value and expanding market growth.

USApple Board at White House to discuss trade, ag labor
USApple Board at White House to discuss trade, ag labor

The U.S. Apple Association’s board of directors visited the White House on March 15 to meet with White House policy staff and discuss “critical issues impacting the apple industry.”

San Diego Padres names Del Rey Avocado as official avocado supplier
San Diego Padres names Del Rey Avocado as official avocado supplier

Through the partnership, Del Rey Avocado plans to expand the visibility of produce commodities in professional sports leagues, connecting with fans through marketing materials and sampling demonstrations.

KeHE Distributors signs exclusive partnership with Rodale Institute
KeHE Distributors signs exclusive partnership with Rodale Institute

KeHE, a natural and organic, specialty and fresh product distributor, has signed an exclusive partnership with Rodale Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding the regenerative organic agriculture movement.

Side Delights make meatless Mondays easy with potato products and recipes
Side Delights make meatless Mondays easy with potato products and recipes

Potato brand Side Delights offers options for consumers seeking meat alternatives in their meals, according to a news release.

Hass Avocado Board to offer webinar series on demand
Hass Avocado Board to offer webinar series on demand

Beginning with its first presentation of 2023, “Rethinking Retail: Regional Category Development Drivers,” HAB webinars will be available for download on demand.

Dole mascot returns to keep the spotlight on bananas
Dole mascot returns to keep the spotlight on bananas

Bananas have maintained consumer appeal despite rising inflation and food costs, and Bobby Banana will be the face of Dole bananas in special events and web, social media, marketing and retail programs.

Alliance for Food and Farming: EWG's 2023 ‘Dirty Dozen’ list is discredited by scientists
Alliance for Food and Farming: EWG's 2023 ‘Dirty Dozen’ list is discredited by scientists

The 2023 list is out: Every year, the Environmental Working Group publishes the “Dirty Dozen” list of nonorganic fruits and vegetables found to have the most pesticides — to the chagrin of several industry groups.

Do you know your papayas?
Do you know your papayas?

Here’s the lowdown on some of the most common varieties.

NCAE to host adverse effect wage rate online seminar
NCAE to host adverse effect wage rate online seminar

The National Council of Agricultural Employers is offering the next segment of its educational web seminar series focusing on the Department of Labor’s (DOL) new Adverse Effect Wage Rate regulation. 

Ever dance with a Guac Bot? A look at Avocados From Mexico’s House of Goodness at SXSW
Ever dance with a Guac Bot? A look at Avocados From Mexico’s House of Goodness at SXSW

At the 2023 SXSW conference, Avocados From Mexico’s immersive pop-up radiated avocado enthusiasm to attendees in all five senses.

Tops partners with greenhouse grower Little Leaf Farms
Tops partners with greenhouse grower Little Leaf Farms

“Not only do we pride ourselves in the relationship with [Little Leaf Farms], but the entire organization believes in the same future we do," said Brandon Bentley, Tops category business manager for vegetables.

Divert CEO Ryan Begin to give keynote at Organic Produce Summit 
Divert CEO Ryan Begin to give keynote at Organic Produce Summit 

Ryan Begin, the founder and CEO of a company offering solutions to prevent food waste, will give the keynote presentation at Organic Produce Summit 2023, July 12-13.

The Little Potato Co. reveals brand refresh
The Little Potato Co. reveals brand refresh

The Little Potato Co. has unveiled a new brand look and feel.

Florida operations focus on long-term with sustainable practices
Florida operations focus on long-term with sustainable practices

Customers and consumers alike are demanding suppliers to grow, pack and ship sustainably, and for many of the state’s producers, sustainability is nothing new.

California Avocado Commission names VP of marketing
California Avocado Commission names VP of marketing

The California Avocado Commission has hired food industry veteran Terry Splane to be the organization’s new vice president of marketing, effective March 13.

Annual grocery food inflation still tops 10%, report says
Annual grocery food inflation still tops 10%, report says

With grocery food inflation still topping 10%, the mid-March Bureau of Labor Statistics report on consumer prices pegged overall year-over-year inflation at 6% in February.

Export value increases for all U.S. potato types from July through December
Export value increases for all U.S. potato types from July through December

The value of U.S. potato exports was up for all potato types in that six-month period, compared with the same months in 2021, according to data published by Potatoes USA.

Naturipe Farms offering limited-time Mighty Reds jumbo strawberries
Naturipe Farms offering limited-time Mighty Reds jumbo strawberries

Mighty Reds joins Naturipe Farms’ proprietary big blueberries, Mighty Blues, in the company’s line of extra-large berries.

Oppy expands South African plum portfolio in second season 
Oppy expands South African plum portfolio in second season 

The opportunity for South African plums in the U.S. market emerged when U.S. authorities tightened 2021 Chilean plum import regulations following pest detection.

Top 7 pie heroes that make Pi Day worth celebrating
Top 7 pie heroes that make Pi Day worth celebrating

The USDA has named the top crops produced in the U.S. that make the math-inspired holiday much sweeter.

Backyard Farms lettuce expands into new markets in Florida and Colorado
Backyard Farms lettuce expands into new markets in Florida and Colorado

Mastronardi Produce is distributing Naples Fresh and Spring Born greenhouse-grown leafy greens under the Backyard Farms brand.

