Local Food

Minnesota Farm to School Program Nourishes Students and Strengthens Local Food Economy

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 17:43:30 GMT

On Oct. 13, the lunch trays at Winona Area Public Schools were filled with turkey and wild rice brats, delicata squash and crisp Minnesota apples, all sourced from local farms. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture stopped by as part of National Farm to School Month, and the cafeteria hummed like a farmer’s market with students, lawmakers and local food champions sampling the fruits (and brats) of state investment.

The visit was part of MDA’s monthlong celebration highlighting its Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation (AGRI) Farm to School and Early Care Grant program. The grants help schools serve Minnesota-grown foods while opening new market doors for the state’s farmers.

Jennifer Walters, Winona Area Public Schools’ nutrition director, hosted lawmakers, farmers and representatives from the Minnesota departments of Agriculture and Education to show how state investment has helped to transform school meals in their district. She used AGRI Urban Ag Grant funds to help purchase hydroponic towers for growing lettuce and is a recipient of AGRI Farm to School Grant funds to reimburse her for qualifying local food purchases, which included the turkey and wild rice brats, delicata and apples that were on the lunch line during the visit.

“These grants have really transformed our meals,” Walters says. “We’re able to put nutritious, local food on the menu and show students exactly where it comes from.”

MDA Farm to Institution Coordinator Kate Seybold joined Jayme Anderson, the farm to school and early care project consultant for the Minnesota Department of Education, and Walters to showcase the district’s growing local food program.

During a Q&A with guests, Walters said delivery was one of the barriers to sourcing local. Sourcing from many smaller producers to serve her district is a logistical challenge, Walters says, and is mitigated by working with her local Farmers Market Food Hub in Red Wing, Minn.

Sara George, farmer-focused program manager with Renewing the Countryside, has been working to make that process smoother. Her team runs a network of Farmers Market Food Hubs — including the one in Red Wing that supplies Walters’ school meals.

“Schools and wholesale buyers want to buy local, but who has the time to call John, text Jane and email Joe just to get ingredients for next week’s menu?” George says. “That’s when we came up with the idea for a farmers market food hub. Think of it as the Amazon of local foods.”

Through these hubs, farmers list their products online and buyers like school nutrition directors can order with one click. The result? Hundreds of thousands of dollars in local food sales — and a stronger connection between farms and schools statewide.

“The relationships our seven hub managers have built with farmers and institutional buyers have really moved the needle on local foods throughout Minnesota,” George says.

As students lined up for lunch, the event underscored how local food isn’t just a passing trend; it’s a movement that’s nourishing communities, supporting farmers and giving school lunch a fresh twist.

Texas Ag Commissioner Champions Farmers and Schools with Farm Fresh Challenge

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:03:23 GMT

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller kicked off the 2025 Texas Farm Fresh Challenge on Oct. 2.

Every October, which is also Farm to School Month, schools and child care centers join the challenge to make eating local food and learning about Texas agriculture fun for children and staff. Farm Fresh Challenge participants earn recognition for serving Texas products, offering agricultural learning opportunities and highlighting their efforts on social media, according to a news release.

“Texas children should cultivate a healthy appetite for fresh food from a local farm or ranch.” Miller says. “During the Farm Fresh Challenge, children learn about local food and the men and women who produce it. Our child nutrition professionals are ensuring kids know that hard-working farmers and ranchers are behind every meal they eat.”

The Farm Fresh Challenge is a centerpiece of Miller’s Farm Fresh Initiative, a comprehensive plan to create more nutrition-program opportunities for Texas agricultural producers and increase the amount of local food in the 1 billion meals served annually in Texas in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) resources help nutrition professionals achieve any level of recognition, the release says. TDA-curated recipes include ingredients that are available from Texas producers. The department also created a success guide with a step-by-step plan for earning recognition, a tracking tool for recording achievements necessary for recognition and learning resources such as flashcards, word games and coloring pages. A social media toolkit helps participants champion their programs online, and promotional stickers and buttons are fun additions to the excitement, the release says.

The Farm Fresh Challenge also drives participation in the TDA’s Farm Fresh Network, which includes 239 agricultural producers prepared to provide Texas products for federal nutrition programs. Farm Fresh Challenge participants can use the network to find local producers and purchase their vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy and more.

For more information about the Farm Fresh Challenge, visit SquareMeals.org/FarmFreshChallenge .

Better From the Backyard: Fresh Trends 2025 Explores Consumers’ Love Affair With Local Produce

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 21:09:20 GMT

Consumers love locally grown produce, The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2025 survey finds, with 2 in 3 saying they feel strongly about buying local fruits and vegetables.

The annual survey examining shopper purchasing behavior in fresh produce also revealed that households with kids are especially keen on purchasing local, with 79% of households with kids at home saying they feel strongly about buying local produce, compared to 60% of households without kids.

Two in three consumers say they feel strongly about buying locally grown produce.

(Image by Lindsey Pound)

Regionally speaking, consumers in the Northeast (74%) and South (68%) are most likely to feel strongly about buying local, compared to 65% of both Midwesterners and shoppers in the West.

But the Fresh Trends 2025 survey — fielded to more than 1,050 consumers from across the U.S., representing five generations and multiple income levels — also shows that consumers are feeling the effects of inflation and higher grocery prices, which for some may present a barrier to purchase.

The survey asked: “If price was not an issue, which of the following items would you purchase more of? Please select all that apply.” Respondents selected from a list that included locally grown and organic, among other produce items. Fifty-eight percent of consumers indicated they’d buy more locally grown produce if price were not an issue, and 55% indicated they’d purchase more organic fruits and vegetables.

Baby boomers and Gen X seemed to indicate the greatest sensitivity to price when it comes to purchasing local produce, with a whopping 74% of boomers and 65% of Gen X indicating they’d buy more locally grown fruits and veggies if price were not an issue. Forty-three percent of Gen Z, 53% of millennials and 47% of traditionalists indicated they’d buy more locally grown produce if price were not an issue.

Interestingly, fewer baby boomers and Gen Xers indicated they’d purchase more organic produce if price were not an issue, with 48% of baby boomers and 54% of Gen Xers saying so.

Younger Consumers, Men Buying More Local

Fresh Trends 2025 found that millennials and Gen Z led the way with local this year, with 47% of millennials and 45% of Gen Z saying they’re buying more locally grown produce than a year ago, compared to 26% of Gen X, 18% of baby boomers and just 12% of traditionalists.

(Fresh Trends 2025)

Having children in the household also proved a powerful driver of locally grown produce purchase, with more than twice the number of households with kids (51%) than households without kids (24%) reporting they’d purchased more local produce than a year ago.

The highest rate of consumers who reported buying more locally grown produce than a year ago was in the Northeast (41%), compared with 36% of those in the South, 32% in the Midwest and 30% in the West.

And while throughout the survey men and women responded similarly, the gender divide was most dramatic on the question of whether consumers are purchasing more local than a year ago. Forty-two percent of men indicated they are buying more locally grown produce, compared to just 29% of women.

(Fresh Trends 2025)

Who’s Showing Local the Most Love?

Fresh Trends 2025 separately surveyed more than 50 consumers taking GLP-1 medication on their produce purchasing habits. Eighty-four percent of consumers taking GLP-1 medication indicated they have increased their produce consumption, with apples, bananas, tomatoes, avocados and grapes topping their produce purchase list.

(Fresh Trends 2025)

GLP-1 patients also indicated a strong preference for local, with 85% saying they feel strongly about buying it and 62% of whom say they are purchasing more local produce than a year ago.

Is Food Inflation Heating Up July 4th Grills?

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 17:44:51 GMT

Two industry reports are shining a light on the cost of a July 4^th barbecue.

