Latest Fresh Produce News & Insights

Matt Zapczynski joins the Idaho Potato Commission as the tail promotion director for the Northeast/Midwest. Zapczynski brings several years of experience as a produce buyer to the role.

Idaho Potato Commission adds Northeast/Midwest retail promotion director

Matt Zapczynski brings experience as a produce buyer for a wholesale grocery distributor... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 29, 2024
Potatoes

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s cruise ship-themed banquet featured areal acrobatic entertainment.

Seen and heard at CPMA 2024 — Part 3

Exhibitors at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association Conference and Trade Show talked about upcoming seasons, renewed connections and new packaging during the event held April 23-25... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 29, 2024
Produce - General

Visitors to the Canadian Produce Marketing Association Conference and Trade Show could swing by the healthy break area to sample fresh produce such as tomatoes, kiwifruit, bananas, apples, carrots and more.

Seen and heard at CPMA 2024 — Part 2

Sustainability efforts, ample volumes of produce and season kickoffs were among the highlights of some of the exhibitor booths at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association Conference and Trade Show. .. Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 29, 2024
Produce - General

Shown from left Canadian Produce Marketing Association President Ron Lemaire led a discussion on retailer trends, challenges and opportunities with David Dudley, senior sourcing manager for Sprouts Farmers Market; Daniel Bell, director of produce for Grocery Outlet; and John Haycox, produce department buyer for Costco Wholesale, during the CPMA conference and trade show.

Retailers discuss contending with changing consumers, supply chain issues

Representatives with three U.S.-based retailers addressed challenges and opportunities the produce industry faces during a panel at the recent Canadian Produce Marketing Association Conference and Trade Show... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 26, 2024
Produce - General , Produce Retail

Avocados From Mexico said its theme for Cinco de Mayo promotions will be "Cinco De Licious," which will highlight all the ways to incorporate avocados into celebrations.

Avocados From Mexico readies for Cinco de Mayo promotions

Vivid displays, discounts and recipe inspiration are part of the marketing effort to include avocados in the lead-up to Cinco de Mayo... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 18, 2024
Avocados , Produce Marketing , Produce Retail

Stemilt Growers says fuji apples are strong in the summer months, according to Nielsen data, which is why retailers should capitalize on this sales trend with seasonal promotions.

Stemilt says latest Nielsen data shows opportunity for fuji apples

The packer, grower and distributor of pears, apples and stone fruit says promotions and geo-targeting sales of fuji apples are keys to success this spring and summer... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 18, 2024
Apples , Produce Marketing

Shown are Johnny Garcia and Shane Aldrich at the Stella Farms booth at Viva Fresh Expo 2024.

Seen and heard at Viva Fresh 2024 — Part 3

Tropicals, tomatoes and a logo in the Smithsonian Museum are among the highlights from booth visits at Viva Fresh Expo 2024... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 17, 2024
Produce - General

Index Fresh said retailers can expect a strong Gem avocado crop this season, which ends through mid-July.

Index Fresh readies Gem avocado retail programs

The California-based marketer expects about 5 million pounds of Gem avocados this season, with the peak hitting in May... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 17, 2024
Avocados , Produce Retail

Mastronardi Produce flips for Mother’s Day strawberry campaign

The Kingsville, Ontario-based fourth-generation, family-owned greenhouse business said it plans to introduce a Dreamberry strawberry pack for Mother’s Day — with a twist on its WOW brand wordmark... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 17, 2024
Strawberries , Produce Products , Produce Retail

Health and science journalist and author Max Lugavere shared insights on how incorporating fresh produce into diets makes major impacts in the Viva Fresh keynote session. Here, Lugavere joins The Packer Produce Editor Christina Herrick after the session.

Seen and heard at Viva Fresh 2024 — Part 1

Sustainable packaging, produce programs and visiting with customers were among the highlights of Viva Fresh 2024... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 15, 2024
Sustainability , Texas International Produce Assn.

Those attending the Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s annual convention and trade show will have opportunities to make face-to-face connections on the show floor and during educational and networking events.

CPMA set for international show with regional flair

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show returns to western Canada this year with a focus on sustainability, networking and the strength of the country's domestic market... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 11, 2024
Produce - General , Produce Marketing , Canada , Canadian Produce Marketing Association

To mark National Banana Day, Chiquita says it has planned a daylong event with all things banana, as well as a social media campaign to promote the health benefits of bananas.

Chiquita dubs National Banana Day as National Chiquita Day

The company plans for a free event to celebrate all things banana on April 17 in Florida, and it invites fans to share bright and yellow memories through social media posts... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 10, 2024
Bananas

Apple holdings in the April USApple Tracker report shows fresh and processing apple inventories at 68 million bushels, which is 36% higher than the same time in 2023.

