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Veg-Fresh adds two to sales team
Veg-Fresh adds two to sales team

Corona, Calif.-based agribusiness said the new hires will help expand the company’s berry program and expand its share in food service.

U.S. citrus primed for promotion
U.S. citrus primed for promotion

Most fresh citrus prices in early 2024 were comparable to year-ago levels and supply is primed for promotions in the winter months, industry sources report.

Survey shows consumer preferences for organic strawberry purchases
Survey shows consumer preferences for organic strawberry purchases

One detail from The Packer’s Organic Fresh Trends 2024 survey shows that younger consumers were the most frequent purchasers of organic strawberries exclusively. 

Researchers look at tomato health benefits
Researchers look at tomato health benefits

Scientists at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and the Ohio State University have been working to investigate how tomatoes may be imparting health benefits in a recently published study.

Purdue survey looks at consumer attitudes toward use-by labels
Purdue survey looks at consumer attitudes toward use-by labels

Consumers polled in December reported that food safety and taste are top concerns when eating past-date foods, according to the survey.

Wakefern Food Corp. names chief sales officer
Wakefern Food Corp. names chief sales officer

Darren Caudill brings over four decades of experience working in both grocery wholesale and retail, according to the retailer-owned cooperative.

USDA awards nearly $10M in Organic Market Development Grants
USDA awards nearly $10M in Organic Market Development Grants

The grant-funded projects will support the development and expansion of new and existing organic markets to increase the consumption of domestic organic agricultural products.

Canada aims to track plastic use in food and agriculture
Canada aims to track plastic use in food and agriculture

A government agency in Canada wants to establish a plastics registry to monitor and track plastic, including plastic used in agriculture and food manufacturing.

BrightFarms recalls supplier-grown spinach, salad kits due to possible listeria contamination
BrightFarms recalls supplier-grown spinach, salad kits due to possible listeria contamination

The indoor farming company said it recalled salad kits and baby spinach due to a positive sample from a supplier farm and the potential cross-contamination of its Pennsylvania facility.

Blue Diamond says demand, crop size down
Blue Diamond says demand, crop size down

In the company's latest market report, it notes the overall crop size is down from the 2022 season and overall demand is now down 16% from last season.

KeHE opens Miami distribution center
KeHE opens Miami distribution center

KeHE Distributors has opened a new Miami distribution center with 360,000 additional square feet, which it says will bring job opportunities and economic growth to the local community.

USDA seeks comment on import of herbs from Kenya
USDA seeks comment on import of herbs from Kenya

The USDA is making a pest risk analysis available to the public for review and comment for a 60-day period.

Infinite Herbs' co-founder takes on advisory role, longtime employee promoted
Infinite Herbs' co-founder takes on advisory role, longtime employee promoted

Co-founder Camilo Penalosa will step away from the company's daily operations Jan. 31, and a new vice president of sales and marketing will assume Penalosa's former customer responsibilities.

KESI Management joins FreshEdge
KESI Management joins FreshEdge

Food and beverage company KESI Management has joined FreshEdge, a collaboration that builds on their four-year partnership.

Wholesum to display tomato-inspired student artwork at GOPEX
Wholesum to display tomato-inspired student artwork at GOPEX

Wholesum will curate an art exhibit during the event’s opening reception from high school students where attendees will help determine prize winners.

USDA continues to bolster food system infrastructure
USDA continues to bolster food system infrastructure

The department said the grants will help strengthen the middle of the food chain in several states.

Kroger-Albertsons merger delayed
Kroger-Albertsons merger delayed

The proposed merger between the retail giants, as well as related divestiture with C&S Wholesale Grocers, is facing a setback following a lawsuit filed by Washington state's attorney general.

Wonderful Pistachios receives snack award
Wonderful Pistachios receives snack award

Delicious Living magazine has awarded Wonderful Pistachios In-Shell Seasoned Salt with Bronze for 'Best Savory Snack' in the publication’s 2024 Best Bite Awards.