The economists at Wells Fargo calculate an at-home holiday party for 10 will cost $130. The menu includes chicken breasts, beef sliders, hot dogs, fresh fruit, a vegetable platter, potato salad, corn bread, cake, apple pie, ice cream, beer, wine and soda.

Dr. Michael Swanson, chief agricultural economist within Wells Fargo’s Agri-Food Institute, says year-over-year food inflation is 2.2%.

For notable food prices from the July 4^th report, he cites the following:

Ground beef: Up 7.4%
Boneless chicken breasts: Up 1%
Watermelon and strawberries: Down 0.6%
Potatoes: Up 1%
Egg prices: Up 40%
Ice cream (1.5 quart): Up less than 1%

Swanson says beef prices year over year have been running 6% to 8% higher.

“When you talk to somebody who’s a processor or a packer, there’s not a part of the cow that moves independent from the other parts of the cow so it’s all right in that category 6% to 8% on a year over year basis the last couple of months based on CPI,” he says.

He says for cost-savings, chicken offers the greatest opportunities in the protein category.

“When you look at the composite pricing from USDA, it’s right around $2.42 to $2.45 a pound — including everything from wings and breasts,” he says.

As for hot dogs, Swanson says the blend inside the casing will drive the price.

“If you go with the all-beef frankfurters, yes, they’re up substantially. If you look for a sausage or bratwurst that has a blend of pork and beef in it, you’re probably finding a much better bargain. Pork has been pretty flat year over year,” he says.

Swanson says the effects of highly pathogenic avian influenza are still being reflected in higher egg prices for menu items such as deviled eggs and salads.

As for ice cream, Swanson says the increase in cost is being attributed to additional labor expense in production.

“We’re seeing a little bit of inflation in that category, but just very modest. We have a good supply of cream and milk in the country right now. The dairymen are doing wel. So, what that reflects is kind of that cost of transformation,” he says.

Wells Fargo uses NeilsenIQ data for its analysis.

American Farm Bureau Market Basket Survey
Using its annual survey, The American Farm Bureau Federation says this year’s food prices are resulting in the second-highest cost for an at-home July 4^th barbecue since 2013 when the survey began.

“High prices don’t mean more money for farmers, however. Farmers are price takers, not price makers. Their share of the food retail dollar is just 15%. The cost of running their farm is up — from labor and transportation to taxes,” says AFBF associate economist Samantha Ayoub.

Per AFBF, this year’s cost for an Independence Day cookout will cost $70.92 for 10 people. Included in the calculations are cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, potato salad, strawberries and ice cream.

Last year was the highest cost found by the survey at $7.39 per person.

Year-over-year retail price increases in 2025 include:

2 lb. of ground beef: Up 4.4% to $13.33
Pork and beans: Up 20¢ to $2.69
Potato salad: Up 6.6% to $3.54

Notable reductions, compared to 2024, in food prices per the survey were:

3 lb. package of pork chops: Down 8.8% to $14.13
Chips: Down 10¢ to $4.80 a bag
Hamburger buns: Down 2.6% to $2.35

Small-Scale Growing Makes Big Move in Arkansas

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 10:50:45 GMT

Arkansas agriculture is known for grains and fiber crops — rice, cotton, soybeans and so on — but it is also a big player in some specific produce crops. For example, it is one of the top states in the country for peanut production. Also, while it is only 10th in the nation for overall soybean production, it boasts itself as No. 1 in the U.S. for edamame.

But it is also a state seeing a boom in small, diversified growers, according to Amanda Philyaw Perez, extension specialist at the University of Arkansas. And those small growers are growing.

“We’ve seen a really big increase in the number of people who have taken advantage of the USDA NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) funds to receive high tunnels,” she said. “Oftentimes those growers are smaller-scale, diversified vegetable producers, and they are adding cut flowers into those production systems as well.”

There is another interesting small-scale produce trend being seen in Arkansas: people adding agriculture into their lives.

“We’re starting to see a development of very, very small farms; almost what you would consider a backyard gardener selling produce,” Perez said. “They will grow for their family, and then they will have excess that they will sell either to a local food retailer or add a little pop-up farm stand in their driveway.”

She explained that these small backyard growers sometimes work together with larger, but still small, farms that effectively act as a produce aggregator. These are supplying another Arkansas trend: small farm shops.

“It’s kind of a resurgence of the mom-and-pop grocery,” said Perez, noting that they tend to be open a several days a week and get produce and value-added items from “whoever they can source from within their community.”

“People are adding ag in small increments to their lifestyle instead of it being their primary profession,” she said of the trends, which she called innovative. “It’s pretty interesting to see someone’s approach to returning to ag.”

Established Arkansas growers such as Matthews Ridgeview Farms are also expanding and diversifying. Autumn Campbell, sales manager, said the farm has added acreage in recent years and has increased its offerings.

(Photo courtesy of Matthews Ridgeview Farms)

Established Growers Also Growing and Diversifying

Innovation, growth and diversification are not limited to those just returning to ag in Arkansas. Established growers such as Matthews Ridgeview Farms, which has more than a century of continuous growing experience, are also expanding and diversifying.

Autumn Campbell, sales manager for Matthews Ridgeview Farms, said the farm has added acreage in recent years, on top of a 2018 expansion, and has broadened its offerings.

“The last couple of years, we’ve added a new (sweetpotato) variety that we’re growing: the murasaki,” she said. “It’s not a new variety, but it’s a new item for us to offer our customers, and it’s done really well. There’s a big demand for that.”

The company is looking ahead to how to meet future demands for that new product too. Campbell said that the farm currently sells the murasaki as a bulk No. 1 in 40-pound cases. “But we’re looking to possibly expand into a bagged item or a microwavable sweetpotato item with that variety. And we’re always open to what our customers are doing or new projects they might have in mind.”

Campbell said throughout her 15 years with Matthews Ridgeview Farms, she has seen a change in what drives change in agriculture. Rather than farm to table, the force of change recently has been “table to field.”

“Farmers have had to evolve with what’s going on in the rest of the industry,” she said. “Things change and specs change and what certain retailers are looking for change. It’s not as basic as it used to be.”

Campbell gave the example of, in the past, a grower could send a U.S. No. 1 sweetpotato to retailers — fairly basic and straightforward.

“Now you’ve got certain size specs and you have to evolve and have electronic sizing, which is what we did when we expanded back in 2018,” she said. “So, it’s really just changed from the outside and there’s a lot of technology in agriculture now, which helps things go a lot smoother. They are still hard workers, but we have had to evolve and work smarter.”

In keeping with the Arkansas produce trends, as Perez noted how hyperlocal growing and sourcing depends on relationships and community, Campbell described relationships as a key component of sustainability at Matthews Ridgeview Farms.

“Relationships are so important in the industry,” Campbell said. “Obviously there’s a lot of legal things and technical things and paperwork that keeps you sustainable, but most of all it’s the relationships that we have.”

Pennsylvania Governor Sues USDA Over Termination of Program That Supports Food Banks, Locally Grown

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 10:01:38 GMT

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a news release that his administration has filed a lawsuit against the USDA for unlawfully terminating the state’s Local Food Purchase Assistance program agreement — a $13 million commitment that directly supports 189 Pennsylvania farms and supplies 14 food banks with fresh, locally grown food.

The governor announced the legal action at the Share Food Program in Philadelphia, one of the state’s largest emergency food providers.

Shapiro said his administration had tried to appeal the termination of the LFPA program by filing an administrative appeal through the USDA, reaching out to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and through meetings with USDA leadership in Washington, D.C. When the USDA ignored Pennsylvania’s request to support farmers, the administration was left with no other choice but to sue, the governor said.

