Organics
The Sykes Co., Rio Rico, Ariz., is now offering organic red seedless watermelons.
Organic produce sales may be no longer be escalating at a double-digit rate, but retailers, foodservice operators and grower-shippers say movement continues to trend upward.
Consolidation, diversification and investment in technology are current and future trends for Georgia’s commercial vegetable growers.
(UPDATED May 24) Fresh fruits and vegetables continue to hold the top spot of organic food sales, according to the Organic Trade Association’s 20th annual survey on the sector.
Eleven Organic Trade Association members — including one fresh produce company — are participating in a pilot program to deter organic fraud.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture pulled the plug on the proposed organic marketing board before the drama of a referendum could unfold.
Salinas, Calif.-based Naturipe Farms LLC has an earlier peak on organic blueberries that was expected to begin at the end of April in California, said Brian Vertrees, director of business development-West.
Organically Grown Co.’s David Lively has been re-appointed to the Organic Trade Association’s board of directors.
Morning Kiss Organic is adding imported and domestic organic kiwifruit and pears to its offering, with year-round supplies of both items.
Customers of Natural Grocers raised $94,500 for Organic Farmers Association September.
Wholesum Harvest, Wholesum Berries and Wholesum Family Farms will be collectively known at Wholesum, as the company undergoes a brand refresh.
Healthful eating is a way of life for many shoppers, and organics are easily finding their way into the mix, particularly for younger shoppers.
Looking at the evolution of consumer demand and growing organic supply, industry veteran Steve Lutz will deliver a keynote address Feb. 1 at the Global Organic Produce Expo in Hollywood, Fla.
Earl’s Organic Produce, San Francisco, has added Shannon Waldron to its buying team.
The expansion of organic meals at in-store foodservice settings will be the focus of an educational session at the 2019 Organic Produce Summit.
Fred Berry, senior account manager of Homegrown Organic Farms, Porterville, Calif., plans to retire.
Brendan Kline has joined the Organic Harvest Network as a sales associate.
Organic herb and microgreens company Shenandoah Growers Inc., Rockingham, Va., has opened an expanded production facility in Jefferson, Ga.
A new six-acre greenhouse expansion by Wholesum in Arizona will produce an estimate of 3.5 million pounds of organic beefsteak tomatoes.
Mission Produce, which recently began offering small avocados in 2-pound bags, is expanding the Minis brand to include organic avocados.
Equal Exchange, importer and distributor of organic Fairtrade bananas in the U.S., is celebrating March as Banana Month to spotlight the small banana operations it partners with in Peru and Ecuador.
The Washington, D.C.-based Organic Center’s 15th Annual Benefit Dinner, March 8 in Anaheim, Calif., raised $450,000 for the organization.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, citing lack of interest from growers, has put an end to a campaign for a national research and promotion program for organic produce and other products.
Volume of Honeycrisp apples sold at retail in March jumped 31.5% over year-ago levels, according to the latest Stemilt Growers Fruit Tracker Fast Facts.
Stemilt Growers’ organic dark cherry volume is coming on and will be sufficient for pre-July 4 promotions, according to the marketer.
What are the best ways to spur organic sales at the retail level?
While production of mushrooms in the U.S. was slightly down in 2017-18, sales hit an all-time high, at $1.23 billion, buoyed by per-pound increases for fresh and processed, agaricus and specialty mushrooms.
While demand for some organic commodities seems to be leveling off, that doesn’t seem to be the case for organic avocados from Mexico.
The Organic Trade Association is seeking ideas on how to design and implement a voluntary industry-invested “check-off like” program for the organic sector.