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Thumbs, at your mark (on your phone): The 2021 social media challenge, #JerseyFreshisCOOLER, has kicked off.

A major factor in the popularity of berries — besides their easy-to-love taste — is their much-touted health benefits.

From a vast array of plumcots and apriums, to a menagerie of melons, to a brigade of roots and radishes, there is no shortage of options in the world of specialty produce, and consumers are intrigued.

For U.S. shoppers who read their sticker labels, they’ll start to notice their hass avocados are more likely from Peru rather than Mexico now through September.

United Fresh recently held the first session in its new education track featuring retail and foodservice industry leaders, and the discussion covered labor, forecasting, rising costs, packaging and more.

The Packer’s editors discuss the big topics of the week, from USDA’s The Emergency Food Assistance Program to PLU stickers to Peruvian avocados — plus an industry conversation on labor, rising costs and forecasting.

Daren Van Dyke, director of marketing for Brawley, Calif.-based Five Crowns Marketing, reports great early acceptance of a new proprietary melon variety called the Picasso.

Mac Riggan, director of marketing for Chelan, Wash.-based Chelan Fresh Marketing, gives growers credit for their patience in cultivating specialty apple varieties like the red-flesh Lucy Rose and Lucy Glo.

Every business has its version of “cap space” and how to manage it.

Pure Flavor’s Cloud 9 Bite-Sized Fruity Tomatoes have been awarded the coveted ChefsBest Excellence Award, adding to the already illustrious reputation of this unique snacking tomato endorsed by professional chefs.