“Pennsylvania farmers do the noble work of putting food on our tables — and for the last three years, they’ve been paid to provide fresh, local food to food banks across our commonwealth as part of a successful federal initiative,” Shapiro said in the release. “When the USDA abruptly terminated our agreement without cause, they ripped away a reliable source of income for 189 Pennsylvania farms — and cut off funding that would have helped provide over 4.4 million meals to families across the commonwealth. That’s not just bad policy — it’s a broken promise. A deal is a deal, and I’ve taken legal action today to ensure the federal government honors its commitment to Pennsylvania.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has administered more than $28 million in federal LFPA funding since 2022. The state said the USDA canceled the most recent three-year contract in March, which was signed December 2024.

Pennsylvania rebuked USDA’s claims that the state was “sitting on tens of millions” in unspent LFPA funds, saying the state’s program operates on a reimbursement basis, paying vendors upfront and is reimbursed by the federal government once the state incurs expenses.

“The USDA’s decision was not just unexpected — it was unlawful, and it has already caused serious harm to Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry,” state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said in the release. “This is about real people — the farmers, producers, and rural communities who are now facing uncertainty as a result. These are hardworking men and women who put food on our tables, support local economies, and preserve our farmland for future generations. Governor Shapiro is fighting for our farmers because the stakes are far too high.”

The governor’s office said the Share Food Program distributed more than 30 million meals to individuals, families and food pantries in 2024. It also deliverd more than 83,000 senior food boxes through USDA programs, rescued nearly 6 million pounds of food and delivered more than 47,000 free home food packages to Philadelphia residents.

“Since 1986, our mission has been to feed the region’s most vulnerable families — and today, we’re serving nearly one million people each month, with more than half of them children,” said George Matysik, executive director of Share Food Program. “At Share, we believe food is a human right and hunger is a solvable problem — principles we live by every day. The LFPA program helped us source nutritious food from local farms — but now, with demand at record highs, this cut will hurt real people and damage trust. At a time when demand at our food bank has risen 120% in just three years, losing LFPA hurts real people — and breaks a promise that should have been kept.”

Shapiro’s office said the state is one of the only in the country that uses LFPA funding to support in-state farmers to ensure that federal dollars stay local and support the state’s agricultural economy.

“I started providing fresh fruits and vegetables to Pennsylvania food banks several years ago — from Share in Philadelphia to food banks in Pittsburgh, Mercer County and across central PA. That work gave me a deep appreciation for what food insecurity really looks like. Whether someone is going through a tough time or has long struggled to make ends meet, the need is real — and the people who dedicate their time to helping others are truly inspiring,” said Brian Campbell, owner and founder of Brian Campbell Farms. “It’s not just about putting food on the table — it’s about providing healthy, nutritious options that can change lives. Programs like LFPA made it possible for farmers to cover the basic costs of harvesting, packaging, and delivering fresh produce to food banks. It was enough support to make it doable, and that made all the difference for the people we serve.”

South Carolina ag entrepreneurs awarded state funding

Thu, 22 May 2025 14:10:44 GMT

South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship announced the 13 entrepreneurs will share $200,000 in funding for their agribusiness ventures on May 21.

Finalists for ACRE’s Advanced Entrepreneurship Program were scored by a panel of judges based on their business plans, a five-minute video presentation and a demonstrated history of business success, according to the department.

“South Carolina’s agribusiness entrepreneurs keep finding new ways to surprise and impress me. This year’s entrepreneurs are pushing the agribusiness industry forward in so many ways, from developing new crops for the state to serving new clients, including other farms,” Kyle Player, ACRE executive director, said in a news release. “I’m so glad ACRE can shine a spotlight on these agribusinesses.”

The winners are:

Kindlewood Farms of Colleton County, a diversified produce farm known for tomatoes, will acquire another high tunnel, helping it better serve its Lowcountry restaurant clients.
Veteran-owned Billue Family Farm of Aiken County will develop its hay bale business, which serves small farms.
Relinoca Farms, a veteran-owned Sumter County farm specializing in native landscaping plants, will build a retail and education facility at the family’s farm.
Old McCaskill’s Farm, a premier agritourism farm in Sumter County, will develop a line of freeze-dried MRE-style foods grown and processed on the farm.
Livingston Farms, a sustainable produce farm in Orangeburg County, will build a bathroom facility and procure internet access, allowing the farm to better serve clients.
Bushels and Bags Farm of Fairfield County, a diversified produce farm serving the Midlands, will use ACRE funds to cover supply costs, including drip irrigation, that will greatly increase organic vegetable production.
Anderson County flower farm Harvest Moon Farm and Flower will convert an existing yurt to a farm store and add a U-pick flower field to attract visitors.
J&E Homestead, a fiber mill and farm in Lancaster County, will procure new spinning equipment to better serve fiber clients in the region.
Roots and Shoots Nursery will expand its Charleston County nursery specializing in native landscaping plants.
Set In Stone Sustainability Farm of Fairfield County is developing an agriculture education program to teach food literacy and STEM to schoolchildren.
Merry Mixon Christmas Tree Farm, a family farm in Chesterfield County, will improve its parking area and entry infrastructure.
Carolina Bananas, a Charleston County banana grower, will extend its production and sale of cold-hardy banana plants.

SCDA founded ACRE in 2018, under the leadership of Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers, to help identify and nurture new ideas and businesses in South Carolina’s agribusiness sector. ACRE also partners with Clemson Cooperative Extension to offer a curriculum program each fall to train and mentor beginning agricultural entrepreneurs and prepare them to seek advanced award funding.

$26.5M in grant funding available for Local Agriculture Market Program

Tue, 13 May 2025 18:09:05 GMT

USDA announced $26.5 million in grant funding available through the Local Agriculture Market Program on May 13. The funding and the program are to help local and regional food entities develop, coordinate and expand producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets, and local food enterprises. LAMP includes the Farmers Market Promotion Program , Local Food Promotion Program and the Regional Food System Partnerships .

FMPP funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets such as farmers markets, roadside stands, agritourism activities, community-supported agriculture programs or online sales.

LFPP funds projects that develop and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing such as shared-use kitchens, food hubs and food incubators.

RFSP supports public-private partnerships that plan and develop relationships between local and regional producers, processors, intermediaries and institutional markets or institutional food service operations.

These programs require a 25% cost share of the amount of Federal funds being requested. The FMPP and LFPP cost share can be in the form of cash and/or in kind while the RFSP must be in the form of a cash contribution.

Applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 27. Any grant application submitted after the due date will not be considered unless the applicant provides documentation of an extenuating circumstance that prevented their timely submission of the grant application. Read more in AMS Late and Non-Responsive Application Policy .

AMS offers RFA webinars to help new applicants navigate the application process and understand best practices for the greatest chance of success. Additionally, Frequently Asked Questions are posted on the AMS Grants website , and grants management specialists are standing by to answer any incoming questions and emails during regular business hours.

World Fresh Market broadens reach with diverse ethnic offerings

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 20:02:52 GMT

World Fresh Market is reshaping Kansas City’s grocery landscape by introducing a broader spectrum of ethnic produce tailored to the city’s diverse population.

Building on the success of its five Hispanic-focused supermarkets, El Mercado Fresco , the company launched World Fresh Market in Overland Park, Kan. The venture is intended to reach an even broader audience by incorporating ethnic varieties of food that resonate with the city’s diverse communities.

At the core of World Fresh Market’s mission is a commitment to diversity, says Sarah Saber, operations manager for El Mercado Fresco — not only in the products on its shelves, but also in its sourcing strategies. By combining local and international sourcing, the store supports regional farmers while bringing unique and exotic produce to its customers and ensuring that customers have access to knowledgeable staff who can help them explore new food options.

Serving the needs of a diverse community

Eddie Musallet owns seven open and operating retail supermarkets, including El Mercado Fresco and World Fresh Market.

