Latest Fresh Produce News & Insights

Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services plans to promote Florida strawberries through its Fresh From Florida program from December through March, says Susie McKinley, director of the division of marketing and development. FDACS features a recipe for Florida strawberries and goat cheese tart on its website.

Fresh From Florida shares strawberry promotion plans

Print, digital and retail promotions such as grocery cart ads, weekly circulars, social media campaigns, shoppable ads and more will be used to spread the word about the Sunshine State’s juicy red strawberries... Read More

Tom Burfield

Dec 27, 2023
Strawberries , Florida , Produce Marketing

Calavo Growers Inc., Santa Paula, Calif., is promoting the use of its Ripe Now Price Look-Up stickers to identify ripe avocados, says Peter Shore, vice president of product management.

Products that can help enhance retailers' avocado category

Retailers can add to the excitement of the Super Bowl by enhancing their avocado categories with some innovative product tie-ins... Read More

Tom Burfield

Dec 14, 2023
Produce Retail , PMG Retail Merchandising , Produce Products , Avocados

Dallas-based Avocados From Mexico is offering retailers a thematic avo bowl bin to encourage consumers to buy avocados so that they can host game-day parties featuring fresh guacamole, says Stephanie Bazan, vice president, commercial strategy and execution.

How Avocados From Mexico is supporting Super Bowl promotions

The trade organization says it recognizes the dominance of Mexican avocados during this time of year and goes all out to help retailers score big returns by promoting the fruit. .. Read More

Tom Burfield

Dec 12, 2023
Produce Retail , PMG Retail Merchandising , Merchandising , Avocados

“The Big Game is the holiday/event for avocado and guacamole sales,” says Tara Murray, vice president of marketing for Rhome, Texas-based Fresh Innovations LLC, which markets several Yo Quiero guacamole and avocado products.

Avocado suppliers and retailers kick off Super Bowl plans

It’s still December, but suppliers of avocados and avocado-related products say it’s not too early to start making plans for 2024 Super Bowl promotions... Read More

Tom Burfield

Dec 11, 2023
Produce Retail , Avocados , PMG Retail Merchandising , Merchandising

Machine prints roll stock for lettuce bags for Union City, Calif.-based Emerald Packaging Co. Today, 95% of what the company makes is bags and roll stock for salads as well as celery, spinach and other leafy greens, says CEO Kevin Kelly.

Emerald reflects on the pursuit of cutting-edge packaging

When Emerald Packaging Inc. was established 60 years ago, the firm occupied 25,000 square feet and employed about 70 workers; the flexible packaging provider now has a 200,000-square-foot facility and 250 employees... Read More

Tom Burfield

Dec 11, 2023
Packaging

Reusable packaging containers from Tampa, Fla.-based IFCO can accommodate a wide range of fresh produce, including greenhouse tomatoes, says Rick Overholt, vice president of grower sales.

IFCO marks 31 years serving industry

IFCO Systems has been providing the produce industry with reusable packaging containers since 1992, but it's still keeping up with the times, says Rick Overholt, vice president of grower sales... Read More

Tom Burfield

Dec 06, 2023
Packaging

Good growing weather this year means that Idaho Falls, Idaho-based Potandon Produce will have increased supplies of russet, red and yellow potatoes this season, says Joey Dutton, sales manager on key accounts and onion sales manager.

Potato volume up, prices down for holidays

Plenty of potatoes should be available for holiday repasts this year, and ample volume should mean favorable prices for consumers... Read More

Tom Burfield

Nov 15, 2023
Potatoes

Publix partners with Fresh From Florida

Florida locations of Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix Super Markets Inc. will participate in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Fresh From Florida program during the coming year... Read More

Tom Burfield

Nov 03, 2023
Florida , Produce Retail

Participants in the International Fresh Produce Association’s Produce Safety Immersion Program tour a produce operation during a class trip to Chicago.

IFPA offers food safety courses

The International Fresh Produce Association has developed a plethora of programs to help the industry comply with the latest food safety requirements... Read More

Tom Burfield

Jun 30, 2023
Food Safety , International Fresh Produce Association

Melissa’s World Variety Produce has introduced a line of dozens of gourmet products that are ideal for camping and a cut or two above the traditional hot dogs and marshmallows over an open fire, says Robert Schueller, director of public relations.