Seattle-based PCC Community Markets will use DoorDash for delivery
Seattle-based PCC Community Markets will use DoorDash for delivery

An organic, natural-market style cooperative retailer, PCC is the first community-owned grocer available on the DoorDash marketplace.

New varieties and logistics issues are part of South American Blueberry Convention agenda
New varieties and logistics issues are part of South American Blueberry Convention agenda

The second annual South American Blueberry Convention will be held at the Monticello Conference Center in San Francisco de Mostazal, Chile, on April 18.

Sound Agriculture launches on-demand-bred tomato
Sound Agriculture launches on-demand-bred tomato

The Summer Swell tomato will be distributed through New York City-based produce wholesaler distributor S. Katzman Produce and available at grocery stores in the New York metropolitan area beginning April 2023.

Inteligistics names two new VPs
Inteligistics names two new VPs

Lawrence Mallia will serve as vice president of digital transformation, and Eric Kithinji will be vice president of operations and engineering for the Pittsburgh-based company.

Texas onion season set for big volume
Texas onion season set for big volume

Weather conditions and expanded acreage for the Texas onion crop are setting up for promotable volumes starting in late March, industry leaders say.

Wholesum introduces organic Italian sweet peppers for shoppers seeking a 'premium' option
Wholesum introduces organic Italian sweet peppers for shoppers seeking a 'premium' option

Wholesum seeks to reinvigorate the organic pepper category this spring with a new pepper called Dolci Belles.

Value-added produce grows with consumers’ need for convenience and safety
Value-added produce grows with consumers’ need for convenience and safety

“Everyone is time-starved; so to have something that’s washed, prepped and ready to cook is the key driver," Mark Munger, Ocean Mist senior director of marketing, says of value-added produce's significant growth.

Produce industry veteran Dan Branson dies
Produce industry veteran Dan Branson dies

Mucci Farms has announced the passing of Dan Branson, senior director of business and product development for the Kingsville, Ontario-based greenhouse grower.

Calavo Growers names new president and CEO
Calavo Growers names new president and CEO

Lee E. Cole, a former president and CEO, is returning to lead the company effective immediately. He succeeds Brian W. Kocher, who has stepped down from the role.

Viva Fresh Open poised to tee off; winery tour registration now open
Viva Fresh Open poised to tee off; winery tour registration now open

The eighth annual Viva Fresh Open, presented by BEBO Distributing Inc. and H-E-B, is set to tee off March 30 during the Viva Fresh Expo at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, March 30-April 1.

Dole aims to slam dunk with produce-fueled March Madness
Dole aims to slam dunk with produce-fueled March Madness

The global fresh produce provider is hosting Dole Fruit and Veg Tournament Brackets, a competition between produce-rich recipes inspired by the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.

Good quality expected for Florida spring produce after slower start
Good quality expected for Florida spring produce after slower start

Some Florida spring produce items are getting off to a slower start than usual, but grower-shippers expect volume to pick up quickly and say quality should be top notch.

Conventional banana imports rise 4% in value in 2022
Conventional banana imports rise 4% in value in 2022

U.S. banana imports totaled $1.96 billion in 2022, up 4% from $1.88 billion in 2021 and up from $1.89 billion in 2020. 

Avocados From Mexico to host pop-up event at SXSW
Avocados From Mexico to host pop-up event at SXSW

The brand is on the scene at SXSW, where it's bringing its digital House of Goodness to life with a pop-up, where consumers can enjoy Avocados From Mexico through multisensory, interactive experiences.

Proprietary Variety Management to bring new apple variety to U.S.
Proprietary Variety Management to bring new apple variety to U.S.

Proprietary Variety Management, Yakima, Wash., has reached an agreement with Fresh Forward to become the exclusive U.S. propagation and commercialization manager for the apple branded as Magic Star.

Peanut power: How the little legume plays a big role for sustainability
Peanut power: How the little legume plays a big role for sustainability

Not only does growing, harvesting and processing peanuts use minimal resources compared to other nuts, but peanuts also promote soil fertility while producing a flavorful, protein-rich crop.

Tip of the Iceberg Podcast: The Fresh Market's Gerrick Polinsky on training personal shoppers
Tip of the Iceberg Podcast: The Fresh Market's Gerrick Polinsky on training personal shoppers

Listen to this podcast interview to learn: How does The Fresh Market train its personal e-commerce shoppers?

The Beatles tribute band headlines EPC’s biggest fundraiser
The Beatles tribute band headlines EPC’s biggest fundraiser

Eastern Produce Council’s John McAleavey Annual Gala is set for April 1.

Tops expands Flashfood program, on track to hit 1M pounds of food rescued
Tops expands Flashfood program, on track to hit 1M pounds of food rescued

Tops Friendly Markets is expanding its program with Flashfood, a digital marketplace that provides shoppers with access to heavily discounted food nearing its best-by date, to 18 additional Rochester, N.Y.-area stores.

Is climate-smart agriculture poised for a breakout year?
Is climate-smart agriculture poised for a breakout year?

Ag experts and producers are sharing how they sift through the hype and find practical ways to move the needle.