“Our DBA in most of our stores is El Mercado Fresco,” Saber said. “The idea for World Fresh Market came from our history and what we excel at, which is Latinx supermarkets. A lot of our supermarkets are located throughout the Kansas City metro in very diverse neighborhoods. We noticed within the past seven years that there are a lot of new [immigrants] to this country, and they’re not necessarily Hispanic. This led us to focus on more diverse supermarket options.”

While El Mercado Fresco supermarkets have a Hispanic food focus, Saber says the stores were seeing customers from Syria, Iraq, Iran and Africa, as well as other countries.

“We wanted to diversify, so we started incorporating more of the products that they wanted to see,” Saber said. “We excel in Hispanic foods, but we wanted to diversify and cater to all communities.”

With this goal in mind, Saber said when the nearly 45,000-square-foot Overland Park location became available to lease, Musallet knew it was perfect for World Fresh Market.

“His vision is pretty amazing. We call it ‘the world under one roof,’” Saber said. “We do so because you have multiple walks of life and different ethnic backgrounds all under one roof, which can be difficult to cater to since we’re trying to represent a little over 30 countries. When you think about 30, that’s a lot, but it doesn’t even touch the surface of how many countries there are in this world — and how every country truly eats differently, whether it’s shelf-stable to produce, meats and seafood.”

Saber says it’s important to cater to the customers but also to educate customers who might be unfamiliar with certain produce.

“Customers might be hesitant to try something new to them, so I’m always asking them if they need assistance,” Saber said. “All of the teammates work to help customers. And we have over 15 languages spoken among our staff, so it’s awesome to have that diversity on staff, and they’re able to communicate with someone who might be hesitant to try something.”

World Fresh Market produce shelves

(Photo: Jill Dutton)

A varied produce section

Saber says the produce department at World Fresh Market is unlike traditional supermarkets.

“It’s completely different than other produce sections in the area. ... You won’t find such a broad range of, for example, Asian produce at traditional supermarkets. Or if another store carries a similar item, they may only have it in one size whereas we have a variety of options,” said Saber, who added that while some supermarkets may only carry one or two varieties of mangoes, for example, World Fresh Market keeps several.

The supermarket tries to balance local with international produce selections.

“We’re big on supporting local farmers. Especially now, with so much in season, we’re going at least once or twice a week to pick up locally grown watermelon, cantaloupes, bell peppers, tomatoes and so on,” Saber said. “It’s something that we want to do, because at the end of the day, we are a local business. We want to support other local businesses, and if that’s a means of doing so, we’re going to do it.”

To offer a diverse selection of produce, World Fresh Market sources produce from around the world.

“It all comes down to serving the diverse needs of our customers,” Saber said. “If a customer wants it, we will try to bring it in. It’s that simple.”

World Fresh Market says it tries to balance local with international produce selections.

(Photo: Jill Dutton)

A broad range of products

In addition to the massive produce section, the store has a made-from-scratch bakery, food stands selling prepared foods such as falafel, roasted-in-house nuts, juices or pocket sandwiches.

Organizing the aisles, with so many ethnic foods, was a challenge during construction.

“Trying to decide what departments would go where became difficult. How do you incorporate the Middle East, for example?” Saber said. “We have a designated aisle for those food items but there are so many crossover items. So, we decided it made more sense to have a bean isle rather than having different beans located in different aisles.

“To make it less confusing, we decided to scale back, or we would run out of space,” Saber continued. “So, the first six aisles are international, then the rest is a typical grocery store, because we want the customer to come in for specialty items, but also to purchase their milk or eggs or cereal.

“At the end of the day, our goal is to make the community happy and be able to grow from that,” Saber added. “We’re offering unique products in one place — items you might not find at other grocers such as our aisles of packaged foods, elaborate produce section, a scratch bakery, authentically made tres leche juice or an authentically made flan.”

Retailers tap into local food movement when sourcing New York produce

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 16:51:15 GMT

Offering customers New York-grown produce is essential for Tops Friendly Markets. The Williamsville, N.Y.-based company takes its motto, “Your Neighborhood Store, with More,” to heart, says Brandon Bentley, category manager for produce.

“We certainly carry anything grown in the state and are proud to name the farm it comes from,” he said. “We even try to carry locally made products from smaller vendors to help support all of our towns.”

Bentley says homegrown produce is a huge focus for the retailer leading up to apple season — June through September — but he says Tops Friendly Markets also focuses on locally grown produce in the winter, such as greenhouse-grown tomatoes and lettuce, to promote healthy eating in the New Year.

“Technology has really advanced over the last 10 years, and even New York in the winter can provide locally grown products, thanks to products under the lights,” he said. “We try to push those items even harder as local is so big to our future.”

Bentley says Tops Friendly Markets also is proud to participate in the New York Grown and Certified Program, which requires participating producers to adopt food safety standards and enroll in an environmental management program.

“This voluntary program is a cooperative effort among producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to meet consumer demand for high-quality food and agricultural products,” he said.

Bentley says Tops Friendly Markets highlights local produce in its weekly ads. The retailers’ digital footprint, too, helps consumers select the best products in season for meals.

When asked what makes New York produce so special, Bentley said the opportunities for local produce are plentiful from apples to watermelon to flowering kale .

“Any products that come out of the land are special,” he said. “If you can get them that much closer to home, it just takes it over the top. Local matters wherever you are, and with New York being such a diverse state, the opportunities are endless.”

New York Apple Association President and CEO Cynthia Haskins says this growing season is shaping up well. “The apples are sizing up nicely this summer, and there will be a sizable crop of small to large apples,” she said.

(Photo courtesy of the New York Apple Association)

New York apples

The value of production for New York-grown apples is about $334,462,000, according to USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service figures. New York Apple Association President and CEO Cynthia Haskins says this growing season is shaping up well.

“Mother Nature is in line to deliver a bountiful crop this fall,” she said. “Currently, NYAA is predicting New York will produce 32,500 to 32,700 bushels of apples this year. The apples are sizing up nicely this summer, and there will be a sizable crop of small to large apples.”

Haskins says retailers can expect large bulk displays and a good range of packaging options, including 3-pound poly bags, pouches and totes, to promote New York-grown apples.

NYAA also plans for an aggressive marketing strategy including traditional and new media platforms to increase consumer interest and sales. Haskins says this strategy includes social media, TV, cable and radio spots to highlight New York apple varieties.

Increasing brand recognition and demand for New York apples with retailers will be a major focus this upcoming growing season, Haskins says.

“We plan to achieve this through captivating in-store displays, engaging product demonstrations, targeted digital coupon promotions and advertising campaigns customized for specific markets,” she said.

Haskins says another focal point for the association leading into the 2024-25 season is the health benefits of New York-grown apples. This is part of the association’s “The Big Flavor” campaign, which it soft-launched for the 2023-24 season.

“This year, we will focus on promoting the health benefits of New York apples and compelling grower stories that will captivate consumers and enhance the allure of The Big Flavor that New York apples deliver,” she said. “We want consumers to eat more apples and remind them that with the many apple varieties out there it makes it easy to eat an apple a day.”

Haskins reports the association’s Bob for Apples from New York is hard at work on this growing season’s videos, with the help of the NYAA creative team. Bob, the association’s spokespuppet, is a news anchor for NYAA News, a virtual news station. Bob reports on apple facts, visits the state’s orchards and interviews New York apple growers.

The Greater Rochester American Advertising Federation’s recent awards presentation recognized the association’s work on Bob for Apples from New York with a Best of Show award.

“It is all about building awareness for New York apples, and Bob for Apples from New York brings a cleverness and playfulness for the whole family,” Haskins said.

In 2023, Idaho accounted for 14% of the U.S. domestic shipments and Oregon accounted for 10%.

(Photo: Pixel-Shot, Adobe Stock)

New York onions

Chris Pawelski, a fourth-generation farmer and grassroots policy advocate in Orange County, N.Y., says it was a late and wet spring for the onion growers in his area, but with the warm temperatures this summer, the crop caught up.

