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Cucumbers and beans maintained their No. 1 and No. 2 spots on Produce Market Guide last week, with yellow plums rising three places to No. 3.

There's a new leader on PMG. Blueberries vaulted into the No. 1 spot the week of March 1 after a long stretch out of the top 20 fruits and vegetables.

Strawberries enjoyed a third week in a row at No. 1 on PMG, while pummelos bumped oranges down to take the No. 2 spot, landing oranges at No. 3.

Strawberries retained the No. 1 spot on PMG the week of Feb. 1, but apples rose from No. 8 the previous week to take the No. 2 slot.

Pummelos were finally knocked from their weeks-long run at No. 1 when strawberries took the top spot on PMG the week of Jan. 25.

Pummelo, oranges and strawberries carried the top three spots on PMG for the third week in a row, while lettuce rose three places to No. 4, and apples gained four spots to complete the top 5.

Pummelos and oranges maintained the top two spots on PMG the first week of January, but strawberries rejoined the list at No. 3.

Citrus surged in interest during the last few days of December, taking six of the top 20 spots.

Avocados bounced from No. 7 the week of Nov. 30 to take the lead spot on PMG the week of Nov. 7.

Organic pears maintained the top spot on PMG the week of Nov. 30, but citrus showed strong interest overall, taking six of the top 20 spots.

Organic pears, in the PMG top 10 for the past couple of weeks, took over as No. 1 the week of Nov. 9, bumping lettuce to No. 2.

The top five fruits and vegetables on PMG saw some dramatic shifts the week of Nov. 9 as lettuce moved up from No. 3 to No. 1, oranges climbed from No. 8 to No. 2, and organic pears moved from No. 6 to No. 3.

Pumpkins regained the top two spots on PMG the week of Oct. 26, leading up to Halloween, while lettuce moved up a couple of places to No. 3.

The top 20 produce items on PMG shuffled a bit the week of Oct. 19, with new citrus items joining the list and tropical fruit getting some interest as well.

Fall is in full swing now, and seasonal favorite pumpkins took the top two spots on PMG the week of Oct. 12.

Measure to Improve, Salinas, Calif., has helped  six facilities achieve Total Resource Use Efficiency (TRUE) Zero Waste Gold Certification.

A network of Northeast farmers is marking 15 years of the Eco Apple program.

Many sustainable changes and choices save businesses money.

David Adams, vice president of retail sales and marketing for Boskovich Fresh Food Group’s Fresh Prep division, has spent most of his time at the company on a seemingly odd task.

Join this free, virtual event to learn how you can contribute to and benefit from the fresh produce industry.

Biodegradable fresh produce packaging requires considerable planning, before and after use, marketers say.

The Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market reduced its waste by 80% in less than six months after hiring professional help.

A “less is more” philosophy has permeated produce packaging in recent years, as companies work to reduce waste. Packages have been designed to contain fewer plastics, thinner films and biodegradable materials.

The packaging issue has turned into a dilemma for the produce industry in general and the organic segment in particular.

A successful package-recycling program is a numbers game, according to Jeff Brandenburg, president and primary consultant for the Greenfield, Mass.-based JSB Group LLC and QFresh Lab in Salinas, Calif. 

Coosemans DC, Jessup, Md., is now offering a sustainable fresh herb bag program in addition to the traditional clamshell packs for retail herbs.

Mushrooms and the concept of sustainability seem to go hand in hand.

The trend in packaging for the produce industry early this year was toward eliminating single-use plastic or even doing away with packaging altogether, merchandising fruits and vegetables loose in bulk displays.

Whether it’s providing fresh produce for foodservice operators, retailers or other customers, sustainability is top of mind at Oxnard, Calif.-based Boskovich Farms Inc., said Mike O’Leary.

Naturipe Farms has taken a big step forward in its commitment to sustainability.

The corporate headquarters of California Giant Berry Farms, Watsonville, Calif., has received Gold under the TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) Zero Waste certification program.

