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 […]
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 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, […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast
Giant Eagle Invests $25M To Lower Prices On Produce Items
Giant Eagle is implementing a 20 percent average price reduction on more than 200 produce items across its Giant Eagle and Market District locations, offering customers an estimated $25 million in annual savings. The New Low Price initiative will include many of the most popular items in the produce department as Giant Eagle aims to […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Crystal Valley Foods Celebrates 30th Anniversary In Produce Industry
Crystal Valley Foods is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of service to the produce industry. Since its inception in 1994, Crystal Valley Foods provides premium-quality fruits and vegetables to customers across North America. Established in Miami, Florida, Crystal Valley Foods has grown into a recognized specialty supplier, serving retail, foodservice and wholesale markets. […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Franklin To Receive IFPA’s Retail Produce Manager Of The Year Award
Brad Franklin, produce manager for Tops Friendly Markets in Towanda, Pennsylvania, will receive the 2024 Retail Produce Manager of the Year Award. For their commitment to fresh produce, innovative merchandising, community service and customer satisfaction, Franklin is one of 20 produce managers nationwide being recognized from the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) with this distinction. “Brad […]
Posted inProduce News, National
SEPC Releases ‘What’s New’ Annual Consumer Research Results
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) released its annual “What’s New? 2024″ consumer research in a sold-out educational session at Southern Innovations. The interactive format combines the presentation of the research results by Anne-Marie Roerink of 210 Analytics with attendees discussing findings with fellow retailers and grower/shippers throughout the session. In addition to consumers’ views of the […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Feature, National, The Kroger Co.
IFPA Officials Preview Fresh Produce & Floral Show
“Make the most of these three days in October.” That’s the advice of Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), referring to the 2024 Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show, coming up Oct. 17-19 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. “We’re really excited to be in Georgia this year after […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
Driving Fresh Produce Sales With SNAP
At a time when access to nutritious food is critical, independent grocers play a pivotal role in serving diverse communities and promoting healthy eating habits. The National Grocers Association Foundation Technical Assistance Center hosted a recent webinar that delved into innovative strategies and best practices for increasing fresh produce sales among SNAP recipients, while simultaneously […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Promotes Blair To Fruit Desk, Rowe Moves To Vegetable Desk
Tops Friendly Markets has promoted Matthew Blair to category business manager for produce–fruit desk, with Justin Rowe shifting from that role to category business manager for produce-vegetable desk. In his new role, Blair will be responsible for developing and managing the procurement and merchandising program for produce–fruit to achieve budgeted sales, gross profit, inventory turns […]