Latest Fresh Produce News & Insights

Competition checks are an integral part of understanding your business and seeing how other stores are doing. Columnist Armand Lobato offers some observations to include in your checklist... Read More

An impressive produce lineup at the front entrance can elevate customer expectations for what they'll find further into the store, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Are you eating five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables a day? Produce department staff can easily surpass that while on the job and be better prepared to educate customers about items, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

How much is a good produce professional worth? Columnist Armand Lobato takes a look at how labor market conditions and employee intangibles factor into pay... Read More

Dumping produce onto a fixture may make for a quick and easy display, but that "shortcut" ultimately costs a department in terms of sales, increased shrink and lower customer satisfaction, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

After a produce show ends, the work begins with developing your new contacts into strong business relationships — and there's a surefire way to make a great early impression, columnist Armand Lobato explains... Read More

A powerful force in fresh produce, Hunts Point Produce Market is as rich in family history as it is passionate about feeding fresh fruits and vegetables to some 22 million people every year. .. Read More

Think no one buys fruit baskets anymore? It's more about a lack of inventory rather than a lack of shopper interest, says columnist Armand Lobato. A little foresight and preparation can nab additional holiday sales... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato shares a message of thanks, reflecting on the demanding work to prepare for pre-Thanksgiving shopping — sharing a burden and bond with co-workers... Read More

So often in produce, a merchandising challenge or an issue can be identified by tearing things down to the mat, metaphorically speaking, and starting over, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

The price-friendly potato is nutritious and versatile in meals — but be sure to maximize your opportunities when advertising a sale, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Having a seasoned produce supervisor handle operations for major store events is good — having additional experienced personnel on hand to deal with the swarm of demands is even better, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

It's nice to have a great idea, but it's even better to execute the plan at some point. Columnist Armand Lobato has advice for getting over the hump... Read More

Strong leadership is a two-way street that includes creating trust with employees who in turn are motivated to do the job right. Columnist Armand Lobato explains how to get there... Read More

Worrying too much about operations and goals can hinder produce managers and their departments. Columnist Armand Lobato says focusing on these key steps can help alleviate the burden... Read More

A produce manager should encourage staff to do not only what’s expected, but exceed expectations, to benefit themselves, other shifts — and customers, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

When a challenge arises in produce, hesitation and inaction can lead to an undesirable outcome. Sometimes the best option is to "just lower your head and push," says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

If a grocer is built properly for convenience, with good customer service, a tired shopper is more likely to head to that store at the end of the day, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Columnist Armand Lobato explains how adhering to the meaning of this French phrase can help optimize labor scheduling, product ordering and merchandising... Read More

Fifteen produce and floral managers at area supermarkets participated in New England Produce Council's first Produce Manager Leadership Development Program at NEPC’s Produce, Floral & Foodservice Expo... Read More

Just like home, something always needs to be maintained in the produce department. If not done in a timely manner, things only get worse — and shoppers will notice, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

Do you have "diamonds" that "eat like candy"? Let's hope your stock has "legs" but isn't "kicked." Columnist Armand Lobato explains some of the unofficial terms heard around the produce aisle... Read More

Taking steps to minimizing food waste not only helps reduce shrink, but it also means fresher produce with a longer shelf life at the consumer’s home, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More

The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice’s proposed update to its merger-enforcement guidelines scrutinizes buyer power... Read More

Overnight produce receiving isn’t for everyone, but it can solve many problems for stores with once particular issue in their layout, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More