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In times of recession, consumers eat at home more, but they also splurge on those food purchases for home rather than splurge by eating out, says a food-marketing expert.

The Produce Marketing Association, citing misinformation about produce and the industry in the COVID-19 crisis, is launching a campaign to connect directly with consumers to assure them produce is available and safe.

Big E Produce has been Endorsed. Sleeper’s Market and Summit Ag LLC are new companies to the Market. Allied Grape Growers, Gencon Inc., Oakdale Farms Country Barn, Potomac Vegetable Farms Inc., and others have updates.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Oviedo, Fla., connected with consumers in March — National Celery Month — to promote the vegetable as the “It-gredient.”

The Packer’s Tom Karst visited April 1 with Paul Manfre, general manager of Top Katz LLC, Bronx, N.Y.

Community Food Co-op and Willimantic Food Co-op are new Companies to the Market. Bay Valley Foods, Butte Produce Co Inc., Dawson’s Orchards Inc., Quality Sales Foodservice, and others have updates.

California strawberry season has kicked off, with berries in the Salinas/Watsonville area starting at the end of March to meet increased demand of berries spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mastronardi Produce’s newest product in the “Bombs” line of snacking tomatoes, Honey Bombs, will be appearing in stores in May.

The Packer’s Tom Karst spoke on March 30 with Craig Carlson, CEO of Chicago-based Carlson Produce Consulting, LLC.

The National Watermelon Promotion Board has launched an updated website, watermelon.org, featuring more content that promotes return visits for consumers looking for recipes, nutrition information and more.