Latest Fresh Produce News & Insights

Columnist Armand Lobato discusses how hard work, a desire to learn and some good fortune can lead to opportunity... Read More

Plans are good, but not everything goes according to plan. Columnist Armand Lobato recalls when a 10-minute commute became an 8-hour trek... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato reflects on how good managers make produce work look simple and his hope for the next generation... Read More

Working the occasional late night can show produce managers a lot about their operation and customers, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato explores finding success by embracing the ever-changing nature of the industry... Read More

Bringing these elements into a produce department requires added effort, but customers will notice, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Amid times of division, this Thanksgiving message is as relevant today as it was over 160 years ago... Read More

Though some think higher-ups "don't know what it's like" being a clerk, these veterans have plenty of knowledge to share with those aspiring to advance... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato explains one produce manager's system of fixing troubled stores by committing to a monthlong push with no days off to get the ship righted... Read More

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

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

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

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

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