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Big changes at Co-op Partners Warehouse
Big changes at Co-op Partners Warehouse

After two years of solid growth, Co-op Partners Warehouse in St. Paul, Minn., is going through some big changes, said James Collins, senior director of supply chain.

GrubMarket acquires JC Produce, continuing steady growth
GrubMarket acquires JC Produce, continuing steady growth

The San Francisco-based food technology company has added JC Produce, a fresh produce company known for garlic and ginger, to its portfolio.

Index Fresh reports record pricing for 2022 California avocado season
Index Fresh reports record pricing for 2022 California avocado season

The 2022 California avocado season is a wrap for Index Fresh, which says this year brought avocado growers six months of record pricing and returns on their fruit.

'Tip of The Iceberg' podcast, co-hosted by EFI, to highlight social responsibility
'Tip of The Iceberg' podcast, co-hosted by EFI, to highlight social responsibility

Running through March 2023, the episodes will feature voices from across fresh produce discussing topics from mental health and workplace safety to the importance of diversity and more.

Honeybear unveils emotion-themed fruit stickers
Honeybear unveils emotion-themed fruit stickers

Honeybear Brands is bringing back its “All the Feels” price look-up (PLUs) fruit stickers for a limited time this fall, says Kristi Harris, Honeybear Brands brand manager.  

White House invites virtual attendees to nutrition conference
White House invites virtual attendees to nutrition conference

The Biden-Harris Administration is inviting interested stakeholders to virtually attend the Sept. 28 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.

5 Conservation Needs to be Met in Farm Bill 2023
5 Conservation Needs to be Met in Farm Bill 2023

In preparation for farm bill 2023, the House Ag Committee met on Tuesday to grasp the highs and lows of the current farm bill and fill any gaps in 2023.

USDA awards Virginia Tech $80M for climate-smart ag pilot
USDA awards Virginia Tech $80M for climate-smart ag pilot

The largest grant in the university's history, the pilot program will pay producers of all sizes and commodities to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices.

USDA report: More specialty crop growers are using federal crop insurance
USDA report: More specialty crop growers are using federal crop insurance

Specialty crop growers have nearly doubled their participation in federal risk management programs over the past ten years, according to a new report from the USDA’s Economic Research Service.

5 questions for this award-winning Food Lion produce manager
5 questions for this award-winning Food Lion produce manager

Let’s peek into the brain of a retail produce manager succeeding at his job and learn from him. We’re talking about Chris Jorgensen, produce manager at a Food Lion store in Gloucester, Va.

Podcast, video, story: Where vertical farms (like Bowery) are headed
Podcast, video, story: Where vertical farms (like Bowery) are headed

Podcast: Bowery Farming interview. Read: CEA news, including 20 companies — including Bowery, AeroFarms, Plenty, Crop One, Kalera, Freight Farms and Elevate Farms — sign a manifesto and identity statement.

Pongamia may have a future in Florida 
Pongamia may have a future in Florida 

If Florida citrus growers are forced by disease or other pressures to cut back acreage on their first love, what other crops can serve as alternatives?

Bushel Boy Farms launches year-round greenhouse cucumbers
Bushel Boy Farms launches year-round greenhouse cucumbers

Bushel Boy Farms is now growing cucumbers at its Owatonna, Minn.,  greenhouse. 

USDA expands SNAP online shopping
USDA expands SNAP online shopping

The USDA now has approved more than 150 additional retailer chains to offer online grocery shopping to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants.

Florida citrus growers battle through challenges
Florida citrus growers battle through challenges

In Greek mythology, Zeus condemned King Sisyphus to roll an immense rock up a hill, only to have that rock roll down on Sisyphus when he was nearly at the top.

USDA seeks comment on imports of fresh Hass avocados from Guatemala
USDA seeks comment on imports of fresh Hass avocados from Guatemala

The USDA has drafted a pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh Hass avocados  from Guatemala. 

Mission Produce continues international expansion in the U.K.
Mission Produce continues international expansion in the U.K.

The Oxnard, Calif.-based company specializing in fresh Hass avocados has announced plans to open a state-of-the-art ripening, packing and forward distribution center in Dartford, England.