Melissa’s World Variety Produce brings back Camping Essentials

Los Angeles-based Melissa’s World Variety Produce kicked off the summer season by bringing back its popular Camping Essentials product line... Read More

Tom Burfield

Jun 16, 2023
Produce Retail

Under terms of a proposed merger agreement announced last October, Kroger would acquire all the outstanding shares of Albertsons for about $24.6 billion.

How a grocer merger could affect Southern California retail

A proposed merger between Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. and Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. Inc. could have a significant effect on the Southern California retail scene, a consultant says... Read More

Tom Burfield

Jun 12, 2023
Produce Retail

The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown program will be promoting Georgia’s fruits and vegetables throughout the summer, says said Matthew Kulinski, director of marketing for the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Georgia Grown teams with IGA

This summer, Georgia Grown will launch a program with Chicago-based IGA Inc. that will place Georgia Grown signage in 160 supermarkets in the Southeast region... Read More

Tom Burfield

Jun 08, 2023
Produce Retail , Georgia

Atlanta-based Giro Pack has come up with a sustainable cellulose mesh bag that is paper based and plastic free, says Jen Doxey, national sales manager.

Giro Pack launching cellulose mesh bag

Traditional plastic mesh bags still account for most of the firm’s output, but as customer requests for sustainable packaging grow, the company has come up with other options... Read More

Tom Burfield

Jun 05, 2023
Packaging

The popularity of consumer bags “exploded” for Little Bear Produce, Edinburg, Texas, during the COVID-19 pandemic, says salesman Jeff Brechler. Their popularity continues to grow industrywide.

Consumer packs rising in share of onion sales

Bulk onions account for the vast majority of onion sales in the U.S., but consumer packs continue to gain popularity... Read More

Tom Burfield

May 18, 2023
Onions , Packaging , Produce Retail

The Orlando, Fla.-based NatIonal Mango Board encourages retailers to promote mangoes, especially during Cinco de Mayo.

Positioning can make ‘Cinco de Mango’ a retail success

Placement is key to ensuring consistent mango movement in the produce department, and that can be especially true for Cinco de Mayo — or “Cinco de Mango,” as the National Mango Board refers to the holiday. .. Read More

Tom Burfield

Apr 28, 2023
PMG Retail Merchandising , Mangoes

Tommy atkins, ataulfo (or honey), keitt, kent, francis and mingolo are some of the mango varieties available from U.S. importers, according to the National Mango Board.

Know more, buy more: How education drives mango consumption

Informing consumers about the different characteristics of mango varieties — flavor, amount of fiber and the right time to eat — has helped grow the fruit's popularity... Read More

Tom Burfield

Apr 24, 2023
Mangoes , Produce Retail

Growers are upping sustainability efforts, such as implementing drip irrigation to conserve water.

California fruit growers respond to increased retail demand for sustainability

Retail produce buyers and consumers are becoming more vocal about sustainability in growing and handling California summer fruit, and grower-shippers are making an all-out effort to meet those requests... Read More

Tom Burfield

Apr 18, 2023
Sustainability

Schnuck’s supermarket in Richmond Center, St. Louis, was grand prize winner in the 14th National Watermelon Promotion Board's Retail Merchandising Contest in 2022.

National Watermelon Promotion Board outlines promotions for retail and foodservice

Retail opportunities include in-store, digital and social media marketing components. At foodservice, key messages focus on educating and inspiring foodservice decision-makers... Read More

Tom Burfield

Apr 13, 2023
PMG Retail Merchandising , Produce Retail , Foodservice , Watermelons

Dolci Belles organic Italian sweet peppers are new from Amado, Ariz.-based Wholesum, says Joanna Jaramillo, marketing manager.

Wholesum launches Dolci Belles peppers

The organic Italian sweet peppers “will bring an elevated experience to the consumer and provide a great upgrade option from the traditional blocky pepper,” said Joanna Jaramillo, marketing manager... Read More

Tom Burfield

Apr 04, 2023
Produce Products , Produce - General

EarthBlend LLC, Nogales, Ariz., is offering mini peppers this season for the first time, says Steve Spence, director of sales. “We started those in January, and we’ll go basically all year,”

EarthBlend begins offering mini peppers

The program started in Sinaloa in January and will transition to central Mexico in June... Read More

Tom Burfield

Apr 03, 2023
Produce Products , Produce - General

Fresh From Florida offers display bins so retailers can feature a rotating selection of Florida produce, says Susie McKinley, director of marketing and development.

FDACS offers display bins to help retailers' spring produce promotions

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides the Fresh From Florida-branded bins to retail partners, and they can be used as endcaps or stand-alone floor displays... Read More

Tom Burfield