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A powerful trio of keynotes inspires at Organic Produce Summit 2022
A powerful trio of keynotes inspires at Organic Produce Summit 2022

The 2022 Organic Produce Summit in Monterey, Calif., featured three keynote presentations on the topics of omnichannel shoppers, game-changing global recycling, and the future of grocery retailing.

American Mushroom Institute: Data shows mushrooms offer consumers value
American Mushroom Institute: Data shows mushrooms offer consumers value

The retail price of mushrooms is up, but inflation hasn’t hit the category as hard as most other produce, the American Mushroom Institute reports.

How more diverse-owned suppliers can get into these supermarkets
How more diverse-owned suppliers can get into these supermarkets

Produce suppliers who may qualify as diverse have a new program to get into some big supermarket chains.

TOMRA Food appoints James Lynch for California citrus position
TOMRA Food appoints James Lynch for California citrus position

TOMRA Food has announced the appointment of James Lynch as area sales manager for citrus in California.

Photos from 2022 Organic Produce Summit
Photos from 2022 Organic Produce Summit

Organic Produce Network's 2022 Organic Produce Summit was July 13-14, in Monterey, Calif. Here are just a few photos from this year's event.

What’s Your Take on the 2018 Farm Bill?
What’s Your Take on the 2018 Farm Bill?

The House Ag Committee is seeking feedback on the 2018 Farm Bill in preparation for the 2023 Farm Bill draft.

Customer loyalty programs increasingly important for retailers
Customer loyalty programs increasingly important for retailers

In order to save consumers money and maintain loyalty, major grocery retail brands have been making more of an effort to offer diversified incentive programs.

Western Growers to honor John Harris 
Western Growers to honor John Harris 

Western Growers will honor California agricultural icon John Harris with the 2022 Award of Honor. 

Driscoll’s, Think Beyond Plastic Foundation announce Ag Plastics Innovation Challenge winners
Driscoll’s, Think Beyond Plastic Foundation announce Ag Plastics Innovation Challenge winners

Driscoll’s and industry partners have announced the winners of the Agricultural Plastics Innovation Challenge. 

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Could Rail Workers Now Strike Starting Monday As Concerns Of a Feed Shortage Continue In the West?

As labor negotiations continue between the railroads and unions, laborers voted to go on strike Monday unless President Biden intervenes. A potential strike would put additional strain on the fragile U.S. rail system.

The Generational Divide Shows in our Food System, Too
The Generational Divide Shows in our Food System, Too

Gen Z households are struggling more to put food on the table compared to those of Millennials, Gen X and Boomers. Thirty percent report seeking groceries from a food pantry, church or other charity in the last 30 days.

Fruit inflation subsided in June, but consumers still cost-conscious in produce department
Fruit inflation subsided in June, but consumers still cost-conscious in produce department

Consumers are increasingly concerned about the impact of inflation on their grocery bill, particularly in the produce department, finds the June edition of the IRI monthly survey of primary shoppers.

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Tight labor market forces tough choices for growers

Higher labor costs are squeezing fruit and vegetable growers and forcing them to respond by automating, borrowing foreign labor or moving production out of the U.S.

USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on New Jersey produce firm
USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on New Jersey produce firm

The USDA announced that Kay Lookash Produce satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $21,300 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving an unpaid produce transaction.

USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Maryland produce firm
USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Maryland produce firm

The USDA has announced that Sunrise Produce Inc. satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $13,414 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.

Chelan Fresh unveils Joyfully Grown tree fruit brand
Chelan Fresh unveils Joyfully Grown tree fruit brand

Joyfully Grown is the new tree fruit brand for Chelan, Wash.-based Chelan Fresh.

CPI Shows Inflation Surged to 9.1% in June — the Highest Level Since November 1981
CPI Shows Inflation Surged to 9.1% in June — the Highest Level Since November 1981

The CPI, an inflation gauge measuring what consumers pay for goods and services, rose 1.3% from May to June. Prices were up across the economy, with gasoline far outpacing other categories, up 11.2%.

