Butterfly, a California-based private equity firm, recently separated its portfolio company, Bolthouse Farms, into two entities – Bolthouse Fresh Foods and Generous Brands. Bolthouse Fresh Foods will carry on the legacy of Bolthouse Farms as a supplier of fresh carrots to retailers across North America, with nearly 700 million pounds sold annually. Generous Brands will […]
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 inNatural Grocers, Organic Natural, Produce News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Begins Organic Ag Partnership With Rodale Institute
Natural Grocers has begun a new partnership with Rodale Institute, a nonprofit that supports the regenerative organic agricultural movement through research, farmer training and education. During Organic Month, customers will have an opportunity to support the retailer’s goal of raising $100,000 for Rodale Institute with donations at the register and a portion of proceeds from the sales […]
Posted inBig Y Foods, Bakery News, Executive News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Northeast, Produce News
Big Y Appoints New VPs Of Fresh Foods, Center Store
Big Y Foods has named John P. Fraro as VP of fresh foods, while Steve Nordstrom has been appointed as VP of center store. Both report to Michael R. Cormier, SVP of sales and marketing. “Our people are and always will be the heart of our company. They foster and grow our culture of caring, continuous […]
Posted inProduce News, Ask The Experts, Northeast
Doing It ‘Ripe’ At EXP Group LLC
Sponsored content Fresh Perspectives on QC, Technology and Innovation with EXP Group LLC President Anthony Serafino EXP Group LLC is a multinational group of companies specializing in the production, importation and wholesale distribution of tropical fruits and vegetables from Central and South America to the U.S. and global market. From its 293,000 square foot, 35 […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, Southeast
Alcocer Retiring From Duda Farm Fresh Foods
Duda Farm Fresh Foods SVP of Sales and Marketing Rick Alcocer is retiring after a 40-plus year career in the produce industry. Alcocer began his career in the fresh produce industry following graduation from the University of Southern California in 1980, when he joined Dole Fresh Vegetables (known then as Bud Antle Inc.) as a […]
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, Gelson's, Harris Teeter, National, The Kroger Co.
This Month In Produce: Hatch Chiles, Sweet Potatoes and More
As the back-to-school season begins to take off, so too does the abundance of fresh produce. For consumers, this means a cornucopia of choices at the grocery store. But behind the colorful displays and enticing promotions lies a strategic battle for shelf space and consumer dollars. This August, produce companies are rolling out innovative campaigns […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Touts Benefits Of Local Produce Partnerships
Tops Friendly Markets relies on partnerships with local growers to stock its produce shelves with fresh items throughout the season, helping support family-owned farms. Tops has partnerships with more than 500 locally-owned and -operated dairy and produce family farms. They have generations of growing experience, and their proximity to Tops locations allow for fruits and […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Instacart, PHA Share Results From ‘Good Food At Home’ Program
Instacart and Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), a nonprofit working to improve the food landscape in pursuit of health equity, have connected families with more than five million servings of fruits and vegetables, marking a major milestone in their national effort to connect under-resourced communities with 10 million servings of produce by 2025. Instacart’s and PHA’s […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Adds Fresh Produce To DUFB Program For SNAP Customers
Field & Fork Network, a nonprofit connecting communities to solutions that foster a sustainable food system, has expanded its Double Up Food Bucks NY (DUFB) program. The nonprofit is launching the program at three additional Tops Friendly Markets locations in and around Rochester, New York. Tops SNAP customers at 285 Upper Falls Blvd. and 450 West […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Market Profile, Southwest
USMCA Gives Grocers Wider Diversity Of Produce, Availability Year-Round
The United States-Mexico border stretches for more than 1,254 miles, the longest international border in the continental U.S. But it’s not just a physical line – it’s a vital economic artery, pumping billions of dollars in trade between Texas and Mexico. While binational trade relations between the two countries have historically been strong, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement […]
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, West