Vegpro International, Sherrington, Quebec, is switching packaging of its Fresh Attitude salads to 100% recycled and recyclable plastic containers from Cascades.

For many people in the produce industry, “sustainability” and “stewardship” are seen as interchangeable terms.

Fresh produce plays a starring role at EatWell, the new natural store format St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets debuted in late June in Columbia, Mo.

Retail Feedback Group reports in its 2020 U.S. Online & In-Store Grocery Shopping Study that 50% of in-store supermarket shoppers also ordered groceries online in the last 30 days.

Jaemor Farms Banks Crossing Market, Las Colinas International Inc, Rainforest Fruits, SF Bay Distributors Inc, and Tom Produce Inc. are new companies to the Market. Bashas' Inc., Harmons City Inc. & others have updates.

Brasfruit Export and Import, Chinese Food Solutions Inc., EP International Foods LLC, and New York Mutual Trading Inc. are new companies to the Market. All Seasons Fresh Produce LLC, Landis Foods & others have updates.

The National Watermelon Promotion Board is inviting retailers and commissaries to enter its Watermelon Retail Merchandising Contest.

The USDA has imposed sanctions on Versa Marketing Inc. Henry Avocado Corp., Leyenda Distributors LLC, and Victor Aguilar are new companies to the Market. John Greene Logistics Company and others have updates.

4 Way Fuel, Falafel House, Roca Fresh Inc., Share Farm Inc., and The Fruit Stand Inc. are new companies to the Market. Bay Area Organic Express, Kuaiwi Farm LLC, Palmer's Super Market and others have changes.

Henry Avocado Corp/CustomRipe, Hyfeld Company, Local Bounti Corporation, and Packaged Produce Solutions LLC are new companies to the Market. Aromas Produce, California Specialty Produce Inc. and others have updates.

USDA imposed sanctions against Custom Fresh Cuts Inc. FingerLakes Farms LLC, Hauppauge Transportation Inc., Origin Fresh LLC, Strickland Organics LLC, and The FarmLink Project are new companies to the Market, plus more.

Bfruits dba WWD Fruits LLC, Catering By Rosemary Inc., Midwest Juicery LLC, NankyFoods, and New England Cranberry Co. are new companies to the Market. Black River Organic Farm, Bova Fresh LLC and others have updates.

Montana Produce Inc., Muso Del Campo LLC, Novalux Company Inc., Pacific Eagle National Food, Inc. and The Garden Fresh Market are new companies to the Market. Northwest Grocers and others have updates, plus more.

Fifth Season, Fresh Produce Point LLC, Gainsborough, Jep Imports, and Monte Vista Farms Inc. are new companies to the Market. Interstate Foods Inc., PERLAG IMPORTS LLC, Prime Quality Produce and others have changes.

Athena Farms, Extreme Growers Inc., Fresh Produce, Rising Harvest, Santa Teresa Produce, LLC, and West Valley Packing LLC are new companies to the Market. Newcastle Fruit & Produce Company LLC and others have updates.

The USDA has imposed sanctions on D & T Produce LLC and West Coast Distributing Inc. American Produce & Repack, El Taco Via, Green Whale LLC, and Oscar Algranatti are new companies to the Market, plus company updates.

A & H Farm, Asian Family Market, Evergreen United Food Hub Inc., Gullah Farmers Cooperative Association, and Hardee Fresh LLC are new companies to the Market. Ratto Bros., Inc. and other companies have updates.

Carcione's Fresh Produce Co Inc. & The Kroger Co. have been Endorsed. Alsuper, Copal, Gima Green Products LLC, Jar Fresh & Recovery Park Farms Inc. are new companies to the Market. Ratto Bros., Inc. has updates & more.

Ira Middleswarth & Son Inc. and Tri Winner Irving Acres have been Endorsed. De Lune Corp., GLH Fresh LLC, Los Traviesos Produce Inc., Sinora Distributor LLC and Smith Packing Company, Inc. are new companies, plus more.