Meijer opens Fairfax Market in Cleveland
Meijer opens Fairfax Market in Cleveland

The store is the retailer's fifth neighborhood market, and it aims to bring fresh, local and convenient food to the city's Fairfax neighborhood.

Calavo Growers makes move to sell fresh-cut business
Calavo Growers makes move to sell fresh-cut business

The global avocado industry provider based in Santa Paula, Calif., says it is exploring the sale of its fresh-cut division — formerly RFG — to F&S Fresh Foods.

Agtech startup says precision pollination service boosts pistachio crop
Agtech startup says precision pollination service boosts pistachio crop

The company says its precision pollination services help boost cropset when conditions are less than ideal for bee activity.

Study reveals new control options against invasive thrips parvispinus
Study reveals new control options against invasive thrips parvispinus

A University of Florida scientist has published a milestone study in the journal Insects that provides new products that can be used to battle invasive thrips parvispinus. 

Idaho Potato Lovers retail display contest seeks eye-catching entries
Idaho Potato Lovers retail display contest seeks eye-catching entries

The Idaho Potato Commission’s annual retail display contest will award three grand prize winners a Traeger Meat Smoker and complete smoking kit.

JVI Imports launches brown coconut program direct from India
JVI Imports launches brown coconut program direct from India

The Philadelphia-based company has received its first container loads of brown coconuts from India, a relatively new supplier to the U.S. market.

How the Mushroom Council aligns marketing to resonate with consumers
How the Mushroom Council aligns marketing to resonate with consumers

The beauty of fresh mushrooms is that they often are the answer to multiple culinary trends, says Eric Davis, spokesperson for the Mushroom Council, which says it aligns its marketing to take advantage of those trends.

Organizations launch Alliance for Sustainable Packaging for Foods
Organizations launch Alliance for Sustainable Packaging for Foods

The alliance brings together global stakeholders to engage with regulators and governments around the world to encourage the adoption of a holistic and harmonized approach to food packaging regulation.

Sage Fruit Co. names new CEO
Sage Fruit Co. names new CEO

The company has promoted Nicole Gordy, who had served as director of business analytics. Gordy succeeds Steve Clement, who becomes CEO of PNW Tree Fruit, which owns Sage Fruit packers and 6,000 acres of orchards.

Industry veteran takes the helm of National Onion Association
Industry veteran takes the helm of National Onion Association

Onion industry veteran Jared Gutierrez is now president of the National Onion Association after serving the last two years as first vice president for the organization.

FirstFruits Farms celebrates National Opal Apple Day
FirstFruits Farms celebrates National Opal Apple Day

The event hosted by Yakima, Wash.-based FirstFruits Farms aims to raise the apple's profile through retailer promotions and social media posts.

Natural Grocers to promote organic produce in 21-day health program
Natural Grocers to promote organic produce in 21-day health program

Natural Grocers and its team of nutritional health coaches are kicking off the new year with “21 Days to a Healthier You,” a free three-class series from Jan. 22 to Feb. 11.

Potato Expo 2024 raises the roof in Texas
Potato Expo 2024 raises the roof in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — The National Potato Council is reporting a record-breaking year for its Potato Expo 2024, which drew 2,320 attendees and 216 exhibitors to the Austin Convention Center, Jan. 10-11.

FPFC announces new board for '24 with celebration
FPFC announces new board for '24 with celebration

The Fresh Produce and Floral Council announced the transition of leadership from the outgoing 2023 Board of Directors to the incoming 2024 Board of Directors.

Randal Lee Wilson of King Fresh Produce mourned
Randal Lee Wilson of King Fresh Produce mourned

Wilson, who is remembered as a stalwart in the produce industry and a mentor, died Jan. 5 after a courageous 10-year battle with cancer, his family announced.

NGA Government Relations Committee sets 2024 policy agenda
NGA Government Relations Committee sets 2024 policy agenda

The annual meeting in Washington, D.C., brought grocers from across the country to finalize policy priorities aimed at strengthening the independent supermarket industry.

