Latest Fresh Produce News & Insights

Reusable packaging containers from Tampa, Fla.-based IFCO Systems U.S. help growers reduce handling and facilitate automated processes across the entire supply chain, says Nate Klingler, director, strategic marketing.

How these packaging companies are responding to customer needs

Produce containers and the pallets on which they’re stacked play an important role in the packaging industry, and some major providers say they’re making strides as they evolve to meet their customers’ needs... Read More

Tom Burfield

May 21, 2024
Packaging

Justin Timineri, state chef and culinary ambassador for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, develops recipes featuring Florida avocados that are published on freshfromflorida.com and shared with more than 900,000 social media followers.

Why stores and restaurants tout Florida avocados

Consumers, retailers and many foodservice operators eagerly await the arrival of Florida green-skin avocados every year, grower-shippers say... Read More

Tom Burfield

May 20, 2024
Foodservice , Produce Retail , Avocados , Florida

Based on consumer trends and preferences, Monterey, Calif.-based Dole Fresh Vegetables has introduced some exciting new salad offerings, including the Sweet Corn Chopped Kit, says Dave Austin, vice president, product innovation.

What data shows about salad trends in retail and foodservice

May is National Salad Month, and it seems U.S. consumers already have a jump on enjoying these light, healthful treats. Here's what retail data shows about consumer preferences when it comes to a dish of leafy greens... Read More

Tom Burfield

May 03, 2024
Salad Mix , Produce Retail , Foodservice

Fresh Farms will bring back its “Taste to Believe” campaign to tout its Candy line of table grapes, says David Watson, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Fresh Farms.

Fresh Farms, Jewel-Osco partner for ‘Taste to Believe’ promotion

Rio Rico, Ariz.-based Fresh Farms had such a good response to its grape category management program and Candy variety table grape promotion last season that the company plans to bring back an expanded version... Read More

Tom Burfield

May 01, 2024
Produce Retail

New table grape varieties, such as Cotton Candy, Candy Hearts and Candy Snaps, are gaining popularity among consumers and retailers, says David Watson, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Fresh Farms, Rio Rico, Ariz.

Consumers, retailers drive growth of new grape varieties

The world of table grapes has expanded exponentially from traditional red and green varieties to today’s plethora of cultivars with appearance, flavor and size characteristics... Read More

Tom Burfield

Apr 25, 2024
Grapes

Devon Kennedy, national marketing manager for Leamington, Ontario-based Highline Mushrooms, expects the organic mushroom category to continue to expand. “With 52% of American households purchasing fresh mushrooms, there is a huge opportunity for growth,” Kennedy says.

Why the industry remains optimistic about organic

Grower-shippers of organic produce appear to be surviving, if not thriving, despite such challenges as inflationary pressures, supply shortages and skyrocketing labor costs... Read More

Tom Burfield

Apr 22, 2024
Organics

The results of Fresh From Florida’s efforts are seen in more than 12,000 stores operated by nearly 100 retailers in Florida and throughout the U.S., Canada, Central America and Europe, said Susie McKinley, director of the Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' marketing and development division.

Fresh From Florida touts state’s produce

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has come up with a plethora of ways to promote the state’s fruits and vegetables through the Fresh From Florida retail promotion this spring... Read More

Tom Burfield

Mar 19, 2024
Produce Marketing , Produce Retail , Florida

“Foodservice definitely has picked up since COVID,” said Angelo Alberga, vice president of sales and general manager at Canadian Fruit & Produce Co. Ltd. on the Ontario Food Terminal.

Toronto-area produce distributors seen gains in foodservice sales

Foodservice business in the area has been making gains over the past couple of years, but it’s not yet back to pre-pandemic levels... Read More

Tom Burfield

Feb 06, 2024
Foodservice

Strawberries should be set for Valentine’s Day needs

Strawberries and Valentine’s Day go together, and Southern California strawberry grower-shippers say there should be plenty of the heart-shaped fruit on hand for the most romantic day of the year... Read More

Tom Burfield

Feb 05, 2024
Strawberries

Plant City, Fla.-based Wish Farms started picking its Florida strawberries the first week of November, which is about a week earlier than usual, says Nick Wishnatzki, public relations manager. “Berry size is average, and quality has been above average,” he says.

What Florida strawberry growers anticipate as the season ramps up

Picking for most growers in the Sunshine State got underway in early to mid-November, and supplies were slowly but surely picking up throughout December. .. Read More

Tom Burfield

Dec 29, 2023
Strawberries , Florida

Eighteen fruit and vegetable distributors are located at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market on Essington Avenue, says Christine Hofmann, marketing coordinator. The market is a fully enclosed, refrigerated facility that allows for an unbroken cold chain, she says.

A look at Philadelphia's historic produce scene

The Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market opened in 2011 but traces its roots back to colonial times when some of its tenants got their start at the city’s Dock Street marketplace... Read More

Tom Burfield

Dec 29, 2023
Produce - General

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