Market 32/Price Chopper is extending a partnership with Field & Fork Network to add its nutrition incentive program, Double Up Food Bucks NY (DUFBNY), to select locations in New York’s Schenectady and Onondaga counties. Field & Fork Network is a nonprofit that works to alleviate food insecurity across the state. “Our collaboration with Field & […]
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, Association News, National
FMI Report: Social Media, E-Commerce Boost Produce Consumption
FMI – The Food Industry Association released The Power of Produce 2025 report for the seventh consecutive year at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure conference, held March 6-8 in Orlando. With 94 percent of produce shoppers using social media platforms and 36 percent discovering new fruits and vegetables through them, digital engagement – especially with younger shoppers – […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Produce News, Southwest
United Family, Rainier Fruit Donate Socks To Texas Nonprofits
The United Family and Rainier Fruit donated 5,000 pairs of socks to Texas nonprofits in February through their Apples and Pears on a Mission initiative, the companies announced. The donations, intended to support the homeless community, were made possible by a portion of proceeds from Rainier Fruit pear and apple sales during the fall and […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Southwest
Viva Fresh Launches New Website To Celebrate 10th Anniversary
The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) has introduced its new Viva Fresh Produce Expo website as the expo celebrates its 10th anniversary. The 2025 Viva Fresh Expo will take place April 10-12 in Houston, Texas, bringing together produce industry leaders from across North America. Founded in 2015, Viva Fresh has grown into a premier event […]
Posted inFeature, Midwest, Produce News
Building A Bigger Basket: The Power Of Cross-merchandising In Produce
One of the most exciting opportunities in grocery retail is helping customers build a bigger basket – not just by increasing produce sales but by bringing the entire store into the equation. When departments work together, they create meal solutions that make shopping easier for customers while driving sales across multiple categories. Why cross-merchandising works […]
Posted inProduce News, Big Y Foods, Northeast
National Mango Board Names Big Y Foods As Retailer Of The Year
The National Mango Board (NMB) has named Big Y Foods as the recipient of its Mango Retailer of the Year award. This award honors the grocer for its contributions to the mango category, including significant year-over-year sales growth, in-store promotions and successful consumer engagement campaigns. The Mango Retailer of the Year award recognizes retailers that excel in supporting […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest
NoKota Packers Celebrates 45th Anniversary, Launches New Logo
Buxton, North Dakota-based NoKota Packers Inc. celebrated its 45th anniversary as it closed out a successful year and launched a new logo on Jan. 1. Founded in 1979, NoKota Packers shipped 220,000 hundredweight of potatoes and employed 18 employees in their first season. Forty-five years later, the company has more than doubled in size – […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Southeast
SEPC Names 2025 Vorhees Vision Scholarship Recipients
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) has named this year’s Vorhees Vision Scholarship recipients. The Vorhees Vision Scholarship was created to reward the achievements of young individuals who demonstrate a true entrepreneurial spirit in their lives as they pursue their educational goals. This scholarship is named in honor of the late Terry L. Vorhees, founder and […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Sensei Farms Adds Baby Spinach To Leafy Green Product Line
Sensei Farms has introduced baby spinach to the indoor-grown produce brand’s retail line of leafy greens. Grown fresh, year-round in the company’s 30-acre Ontario, Canada-based greenhouse, baby spinach is available at participating Safeway and Acme stores across the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. “Our goal is to deliver the freshest, responsibly grown fruits and vegetables throughout the […]
Expert Article
Winning The Big Game In Produce Department With Crazy Fresh
The excitement of the Big Game brings a golden opportunity for the produce department to shine. Game-day gatherings are all about good food and great company and, as grocery professionals, we have the chance to help consumers create memorable moments. With thoughtful displays, smart merchandising and convenient solutions, you can turn game-day excitement into big […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Produce News, Stater Bros. Markets, West
Stater Bros. Adds Afresh Technology To All Produce Departments
After a successful pilot, Southern California-based Stater Bros. Markets is rolling out Afresh’s store ordering solution across produce departments at all 169 of its stores. Stater Bros., which is replacing its previous manual ordering processes with Afresh’s artificial intelligence-powered solution, measured significant improvements during the pilot. Notably, produce teams reduced overstock, prevented excess inventory from […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
IFPA Releases Annual Impact Report
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has released its 2024 Annual Impact Report, highlighting the organization’s work with and on behalf of the industry over the past year. CEO Cathy Burns praised the IFPA community and leadership for helping advance the priorities that matter most to the fresh produce and floral industry. “As we approached 2024, […]
Posted inProduce News, Food Service News, Southeast
Fresh Express Acquires McEntire Produce
Fresh Express Inc. has acquired McEntire Produce Inc., a fresh-cut processor, repacker and wholesaler based in Columbia, South Carolina. Fresh Express is a brand in value-added salads and fresh produce based in Salinas, California, This strategic acquisition, confirmed by Fresh Express President John P. Olivo and McEntire Produce President and CEO Carter McEntire, combines McEntire […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
IFPA Shares New Strategic Plan, Executive Changes
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 […]
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, […]