Latest News From The Packer

The Los Angeles-based marketing agency with scores of produce clients celebrates 25 years in business, breaks down the keys to success in a competitive market.

Registration for the West Coast Produce Expo (WCPE) golf tournament is now open and spots are filling up fast.

Last year saw record investment in plant-based alternatives to animal-based foods, according to new data released by The Good Food Institute.

It is again time to honor a well-deserving member of the potato growing community by nominating them for the Potato Person of the Year or Potato Person for All Seasons award.

Frank Muir, recently retired president and CEO of the Idaho Potato Commission, is The Packer’s 2021 Produce Marketer for All Seasons.

The Packer, a Farm Journal Media publication, is pleased to announce that Amy Sowder is now The Packer/PMG retail editor.

In the midst of limited travel and continued uncertainty, The Packer and PMG are launching a new virtual platform to conveniently connect fresh produce growers with the right retail and foodservice buyers.

Do you know someone who has done significant work to further the fresh produce industry's marketing efforts? Then nominate them for The Packer's 2021 Produce Marketer of the Year award!

There’s a reason avocado toast is so trendy. Check out the ways top avocado executives eat this fruit at home.

The U.S. Agriculture Department said on Friday it will start erasing an estimated $4 billion dollars in debt to minority farmers in June, as it seeks to address racial discrimination.

Farmers are among the most-qualified people to help address greenhouse gases (GHGs) and related climate issues, according to a new report commissioned by the Farm Journal Foundation.

Take a glimps at photos from the 2021 West Coast Produce Expo.

The Packer’s West Coast Produce Expo Golf Tournament was held the morning of May 18 at The Arroyo Golf Club in Las Vegas.

West Coast Produce Expo 2021 is Tuesday May 18 – Wednesday May 19 at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa, Las Vegas, NV.

The Packer is seeking supplier input this week for upcoming coverage of bananas and California strawberries.

The Packer’s Organic Fresh Trends 2021 updates consumer attitudes and purchasing behaviors of U.S. consumers toward organic produce.

The Packer’s Global Organic Produce Expo (GOPEX) has been reinvented for 2021, offering organic fresh produce buyers and suppliers two chances to engage in this increasingly important segment of the industry. 

Chicago-based Hazel Technologies Inc. will hold its first-ever virtual Mango Quality Summit.

With 30 years invested in the agriculture industry, Richard Owen has come to appreciate the global reach and opportunities of the fresh produce industry.

The Packer’s 2020 West Coast Produce Expo promises networking opportunities, a virtual expo experience and a robust slate of education sessions.

In his 21 years at the United Fresh Produce Association, John Toner has long played a central role in bringing the produce industry together for the United Fresh Expo.

Frank Yiannas brings passion and results to the topic of food safety.

The virtual event will focus on three key themes: environmental practices, social sustainability and consumer insights.

The Packer’s 2020 West Coast Produce Expo is expanding as a free virtual event.

The Packer is accepting nominations for the 2020 Produce Marketer of the Year.

Sustainable business practices within the fresh produce industry will be the focus of The Packer’s Sustainable Produce Summit.

The Packer is calling for nominations for the 2020 Apple Man or Woman of the Year.

The Packer is seeking nominations from the produce industry for its annual Produce Man or Woman of the Year award, presented in conjunction with the June 15-19 United Fresh LIVE! conference and expo. 

Pelion, S.C.-based leafy green marketer WP Rawl has again helped to honor military heroes by participating in the Wreaths Across Americas’ Honor Fleet.

Grubhub has released its Taste of 2019 Year in Food report detailing food trends, consumer facts, state statistics and more.

It is again time to honor a well-deserving member of the potato growing community by nominating them for the Potato Man or Woman of the Year or Potato Man or Woman for All Seasons.

The Packer and Alibaba.com, one of the largest online commerce sites, are offering a free web seminar on steps produce companies can take to sell their products online.

Automation of communication, operations and data push produce into the new millennium

Browse a few of the education session and speaker topics at The Packer’s Jan. 9-11 Global Organic Produce Expo.

The latest Packer poll, “What element of tradeshows do you find the most useful?” helped gain insight into the tradeshow industry and how to best increase exhibitors’ return on investment (ROI).

Mexico’s apple crop is up this year, but U.S. apple exports to Mexico could increase anyway.

This creamy green fruit was the No. 1 item that consumers said they are buying now that they did not buy previously.

Chili peppers maintained their number one status on this week's top Produce Market guide commodities. Rounding out the top five are pumpkins, potatoes, apples and figs.

Brian Woods is the new Eastern U.S. account representative for The Packer and its sister publication, Produce Retailer magazine.

Cherries have been the No. 1 produce ad item around the country for nearly a month — the weeks ended June 28, July 5 and July 12.

As we look ahead to The Packer’s 125th anniversary publication, we have been posting some articles and columns from previous anniversary editions.

Northeast editor Amy Sowder, retail editor Ashley Nickle and editor-in-chief Tom Karst discuss the first day on the expo floor at United Fresh.

Rocco Cingari, who led Grade A Market for nearly 40 years, died June 3 at the age of 89.

Consulting firm Kantar has released its 2019 forecasts for the top U.S. retailers, a list that includes numerous grocery companies.

What single development changed the fresh produce industry the most in the past 25 years?

Software company Specright Inc., Irvine, Calif., has secured $8.8 million funding from investors to speed up product development, expand operations globally and more than double its employees.

The Packer’s West Coast Produce Expo has named Brighter Bites as the event’s golf tournament beneficiary.

Taking measure of progress in the produce industry over the past 125 years is no simple task, but The Packer has helped to chronicle that journey since its founding in 1893.

Better protected from the unpredictability of weather, outdoor pests and contamination, indoor growing of all kinds offers more reliability and consistency that means it’s a category to last, say proponents.

Last week watermelon and orange content dominated Produce Market Guide searches. Strawberries, lettuce and celery rounded out the top five searches on the platform that connects produce buyers and sellers.