Latest Fresh Produce News & Insights

Spontaneous visits to walk through operation areas still work well for the produce aisle, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

While some chains use a combination of hand-stacking and gentle pouring, depending on available labor and time, columnist Armand Lobato examines the pros and cons of both methods to see how they truly stack up... Read More

Multi-component fixtures complement traditional produce space with smart merchandising style, but the same old principles still apply when it comes to keeping them ready for customers, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

While some view produce specialists' as "retail cops" looking for trouble during unannounced store visits, columnist Armand Lobato says their actual goal is to help produce managers and departments prosper... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato recalls how attending an industry gathering helped during a bleak time and reinforced why the camaraderie is beneficial to produce professionals... Read More

Proper training and clear direction from management can help clerks avoid looking ahead while falling behind, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

NFL coaching legend Vince Lombardi said, “You don’t do things right once in a while. You do things right all the time." That also applies to ensuring freshness, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato reflects on one exceptional trait that set Tom Cagle apart as a leader and mentor... Read More

Is your store skimping on its fresh produce program? Companies that commit to high-quality, prominent and well-executed produce departments are foremost in consumers’ perception, explains columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Knowing your produce business is a core management tenet. How well you take notes now — keeping a work diary, if you will — can impact your future sales, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Don't want to get burned by ordering too little or too much? Columnist Armand Lobato offers advice on maintaining a well-stocked produce department... Read More

While any store can appear fine from the front, a look out back can reveal telltale signs of inventory mishandling, health and safety hazards, theft and other problems, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Where's the best store for produce shopping? With so many factors to consider, columnist Armand Lobato shares a tale about finding his answer to this regularly asked question... Read More

Throughout the produce supply chain, consistency and follow-through are key to building one's business, reputation and trusting relationships, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

August is the highest-shrink month for produce, and managers should focus on critical control points that can affect gross profit margin and help keep shrink in check, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato takes a trip back to the early ’90s to share a lesson about being the produce "new guy" pushed into checking out one of those newfangled and unnecessary mobile phones... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato shares discusses a journey to finding improved scheduling. .. Read More

Effective leaders shouldn’t shy away from a little grunt work to set the example for others, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

A roasting station for Hatch chili peppers can add some sizzle to your store's offerings. Columnist Armand Lobato offers insight on doing it right... Read More

Pricing is important to shoppers, especially during inflation, but is it the overwhelming factor? Columnist Armand Lobato shares the top grocery store preferences that he's heard from customers over the years... Read More

Few produce subcategories create more shopping appeal and more benefits than the cut-fruit section, says columnist Armand Lobato, who offers insight about making the most of a summertime opportunity... Read More

Educational sessions at the 2024 West Coast Produce Expo and the Sustainable Produce Summit provided a wealth of information from industry experts. Here's a chance to take a virtual seat at the presentations... Read More

The journey for a new produce manager typically begins at a lower-volume store with fewer resources. Columnist Armand Lobato offers some thoughts on handling the challenges — and the opportunity to aim higher... Read More

With the time crunch of operating a produce department, it can be tempting to hurry that next order — but it will cost you even more time and money if you don’t take proper inventory first, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

You're qualified and check all the boxes for a coveted promotion, so why wouldn't it be yours to take? Columnist Armand Lobato offers a deeper look at some perceived strengths that may not matter as much as you think... Read More