John Phipps: You'll Have to See This to Believe What Artificial Intelligence Can Now Do
John Phipps: You'll Have to See This to Believe What Artificial Intelligence Can Now Do

An artist recently used artificial intelligence to create a painting without a brushstroke or pencil line. What does it mean for agriculture? John Phipps explains why the connection might be closer than you think.

'I'll have lemon with that'
'I'll have lemon with that'

Whichever side of the lemon-water fence you reside, this wellness trend has merchandising and marketing opportunities for the popular yellow citrus.

Instacart rolls out six new grocery tech platforms, giving grocers tools to compete
Instacart rolls out six new grocery tech platforms, giving grocers tools to compete

Instacart launches a bundle of six grocery technology platforms called Connected Stores to help retailers compete in a hybrid grocery marketplace and create a more integrated online and in-store shopping experiences.

Vastly improved fresh cranberry supply expected for Naturipe
Vastly improved fresh cranberry supply expected for Naturipe

With expectations of a bigger crop than a year ago, Naturipe Farms is bringing fresh cranberries to the market again this year, says Brian Vertrees, director of business development for Naturipe. 

Shoppers like flexible diets, preferences produce retailers can use
Shoppers like flexible diets, preferences produce retailers can use

NEW YORK — Shoppers prefer to be flexitarian rather than vegan in their food choices the same way they’d rather be sober-curious than 100% abstinent in their drink choices, says FMI's first plant-based report.

Avocados from Peru named official superfood of Los Angeles Rams
Avocados from Peru named official superfood of Los Angeles Rams

In celebration of the partnership, now through Oct. 24, 2022, fans will have an opportunity to win an Avo-Rams custom electric vehicle, a trip to the iconic Machu Picchu in Peru, and a VIP Rams gameday experience.

New Jersey focuses on food safety
New Jersey focuses on food safety

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has implemented a number of programs and created working groups designed to ensure that New Jersey remains at the forefront of food safety.

Sprouts expands on-demand delivery through DoorDash partnership
Sprouts expands on-demand delivery through DoorDash partnership

Beginning this fall, Sprouts shoppers can visit the DoorDash mobile app or website, where they can choose to have their fresh produce and groceries delivered on-demand or later in the week.

ANHYDROUS
Nitrogen Prices Now Seeing a Resurgence For Fall, and Natural Gas Isn't the Only Driver

High input prices continue to be a pain point for farmers planning their 2023 crop needs. Experts say the price of natural gas isn’t the only driver fueling the market as farmers look to book their fall needs.

Shuman Farms to introduce new sustainability leader at Southern Innovations
Shuman Farms to introduce new sustainability leader at Southern Innovations

Onion grower Shuman Farms will share leadership and sustainability update at Southern Innovation Conference in Nashville.

Healthy Family Project celebrates 20 years of dietitian-approved food inspiration
Healthy Family Project celebrates 20 years of dietitian-approved food inspiration

Launched by Shuman Farms in 2002, Healthy Family Project celebrates 20 years of nutritious food inspiration for busy families.

School_Lunch
USDA report: Increased fruit and vegetable purchases followed school nutrition reform

The passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2010 resulted in major updates in school meal nutrition standards that have translated to substantial gains in governmental fruit and vegetable purchases.

Meet the demand for ‘glocal’ (global + local)
Meet the demand for ‘glocal’ (global + local)

Shoppers want it all. They want seasonal produce grown by a local farmer, yet they also want that same produce in the off-season. And they want food from far-flung locales and cultures.

IBO releases the 2022 Global State of the Blueberry Industry report
IBO releases the 2022 Global State of the Blueberry Industry report

The International Blueberry Organization has released its 2022 Global State of the Blueberry Industry Report.

Sponsored - ZAG provides IT cost-savings and stability to produce industry leader Index Fresh
Sponsored - ZAG provides IT cost-savings and stability to produce industry leader Index Fresh

For worldwide avocado marketer Index Fresh, a new partnership with Managed Services Provider (MSP) ZAG has resulted in a 30% reduction in IT costs and increased productivity across the organization.

Florida citrus acreage contracts by 8% in 2022
Florida citrus acreage contracts by 8% in 2022

Still battling disease pressures, Florida citrus growers continue to cut their acreage, a new report shows.

