Latest Fresh Produce News & Insights

While a brix measurement offers a detail about sweetness, going beyond the numbers can keep a customer coming back all summer long, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

In-person events in the relationship-based produce business help keep conversations and creativity flowing among professionals who work throughout the industry, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

We’re now on the threshold of the most intense two to three months of fresh produce sales, says columnist Armand Lobato, who offers guidance on making the most of your summer setup... Read More

Historically, about 40% of produce sales and unit volume at brick-and-mortar grocery stores are from impulse buys, experts say. How do you do that online?.. Read More

Any organization that deals with fresh produce works to meet both their external and internal customer needs — and that includes how its operations handle delivery delays, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Here’s how a hit instrumental song serves as a warning in the produce department... Read More

First off, don’t call it “food waste.”.. Read More

How you open a new or remodeled store can say a lot to customers. Columnist Armand Lobato gives his thoughts on how to make a great first impression... Read More

What is the fresh produce supply chain doing to reduce its carbon emissions? That was among the questions posed to panelists at The Packer’s recent Sustainable Produce Summit in Palm Desert, Calif... Read More

Bad routines drag a produce department down into lethargy. Good routines make all the difference in the world, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

In the ever-present push and pull between produce buyer and supplier, here’s how to tip the scales in your favor... Read More

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 1, which introduces a series on produce technology, co-hosted with ZAG Technical Services. It's the hidden side of produce, full of challenges and solutions from farm to shelf... Read More

It's a given that managers want to avoid overtime, but skimping on regular-hour scheduling can be counterproductive, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

PALM DESERT, Calif. — A pivotal moment in Brody Slacer's life happened when he had to reject a third pallet of yellow squash within 48 hours at a meal kit company... Read More

Innovation is a key theme in this issue. Read about fresh produce vending machines, live-streaming shoppable videos, actionable data analytics, and watermelons winning on social media  — and much more... Read More

There's a lot of critical work that happens in the produce department's backroom, but many do not have an inside perspective of how much happens there — and when it occurs — says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

If produce sales jump after resetting the layout of the department, it has to be a success, right? Columnist Armand Lobato shares his own experience from witnessing the ups and downs of one merchandising modification... Read More

How has the work ethic evolved through the generations, and what motivates us?.. Read More

PMG, retail and education editor Amy Sowder digs into the world of marketing produce to young families this spring — especially to picky preschoolers... Read More

While higher education can help further a career, lessons from on-the-job produce experience can also aid in the pursuit of a degree, says columnist Armand Lobato. .. Read More

Produce managers are quintessential coaches, whose words and leadership choices can motivate crew members and elevate the performance of everyone on the team, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Other produce part-timers made excuses to avoid this messy late-shift routine, but columnist Armand Lobato says he thrived on it. .. Read More

For the Center for Produce Safety: North Bay Produce Food Safety Manager Kinsey Clishe talks about efforts to validate cleaning and sanitizing procedures — and the importance of discussing the "why" behind practices... Read More

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The theme was collaboration as social media marketers and retail dietitians mingled with suppliers and C-suite executives at Produce for Better Health's Consumer Connection Conference... Read More

Quality inspectors are the eyes of a fresh produce operation, spotting issues that can lead to shrink at any point. They can also report on quality, which helps in promoting and marketing, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More