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Tom Karst, Ashley Nickle and Amy Sowder discuss some of the top stories of the week, from immigration reform to PBH’s new State of the Plate report to new numbers on satisfaction with online grocery shopping.

The trends of more meals being consumed at home and more people focusing on health continued in January and boosted retail produce sales 9.7% compared to 2019.

Santa Maria, Calif.-based Gold Coast Packing is now offering 2-pound packs of value-added vegetables in response to new consumer shopping patterns.

A new partnership between Carlisle, Pa.-based The Giant Co. and HowGood will provide environmental and social impact ratings for products in the retailer’s online store.

The United Fresh Produce Association is offering web seminars on Feb. 23 and Feb. 25 that will take a deep dive into foodservice and retail sales trends.

In terms of health benefits, five a day is the sweet spot for fruit and vegetable consumption.

The consumption trends revealed in the Produce for Better Health Foundation’s latest State of the Plate report are disappointing, so our industry needs to try these new strategies.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this. I mean, this wiped us out completely,” Uvalde vegetable grower Brandon Laffere said of the devastation wrought on Texas crops by Winter Storm Uri.

On March 8, Produce Marketing Association CEO Cathy Burns gave The Packer an update about plans for PMA’s Fresh Summit.

With a big boost from “super” shoppers, avocado consumption continues to grow.