USDA restricts PACA violators in California, Nevada, Texas and Virginia from operating 
USDA restricts PACA violators in California, Nevada, Texas and Virginia from operating 

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

USDA files action against Island Fresh De Puerto Rico Inc. in Puerto Rico for alleged PACA violations
USDA files action against Island Fresh De Puerto Rico Inc. in Puerto Rico for alleged PACA violations

The USDA has filed an administrative complaint against Island Fresh De Puerto Rico Inc. (IFPR) for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

USDA files action Against Burbano Corporation d/b/a CasaBella Farms Corp. in Florida for alleged PACA violations
USDA files action Against Burbano Corporation d/b/a CasaBella Farms Corp. in Florida for alleged PACA violations

The USDA has filed an administrative complaint against Burbano Corporation, doing business as CasaBella Farms Corp. (Burbano) for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

Sustainability top of mind in Twin Cities
Sustainability top of mind in Twin Cities

Sustainability is top of mind among produce suppliers, growers and distributors in the Twin Cities area, even though buyers may not specifically demand it.

USApple says future of industry may depend on Farm Workforce Modernization Act
USApple says future of industry may depend on Farm Workforce Modernization Act

USApple President and CEO Jim Bair spoke at a Sept. 15 press conference on Capitol Hill urging Senate action on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

High Interest Rates and Inflation Dragging Down the Rural Economy
High Interest Rates and Inflation Dragging Down the Rural Economy

For a fifth straight month, the rural economy has posted signs of trouble. That’s according to the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University.

Taylor Farms and Driscoll’s join Silicon Valley at Global Impact Summit
Taylor Farms and Driscoll’s join Silicon Valley at Global Impact Summit

Agriculture, food and tech pioneers join forces to pitch and discuss bold ideas at San Jose sustainability summit this November.

Sage Fruit Co. expands its reach with the addition of Chelan Fruit
Sage Fruit Co. expands its reach with the addition of Chelan Fruit

The fruit sales and marketing firm Sage Fruit Co. is growing this season with the addition of grower/shipper Chelan Fruit, says Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.

FFVA honors Nathan Boyd as 2022 Researcher of the Year
FFVA honors Nathan Boyd as 2022 Researcher of the Year

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association presented Nathan Boyd with its 2022 Researcher of the Year Award.

Shipping Container Rates Down 63%, But We're a Long Way From Back to Normal Operations
Shipping Container Rates Down 63%, But We're a Long Way From Back to Normal Operations

Have the Pacific Coast port bottleneck issues been resolved, or moved somewhere else? The East Coast may now be carrying the burden.

Central Florida-based 4R Restaurant Group named FFVA Customer of the Year
Central Florida-based 4R Restaurant Group named FFVA Customer of the Year

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has honored 4R Restaurant Group with its 2022 Customer of the Year Award.

Stealth SEC Climate Rule Could Create Chaos Down on the Farm
Stealth SEC Climate Rule Could Create Chaos Down on the Farm

There's a stick, a big stick, with potentially big consequences for those involved in the value chain—all the way down to the farm gate.

Domex Superfresh Growers focuses on delivering top quality
Domex Superfresh Growers focuses on delivering top quality

With orchards spanning Washington state from the Columbia River to the Canadian border, Domex Superfresh Growers offers a full range of apple varieties.

Dramatic loss, remarkable recovery in the ‘Napa’ of peach growing
Dramatic loss, remarkable recovery in the ‘Napa’ of peach growing

Brothers Charlie and Bruce Talbott of Talbott Farms in Palisade, Colo., share stories of brutal frosts, resiliency and a younger generation of farmers embracing agriculture.

Driscoll's heads to Virginia to grow strawberries in world's largest indoor vertical farm
Driscoll's heads to Virginia to grow strawberries in world's largest indoor vertical farm

Plenty Unlimited Inc., the city of Richmond, VA and Driscoll's team up to deliver vertically farmed strawberries in vertical farming campus behemoth in late 2023.

How Natural Grocers celebrates Organic Month
How Natural Grocers celebrates Organic Month

Natural Grocers, which sells exclusively organic produce, offers three days of savings, free samples and continued educational and fundraising efforts for the Beyond Pesticides program.

Evans Fruit adds new packing line
Evans Fruit adds new packing line

Evans Fruit has remodeled its Yakima plant with a new 40-lane advanced packing line, said Scott Hennessey, sales representative for Evans Fruit, Yakima, Wash.