Pumpkins held on to the top spot on Produce Market Guide the week of Sept. 9, while chili peppers gained two places from the week before to land at No. 2.

Mucci Farms, Kingsville, Ontario, has acquired a controlling interest in greenhouse grower Orangeline Farms, Leamington, Ontario, and plans more expansion in the U.S. and Canada.

The Customs and Border Protection seized almost four tons of marijuana in a truck hauling jalapenos at the Otay Mesa cargo facility in San Diego.

Produce Retailer's Ashley Nickle and The Packer's Amelia Freidline check out Fresh Trends statistics on chili peppers and try several preparations of the famous Hatch chiles on this episode of Millennials Eat.

Figs maintained their No. 1 place on Produce Market Guide last week for the sixth week in a row, but chili peppers vaulted from the No. 5 spot to No. 2.

Frieda’s Specialty Produce Hatch chili peppers will be in season in late July, ahead of the normal August start date.

Chili peppers may be available from Mexico year-round, but summer is the time for U.S. peppers to shine.

Seed company Enza Zaden’s mini sweet pepper, Tribelli, grown and marketed by Pure Hothouse Foods Inc.’s Pure Flavor brand as Aurora Bites, received the International Taste Institute’s Superior Taste Award.

Red Sun Farms, Kingsville, Ontario, highlighted its Sweetpops tomatoes and Sweetpeps peppers at a recent United Way fundraiser that pairs local greenhouses with a chef and local student.

Watermelons achieved a monthlong streak as the No. 1 most-searched commodity on Produce Market Guide during the week of June 10, with cucumbers retaining the No. 2 spot for the second week.