Natural Delights Mini Medjool dates win Good Housekeeping award
Natural Delights Mini Medjool dates win Good Housekeeping award

The Yuma, Ariz., based date broker, grower and wholesaler's Sweet and Salty Almond Mini Medjools won Good Housekeeping Healthy Snack Award for "Best Dates".

Hass avocados post four-year record high sales in Q1
Hass avocados post four-year record high sales in Q1

Hass avocado sales kicked off 2022 with four-year record highs through key holidays in the first quarter, including the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day.

Lawmakers call for bipartisan solutions to farm labor shortage
Lawmakers call for bipartisan solutions to farm labor shortage

National and state agricultural leaders joined Republican members of Congress on July 11 to call on Congress to pass bipartisan workforce solutions to address the farm labor shortage.

Consentio adds sustainability features to its trading platform
Consentio adds sustainability features to its trading platform

Digital trading platform Consentio has added sustainability data enabling buyers and sellers to initially view carbon dioxide and water consumption data when trading produce, according to a news release.

New Data Shows Ag’s Climate Footprint is Shrinking
New Data Shows Ag’s Climate Footprint is Shrinking

According to the USDA, 2020 farming activities in the U.S. made up 11.2 percent, or 670 of 5,981 million metrics tons, of the U.S.’s total carbon contribution.

Hawaiian papaya growers overcome challenges, chart a future course
Hawaiian papaya growers overcome challenges, chart a future course

Sure, Hawaiian papayas had a comeback year in 2021. But the fruit has never gone away.

AvoEats by Avocados From Mexico brings fresh concessions to sports fans
AvoEats by Avocados From Mexico brings fresh concessions to sports fans

Fresh avocado sales are scoring at a stadium near you.

Growers near-unanimous in support of the Citrus Research Board 
Growers near-unanimous in support of the Citrus Research Board 

By an overwhelming margin, California citrus growers have voted to continue their support of the Visalia, Calif.-based Citrus Research Board.

Farmworker Florentino Reyes picks tomatoes Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at a field near Mendota, Calif.
Would More Legal Immigration Help the White House Fight Inflation? Mexico's President is Now Pushing For It

President Biden and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador are meeting Tuesday as both face a surge in migration. They are expected to announce multiyear, joint projects to modernize border infrastructure.

John Phipps: It's Now Less About the Supply of Oil, And More About Refining Capacity in the U.S.
John Phipps: It's Now Less About the Supply of Oil, And More About Refining Capacity in the U.S.

Infuriating price increases are the topic of the day, and but like the 80’s, rising inflation is driven largely by energy and the price of oil. It's now less about the supply of oil, and more about refining capacity.

Keystone Potato Products launches updated website
Keystone Potato Products launches updated website

The Masser Family of Companies announced the launch of a new website for Hegins, Pa.-based partner Keystone Potato Products, LLC. 

Pure Flavor begins construction on 40-acre greenhouse, distribution center
Pure Flavor begins construction on 40-acre greenhouse, distribution center

The Leamington, Ontario-based greenhouse grower has begun construction of a new 40-acre high-tech, fully lit facility as well as a 210,000-square-foot centralized distribution center.

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Value of avocado imports surges nearly 40%

Driven by an increase in pricing, the value of U.S. avocado imports soared by 38% in the 12-month period ending May 31.

Schnucks adds 20 DoorDash-delivery-capable stores for salads and more
Schnucks adds 20 DoorDash-delivery-capable stores for salads and more

The service will deliver ready-to-eat meals from the grocer’s deli to customers in as little as 30 minutes.

Labor Contract Negotiations Continue Past Deadline at Some of America's Most Important Ports
Labor Contract Negotiations Continue Past Deadline at Some of America's Most Important Ports

U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh remained optimistic about contract negotiations between workers and shipping companies for some of the country’s most important ports, even as talks extend past a previous deadline.

Record buyer attendance on track for IFPA Foodservice Conference
Record buyer attendance on track for IFPA Foodservice Conference

The International Fresh Produce Association’s Foodservice Conference will have the highest buyer participation in 42 years, with over 800 buyers, according to a news release.