“It’s not like last year, where in June and July we got excessively wet and we had such quality issues,” he said. “Now, overall, the onions look nice.”

Recently the East Coast experienced an unusual hot streak of consecutive days with temperatures soaring to above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which Pawelski says isn’t good for anyone — plant or human. He says seed and transplant onion growers in the area could see some effects, but the plant may respond differently depending on the type of planting.

“I think you’re going to see the size and yields be off a bit because of that,” he said. “I don’t think you’re going to have big yields and big size.”

But Pawelski says a bright spot is with the dry growing conditions, which means less disease pressure. He says his neighbors, who grow onions, seem to be on a fairly regular spray schedule, which indicates disease pressure in his area is likely low, unlike last year where rains made for a tough growing season.

“You’d drive around different parts of county last year and you could definitely see and smell [disease],” he said. “You’re not seeing that [this year], because that was terrible.”

Pawelski says it’s not a perfect growing season where there will be big yields and big sizing of onions, but the dry growing conditions do bode well for New York onion growers.

“In my experience with onions over the years, when it was a dry, dry year, the quality was exceptional,” he said. “So, I think you’re going to see that this year too, barring you don’t get a hurricane or the weather turns. Because of the weather forecast patterns I’m seeing, it’s going to continue to be basically hot and dry.”

He says he did hear of hail hitting Oswego County, but no reports of damage so far. Orange County also had severe storms that brought over two inches of rain in a few hours.

“We needed the rain actually,” he said. “So, it actually worked out nicely.”

Jersey Fresh promotions celebrate the bounty of the Garden State

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 13:42:04 GMT

New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Ed Wengryn highlighted the beginning of the state’s blueberry season with a visit to Macrie Brothers Blueberry Farm in late June.

The USDA reports that New Jersey accounted for about 25% of domestic blueberry truck shipments in the last week of June.

Wengryn and several state and local officials viewed the packing of Jersey Fresh blueberries to emphasize that locally grown produce and farm products are readily available now at farmers markets and stores around the state, according to a news release.

“Blueberries are one of the signature crops of the Garden State and a highlight of the New Jersey growing season,” Wengryn said in the release. “The Macrie brothers are among the growers who continue to build on the well-earned reputation that makes our blueberries internationally known. The dedication and commitment by our growers results in the highest quality fruit each year.”

Blueberries in New Jersey for 2023 had a production value of $92.1 million, making it the state’s highest-selling crop. New Jersey annually ranks in the top six in the U.S. in the production of blueberries. Farmers in the Garden State harvested 50 million pounds of blueberries on 10,800 acres last year, the release said.

The Macrie brothers have been growing blueberries in New Jersey since 1953. What started as a 26-acre farm has blossomed into an 800-acre operation, the release said. The Macrie brothers are also active members of the New Jersey Blueberry Industry Advisory Council, along with local county boards and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

The blueberry season in New Jersey lasts through the end of July, which is National Blueberry Month. At the peak of blueberry season, production can be as high as 250,000 to 300,000 crates per day, the release said.

Eating blueberries is beneficial to health, as they are known as the “King of Antioxidants,” and the berries are low in calories and high in nutrients.

According to the Census of Agriculture, New Jersey continues to be among the top producers in the U.S. of several crops, including eggplant at No. 3, cranberries and asparagus each at No. 4, and blueberries at No. 5. Other crops in which the state ranks in the top 10 for production include peaches, plums, bell peppers, spinach, bok choy, escarole, kale and romaine lettuce, among others, according to the Census of Agriculture.

USDA’s latest school meal guidance proves fresh fruits and veggies are always in style

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 18:21:51 GMT

At a recent Conversation on Healthy School Meals Roundtable, the USDA put policy into action. Not only did Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack share several new nutritious school meals initiatives and updates to school meal standards, but he also conveyed a plan for the gradual phase-in of new science-based nutrition standards in schools across the U.S.

The bottom line? These new and updated guidelines and initiatives by the USDA reinforce the nutrition benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables and press for the increased availability of produce offerings in school lunches.

“Our commitment to the school meal programs comes from a common goal we all share — keeping kids healthy and helping them reach their full potential,” Vilsack said in a news release. “Many children aren’t getting the nutrition they need, and diet-related diseases are on the rise. Research shows school meals are the healthiest meals in a day for most kids, proving that they are an important tool for giving kids access to the nutrition they need for a bright future.”

Related news: White House to Host First Hunger, Nutrition and Health Address in More Than 50 Years

According to the USDA, the proposed changes aim to provide children with less added sugar and sodium — which are significantly too high in the American diet — and more of the healthy foods that are underconsumed, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. 

These efforts are part of a larger National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health , shared at the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in over 50 years, hosted by President Joe Biden last September.

“We must all step up to support child health if we are to achieve the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of ending hunger and reducing diet-related diseases by 2030, in accordance with the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health. Strengthening school meals is one of the best ways we can achieve that goal,” Vilsack added.

What this means for fresh fruits and vegetables

The new science-based nutrition standards are based on the latest edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans , which emphasizes fruits and vegetables.
Added sugar is targeted in updates to nutrition guidance, which will likely bolster demand for foods with naturally occurring sugars, like fruit. Reductions in added sugar in school breakfasts are slated as a part of the multiyear school implementation plan.
A $100 million investment in the Healthy Meals Incentive plan will, according to a USDA statement, “help increase demand from agricultural producers to provide nutritious commodities.”
The proposed rule strengthens incentives to “Buy American” for school meals and supports schools sourcing more locally grown foods.

Source local at scale? iTradeNetwork and Big Wheelbarrow are cracking the code

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 18:47:52 GMT

Balancing locally grown produce promotion while ensuring that shelves are stocked with consistent volumes of high-quality fruits and vegetables 52 weeks of the year is the name of the game for many produce buyers and retailers.

Consumer demand for small, local producers is stronger than ever, with 56% of consumers seeking more locally and regionally grown fruits and vegetables in their produce departments, according to FMI’s 2022 Power of Produce Report. Paradoxically, small producers with 2-acre to 20-acre farms are not typically able to sell to grocery chains due to their limited size. For produce buyers and retailers, offering customers the produce they want while still supplying full cases is a constant dance.

Perishable food supply chain platform iTradeNetwork is trying to the crack the code on this challenge. Partnering with local food platform Big Wheelbarrow, the food-focused tech company is strategically consolidating locally sourced products from small and mid-sized producers on its platform to compete for business with grocery stores across the U.S. and Canada.

“This partnership is a significant move for iTradeNetwork to support hyper localization in the fresh supply chain,” Amer Akhtar, CEO at iTradeNetwork, said in a news release. “With this exciting collaboration, our retail customers can meet consumer demand for local, more sustainable products, reduce shrink and food waste, and hedge against supply chain shortfalls. Providing value to our smaller suppliers is equally important to us. Our networks will enable them to expand their business with existing customers and build net new trading relationships with large retailers that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. This is incredibly powerful.”

Related news: The Tech World Had The Chance To Meet Real Farmers At CES, And The Reaction Was Surprisingly Good

The partnership is just one step making it possible for grocers to offer local and hyperlocal products that are tailored to specific cities, regions and even neighborhoods. For producers, access to nearby stores of grocery chains can be a significant step toward growing their perishable food business.

“Big Wheelbarrow solves the challenges that smaller producers like me are facing when working with food retailers and help retailers efficiently meet the demand local food,” Wendy Oakes Wilson, general manager of LynOaken Farms in New York, said in the release.

With the Big Wheelbarrow partnership, iTradeNetwork customers can now trade with nearby farms and producers that wasn’t previously on its radar. For grocers, the Big Wheelbarrow platform eliminates the additional overhead to work with smaller producers. Purchased products can be delivered directly to stores or to a distribution center, often the next day or sometimes the same day, according to the release.

