In April, RDW Fresh Brands hosted its newly rebranded customer event, The Fresh Expo. Designed to be more than just a traditional appreciation gathering, the expo reflects the company’s continued evolution and commitment to innovation, connection and leadership in the fresh industry. Held on April 9, the Hawaiian-themed celebration brought the beach to Minnesota and […]
Category: Produce News
The Shelby Report covers the produce industry for grocery retailers nationwide, from fresh fruit and vegetable trends and supplier announcements to merchandising strategies and regional market news. Updated regularly across our five regional editions.
Find all our fresh coverage in Focus on Fresh.
Posted inProduce News, National, News
GrubMarket Acquires Coast Citrus Distributors
GrubMarket, an AI-powered technology and digital transformation company in the food supply chain, has acquired Coast Citrus Distributors. GrubMarket‘s largest acquisition to date, the move enhances the company’s national produce distribution capabilities, particularly for high-demand tropical fruits and specialty root vegetables. Founded in 1950 by Roberto Alvarez, Coast Citrus Distributors has a 75-year legacy of […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, News, The Kroger Co., West
Divert Expands Organics Recycling Program To All Fred Meyer Stores
Divert Inc. and Fred Meyer Stores, a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., have expanded their organics recycling program to support all 105 of the grocer’s locations in Oregon and Washington. “Fred Meyer and Kroger have been valued customers of Divert for many years, and we are proud to expand our collaboration to further advance the […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
Foundation For Fresh Produce Appoints Gligorijević Chief Medical Officer
The Foundation for Fresh Produce has named Jelena Gligorijević as chief medical officer, a new position created to expand the influence of the produce industry within the global health and medical communities. Gligorijević is a practicing medical doctor and nutrition specialist with more than three decades of experience in clinical practice, academic instruction and public […]
Posted inProduce News, National, News
Ehlers Receives Spirit Of Ohana Honor From Dole Food Co.
Dole Food Co. has named the recipient of its inaugural “Spirit of ‘Ohana” honor: Evan Ehlers, the founder and CEO of Sharing Excess. This recognition is bestowed upon those who embody the hospitality and community-service themes of the Hawaiian concept of extended family. Dole’s “Spirit of ‘Ohana” initiative aims to encourage others to acknowledge those […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest, News
Busch’s Fresh Food Market Offers Summer Produce From Local Farms
Busch’s Fresh Food Market, a family-owned supermarket chain in southeastern Michigan, has begun offering hyperlocal produce that will vary throughout the fall and summer months and come from farms near its stores. Among the company’s 16 stores, participating locations include Ann Arbor, Brighton, Canton, Dexter, Novi, Plymouth, Saline, South Lyon and West Bloomfield. “Michigan is such […]
Posted inProduce News, Hugo's Family Marketplace, Midwest, News
Hugo’s Family Marketplace, Empower Fresh Add Smart AI Produce Ordering
Hugo’s Family Marketplace, an independent grocer based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, has partnered with Empower Fresh to launch smarter, fresher produce ordering in five of its 15 stores, marking the start of a rollout designed to reduce waste and promote quality. The partnership brings together Hugo’s commitment to local and Empower Fresh’s AI-powered produce […]
Expert Article
Celebrating Sweetest Star Of Summer Season – Watermelon
As the summer sun reaches its peak, few things say “summer” more than watermelon. Sweet, refreshing and packed with hydration, watermelon is truly the superstar of June produce. Whether whole or pre-cut, it’s a must-have for summer gatherings and a natural way to boost the produce department’s basket size. Why watermelon? Watermelon is not only […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA CEO Rallies Industry To ‘Fight for Fresh’
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) gathered fresh produce and floral industry leaders June 9-11 for The Washington Conference. Addressing attendees before they met with more than 185 congressional offices, IFPA CEO Cathy Burns called on the industry to join in the “Fight for Fresh.” “The need to expand our influence, innovate and future proof our industry […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, News, Southeast
Produce Coalition Requests Information On USDA’s Farm Wage Rate
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) and the NC Sweetpotato Commission (NCSC) have assembled a five-state, 30-organization coalition comprised of two national produce organizations, representing a diverse collection of crops including eight advocacy groups, with the mission of filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA Shares Retail Produce Manager Award Recipients
