Opinion
Don’t let a tight labor pool quash your great idea to boost seasonal sales. Retailers can find win-win opportunities with volunteers looking to earn money for their organizations, says columnist Armand Lobato.
During a recent string of Thanksgiving holidays, romaine lettuce has not been in any news related to foodborne outbreaks. And that hasn’t happened by chance, says guest columnist and former FDA official Frank Yiannas.
Want to increase business? Start by taking exceptional care of the customers you already have. Otherwise, it’ll be costly to mend that relationship — if it can be done at all. Columnist Armand Lobato explains more.
The people serving in this vital role often come with a multitude of unique characteristics, as well as expertise and ideas, but some stores fail to tap into that resource, says columnist Joe Watson.
With all the work to do in a produce department, it can be tempting to skip breaks — but ensuring workers and managers keep to their scheduled stoppages is vital to any operation, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Few produce subcategories create more shopping appeal and more benefits than the cut-fruit section, says columnist Armand Lobato, who offers insight about making the most of a summertime opportunity.
The journey for a new produce manager typically begins at a lower-volume store with fewer resources. Columnist Armand Lobato offers some thoughts on handling the challenges — and the opportunity to aim higher.
With the time crunch of operating a produce department, it can be tempting to hurry that next order — but it will cost you even more time and money if you don’t take proper inventory first, says columnist Armand Lobato.
A leader who gives what is needed to succeed often sees a return in worker moral — and optimal sales, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Produce managers may not have to dive deep into accounting, but they’re not off the hook when it comes to understanding the books; they should know enough to assess department performance, says columnist Armand Lobato.
There’s a lot of critical work that happens in the produce department’s backroom, but many do not have an inside perspective of how much happens there — and when it occurs — says columnist Armand Lobato.
There are signs that water is the new oil as water rights turn into water fights across the western U.S., says columnist John Phipps. He thinks it’s a battle that could only heat up in the coming years.
The Center for Produce Safety shares insight from its Research Symposium this year, where food safety stakeholders gathered with researchers to discuss how to apply their findings.
The price-friendly potato is nutritious and versatile in meals — but be sure to maximize your opportunities when advertising a sale, says columnist Armand Lobato.
A pre-proposal that aims to regulate packaging in Canadian grocery stores should have the attention of the entire U.S. produce industry, says Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia in this guest column.
It’s Potato Lover’s Month, and what’s not to love about the budget-friendly, nutritious potato? Tell customers how to handle this produce rock star’s sensitive side to ensure the spuds they’re buying don’t go to waste.
Foodborne illness risks remain a concern for the industry, both in terms of consumer safety and potential damage to food businesses. Expert Francine L. Shaw shares tips on building a culture that prioritizes food safety.
Signs are everywhere in the produce aisle, but what you express, how you present them, when you place them and why you choose the information conveyed can make a big difference, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Gross profit margin improvement is never easy or fast. Here are a few tips to set your plan up for success, from columnist Armand Lobato.
A roasting station for Hatch chili peppers can add some sizzle to your store’s offerings. Columnist Armand Lobato offers insight on doing it right.
For the Center for Produce Safety: North Bay Produce Food Safety Manager Kinsey Clishe talks about efforts to validate cleaning and sanitizing procedures — and the importance of discussing the “why” behind practices.
Clarifruit CEO Elad Mardix says artificial intelligence could help optimize supply chains, reduce waste and enable the industry to balance ever-increasing demand and a need to significantly reduce emissions.
Other produce part-timers made excuses to avoid this messy late-shift routine, but columnist Armand Lobato says he thrived on it.
That hodgepodge of fixtures collecting dust in storage can be a merchandising vault that can help reset a produce department, says columnist Armand Lobato.
A produce manager should encourage staff to do not only what’s expected, but exceed expectations, to benefit themselves, other shifts — and customers, says columnist Armand Lobato.
In this guest column, Minor Crop Farmer Alliance Chair Jim Cranney says new specifics on an EPA policy indicate the agency is taking a “act now, address questions later” approach to its pesticide program.
So often in produce, a merchandising challenge or an issue can be identified by tearing things down to the mat, metaphorically speaking, and starting over, says columnist Armand Lobato.
After a produce show ends, the work begins with developing your new contacts into strong business relationships — and there’s a surefire way to make a great early impression, columnist Armand Lobato explains.
Using duties to replace the suspension agreement that regulates U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes would make things far worse for the U.S. tomato market, says Javier Badillo of the FPAA in this guest column.