Produce Retail
Canada’s retail market is mature, consolidated and full of demand for produce, according to a USDA analysis of the country’s retail market.
From the moment shoppers enter the 87,500-square-foot Astor Place Wegmans — the Rochester, N.Y.-based grocer’s newest store — the fresh produce storytelling begins.
A new Columbia Business School study, “From People to Produce: How Appearance Bias Fuels Food Waste,” reveals how consumer preference for cosmetically perfect fruits and vegetables contributes to billions of pounds of food waste — meanwhile, companies like Misfits Market are working to change perceptions and reduce waste.
Produce business seems to be doing well in the Twin Cities area as fall approaches, at least in part due to consumer reaction to the coronavirus pandemic.
Frey Farms offers both functional and better-for-you beverage options, with ambitions to grow distribution throughout the country.
Along the Eastern Seaboard, apples are playing a game that’s more competitive than ever.
Measure to Improve, Salinas, Calif., has helped six facilities achieve Total Resource Use Efficiency (TRUE) Zero Waste Gold Certification.
Bee Sweet Citrus, Fowler, Calif., is ready to be part of back-to-school plans, even if students are studying at home.
Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers is offering this fall a new paper Farm + Famous grab-and-go pack featuring the message that “All Farmers are Famous.”
Chiquita Brands International is preparing for Banana Lovers Day, Aug. 27, encouraging fans of the fruit to rediscover classic banana-centric recipes, from banana breads to smoothies.
Pacific Organic Produce, San Francisco, is importing organic lemons from Sonora Mexico, with supplies through October.
Soledad, Calif.-based Braga Fresh Family Farms plans to extend its Josie’s Organics Cut Veg product line by late October with an organic riced cauliflower option, said Heather Fuller, senior sales manager.
Loffredo Fresh Foods, Des Moines, Iowa, is branching out to Minneapolis, delivering to customers from a new distribution center.
Sage Fruit Co. LLC, Yakima, Wash., has welcomed Yakima-based Congdon Orchards to its team of grower-packer-shippers of Washington tree fruit, said Chuck Sinks, Sage Fruit’s president of sales and marketing.
Sunbury, Pa.-based Weis Markets has made significant price reductions on apples, potatoes, bagged salads, tomatoes-on-the-vine and more as part of its Low, Low Price program.
Mango and avocado distributor Fresh Directions International, Miami, has hired Andy Garces for the new position of sales and marketing manager.
Harvest for this year’s crop of Sunions, marketed as the tearless sweet onions, is over, and the onions are undergoing a curing process.
(UPDATED) Avocado company Mission Produce Inc., Oxnard, Calif., has filed for an initial public offering, with plans to use the symbol “AVO” on the NASDAQ.
With another edition of Fast Facts: The Cast video series from Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers provides insights on selling apples in the summer and best promotion bets for the fall.
As in most regions of the U.S., supermarket business in Michigan has been strong since the COVID-19 pandemic hit earlier this year, and foodservice sales dropped dramatically before showing some signs of a rebound.
The Packer’s 2020 West Coast Produce Expo is expanding as a free virtual event.
Kiwi berry season is underway at Domex Superfresh Growers, Yakima, Wash.
The National Potato Council, whose annual meeting is usually in connection with the Potato Expo in January, is scheduled the meeting to coincide with the group’s Potato D.C. Fly-In in February.
Chiquita is offering banana-centric virtual backgrounds and new recipes to help keep students entertained in the new school year, whether that’s at home or in a classroom.
Wholly Guacamole is celebrating National Guacamole Day — Sept. 16 — with a drive-through stand for free guacamole and chips in Dallas.
The California Avocado Commission, Irvine, has opened an online merchandise shop for aficionados of the fruit, with shirts, socks, stickers and other items.
Things are sweet for the start of the SweeTango apple season.
Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Summerland, British Columbia, has hired Bob Wilkinson as director of sales.
Avocados From Mexico has established Avo University, a free online guide with separate training for retailers/wholesalers and foodservice personnel.
GrubMarket, San Francisco, has entered a new market — Texas — with yet another purchase of a fresh produce distributor.
LGS Specialty Sales, New Rochelle, N.Y., is sponsoring a consumer contest, One Step at a Time, to raise awareness of breast cancer and encourage consumers to take steps toward better health.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against Poblano Fresh Produce Corp. for allegedly violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.