Latest News From Texas

The Texas Department of Agriculture will receive nearly $200,000 over the next three years to support promotional and educational activities.

With strategic investments in new equipment, terminal infrastructure and channel improvements, the port continues to solidify its position as a vital hub for trade in the Gulf region. 

Controlled environment agriculture continues to grow in Texas. While many growers see the state’s strategic location for distribution as an advantage to setting up shop, it’s more than just location, says one executive.

Hurricanes last fall, recent drought and other factors have held back some fresh produce output in Mexico in recent months, but the value of U.S. imports from the country continues to climb. 

A marketing campaign for TX1015 sweet onions will feature promotions including a sweepstakes, social media giveaways and restaurant events.

Barring unforeseen weather events, Texas spring onion season is expected to feature plenty of good-quality product, growers say.

Gotham Greens’ new 210,000-square-foot facility in Seagoville, Texas, about 20 miles southeast of downtown Dallas, is the company’s 13th greenhouse nationwide.

A new endowment is set to fund wellness programs for children in South Texas.

The association will recognize leaders from Little Bear Produce, Dixondale Farms, Val Verde Vegetable Co., and more.

The Texas-based grapefruit brand says the promotion will educate consumers on the state's red grapefruit season, while aiming to drive online sales and inspire increased consumption during peak production time.

A long, hot summer followed by an early fall freeze threw grower-shippers a curveball at the start of the fall season in southern Texas, but they’re hopeful things will straighten out by mid-December.

The Austin, Texas-based company says the development scales output to meet accelerated local Texas consumer demand for Revol Greens’ fresh, greenhouse-grown organic baby leaf and romaine head lettuce programs.

Dale Murden, president of the trade association Texas Citrus Mutual, shares an outlook for fresh citrus output and how it compares with last season.

The USDA has imposed sanctions on Mestizos Group LLC, Garland, Texas, for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

Blue Road Capital is acquiring the greenhouse grower from its venture-capital parent company, Silver Venture, and aims to expand the company through increased vertical integration, innovation and distribution channels.

USDA Market News will now report lime prices similar to the manner in which apple, cucumber and bell pepper prices are reported.

The USDA has filed an administrative complaint against Heyvel Produce LLC for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

John Carkoski shares with The Packer what he’s learned so far leading operations at Revol Greens' newest CEA facility in Temple, Texas, and how the grower is expanding its footprint with its largest farm to date.

South Texas growers have planted 40% more Texas 1015 sweet onions in 2023 to keep up with increasing demand, says a Texas onion association.

The National Onion Association Convention will bring together industry advocates and allium researchers on the riverwalk in San Antonio on Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.

London Fruit operates a facility in south Texas that spans almost 50,000 square feet, including refrigerated cold storage and a USDA organic-certified repacking space.

Village Farms is growing over a million pounds of fresh produce a year in the inhospitable Big Bend region of Texas thanks to innovative, greenhouse growing methods and knowledgeable farmers like Abby Lange.

Wicked Kitchen's co-founder and chef, Derek Sarno, makes the case that mushrooms can hold their weight among even the most die-hard barbecue fans.

The indoor ag grower has added 20 acres in Central Texas to its controlled environment agriculture footprint, which also includes operations in Minnesota, Georgia and California.

At Austin’s Hot Luck Food and Music Festival, there will be a “Shroom House” experiential collaboration with Wicked Kitchen’s Chef Derek Sarno.

The South Texas Onion Committee is focusing on retail and consumer promotions for Texas 1015 sweet onions this season, with the support of a USDA specialty crop block grant.

The gas station H-E-B convenience stores are being rebranded as H-E-B Fresh Bites, offering on-the-go customers fresh produce and convenient meal options.

Texas A&M AgriLife is partnering with Silicon Valley tech companies to advance nutrition security in the Lone Star State through indoor ag innovation.

The trade show floor at the 2023 Viva Fresh expo was buzzing with new trends, innovative products and featured best-in-class produce from the Lone Star State and beyond.

The 2023 showcase of produce grown, shipped and sold in the Southwest U.S. boasted creative education sessions, networking events and a bustling expo.

From an inspiring keynote to a Healthy Living Award presentation, Viva Fresh 2023 celebrated the connection between optimal health and fresh produce.

This year’s Viva Fresh Conference was presented by the Texas International Produce Association March 30–April 1 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.

While urban agriculture is sometimes written off as too niche, in a recent SXSW panel urban ag advocates shared why growing food in cities should have a seat at the table and a bigger share of the market.

According to research released in February from Texas A&M University, U.S. imports of fruits, vegetables and nuts from Mexico totaled $18.7 billion during 2022.

On March 12, at the 2023 SXSW Conference in Austin, Texas, food and tech leaders discussed how they make good on their promises to customers and make headway on big plans.

Texas onion acreage for Little Bear Produce is similar to the past few years, but with larger onion size, yields could be up this year, says Jeff Brechler, sales representative with the company.

At the 2023 SXSW conference, Avocados From Mexico’s immersive pop-up radiated avocado enthusiasm to attendees in all five senses.

Weather conditions and expanded acreage for the Texas onion crop are setting up for promotable volumes starting in late March, industry leaders say.

Effective April 10, the USDA will decrease the assessment rate for Texas oranges and grapefruit. 

The newly opened, 97,000-square-foot Lake Austin H-E-B has underlined the Texas grocer’s commitment to creating rich in-store experiences, boasting two-levels, an expansive produce department and multiple restaurants.

Encouraging Discovery and Growth in Education, also known as EDGE, is a career program focused on developing and connecting students to produce industry career opportunities in the Lone Star State.

The Texas International Produce Association is prepping for the 2023 Viva Fresh Expo in late March, but that is far from all the group is working on.

The Texas International Produce Association is opening registration on Jan. 25 for the 2023 Viva Fresh Expo, set for March 30–April 1 in Grapevine, Texas.

Local Bounti is aiming to expand national distribution footprint and reduce food miles with new construction in Texas.

The USDA has filed an administrative complaint against Mestizos Group LLC (Mestizos) for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

Amid weather and labor obstacles, South Texas growers expect normal supplies of winter vegetables to resume by early December.

After two difficult years thwarted by extreme weather, Texas citrus growers are anticipating a steady 2022-23 season with strong demand.

McAllen, Texas-based Fox Packaging is celebrating its 60th anniversary serving the produce industry this year. 

The USDA has imposed sanctions on two produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under PACA.

Revol Greens is preparing for the opening of their largest facility to date, built in Temple, Texas.