Mount Adams Fruit acquires Stadelman Fruit Pear assets
Mount Adams Fruit acquires Stadelman Fruit Pear assets

The Bingen, Wash.-based company has entered into a deal to acquire the majority of the Oregon pear assets formerly owned by Stadelman Fruit Company.

Consumers cite their role in reducing food waste
Consumers cite their role in reducing food waste

Three out of four consumers surveyed by The Packer say efforts to consider food waste are important.

Who will you see at 2022 Organic Produce Summit?
Who will you see at 2022 Organic Produce Summit?

Organic Produce Network's 2022 Organic Produce Summit is scheduled for July 13-14. Here are just a few of the exhibitors featuring something new this year.

No Decision From President Biden on Lifting China Tariffs...Yet
No Decision From President Biden on Lifting China Tariffs...Yet

President Biden says he has not made a decision yet on whether to lift some of the $370 billion of tariffs imposed on Chinese imports by the Trump Administration.

USDA restricts PACA violators in Florida, Nevada and Texas
USDA restricts PACA violators in Florida, Nevada and Texas

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 cites Central Market of Florida II Inc. for PACA violations
USDA cites Central Market of Florida II Inc. for PACA violations

The USDA has imposed sanctions on Central Market of FL II Inc., Sarasota, Fla., for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

Boskovich launches fully compostable organic salad kits
Boskovich launches fully compostable organic salad kits

The Oxnard, Calif.-based company has launched Fair Earth Farms, a new line of six organic salad kits and blends packaged in plant-based, fully compostable bags.

Western Growers praises new Arizona water legislation
Western Growers praises new Arizona water legislation

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation in July that will invest $1.2 billion over three years to fund projects that will bring additional water to the state to secure Arizona’s water future.

Send us your nomination on the 2022 Apple Person of the Year
Send us your nomination on the 2022 Apple Person of the Year

The Packer is calling for nominations for the 2022 Apple Person of the Year.

Tanimura & Antle promotes sales team members 
Tanimura & Antle promotes sales team members 

The Salinas, Calif.-based company has promoted Sybil Faulconbridge, Anthony Mazzuca and Thomas Wheelus to key sales positions.

AgroFresh expands produce freshness solutions in California 
AgroFresh expands produce freshness solutions in California 

Philadelphia-based AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. has announced the expansion of its SmartFresh Inbox in California with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s approval for a range of new crops. 

Can ultra-rapid grocery delivery companies maintain momentum?
Can ultra-rapid grocery delivery companies maintain momentum?

NEW YORK — A helmeted e-bike rider with a black backpack full of groceries bolted from a building’s double doors on a Thursday morning on the Lower East Side.

Historical slideshow: Bashas' for the last 90 years, plus celebrations today
Historical slideshow: Bashas' for the last 90 years, plus celebrations today

To celebrate its 90th anniversary, the Chandler, Ariz.-based supermarket chain will try to break a Guinness World Records title, hold a Community Choice Charity Challenge, host grocery gift-card giveaways and more.

USDA gives South Texas onion growers another chance to support marketing order
USDA gives South Texas onion growers another chance to support marketing order

Following a failed vote in 2020, a producer vote on the future of the South Texas onion marketing order will occur from Sept. 1 to Oct. 3, the USDA reports.

Rhode Island expands SNAP access with major investment of state funds
Rhode Island expands SNAP access with major investment of state funds

Rhode Island lawmakers are creating a program that will invest $11.5 million in a pilot program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.

USDA seeks comment on draft pest risk assessment for imports of asparagus from Peru
USDA seeks comment on draft pest risk assessment for imports of asparagus from Peru

The USDA has drafted a pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh asparagus under a systems approach from Peru. 

Westfalia kicks off Colombian avocado season
Westfalia kicks off Colombian avocado season

The Oxnard, Calif.-based avocado grower, handler and distributer has announced the start of its Colombian Hass avocado season with supply available now through late spring of 2023.