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Publix plans to support farmers and people in need in the areas it serves with a new initiative to buy additional produce and milk to donate to Feeding America food banks.

For produce it has been the tale of two industries. Retail is rockin’. Foodservice? Not so good.

I observe the produce clerks in my neighborhood store and the profiles and demeanor are much the same. The crews go about their stocking as usual in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hass Avocado Board has released a video showcasing its work to support growing consumption of the fruit in the U.S.

Abendroth’s Apple Ridge Orchards, Amazing Dollar, Nellai Marts (Sawmill), Raw Generation Inc., and SJ Distribution LLC are new companies to the Market. Blueberry Ridge Farm, Sunrise Organic Farm and others have updates.

USDA have issued actions on Hong Kong Supermarket & The Produce Network Inc. Homeworth General, ProduceIQ Inc., Rosie Produce, and Victoria Fruits LLC are new companies to the Market. Koda Farms & others have updates.

Tomato grower Intergrow Greenhouses Inc., Albion, N.Y., has hired James Williams as manager of marketing and product development.

The Super Bowl isn’t the only occasion for which shoppers seek extra avocados. Father’s Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day all saw dollar sales grow from 2018 to 2019, according to the Hass Avocado Board.

A growing number of restaurants are incorporating guava into their menus, according to a recent Fresh Insights on Foodservice report from the United Fresh Produce Association.

Which specialty fruits have received increasing interest in recent years? Check out this Nielsen data* that shows the unit growth since 2015 of jackfruit, dragon fruit, papayas, permissions, passion fruit and guava.