“One key thing about this partnership is that it helps eliminate the silo between the DSD and warehouse functions inside grocery chains,” Sam Eder, CEO of Big Wheelbarrow, said in the release. “Those functions sometimes compete unintentionally because they often don’t know what the other is doing. Our platform handles local DSD inventory and purchase data in real time, with iTradeNetwork’s incredible suite of procurement solutions handling the important back end.”

New York offers programs to help low-income families access farm-fresh food

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 19:21:36 GMT

Aiming to help increase access to fresh food and encourage consumers to visit the state’s farmers markets and farm stands, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball has announced several programs available to help low-income families, veterans, service members and older adults purchase fresh, healthy foods at local farmers markets through the state ag department’s Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and FreshConnect Checks Program.

The state has over 700 farmers markets, farm stands and mobile markets participating in the two programs, supplying healthy homegrown foods to communities across the state, according to a release.

“Every New Yorker deserves access to local, farm-fresh food that keeps them healthy and makes them feel good,” Ball said in the release. “Here in New York, we are lucky to be home to some of the best growers and producers in the country, and farmers markets are critical tools that connect producers directly to consumers, enhance our local food supply chain, and bolster the New York state agricultural industry. We want to ensure that everyone who is eligible knows that they can tap into programs like our FreshConnect Checks and Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program to purchase healthy, delicious, local foods.”

The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program promotes local producers by expanding their sales at farmers markets and farm stands and fosters healthy communities though the consumption of locally grown foods, the release said.

Consumers who are eligible are provided with coupons to use for fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets, farm stands and mobile markets in New York state. Low-income older adults (aged 60 years or older) and individuals enrolled in WIC (the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) who live in the state may be eligible to receive coupons. Older adults must contact their local county Office for the Aging for more information on where to receive Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons. Individuals enrolled in WIC may contact their WIC clinic to ask how they can get coupons.

“NYSOFA is proud to partner with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets in supporting the nutritional health of older adults as well as the health of our farming economy,” New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen said in the release. “The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is extraordinarily popular and provides older adults with farm-fresh produce grown right in their community, offering many nutritional benefits to help prevent illness, improve brain health, maintain energy, and so much more. Farmers markets also provide an important place for people to get out, see their neighbors and interact to overcome social isolation.”

Olson encourages people to find out eligibility for this program by contacting N.Y. Connects at 1-800-342-9871.

Earlier this year, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a new initiative to double the buying power for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients at farmers markets throughout New York state. The FreshConnect Fresh2You initiative now provides eligible New Yorkers with a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $50 per day at participating farmers markets, which allows families in need to purchase more healthy food, including produce, dairy and meats, the release said.

This new initiative is part of the long-standing FreshConnect Checks Program, which helps expand access to fresh food in underserved communities and to foster economic development by supporting local producers. By allowing the purchase of dairy products, meats and more in addition to the purchase of fruits and vegetables, the FreshConnect Checks Program supports additional producers across the state.

New York state has more than 400 farmers markets, 250 farm stands and 10 mobile market operators, the release said. They provide outlets for agricultural producers to meet the rising consumer demand for a variety of fresh, affordable and convenient products grown directly from the farm.

Fresh produce nonprofit expands to serve more Arizona schools

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 18:23:27 GMT

Brighter Bites, a nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly to families, has opened a new location in Phoenix, which is also its 11th Arizona.

Brighter Bites will serve six schools within Cartwright School District and Alhambra Unified School District, which will directly affect almost 900 families and provide approximately 288,000 pounds of fresh produce to its participants, according to a news release.

“We sincerely appreciate Brighter Bites for their efforts in delivering age-appropriate nutrition lessons to our students which is helping them grasp the significance of maintaining healthy eating habits,” Diane Corley, Tomahawk Elementary School principal, said in the release. “We are grateful for this partnership that supports healthier choices for our youth.”

Key partners who have made the Phoenix location possible include founding partners, MJI Family Investments LLC, JV Smith, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, Burton Family Foundation and the locally based St. Mary’s Food Bank, the release said.

Related news: Brighter Bites, Zespri Kiwifruit extend partnership

“St. Mary’s is excited to partner with Brighter Bites towards achieving the common goal of increasing access of nutritional food for school-age children to create healthy habits that turn into healthy lifestyles,” Laura Brill, St. Mary’s Food Bank director of culinary and nutrition programs, said in the release.

The first distribution in Phoenix began Oct. 16 and will continue each week through the end of May, according to the release. Brighter Bites says it plans to further expand its reach into more schools within the Cartwright and Alhambra school districts in the 2024-25 school year.

Wish Farms’ local campaign supports charity, Florida businesses

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:09:10 GMT

Berry grower Wish Farms , Plant City, Fla., is encouraging consumers to support their local Florida businesses affected by the pandemic.

The company’s recent “Buy Local. Spread Happiness” Instagram campaign encouraged consumers to nominate local businesses by tagging their comments in Wish Farms posts, according to a news release. By doing so, the businesses were entered into a raffle. Wish Farms purchased $500 gift cards from each winner, and donated them to One More Child, a non-profit that provides shelter, services and supplies to families and children in need.

The 10-day campaign started April 20 and made 20,000 impressions, according to the release.

“This was a special campaign for us that truly ran full circle,” Hailey Clark, marketing coordinator, said in the release. “It feels good to have found a way that we can both support the businesses we love and spread happiness by donating to those who need it most in our community.”

The winners are:

The Corner Store, Plant City
Krazy Kup, Plant City
Raok, Plant City
Stein & Vine, Brandon
Smartbox Co., Jacksonville
Born and Bread, Lakeland
Black and Brew, Lakeland
Gourmet Goodies, Winter Haven
Tub Treats, Plant City
Carrollwood Florist, Tampa

“We hope it helped raise awareness about giving back in this uncertain time,” Clark said in the release. “Wish Farms is dedicated to our brand promise and will always look for creative ways to lift up those around us.”

For more stories on how the produce industry is helping others during the pandemic, see The Packer’s COVID-19 webpage .

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Local produce matters

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:37:39 GMT

I have lost count of the number of times that I have been in a debate about local produce.

Everyone loves the image of the local farmer supporting her family through sun-up to sun-down toil, sowing seeds into the lush and fertile fields and valleys, and harvesting the fruits of her labor early in the morning to bring to market later that afternoon.

Perhaps this image is a bit embellished, but it feels good to be a part of it, to be a part of the connection to the local earth. Consuming this product also has the psychological impact of closing the loop and placing us firmly in a part of a known food chain. But — is this just a story that we have told ourselves, or does it really matter?

Let’s start with a question: how do we define local? Is local defined by arbitrary geographical boundaries such as county or state; by natural, physical boundaries; or by some other type of boundary?

Actually, I believe that more than anything, local has to do with the economic impact that is created through micro supply chains in an area — supply chains that directly and indirectly impact the area that we are calling “local.”

Consider, for instance, the Ohio farmer who invests in land, buildings, labor and so on. This farmer pays state and local taxes on most of the physical assets that she purchases.

Furthermore, she pays payroll taxes on all the labor she employs. Because the labor and much of the capital goods she purchases are local-sourced, the taxes she pays will be recirculated within her community; some of those taxes will support local initiatives and projects.

I believe that more than anything, local has to do with the economic impact that is created through micro supply chains in an area — supply chains that directly and indirectly impact the area that we are calling “local.”

The chain of events ripples through the local supply chain, compounding as the goods are distributed and value is added by the processor, the distributor, and finally by the retailer or foodservice entity. There is no doubt that buying local has a positive economic impact on the participants in the supply chain, and in most cases, the closer that a product is grown or created to where it is utilized/consumed, the greater the economic benefit is to the consumer and the producer both.

