The Produce News

29/06/2024

Wada Farms recognizes that organics play an important role at today’s dinner table, and the company provides options that meets the consumer need for this growing produce segment. Read more about their expected growth: https://bit.ly/4bdBDGK.

28/06/2024

Pure Flavor recently introduced new sustainable packaging options, including 100 percent compostable mesh bags and recyclable paper trays. Read more about what to expect: https://bit.ly/4bjd6Qu.

28/06/2024

BJ's Wholesale Club, a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs, announced the locations of its newest clubs, set to open in early 2025. Read more about what's coming here: https://bit.ly/3xC2Epw

26/06/2024

Despite its urban image, the Empire State is the nation’s second largest producer of apples, snap peas and cabbage, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The state is third in grape production, fourth in corn silage production and fifth in tart cherries, green peas and squash production.

Read how Produce is in a New York state of mind.... https://bit.ly/3VyOdL0

25/06/2024

Allegiance Retail Services LLC's 2024 Holiday Food & Retail Tech Showcase was held Thursday, June 20 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center. Fresh produce was well represented at the show, which featured vendors from across the country showcasing a wide variety of items. Here are a few pictures. See more at https://bit.ly/3zfdCBQ.

25/06/2024

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture reports that yellow flesh peaches comprise 90 percent of New Jersey’s output of peaches, white flesh varieties make up 4 percent and the newer doughnut, or flat peaches, are still only a blip in overall production at 1 percent.

Read how The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council funds research on new peach and nectarine variety development and the handling in storage and market.

https://bit.ly/3KZqqPa

24/06/2024

Watch your mailboxes for the latest print edition of The Produce News!

22/06/2024

Naturipe Farms is the largest blueberry producer in the world. The company has evolved from four highly esteemed berry growers with their own marketing companies to one company, cultivating blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries and avocados. Read more about the new blueberry varieties that are coming soon... https://bit.ly/4ckERsZ

21/06/2024

Ken Gad, the owner of Cambridge Farms in South Easton, ME, is widely regarded as a leading authority on potatoes on the Eastern Shore. Over 30 years, he has assembled an outstanding team of growers, shippers, packers and marketing partners dedicated to delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service.

Things have been a bit challenging this year due to weather, and that will lead to reduced yields in North Carolina and a little less than the past few years in Virginia. The good news for both areas is that overall, the quality looks “awesome” for red, white and yellow potatoes out of North Carolina and the Russet crop in Virginia.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4eBpDlt

20/06/2024

Marco Andrea Corbo, vice president of sales and operations at J. E. Russell, died on Tuesday, June 18. He was 46. Mr. Corbo was known for his diligent work ethic and unwavering devotion to his family. His gentle and humble demeanor will be greatly missed. Our condolences to his loved ones.

19/06/2024

Numerous companies have capitalized on the advantages of operating in this area. Proximity to major markets, such as being within 200 miles of New York City and 100 miles of Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC, provides significant opportunities for growth. This strategic location enables efficient distribution and access to a substantial consumer base, enhancing the region’s appeal.

Things this year are somewhat unique, as weather throughout the United States has impacted how things are looking in the area for the 2024 summer season.

Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3KPLasB

18/06/2024

Officials at Sunny Valley International keep looking for the better blueberry. The Glassboro, NJ-based operation is placing a large emphasis on varietal development, hoping that new products will help continue the big growth of blueberry sales domestically and around the world. Read more: https://theproducenews.com/berries/sunny-valley-focuses-blueberry-varieties

17/06/2024

Steve Michael Volpe, who started his produce career after finishing the seventh grade and later founded Royal Madera Vineyards, died peacefully on June 10; he was 100 years old. Our condolences to his loved ones.

15/06/2024

Hass avocados from Peru will be prime for selling to U.S. consumers in time for the 2024 backyard barbecue season. Customers of Index Fresh, a global avocado marketing and distribution company, can count on availability of the premium Peruvian harvest throughout summer with attractive fixed pricing available on fruit secured now as part of prebooked, season-long programs for retail and foodservice.
Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3KCGsyr

14/06/2024

Please join us in congratulating Salinas veteran, Mark McBride, on his retirement from his sales position at Coastline Family Farms, where he has spent the final two decades of his notable career. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3xqr4Cb

13/06/2024

Jersey Fresh blueberries will be ready for your shelves from early June into early August, and your customers look for blueberries from the Garden State all year long because they know Jersey Fresh blueberries will provide the flavor and size they desire.

Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3Rnakmi

12/06/2024

The Partnership for a Healthier America and the International Fresh Produce Association’s Foundation for Fresh Produce co-hosted the first-ever Produce for All Leadership Summit at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, DC, on June 10. The exclusive, invite-only event gathered 130 leaders from across the business, public, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors to share knowledge and create an actionable plan to double produce consumption in communities around the United States. Visit our website to see more photos: https://bit.ly/4cmB4vn

11/06/2024

The Texas International Produce Association and the Houston Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association announced a strategic partnership aimed at fortifying and enhancing the produce industry in Texas.

This collaboration brings together two influential organizations with the objective of unifying the voice of fruit and vegetable businesses in Texas, while supporting the advancement of those businesses specifically in the Houston-region.

Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4bW4ctq

10/06/2024

Gain unique insights into their SEKOYA Platform, valuable data & global trends, and many networking opportunities while enjoying delicious fruit.

Learn more about this exclusive event for retail buyers: https://sekoyafruit.com/sekoya-field-forum-lowell-or-usa-july-30-2024/

Welcome to The Produce News. We have been covering fresh produce around the globe since 1897.

08/06/2024

Read about Mike Madden, the founder and president of Macadu Fresh, and his employees work hard to make an impact in the always hyper-competitive produce industry: https://bit.ly/4c0esQV

07/06/2024

By a wide margin, the 2024 California avocado crop is being picked and packed in much greater numbers than previously anticipated, which resulted in the California Avocado Commission significantly increasing its crop estimate in its annual mid-season report. Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/3XfcQPo

06/06/2024

The NJDA Bureau of Inspection and Grading continues to perform thousands of inspections annually of imported and domestic produce, ensuring compliance with USDA Grade Standards. The NJDA’s inspectors perform shipping point and terminal market inspections and issue certificates including information such as size, condition, quality, and grading of each lot. These inspections are conducted at cold storages, packing facilities, warehouses, and brokerage firms throughout the state.
Read the full article about this program here: https://bit.ly/3X6NYsP

05/06/2024

New Jersey is a big part of Sunny Valley International’s operation, but the Glassboro, NJ-based full-service marketer of domestic and imported fruit, is just as proud of what it produces in other parts of the country too.

The 37-year-old company, a leading supplier of New Jersey peaches and nectarines, and one of the largest suppliers of New Jersey blueberries will start its New Jersey blueberry and stone fruit programs this month.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3R5G5QF

04/06/2024

Four Seasons Produce, Inc. held its second annual Fresh Fest Independent Retailer Trade Show & Conference May 6-7 at the Junction Center, here, drawing nearly 200 independent retailer customers for educational and networking opportunities.
See more photos: https://bit.ly/3VrpI3j

03/06/2024

The Healthy Family Project’s 22nd bi-annual Publix Produce for Kids cause marketing campaign is under way through June 26. This year,12 produce companies are donating 600,000 meals to 35 Feeding America network food banks within Publix’s market area.
Read more about the campaign in this recent article: https://bit.ly/4aLdp6C

03/06/2024

Frank Donio Inc., (Top Crop) a longtime New Jersey grower-shipper with a heavy emphasis on blueberries, added a small trial of raspberries to the mix in 2023 and is greatly increasing that production for the 2024 season. Read more about the plans for this expansion in this recent article: https://bit.ly/3R2kDMb.

Photo: Salesman Alec Arena inspecting the new the raspberry plantings

01/06/2024

For Progressive Produce and Keystone Fruit Marketing, Walla Walla sweet onions are vital to their year-round program.

“They complement our offerings, especially after the harvest of our California flat sweet onions,” said Oscar Guzman, vice president of marketing and sales. “Grown in the nutrient-rich soil of Washington’s Blue Mountains, Walla Walla onions benefit from optimal conditions. Local growers use traditional cultivation methods, ensuring premium quality. Each onion is carefully hand-harvested, reflecting our commitment to excellence and providing exceptional produce year-round.”

Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3UWSwiN

31/05/2024

Check out the most recent Trendspotting by Craig Levitt: Shopping remains a labor of like — if not always a labor of love. ❤️
Read more: https://bit.ly/3X5dDSL

30/05/2024

An earlier harvest for cherries? Sage Fruit thinks so! Read more about what's coming including conventional and organic dark sweets, as well as rainier cherries. https://bit.ly/3KezHmg

30/05/2024

Bobaluberries is celebrating its third year awarding scholarships to graduating high school seniors. The Bobalu Berry Farms Scholarship program was established in 2022 to honor company founders on the 60th anniversary. Each year the program has expanded to include more students at high schools in both Oxnard and Santa Maria, CA, and employee’s children. Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3VjEjxR