Packer Insight — Produce and politics, retailer insights, AFM

The Packer's Tom Karst, Amy Sowder and Ashley Nickle discuss key topics of the week, including federal policy and leadership changes affecting produce; insight from multiple produce retail executives at West Coast Produce Expo; and Avocados From Mexico's new Super Bowl strategy featuring Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews.

For more on these topics, check out the following articles:

Leaders look to new political era, hope for immigration reform — Issues that are important to the industry include immigration reform, expanded trade and continuing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is too early, industry leaders said, to predict how Biden will approach those challenges, and if he will be successful.

Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews: Game days call for Avocados from Mexico — The campaign, Make The Big Game Your Bowl Game, is Avocados From Mexico’s first in-store celebrity shopper engagement program and is available for free to all grocery retailers.

Focus on fundamentals, says Rouses produce director — How can retailers engage their communities with events that excite shoppers about produce during a pandemic in its ninth month?

Michael Schutt of Raley's talks e-commerce at WCPE — Michael Schutt discussed at the West Coast Produce Expo his company’s growing online business and his experience with navigating the pandemic as he has transitioned into a new role.

Jeff Cady talks leadership, key attributes for produce roles at WCPE — Jeff Cady shared his takeaways on how 2020 has developed him as a leader, which characteristics are essential for different produce roles, and opportunities he’s taken to continue his development and that of his team.

Consumer retail habits, reshaped by pandemic, aren’t changing soon — The consumer’s wild ride through the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over yet, according to Steve Lutz, senior vice president of insights and innovations for Category Partners.

 

Latest News

Industry alliance: European packaging rules raise trade and food safety concerns
Industry alliance: European packaging rules raise trade and food safety concerns

New packaging rules adopted by the European Parliament raise serious trade and food safety concerns, says the Alliance for Sustainable Packaging for Foods.

Consumers, retailers drive growth of new grape varieties
Consumers, retailers drive growth of new grape varieties

The world of table grapes has expanded exponentially from traditional red and green varieties to today’s plethora of cultivars with appearance, flavor and size characteristics.

CPMA president touts industry resiliency, global solutions to challenges
CPMA president touts industry resiliency, global solutions to challenges

In his State of the Fresh Produce Industry address, Ron Lemaire talked about the current political climate, the need for global sustainability goals and the need to focus on the consumer.

ShopRite and supermarkets to hold walk-up job fairs
ShopRite and supermarkets to hold walk-up job fairs

Wakefern Food Corp.'s supermarket banners, including ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market, are hosting hiring fairs on April 27 across several states.

Mushroom Council applauds WIC enhancements, offers recipe tips
Mushroom Council applauds WIC enhancements, offers recipe tips

The Mushroom Council is highlighting multiple ways families can incorporate fresh mushrooms and other WIC foods into daily meal plans.

Harris Teeter and Consalo Family Farms donate 48,000 pounds of mandarins
Harris Teeter and Consalo Family Farms donate 48,000 pounds of mandarins

More than 16,000 bags of Little Smoochies mandarins were donated through the "Mandarins Making a Difference" campaign, aiding local hunger relief efforts.