Does this mean that local is the solution to all the challenges of the produce industry? Absolutely not.

Purchasing local produce has many economic benefits to the local community, but it is also in most cases very difficult to sustain. The local farmer is bound by seasons, by land availability, by transportation, and by the challenges of scale. It would not be possible, nor would it be advisable, to attempt to feed America through local production alone.

Also, local production has some drawbacks that I will expound upon in a separate article.
Until then, however, I encourage you to explore the bounties that your local farmers have to offer — just be sure to buy some exotic items too!

Alex DiNovo is president and COO of DNO Produce group of companies, Columbus, Ohio. E-mail him at adinovo@dnoproduce.com .

More from Alex DiNovo:
Sustaining the gains in school meal programs
Stand firm in connection with one another
Personal relationships are everything

Local, regional produce gains consumer interest

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:16:37 GMT

Companies have their own definition of what “local produce” means, but the consensus is the closer the better.

Calling U.S.A.-grown produce “local” is a bit of a stretch when it’s cross-country. Regional is better, and in-state is even better.

And produce that’s grown within 150 miles of consumption? Pretty much the best.

When it comes to tropical fruit and root vegetables, grown in South Florida is pretty local, said Jessie Capote, executive vice president of Miami-based J&C Tropicals . His family has been farming in the Homestead and Redlands agricultural areas of South Florida since 1963, growing items such as avocados, mangoes, dragon fruit, the boniato variety of sweet potato, lychee, starfruit, mamey sapote and limes.

“Before local was trending, we’ve been Florida-grown,” Capote said. “It’s an enormous part of our marketing effort. We’re very proud of our heritage.”

In all of J&C Tropicals’ labeling it says “J&C Tropicals Homegrown,” from the the PLU sticker on each piece of fruit and the packaging to in-store demontrations, retailer point-of-sale materials and all marketing and advertising.

July is right smack in the middle of South Florida’s tropical produce high season, which runs April through November.

About 30% of the company’s annual distribution comes from Florida and the rest is imported, but during this time of year, about 70% of the produce is from Florida, Capote said.

Some grocery stores are even growing produce within the store, such as the mushrooms at Whole Foods Market in Brooklyn, N.Y., where there is also a leafy greens grower on a rooftop greenhouse, Gotham Greens.

Hudson, Ohio-based Free! Leafy Greens, another hydroponic grower in controlled environment agriculture, ships salad greens to retailers as far as 200 miles from the farm, usually within 48 hours after harvest.

The concept for this company’s hands-free, fully automated cultivation method came in 2017, and the greenhouse started operating in February, said Mark Chenoweth, executive vice president of sales and marketing.

“Business has been great. Many retailers are reducing their conventionally grown product, choosing greenhouse-grown product due to the increased safety and freshness,” Chenoweth said.

State-grown brands

Most state agriculture departments offer state-grown, and sometimes certified, marketing tools featuring a logo, such as “Fresh from Florida,” “Maryland’s Best,” “Jersey Fresh,” “CA Grown” and “Go Texan.”

Launched in 1984, Jersey Fresh was possibly the first state-branding initiative of produce grown in the state.

“This year, with the stay-at-home orders in place and reduced traffic on New Jersey roadways, we opted to launch our season with targeted online display and responsive ads reaching primary shoppers who have shown an interest in fresh produce, and introduce billboards and radio as more and more people began to use their vehicles again,” said Joe Atchsion III, director of marketing and development at New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

All participants have access to Jersey Fresh point-of-purchase materials, including banners, price cards, bin wraps, pennants, stickers, truck decals, hats and aprons, along with a digital version of the Jersey Fresh logo in each company’s different marketing efforts.

Direct marketing and farmers markets

The steep drop in foodservice customers for growers has meant finding new revenue streams, such as direct marketing and farmers markets, both which can keep the produce distribution local.

State agriculture departments, such as Georgia and North Carolina, have created interactive maps and lists of where consumers can do curb-side pickup of produce from their local farmers.

Georgia’s department launched a Georgia Grown To-Go program, offering contactless drive-through markets around the state to support the state’s farmers.

The Atlanta State Farmers Market, which is also a wholesale market terminal, saw an increase in consumers shopping at the retail side, said Jeff Howard, markets manager.

“The pandemic, I think it’s brought more people outside. I think they learned to appreciate open-air shopping a little more. I walk this market every single day and talk to different vendors, and everyone’s talking about the uptick in sales,” Howard said.

The same is true in the Northeast.

Farmers markets didn’t close, even in New York City, which was once the epicenter of the pandemic.

“Farmers markets are reporting increases in business year-over-year, which they are attributing to COVID-19 and peoples’ desire for local products,” Atchison said.

Related content:
The future of retail
What’s hot right now in tropicals?
Local produce matters

Government programs foster sourcing local produce

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:36:51 GMT

Federal and state government programs keep encouraging the local agricultural economy, especially since COVID-19 pandemic shut-downs disrupted the market.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s local food directories help consumers locate farmers markets, on-farm markets, Community Supported Agriculture and food hubs.

Growers using a pick-up produce box, a Community Supported Agriculture model or an on-farm store have seen “extreme” increased demand, LauraKate McAllister, executive director of the South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association, said in May.

“Consumer demand for local ag products is extremely high right now,” said McAllister, also a marketing specialist for the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.

“Many people do not want to go to a grocery store and are looking for ways to support their local community.”

The number of farmers markets nationwide has been increasing steadily since at least 1994, to 8,771 markets in 2019, a modest 0.6% increase from the previous year, but huge compared to the 1,755 markets in 1994, according to the USDA’s marketing service division.

In December, the USDA announced $23.5 million in grant awards, through the Farmers Market Promotion Program and Local Food Promotion Program, which requires recipients to match 25% of their awards.

The farmers market program funded 49 projects, and the local food program funded 42 projects.

North Olympic Development Council received $39,535 from the local food program for a total of $49,419 after the match, to develop regional wholesale markets for farmers on the Olympica Peninsula of Washington.

The project’s mission is to increase wholesale purchases of local produce and value-added foods from Clallam and Jefferson counties by addressing the barriers to local purchasing for restaurants, grocers, institutions and community-based organizations in the region. It’s also to tackle the roadblocks that prevent area producers from accessing wholesale markets.

With restaurants closed during the pandemic, council members are focusing more on retailers, food banks, feeding programs, hospitals, retirement communities and nursing homes, said Karen Affeld, executive director.

They’re also looking at schools that offer meals or food backpacks during the crisis.

“It’s less than ideal in some ways, but in other ways, the supply chain and distribution disruptions that retailers, restaurants and institutions in our region have experienced have opened doors for discussion,” Affeld said.

The USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program sent out its invoice for the second round, adding 3.1 million food boxes for a total of 38.1 million boxes through August. The program partners with local, as well as regional and national, distributors to use fresh produce and other food produced by American farmers of all sizes.

In 2020, the Local Foods, Local Places program — sponsored by the USDA and Environmental Protection Agency — is working with 16 partner communities to help cities and towns nationwide protect the environment and human health by reinvesting in existing neighborhoods as they develop local food systems.

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Schnucks makes $5 million pledge to local farms

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:37:07 GMT

Schnucks Markets Inc. , St. Louis, is pledging to buy more than $5 million of local produce and other goods this year.

The retailer has 112 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa, according to a news release.

The company created a partnership with Foodshed.io, a logistics and marketing platform, to build on relationships with farmers while establishing new ones, according to the release.

“Our continued support of local farms allows us to also provide the best quality and freshest produce to our customers who have supported us for more than 80 years,” Mike Tipton, vice president of produce, said in the release.

Foodshed.io, which originated in New York City, participated in St. Louis-based Yield Lab Incubator, as part of a growing Ag Tech Innovation community.

