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The produce business seems to be gradually rebounding in Los Angeles as stores and restaurants start to reopen after more than two months of shutdowns triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite myriad COVID-19 -related challenges, Los Angeles area grocery stores have fared well from a sales perspective since the pandemic broke out.

4 Way Fuel, Falafel House, Roca Fresh Inc., Share Farm Inc., and The Fruit Stand Inc. are new companies to the Market. Bay Area Organic Express, Kuaiwi Farm LLC, Palmer’s Super Market and others have changes.

Working with farmers in Tennessee, Genera is contracting switchgrass and biomass sorghum as inputs to create compostable, sustainable packaging when its manufacturing facility comes online later this year.

Hy-Vee, Aldi and Jewel-Osco have recalled private label garden salads supplied by Fresh Express after they were linked to an outbreak of cyclospora, with cases rapidly increasing.

The USDA has imposed sanctions on Versa Marketing Inc. Henry Avocado Corp., Leyenda Distributors LLC, and Victor Aguilar are new companies to the Market. John Greene Logistics Company and others have updates.

The National Watermelon Promotion Board is inviting retailers and commissaries to enter its Watermelon Retail Merchandising Contest.

California Giant Berry Farms is starting summer blueberry season with strong volumes in the Pacific Northwest.

The Oppenheimer Group has acquired a 50% share in Agroretail, a Peruvian produce supplier.

Stemilt Growers’ summer stone fruit is arriving, giving retailers a chance to boost summer fruit and organic fruit categories.