Posted inProduce News, Market Profile, News, Southeast

Florida’s Watermelon Heartland Prepping For Start Of Sweet Season

Florida, particularly Central Florida, is a major watermelon-producing region, providing the sweet summer fruit to grocers across the Southeast and beyond. The Shelby Report of the Southeast recently visited with Lee Wroten, VP of Lakeland, Florida-based Global Produce Sales, to learn more about what makes this growing region special and how this year’s crop is […]

Posted inProduce News, Packaging News, Southeast

Fresh Express Introduces Refreshed Brand Identity, Redesigned Packaging

Orlando, Florida-based Fresh Express is introducing a refreshed brand identity with a modernized logo, redesigned packaging and a focus on fresh quality, taste and health. The updated visual identity will begin appearing on shelves nationwide starting May 9, with additional activations to follow as part of the broader “Express Yourself” campaign, which launched in April. […]

Posted inProduce News, Market Profile, News, Southeast

Grocers Can Position Florida’s Peak-Season Produce As Part Of Assortment Strategy

Positioning Central Florida’s peak-season produce as a fundamental part of their assortment strategy offers grocers an opportunity to enhance revenue and attract customers seeking locally sourced, high-quality options. Susie McKinley, director of the division of marketing and development at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, underscored the importance of aligning procurement with periods […]

Posted inProduce News, Association News, News, Southwest

Viva Fresh Concludes Sold-Out Anniversary Expo With Record Attendance

The 2025 Viva Fresh Expo marked its 10th anniversary April 11-13 with a sold-out show floor and 2,760 attendees, including 438 buyers, at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Houston. The show opened with a keynote speech from José Hernández, a former migrant farm worker who became a NASA astronaut. More than 100 people waited in […]

Posted inProduce News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, News, Southeast

Healthy Family Project Celebrates 9-Year Partnership With AWG

Healthy Family Project has begun its 2025 Produce for Kids campaign in Associated Wholesale Grocers’ (AWG) Springfield and Gulf Coast divisions, marking a nine-year partnership dedicated to promoting healthier families and supporting communities in need. Through this year’s campaign, participating produce partners are collectively donating 170,000 meals to local Feeding America food banks. Shoppers will […]

Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, News, West

Save Mart Is Official Partner Of San Joaquin Asparagus Festival

Save Mart will serve as an official partner of the 39th annual San Joaquin Asparagus Festival, taking place April 11-13 at the fairgrounds in San Joaquin County, California. The community event draws large crowds each year in celebration of spring, with local fresh produce, vendors, live music, carnival rides, a petting zoo and family fun. […]