Search - The Packer

Warm weather means prime time for every produce department, from berries to stone fruit to grapes to the crown jewel of summer: cherries.

Cherries come in a variety of pack sizes and styles, and in typical years – coronavirus may change the approach this season – many retailers have worked to present several different options for shoppers.

Retailers generally carry cherries whenever they are available, though the Northwest season is obviously the pinnacle of volume and consumer interest.

Hazel Technologies Inc., Chicago, has a partnership with Mexican melon importer Grower Alliance, Rio Rico, Ariz.

California garlic harvest will begin by mid-June, but COVID-19-related demand is expected to keep market conditions firm in the weeks ahead.

Georgia growers who supply mostly retailers say they’re doing fine, but as for foodservice business — well, not so much.

Associations that represent organic growers are asking Congress for provisions in the next coronavirus relief package to help the sector survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

Retailers can expect shortages of mushrooms for the next six to 10 weeks, as mushroom production catches up to shifts in demand brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

USDA filed an Administrative Complaint against Double D Sales Company Inc. Agros Produce LLC, Couzins Food II Corp., Honestly Cranberry, and JB Fresh Produce Inc. are new companies to the Market, plus more.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to shift consumer shopping patterns, and the demand for bagged/packaged produce has clearly been influenced by the virus.