Sensei Debuts New-Look Packaging For Leafy Greens, Salad Mixes
Sensei Farms is introducing new packaging across its line of leafy greens and salad mixes, marking the indoor-grown produce brand’s next step toward a more sustainable future for the food supply. The new design offers the same functional and food safety features retailers and consumers expect from conventional plastic clamshells, but in an eco-friendly form. […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Feature, Meijer, National
Driving Produce Sales As Parents Prepare For 2024-25 School Year
A new study by The Foundation for Fresh Produce reveals most children are not eating enough fruits and vegetables every day. To boost consumption, the foundation has launched a month-long campaign, “Hacks for Healthy Back-to-School Habits.” Designed to promote simple and engaging food, cooking and meal prep “hacks,” the effort aims to instill healthy eating […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Potatoes USA To Boost IGA Members Through Marketing Resources
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) and Potatoes USA have partnered to help independent grocers capitalize on the popularity of potatoes, which account for more than 10 percent of all vegetable sales. Potatoes are a key grocery basket-builder, with a $90.50 average basket with potatoes versus $47.47 without the vegetable, according to an IRI product affinity study. […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest
AWG, Picadeli Tap Salad Bar Tech To Lift Fresh Food Offerings
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) and Picadeli are working together to implement a salad bar solution that drives consumer engagement and sales growth for AWG member grocery stores, ensuring they can offer high-quality, convenient and healthy meal options that are affordable. Picadeli is an in-supermarket tech-enabled modular salad-bar with fresh food. By leveraging the company’s […]
Posted inHarris Teeter, Produce News, Southeast
Harris Teeter, Titan Farms Holding ‘Peaches With A Purpose’
Through Aug. 13, Harris Teeter and Titan Farms are holding their 11th “Peaches with a Purpose” campaign at all of the grocer’s North Carolina stores. South Carolina-based Titan Farms will donate a percentage of all peaches purchased to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since its inception, the campaign has […]
Posted inProduce News, National, The Kroger Co.
IFPA Shares Speaker Lineup For Global Produce, Floral Show
The International Fresh Produce Association has shared the full lineup of keynote speakers for the 2024 Global Produce and Floral Show. The speakers will cover wide ranging topics, such as showcasing exclusive insights into the future of the industry, a non-partisan peek into political trends, entrepreneurship and the benefits of risk-taking, and the positive impact of […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., National, Private Label Brands, Produce News
Kroger’s New ‘Field & Vine’ Fresh Produce Brand Focuses On Local
The Kroger Co. is expanding its Our Brands portfolio with the addition of Field & Vine, a fresh produce line grown by farmers in California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington. The brand includes blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. “Field & Vine features berries grown in the fields of American farmers that are picked, packed and delivered in stores […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, Northeast
The Giant Co. Makes Produce Donation For National Avocado Day
In celebration of National Avocado Day on July 31, The Giant Co. donated 60,000 avocados and joined Philabundance and Avocados From Mexico to host the fourth annual Top Guac Challenge. During this pit-to-pit challenge, graduates of the Philabundance Community Kitchen program pair up with representatives from The Giant Co. to compete for the honor of […]
Posted inNatural Grocers, Produce News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Offers ‘Nutrition 4 The Win’ Produce Classes
Natural Grocers has begun a new partnership with the Foundation for Fresh Produce to present “Nutrition 4 the Win” at participating stores from Aug. 19-31. Families are invited to join and explore how fruits and vegetables can fuel growing bodies and minds. The Foundation for Fresh Produce is a nonprofit that promotes healthy eating habits, particularly among […]
Posted inProduce News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Bakery News, Center Store, Midwest
AWG’s Best Choice Introduces New Look For Fresh Perimeter Products
Best Choice, the flagship of AWG’s private brands portfolio, is enhancing its presence in fresh perimeter departments – including bakery, produce, meat and seafood – with a new look and product innovations. “We want to develop products that people are proud to put in their carts and that help AWG member retailers differentiate themselves from […]