Sustainability
Organic fair trade bananas will be available in Save-On-Foods, PriceSmart Foods, Urban Fare, Buy-Low Foods, Quality Foods and Nesters Market.
The Packer sat down with the International Fresh Produce Association team to learn how the organization supports its members locally and connects them globally — all with the aim of increasing fresh produce consumption.
The removal of categorical exclusions sets a dangerous precedent that will force interstate shippers to navigate a maze of new fees and safety hurdles.
Consumer definitions of what sustainability means are wide-ranging and challenging, but companies today are trying to meet those demands while also looking forward to the future.
Last year, tariffs threatened to disrupt a growth trajectory for fair trade produce, but 2025 was still a win, says Rob Desson, senior business partnerships manager for fresh produce at Fairtrade America.
Rodale Institute has tapped former Goldman Sachs executive Matthew Grand as its chief strategy officer to help farmers scale high-integrity regenerative organic standards globally.
Stemilt Growers Research and Development Director Rob Blakey explains why modern apple, cherry and pear varieties must be as efficient in the pack shed as they are flavorful for the consumer.
Using the French term of endearment that translates to “my cabbage,” the nonprofit invites donors to fund produce freight and celebrate the 2026 Year of the Cabbage.
Census of Agriculture data and the experience of farmer and advocate Kate Mendenhall show how organic production has become a welcoming space for women producers as they expand their influence in ag.
At Fruit Logistica 2026, Yelloway, Chiquita’s innovation partnership with KeyGene, announced what it says is a major breakthrough in future-proofing the banana industry: the completion of a banana pan-genome that accelerates breeding of disease‑resistant, climate‑resilient banana varieties.
An emphasis on the company’s dedication to providing nutrition education is among the report’s highlights.
The grower-packer-shipper earned 2026 Sustainability, Environmental Achievement and Leadership Business Awards for its Planet Positive innovation and carbon-negative tree fruit.
A new report recommends a two-pronged approach to build resiliency and sustainability into the food supply chain through procurement strategies and growth.
Exhibitors increased fresh produce donations after the show by more than 300% from the year prior.
Produce packaging experts argue that a frame shift on what constitutes sustainability in produce packaging is needed, or we will incur unintended consequences.
For Equifruit, which is marking 20 years in the fair trade banana business this year, the April 5 baseline tariff of 10% the Trump administration imposed on nearly all countries slowed the momentum it had been building in the category for two decades.
A University of Arizona researcher suggests the regenerative movement is less of a revolution and more of a return to agronomic principles that seasoned growers have used for decades.
General Produce and Divert, Inc. are transforming food waste from Sacramento-area distribution centers into renewable natural gas and nutrient-rich soil amendments through a strategic partnership focused on advanced anaerobic digestion and real-time sustainability data tracking.
A new clinical study suggests eating the equivalent of one cup of blueberries a day could help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, highlighting the growing link between diet and mental health.
The Packer’s retail editor Jill Dutton launches a new weekly column exploring the science and strategy of the 30-plants challenge, bridging the gap between personal nutrition and professional retail insights. This piece introduces the series and explains the “why” behind writing a column that turns a personal quest to eat more plants into actionable data for the produce industry.
Naturipe Farms has become one of the first avocado packing houses in Mexico to earn the Pro-Forest certification, using satellite mapping to verify deforestation-free production and meet the growing demand for transparent, sustainably sourced produce from major retailers.
Created to elevate farmworker voices and celebrate individuals whose contributions are essential to the success, safety and sustainability of the food system, the award — now in its third year — will be presented at The Packer’s West Coast Produce Expo, May 27-29 in Palm Desert, Calif.
A soil scientist explores how regenerative soil health acts as the “secret ingredient” for sustainable food by shifting the farming focus toward microbial health and long-term soil structure, which directly enhances the flavor, nutrient density and retail story of specialty crops.
The Oviedo, Fla.-based company’s donation of $200,000 eliminated lunch debt for more than 3,600 children and supported an additional 1,425 students who receive reduced-price meals in Seminole County.
Agriburbia is transforming modern land use by integrating high-tech, patented specialty crop systems into residential and institutional developments via rooftops, hospitals, schools and residential developments, effectively turning local food production into a vital piece of community infrastructure.
The seed and technology company’s global R&D head for vegetable seeds shares how Syngenta aims to bring a new breed of flavorful melons and more to retail.
Built on the legacy of the Johnston family’s 1920s homestead in Gilbert, Ariz., Agritopia has evolved from a traditional desert farm into a premier “agri-hood” where 11 acres of organic orchards and row crops serve as the social heart of a modern residential village.
The executive director of the Equitable Food Initiative shares how the organization works to promote trust and collaboration among different stakeholders to enact real, tangible progress toward its goals.
In the Chicago area, the integration of Kakadoodle’s AI-managed logistics hub and Spira Farms’ climate-controlled vertical production creates a professionalized, data-linked supply chain capable of providing the year-round reliability required by the modern consumer.
A UC Riverside team is developing a small-scale black soldier fly system that converts food scraps into livestock feed and frass that could boost soil health and prime specialty crops, making the technology especially promising for urban and small-scale growers.