Latest Fresh Produce News & Insights

Managers who plan properly before a fixture is moved on the produce floor can make a major changeover more efficient — and build a template for the next big project... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato explains what can be learned from observing shopping carts — both in your store and at a competitor... Read More

Even if a manger insists the produce team “knows what to do,” operation standards essentially don’t exist if they aren’t defined in writing — and not doing that can lead to breakdowns later on, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Even if a store doesn’t have a healthy budget for new merchandising tools, a specialist can still go big by making more out of the resources on hand, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Fretting over the impending quarter-end inventory? Columnist Armand Lobato offers a few ways to ease the stress... Read More

Retailers shouldn’t rush a fall transition in the produce department, as the sales window for high-margin summer favorites extends longer than you might think, says columnist Armand Lobato. .. Read More

Person-to-person relationships are the heart and soul of the produce industry, but getting through the door to make those initial connections sometimes requires perseverance — and a little something extra, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato says he’s been known to test the knowledge of produce managers and clerks when the opportunity arises, and the answers are often quite revealing... Read More

Even subtle daily changes that take only a little time to invest make all the difference to impact your sales, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato shares daily organizational traits common among produce managers who kept their cooler in order... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato shares thoughts on some colorful characters who also had stellar reputations for managing busy, organized and well-run produce departments... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato shares a phased strategy for grand openings that prioritizes disciplined scheduling and expert oversight to prevent exhaustion... Read More

When individual challenges arise, produce professionals have their own way of rallying together, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Stacking or pouring produce in displays? Columnist Armand Lobato discusses the rare exceptions to the rules... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato explains why nonproduce chatter — and the three B’s — are valuable tools that can help build key relationships... Read More

What exactly goes into writing an effective labor schedule? Columnist Armand Lobato offers insights he used to coach a produce manager in the process... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato notes that in the ongoing battle of attaining or deducting labor hours in the produce department, one question often goes unasked: How will this affect produce department standards?.. Read More

Displaying fruits and vegetables in their natural state helps instill the idea to customers that your store is indeed fresh, yet produce departments rarely make the effort... Read More

Just as the industry itself has evolved, so have technological advancements — even if it takes some time... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato recalls a trip to the Northwest highlighted by rolling hills and a “water park” for packing fresh cherries and shares how the small fruit has a big impact on the produce aisle... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato shares how a simple moment helped unlock a big idea... Read More

With produce volume set to peak, those who aren’t diligent in securing and properly training extra hands could pay the price, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

There are no secrets when produce buyers work from closely packed desks, but it did provide camaraderie and other benefits, explains columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Not all jobs are memorable for good reasons. Columnist Armand Lobato details his worst roles and explains how they ultimately prepared him for better opportunities... Read More

Before the time of celebrity food influencers on social media, columnist Armand Lobato recalls an attempt to engage a younger generation with practical food know-how... Read More