Produce Market Guide

17/12/2024

Featuring the theme, “Where Passion Becomes Action,” the 2024 New York Produce Show and Conference brought some 4,000 attendees and more than 300 exhibitors to New York City’s Jacob Javits Center, Dec. 10-12.

Check out our Seen and Heard for some highlights from the show: loom.ly/fxPwEe0

The 2024 New York Produce Show and Conference brought some 4,000 attendees and more than 300 exhibitors to New York City's Jacob Javits Center, Dec. 10-12.

16/12/2024

We're thrilled to announce that Steve Lerch, a former Google executive and consultant, will take the GOPEX 2025 stage to discuss how to connect, understand and influence conscious consumers in the modern digital world.

Don't miss your chance to hear his insights.

Register today at https://loom.ly/tL7XNeg

16/12/2024

Armand Lobato shares how a festive fruit basket kiosk prank brought holiday cheer to his produce department through teamwork and unexpected employee participation.

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

13/12/2024

“When we think of conditioning, we think of the process of ripening bananas, avocados or even stone fruit and pears. But we have also conditioned consumers that they can get any item they need or want, at any time, every day of the year and that products will always be the same in terms of freshness, flavor and value,” says Joe Watson, vice president of retail, foodservice and wholesale for International Fresh Produce Association.

Read Watson's thoughts on the art of educating consumers on fresh produce: loom.ly/Gkuiq0E

The IFPA's Joe Watson offers insight on setting, and meeting, shopper expectations for produce.

12/12/2024

Organic produce, food trends, consumer behavior — GOPEX has it all!

This comprehensive event covers a wide range of topics essential for success in today's produce industry.

Visit Events.FarmJournal.com/gopex2025 to learn more and to register.

12/12/2024

In the latest episode, Jeana Cadby, director of environment and climate for Western Growers, talks about a working group addressing the changing produce packaging requirements imposed by governments and retailers.

Check out the latest episode of : loom.ly/LLDtuEI

11/12/2024

Yesterday, a U.S. district court blocked a proposed merger deal between Albertsons Cos. Inc. and The Kroger Co.

Following that ruling, Albertsons filed a lawsuit against Kroger, alleging a willful breach of contract and covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

Kroger responded to the lawsuit saying the claims made by Albertsons are meritless.

Visit ProduceMarketGuide.com for the latest developments.

11/12/2024

Looking to stay ahead of the curve in the produce industry? 🤔

You'll gain valuable insights from experts on organic produce, food trends, and consumer behavior at GOPEX 2025.

Register today and don't miss out on this educational opportunity: loom.ly/_uqkaMQ

10/12/2024

When hockey teams have a sloppy shift change, bad things follow. The same is true in the produce aisle, says columnist Armand Lobato.

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When hockey teams have a sloppy shift change, bad things follow. The same is true in the produce aisle, says columnist Armand Lobato.

09/12/2024

Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn from industry experts, network and discover the latest innovations in the fresh produce industry at GOPEX 2025.

Register today for GOPEX 2025, held Jan. 13-14, 2025, at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort in Aventura, Fla.

Learn more and register now at loom.ly/_uqkaMQ

09/12/2024

When it comes to eating at home, and meals have often seemed like opposite ends of the spectrum. Whereas quick options were loaded with ingredients that didn’t support a balanced diet, healthy choices often required significant time for planning and preparation.

84.51°, the retail data science, insights and media company helping The Kroger Co. and its partners create customer-centric shopper journeys, says consumers want options that are both healthy and convenient.

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Kroger's retail data science, insights and media company says today's consumers seek both protein-rich healthful foods and convenience.

06/12/2024

In today’s competitive retail grocery environment, understanding consumer behavior is key to driving sales — especially when it comes to the produce section.

To gain insight into the psychology behind shopper choices, The Packer spoke with Michael Barbera, chief behavioral officer for Clicksuasion Labs and an award-winning consumer psychologist.

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Consumer psychologist Michael Barbera shares insights about how marketing strategies, sensory triggers and emerging trends influence shopper decisions.

05/12/2024

As consumers' tastes evolve and environmental concerns grow, the industry is preparing for another year of transformation in 2025. Industry insiders and data experts are already forecasting the trends that will shape baskets, from increased interest in to social media’s influence on consumers: loom.ly/4iOWCE0

Share in the comments the trends you see influencing the produce industry next year.

03/12/2024

Traditionally, shopping for fresh has been an in-store affair. There’s just something about being able to see, touch, smell and even taste fruits and vegetables before popping them into a grocery cart.

With the rise of online shopping, however, are now challenged with translating the produce-shopping experience to the digital world. At the same time, grocery stores are upping their game to make produce shopping easier, fun and more engaging.

Retailers and industry experts recently shared insights about successful strategies and best practices: loom.ly/ryBzC6c

While brick-and-mortar stores aim to make produce shopping easier, fun and more engaging, retailers seek to translate the in-store buying experience to the digital world.

02/12/2024

When global fruit breeder Bloom Fresh develops a new table grape, cherry or blueberry variety, there's exhaustive science behind it, but also a keen eye to what three core demographics — growers, retailers and consumers — want most.

Helping to bring these fruits to fruition, in August, Bloom Fresh opened the doors to its new $14 million Fruitworks Discovery Center, in McFarland, Calif. The sprawling campus is equipped with specialized labs and research areas, 150 acres of test vineyards, 25,000 square feet of greenhouses and more — all designed to elevate natural fruit breeding.

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The $14 million campus features specialized labs and research areas, 150 acres of test vineyards, 25,000 square feet of greenhouses and more — all designed to elevate natural fruit breeding.

28/11/2024

Amid times of division, columnist and produce industry veteran Armand Lobato shares why the message is as relevant today as it was over 160 years ago.

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

27/11/2024

The cost of the feast is down for the second year in a row, according to the 39th annual American Farm Bureau Federation Thanksgiving dinner survey.

The classic Thanksgiving spread for 10 will run shoppers $58.08, down 5% from last year but still up 19% higher than five years ago. For one week each year, volunteer shoppers from all 50 states and Puerto Rico visit their local store or a local store’s website to survey the prices of items used in a typical Thanksgiving feast.

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Seven items for the holiday spread dropped in price this year, such as sweetpotatoes and a vegetable tray of carrots and celery, according to the annual American Farm Bureau Federation Thanksgiving dinner survey.

26/11/2024

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 columnist and industry veteran Armand Lobato's insights on the value of learning what produce knows: loom.ly/xAGyAQI

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.