“We are proud to be working with a family-owned and operated company like Schnucks to bring one of the most innovative platforms for local sourcing to the five states they serve,” Dan Beckmann, CEO of Foodshed.io, said in the release. “Being afforded the opportunity to establish a clean, safe, reliable, fresh and local supply chain with these amazing family farms is an honor and a privilege.”

Beckmann said the pandemic has made it more important to support local suppliers and farms.

Schnucks defines local as any product that is no further than a five-hour drive from any Schnucks stores.

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Applications open for local food grants

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:48:11 GMT

The Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Agriculture are inviting communities to apply for technical assistance to help promote local foods.

The Local Foods, Local Places program has helped 108 communities with support from EPA and the USDA, according to a news release.

Eligible applicants include local governments, Indian tribes, and nonprofit institutions and organizations proposing to work in a neighborhood, town, or city of any size anywhere in the U.S.

The deadline for applications is Oct. 30 and information about the application process is available at the EPA .

Monthly USDA seminar focuses on local food during pandemic

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:06:11 GMT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is hosting web seminars every third Monday of the month on how local food systems can respond to needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The “Building Better Beyond” series features hour-long discussions on local food and COVID-19, from consumer behavior to cooperative business models and state policies, according to a news release from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.

The first web seminar in the series is at 1 p.m. Eastern Oct. 19, on “Marketing Innovations When Communities Eat at Home.”

Local food systems leaders will discuss how the pandemic forced change, from shifting to a consumer-direct model to further processing and packaging. Representatives from the National Farm to School Network , the Wallace Center and the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network are scheduled to participate.

Registration for the monthly seminars is online.

Topics for the monthly seminars are:

Nov. 16: Retaining and engaging new local customers: Tensions and opportunities;
Dec. 21: Emergency food, charity and the local food system;
Jan. 25: Innovations in state policy and implications for local and regional food sectors;
Feb. 15: Formal and informal cooperative development to support local and regional food systems;
March 15: Online platforms: Pivots and planning for the future;
April 19: Integrating national consumer survey results into future planning; and
May 17: Next steps to support the local food system in times of uncertain consumer behavior.

Crosset Co. to supply Midwestern stores with BrightFarms salads

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:40:48 GMT

Hydroponic greenhouse grower BrightFarms has partnered with Crosset Co. , Independence, Ky., to distribute its products to more than 100 independent retailers in the Midwest.

Most of the new retail outlets are in Ohio; the company’s newest growing operation is in Wilmington, Ohio. Retailers in Ohio will be supplied with the “core portfolio of baby greens” grown there, according to a news release.

Paul Lightfoot, BrightFarms’ CEO, said the partnership with Crosset Co. helps the grower gain access to the important independent retail market.

“As we’ve expanded across the country, we’ve been energized by the growth potential of working with the independent market, which serves a large demographic of consumers that care about transparency in food,” Lightfoot said in the release.

Greg Kurkjian, Crosset Co. vice president and general manager, said the BrightFarms salads will help the retailers differentiate their stores, while offering locally/organically grown products.

“Our long-standing relationships with the with customers in our service area, coupled with our supply chain, logistics, and merchandising solutions, align perfectly with BrightFarms’ growth initiative,” Kurkjian said in the release.

Retailers supplied by Crosset Co. include:

Dorothy Lane Markets
Walt Churchills Markets
Krieger’s Health Foods Markets

SWFL Fresh promotes Southwest Florida products in pandemic

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:09:37 GMT

Reviving an idea that promoted Florida produce following a natural disaster, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has a new “buy local” program, SWFL Fresh .

It’s a throwback to a 2017 post-Hurricane Irma plan, but the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the importance of moving Florida produce “really quickly,” Jessica Ryals, sustainable food systems agent with the UF/IFAS Extension Collier County, said in a news release.

The SWFL Fresh brand campaign was developed by Ryals’ group, farmers and the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council.

“Right now, we are in the process of getting farms to create their public profiles on the website and applying for funding for a marketing campaign,” Ryals, who is educating consumers about local food and connecting farmers with resources, said in the release.

SWFL asks residents in that region to purchase products from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota counties.

The ultimate goal, Ryal said, is to address distribution challenges that growers, particularly small- and medium-sized operations, face getting products to consumers.

“Following the shocking loss of crops and equipment (after Irma), governments in Southwest Florida decided something must be done to protect family farms and community providers that would eventually make these growers and the local economy more resilient,” she said in the release.

Producers can enter their information on the SWFL Fresh website .

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services have similar programs. The FFVA’s program is designed specifically for specialty crops and the department of agriculture’s Florida Farm to You program is for all agriculture products.

For more coverage of what companies are doing to reconnect with consumers during the pandemic, see The Packer’s COVID-19 webpage .

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Canada’s Loblaw’s pledges to buy local

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:41:13 GMT

Canadian retailer Loblaw Cos. Ltd. is signaling a huge commitment to local growers, pledging to spend $150 million more each year by 2025, buying local produce and curtailing imports when possible.

In a June 27 news release, the retail giant acknowledged that Canadians depend on fruits and vegetables grown in other countries because of the short growing season in Canada. The company will work more closely with Canadian growers to “implement innovative growing methods or plant non-traditional crops, extending the growing season and bringing the ‘Grown in Canada’ label to more items in the traditional off season.

“For decades, we have worked with local farmers to feed our national appetite for Canadian-grown food,” Galen Weston, chairman and CEO of Loblaws, said in the release. “We are applying new resources to accelerate that work, helping Canadian farmers find new opportunities to provide new opportunities to provide global products and year-round freshness, grown right here at home.”

The company has a network about 300 growers throughout Canada, according to the release, and about half of the produce stocked by the stores is grown in Canada.

The company packs President’s Choice brand with greenhouse items and has introduced a pilot program with a vertical farm operation, according to the release.

Side Delights releases ‘Journey of a Potato’ video

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:24:34 GMT

Side Delights, San Francisco, is launching “Journey of a Potato,” an educational video for consumers and buyers.

Side Delights plans to promote the video debuts at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure’s Produce on Parade program Feb. 27-29 in Tampa, Fla.

The video follows a potato’s life cycle and is part of the multi-media ad campaign that Side Delights kicked off in October, Grown Where it Matters.
Viewers watching the video on computers can direct the angles from which to view the screen, and cell phone/tablet viewers can move their devices to change views, according to a news release.

The Grown Where it Matters campaign focuses on sustainable and local farming; the potatoes are grown in eight states, near large population centers, according to Kathleen Triou, president and CEO of the Fresh Solutions Network , which grows and distributes the potatoes.

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Freight Farms, Sodexo plan brings container farms to colleges

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:24:55 GMT

Container farm manufacturer Freight Farms and Sodexo have plans to bring hydroponic vertical farms to schools and universities across the U.S.

The partnership will give customers of Sodexo, an institutional foodservice and facilities management company, access to Freight Farms’ 320-square-foot Greenery containers , according to a news release.

According to the release, the Freight Farms containers allow institutions to address issues that include food safety, sustainability, traceability, year-round production and freshness of what they serve.

“Sodexo’s commitment to offer onsite food production to its customers helps accelerate food system decentralization — leading the charge for better sourcing practices at an institutional level,” Brad McNamara, Freight Farms co-founder and CEO, said in the release.

The containers can grow a variety of lettuces , herbs, brassicas and other leafy greens, according to the Freight Farms website.

“Students, institutions and corporate businesses want healthy, safe, and delicious food, and they want it sourced as sustainably as possible,” Kenny Lipsman, director of the produce category for Sodexo, said in the release. “Sodexo is proud to use and support the latest agricultural technology to create meaningful food system change.”

There are 35 “educational and corporate campuses” with Freight Farms containers, and the company expects that to rapidly expand through the Sodexo partnership, according to the release.

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United Fresh Expo launches Controlled Environment Pavilion