Apple inventories still 29% higher than 5-year average

In the U.S. Apple Association’s latest report, fresh and processing apple numbers remain higher than last year and the five-year average for holdings... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 10, 2024
Apples

Farm Direct Supply to debut tropical fruit line at Viva Fresh

Red and yellow dragon fruit and rambutan are among fruit and vegetable supplier’s new offerings... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 10, 2024
Tropical Fruit

Nature Fresh Farms added a new snacking pepper, called Sweet S'naps, to its offerings with vibrant packaging to capitalize on consumers' interest in snacking vegetables.

NatureFresh introduces new sweet snacking pepper

The Canadian greenhouse grower said promotional strategies around its new Sweet S’naps peppers include high-graphic displays, shipping cartons and packaging to reinforce snackability... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 09, 2024
Peppers Bell , Produce Products

In the Organic Trade Association's latest survey, more than 70% of consumers say they trust products with the USDA Organic seal.

OTA survey: Organic ranks highest in consumer recognition

The Organic Trade Association released the results of its consumer survey, which shows the value consumers place on the USDA Organic seal... Read More

Christina Herrick

Apr 05, 2024
Organics

Jacobs Farm del Cabo debuted a new resealable packaging for its organic Cabo tomatoes, which reduces its plastic use by 25% compared to the previous clamshell. The company said it hopes to roll out the packaging for all pints later this year.

Jacobs Farm del Cabo adds reseal pint for organic snacking tomatoes

The company says the packaging change reduces plastics use by 25% and that it hopes to roll it out for other pints by the end of the year... Read More

Christina Herrick

Mar 21, 2024
Packaging , Tomatoes

FSMA 204 emphasizes proper handling and storage practices to prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure the safety of food products.

Lack of understanding remains a key issue in FSMA 204 readiness

Liz Sertl, senior director of supply chain visibility at GS1 US, shares how companies operating in the produce industry need to prepare for FSMA 204 compliance... Read More

Christina Herrick

Mar 21, 2024
Food Safety , Produce Retail

In this "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast episode,U.S. Apple Association President and CEO Jim Bair talks about the rising cost of apple production and how growers are grappling with a large crop this season.

How the apple industry is navigating the rising cost of business

In this "Tip of the Iceberg" podcast, Jim Bair, president and CEO of the U.S. Apple Association, talks rising food prices, slowing grower returns and the current challenges to maintaining a profitable apple business... Read More

Christina Herrick

Mar 15, 2024
Produce Podcasts , Apples

Sara Palmisano, business development manager with FirstFruits Farms; Heather Childs, sales manager with Applewood Fresh Growers; and Shelby Miller, sales and marketing specialist with Applewood Fresh Growers, are shown at SEPC's Southern Exposure.

Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure 2024 — Part 5

From product introductions to relationship building, exhibitors shared their recent highlights at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure trade show... Read More

Christina Herrick

Mar 13, 2024
Produce - General

From left, Kristine Lorusso of the Guimarra Cos. moderated a panel about retailer relationships with Dennis Payne of The Fresh Market, Jeff Cady of Northeast Grocery and Daniel Bell of Grocery Outlet at the 2024 Global Organic Produce Expo in late January.

How vendors can foster strong retailer relationships

What makes a good retail partnership? A panel of retailers discussed what they really want — and don't want — from vendors at GOPEX 2024. .. Read More

Christina Herrick

Mar 13, 2024
Global Organic Produce Expo , Produce Retail , Organics

Alex Kalausich, produce lead for the fresh foods group at Circana, a provider of market research on durable consumer goods, kicked off GOPEX 2024’s opening session with a discussion of produce trends and how the organic produce industry can capitalize on those trends.

Circana lead discusses how to connect with the conscious consumer

Alex Kalausich, produce lead for the fresh foods group at Circana, kicked off this year's Global Organic Produce Expo with a look at fresh produce trends and how those trends apply specifically to the organic market... Read More

Christina Herrick

Mar 13, 2024
Global Organic Produce Expo , Produce Retail , Organics

Matt Dillon (from left), co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association, led a GOPEX 2024 panel on the USDA's Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule with Sara Neagu-Reed, director of production and environmental policy for the International Fresh Produce Association; Daniel Montes, program coordinator with Control Union; and Joe Merenda, president and co-CEO of Misionero.

GOPEX panel breaks down the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule

With the USDA's Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule going into effect March 19, Organic Trade Association co-CEO Matt Dillon led a panel discussion to help attendees understand actionable items ahead of enforcement... Read More

Christina Herrick