At The Retail Conference and Golf Tournament, the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) announced the 20 recipients of the 2025 Retail Produce Manager Awards, recognizing their dedication to fresh produce, inventive merchandising, community engagement and exceptional customer service. The 20 winners represent the produce industry to the consumer and work to increase sales and consumption […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA To Host The Washington Conference To Promote Fresh Produce
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is set to host The Washington Conference on June 9-11, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers and advocates to champion and safeguard the future of fresh produce. This event unites attendees from the fresh produce and floral industries to engage with policymakers on key issues that impact the sector. Attendees […]
Posted inProduce News, National, News
Report: Easter Elevates April Fresh Produce Sales
Boosted by Easter, April delivered $7.4 billion in fresh produce sales, according to Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, in partnership with Circana and the IFPA. Dollars and volume increased year over year and also remained well above the levels of two years ago. Fruit delivered growth in dollar sales for the total produce department. […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, News, Southeast
SEPC Names 2025 Member Scholarship Recipients
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC), based in Millen, Georgia, has selected 41 students to receive a scholarship for 2025, totaling $61,500. Scholarships are granted to students who meet specific criteria, including having a parent or grandparent who is a corporate member in good standing with the SEPC and has personally attended at least one SEPC […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, News, West
Le Meur Tapped To Support Driscoll’s Fresh Berry Business
Watsonville, California-based Driscoll’s has appointed Gaëlle Le Meur as its new chief people officer. Reporting to CEO Soren Bjorn, Le Meur will be in charge of the company’s global people function, encompassing talent strategy, organizational effectiveness, leadership development and inclusion efforts. With more than 20 years of experience, Le Meur brings expertise in organizational design, […]
Posted inProduce News, News, Southeast
Fresh Del Monte’s Rubyglow Pineapple Wins Top Award
Fresh Del Monte Produce’s Rubyglow pineapple was named Best Food Innovation in the premium fruit category by the World Food Innovation Awards 2025. Selected by a panel of industry experts, the awards celebrate breakthrough achievements in food and beverage, recognizing products that exemplify innovation, sustainability and consumer appeal. A registered U.S. plant patent, the Rubyglow […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, News, Southwest
IFPA’s The Retail Conference: Shaping Tomorrow’s Business, Today
Hundreds of representatives from throughout the full retail supply chain convened April 30-May 1 for networking and consumer insights at IFPA’s The Retail Conference in Dallas. In its fourth year, the produce conference attracted key industry retailers, suppliers and solutions providers. The event’s limited registration continues to create networking opportunities that foster partnerships. This was […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Produce News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Produce For Kids Campaign Kicks Off With Supplier Support
Fifteen produce companies are collaborating with Publix Super Markets for the Healthy Family Project’s 23rd biannual Publix Produce for Kids campaign, aiming to provide 800,000 meals to 35 Feeding America partner food banks within the grocer’s operating area by June 25. The companies include Coast Tropical, Ayco Farms, Driscoll’s, The Wonderful Company, Shuman Farms, Mucci […]
Posted inProduce News, News, West
Tree Top Unveils Brand Refresh, Including New Packaging
Tree Top, a farmer-grown, farmer-owned cooperative and producer of high-quality fruit-based products, has completed a brand refresh that includes updates to its logo and packaging. Known for its apple sauces and juices, the brand’s new look aims to appeal to consumers and stand out on retail shelves. As part of the initiative, Tree Top updated […]
Posted inProduce News, News, West
Altar Produce Expands Specialty Vegetable Offerings
Altar Produce, a Calexico, California-based leader in the production and marketing of premium vegetables, has begun an expansion of its specialty vegetable offerings, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, quality and customer-driven solutions. As part of this growth initiative, Altar Produce is beginning a growth on its year-round green onion program, designed to meet the rising […]