Marketing opportunities abound with large apple crop this season
Marketing opportunities abound with large apple crop this season

Marketers recently shared the unique prospects that ample supply provides for retailers and consumers.

Publix opens its first Kentucky store
Publix opens its first Kentucky store

The Lakeland, Fla.-based grocer has opened its first store in Kentucky, entering its eighth state of operation, with a 55,701-square-foot Louisville store.

California expands HLB quarantine
California expands HLB quarantine

The California Department of Food and Agriculture has added the San Gabriel area of Los Angeles County to its huanglongbing quarantine to slow the spread of the Asian citrus psyllid.

Bountiful apple crop brings opportunities — and a challenge to grow consumption
Bountiful apple crop brings opportunities — and a challenge to grow consumption

With a large crop in apple-producing states, like Pennsylvania, marketers say there is a need to boost consumption. "That will take some time and some effort," said Chris Sandwick of Hess Bros. Fruit., Lancaster, Pa.

Prima Wawona liquidates assets after unsuccessful attempt to sell at auction
Prima Wawona liquidates assets after unsuccessful attempt to sell at auction

The company failed to secure a high enough value for its assets through auction, the company said it plans to liquidate assets including 13,500 acres.

Bipartisan effort hopes to freeze H-2A wages
Bipartisan effort hopes to freeze H-2A wages

Michigan Rep. Bill Huizenga and 74 members of Congress penned a letter to House and Senate appropriations leaders asking for a stay in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate for the H-2A program.

Caruso USA launches Caruso Foods
Caruso USA launches Caruso Foods

The new subsidiary will provide fresh, prepared food and assembled goods for retailers, businesses and industry customers.

D'Arrigo California introduces baby gem lettuce with Andy Boy label
D'Arrigo California introduces baby gem lettuce with Andy Boy label

Distinguished by its compact size and sweet taste, baby gem lettuce is a versatile ingredient suitable for a variety of culinary creations, the company said.

Aldi removes plastic bags, transitioning to natural refrigerants
Aldi removes plastic bags, transitioning to natural refrigerants

Aldi initiates positive impact by removing plastic shopping bags and sets goal to transition to natural refrigerants by the end of 2035.

Bee Sweet Citrus offers specialty citrus varieties
Bee Sweet Citrus offers specialty citrus varieties

The Fowler, Calif.-based company says specialty citrus varieties are sought by shoppers aiming to incorporate fresh produce into New Year’s resolutions, while upcoming holidays can be used to market the citrus category.

Mexican plant connected to salmonella outbreak tests negative for pathogen
Mexican plant connected to salmonella outbreak tests negative for pathogen

While Mexican health officials temporarily closed the processing plant, they said its initial tests came back negative and another round of testing will be performed next month.

Frost Kissed artichokes from Ocean Mist Farms available now
Frost Kissed artichokes from Ocean Mist Farms available now

The specialty artichokes are shipping now and will be intermittently available throughout the winter, the company says.

Church Brothers Farms names director of safety and risk management
Church Brothers Farms names director of safety and risk management

The company says Antonio “Tony” Figueroa will play a pivotal role in elevating its risk management culture, with his extensive background in regulatory compliance and loss control and prevention.

U.S. digital grocery sales fell 1% in 2023, survey finds
U.S. digital grocery sales fell 1% in 2023, survey finds

The year-end results highlight the challenge facing regional grocers in growing e-commerce in today’s competitive environment.

Mush Foods launches restaurant-ready mushroom root blends
Mush Foods launches restaurant-ready mushroom root blends

Mush Foods says chefs swapping the mushroom root blends into recipes, in place of some meat, can seamlessly enhance flavor and nutritional value, while improving cost and reducing the environmental impact in every dish.

Inflation pushes higher in December
Inflation pushes higher in December

Though retail prices for fresh produce were down compared with a year ago, the inflation rate for all consumer prices ticked higher in December, the Commerce Department reports.