The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) kicked off the new year by beginning its 2025-27 strategic plan, which includes new leadership roles. The plan was announced during Tammy DeBoer’s remarks at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta. DeBoer, president of Harris Teeter and 2025 chair of IFPA’s board of directors, will focus much of […]
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.
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Posted inExecutive News, Midwest, Produce News
Empower Fresh Co. Names Austin President, CEO
Kansas City, Missouri-based Empower Fresh Co., the only AI-powered produce management solution designed for independent grocers and wholesale operations, has named Robert Austin president and CEO. Created by industry veterans with more than 100 years of combined experience, Empower Fresh helps retailers fight shrink, optimize inventory, streamline ordering and boost profitability. Austin has been with […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
Potandon Produce Taps Lawrence As CEO
David Lawrence has been named CEO of Potandon Produce, one of the largest providers of fresh potatoes in North America, effective Dec. 20. He is the former CEO of Fresh Direct. Lawrence succeeds Mel Davenport, who retired after 30-plus years of service marked by the launch of Klondike Goldust and Klondike Rose potatoes and the […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Fresh Express Launches Fresh Start Challenge For New Year’s Resolutions
Fresh Express is launching the Fresh Start Challenge, aiming to empower consumers to embrace the new year with intention and energy. The 2025 Fresh Start Challenge will encourage participants to focus on holistic well-being through a series of themed weekly challenges designed to help them prioritize their health and lifestyle goals. Fresh Express is offering early access […]
Posted inProduce News, Feature, National
Zespri Wants ‘People To Have Fun’ In Produce Category
Zespri Kiwifruit, the world’s leading kiwifruit brand, continues to make waves in the North American market. Jeanne Wilson, head of marketing, North America, shared the company’s success story at the recent Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, Georgia. “We’re the No. 1-selling kiwi brand,” Wilson emphasized. “We sell five times more than any other […]
Posted inFeature, National, Produce News
IFPA Unveils New Strategic Plan To Drive Global Growth, Influence
Tammy DeBoer, president of Harris Teeter and incoming chair of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), outlined a new strategic plan during her address at the recent Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, Georgia. The plan, focused on three key pillars – worldwide influence, personalized member experience and future-proofing the industry – aims to […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, National
Ahold Delhaize USA, Campbell’s Begin Potato Program To Reduce Emissions
In collaboration with The Campbell’s Co., Ahold Delhaize USA has begun a pilot program that will help potato farms implement regenerative farming techniques to create more resilient agricultural systems and reduce carbon emissions through soil health practices and other opportunities. The initiative covers 1,000 acres across three farms in Michigan, New York and North Carolina, […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Midwest, Produce News, West
Lakeside Foods Acquires Vegetable Manufacturer Smith Frozen Foods
Lakeside Foods has announced its intent to purchase the business assets of Smith Frozen Foods – including its Weston, Oregon, production facility and Garrett Packing/Brittany Farms operations in Milton-Freewater, Oregon – to produce frozen vegetables. “Smith Frozen Foods is well-regarded in the industry for its strong legacy of growing and processing vegetables and its unwavering commitment […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Executive News, Feature, National, Produce News
Kroger CEO McMullen Discusses Navigating Bifurcated Market, Future Of Food
The recent Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, Georgia, provided a platform for industry leaders to discuss the evolving landscape of the grocery industry. In a candid conversation with moderator Patrick Vizzone, Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen shed light on the dynamics shaping consumer behavior and the company’s strategic response. McMullen highlighted the […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
SEPC Shares Southern Exposure Speaker Lineup
The Southeast Produce Council has released its lineup of speakers for the upcoming Southern Exposure: Produce Means Family. Just as “ohana” means “family” in Hawaiian culture, SPC believes that the produce community is a family that supports and uplifts one another. Set for March 6-8 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida, this […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Southeast
IFPA’s Global Produce, Floral Show Donations Go To Atlanta Nonprofits
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) donated 226,735 pounds of produce and 8,575 pounds of flowers following this year’s Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, Georgia. The rescue and distribution came in partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, a member of the Feeding America network, which serves 29 counties in Atlanta and North […]
Posted inProduce News, Food City, Southeast
Food City’s Bilbrey Named Produce Manager Of The Year
Dusty Bilbrey, produce manager for the Food City in Sevierville, Tennessee, was named the International Fresh Produce Association’s Produce Manager of the Year grand-prize winner. Bilbrey received the award earlier this month at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, Georgia. IFPA annually hosts the Retail Produce Manager Awards, recognizing the top 20 produce […]
Posted inProduce News, National, Sustainability News
IFPA CEO Burns Highlights ‘Fight For Fresh’ During Industry Address
Kicking off the annual International Fresh Produce Association State of the Industry keynote with a recap of various advocacy victories in 2024, IFPA CEO Cathy Burns highlighted the impact fresh produce and floral have on people, plates and the planet. “While it’s challenging to maintain connection today, whether watching TV or scrolling social media, the […]
Posted inFood Lion, Produce News, Southeast
Food Lion Provides 10M Meals Through Annual Apple Bag Campaign
Through its annual Food Lion Feeds Gala Apple Bag campaign, Food Lion joined forces with customers to provide more than 10 million meals to help address food insecurity. The foundation will award grants to support local hunger-relief organizations to help ensure access to food, provide nutritional education and job skills training programs across the omnichannel […]
Posted inProduce News, National, Sustainability News
Sprouts Expands Sustainability Partnership With IFCO
Phoenix, Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market and Tampa, Florida-based IFCO, a provider of reusable packaging solutions for fresh foods, report that they have made significant advancements in their ongoing partnership. The arrangement began in December 2020 with a pilot program at Sprouts that focused on the use of reusable packaging containers (RPCs) for fresh produce items packed […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
WP Rawl Moves From Nature’s Greens To WP Rawl Farms
WP Rawl, a grower, processor and shipper of leafy greens, has rebranded its flagship value-added brand from Nature’s Greens to WP Rawl Farms. The transition marks a milestone for the company as it returns to its roots, building on the brand established in 1925 by founders Walter and Ernestine Rawl. The company decided on the change […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Industry Experts Guide Produce Distributors On FSMA 204 Compliance
The Produce Distributors Association’s Sept 24 webinar titled “Will Your Company be Compliant-Ready in Time for FSMA 204?” helped participants prepare for the new traceability rule taking effect in January 2026. The complexities of FSMA 204(d) prompted the session to concentrate on distributors, which are scrambling to try to understand the nuances of the Food […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Duda Farm Fresh Foods To Highlight Bilingual Packaging At IFPA Show
Duda Farm Fresh Foods will showcase its Dandy Celery Dippers, now available in bilingual packaging in 8-oz. and 1.25-lb. sizes, at booth No. B2247 during the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show Oct. 17-19 in Atlanta. Almost a year after announcing the official launch of the celery dippers at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in […]
Posted inNatural Grocers, Produce News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Promotes ‘Field To Can’ Process During Film Series
Natural Grocers is promoting its new short film, “Field to Can,” within its “Meet Your Farmer” film series in stores and online. “As your neighborhood grocer, we choose to positively impact the way the food in this nation is grown and raised,” said Raquel Isely, VP of marketing at Natural Grocers. “We choose to be responsible […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Survey: Self-Checkout Presents Opportunities For Fresh Produce Sales
As self-checkout continues to shape the retail landscape, a recent consumer survey conducted by Fusion, a business-to-business marketing agency for fresh food, reveals insights into the behavior and preferences of today’s shoppers. With more than three-quarters of surveyed consumers regularly using self-checkout and 90 percent expressing satisfaction with the experience, the findings point to successes, […]