Packer Insight — School foodservice, NY seasonal update, retail

Editor-in-chief Tom Karst, retail editor Ashley Nickle and Northeast editor Amy Sowder discuss key topics from the week, including how growers, school foodservice and retail are adjusting amid COVID-19.

Amy delivers highlights from her reporting for a recent New York section, including how

shifting demand has influenced planting for some growers and what they're hearing from their retail customers. See more of her coverage below.

• New York marketing strategies stay conservative 
• New York solar programs can save growers, packers money
• New York growers stick to comfort zones for 2020 season

Tom talks about his recent interview with Stephanie Bruce, director of nutrition service for California’s Palm Springs Unified School District, about the challenges COVID-19 has presented and the adjustments her district has made.

Ashley discusses how the pandemic continues to influence the retail environment and points viewers in the direction of some great guest columns from respected retail veterans Mike O'Brien and Brian Dey, while Tom notes that Bruce Peterson's column on predictions for the future of retail is one that may raise an eyebrow or two. Check out all those pieces at these links.

• Encouraging and empowering your future produce superstars
• Winning the war on shrink
• The future of retail