Lunchables, in partnership with Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., has debuted its first fresh fruit offering, featuring pineapple, clementines, grapes and apples. Part of the brand’s effort to offer more better-for-you options, the company hopes the new product line will get kids accustomed to eating fruit by appearing in a product they already enjoy. After […]
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, Southeast
Fresh Express Launches New Salad Kit Flavors
Orlando, Florida-based Fresh Express has launched its newest salad kit, French Blue Cheese, and three new offerings in its line of chopped salad kits: French Bistro, Smokehouse and Twisted Caesar Enchilada. With international flavors continuing to trend, and growing consumer demand for convenience in the kitchen, the new Fresh Express products make it easier for […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
In Remembrance: Vidalia Sweet Onion Pioneer Pam Dasher
Glenville, Georgia-based G&R Farms has announced the death of farmer, businesswoman and Vidalia Sweet Onion pioneer Pam Durrence Dasher on July 24 at age 79. Mrs. Dasher was the co-owner of G&R Farms with her brother-in-law, Robert Dasher, a role she had held since 2003. She joined the business in 1962 when she married her […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, West
FPFC’s August Luncheon Benefits City of Hope
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council will hold its annual City of Hope luncheon Aug. 9 at the Sheraton Cerritos hotel in Cerritos, California. Rebecca Calvin, SVP of Stater Bros. Markets, will serve as master of ceremonies. Calvin leads Stater Bros. Markets marketing efforts, which includes sales and merchandising, integrated marketing, e-commerce and food strategy […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest
Testa Produce Launches Online Ordering Platform
Chicago-based Testa Produce has announced a partnership with Pepper, an e-commerce solution designed for independent food distributors. The collaboration hopes to revolutionize Testa Produce’s digital ordering capabilities and bolster operational efficiency. Understanding the necessity of adopting new technology in an evolving market, Testa Produce is taking steps to enhance its customers’ online ordering experience. By […]
Posted inProduce News, Organic Natural, West
Misionero Celebrates 50 Years In The Organic Industry
Gonzales, California-based Misionero is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023. Misionero, founded in 1973 by Floyd Griffin, is a leader in the organic specialty salad category. Misionero grows, harvests, produces and packages salads and leafy greens grown year-round. Additionally, the company produces items sold under the Earth Greens Organic and Garden Life labels. Harbinger Group acquired […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Side Delights Showcasing Redesigned Packaging For Organic Potatoes
Newport Beach, California-based Fresh Solutions Network will present its redesigned packaging for Side Delights organic potatoes and onions July 13 at the Organic Produce Summit trade show in Monterey, California. Fresh Solutions Network partners Basin Gold Cooperative of Pasco, Washington, and Sterman Masser Farms of Sacramento, Pennsylvania, will represent the network at the show. The […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest, Sustainability News
SpartanNash, Flashfood Reach Food Waste Reduction Milestone
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash’s collaboration with Flashfood has diverted one million pounds of food waste over the past three years, saving shoppers $1.9 million on groceries. Reducing food waste and providing affordable access to nutrition are key elements of SpartanNash’s environmental, social and governance strategy, which aims to promote healthy lives and well-being for all. […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Avocado Sales Rise In Holiday Retail Recap Report
St. Patrick’s Day drove higher avocado volume, according to a first quarter holiday report released July 6 by the Mission Viejo, California-based Hass Avocado Board. The holiday retail recap details dollar sales, volume and average price for Hass avocados during the weeks of the Big Game, Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. The reported sales […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Capitol City Produce Invests $22M To Expand Distribution Facility
Capitol City Produce, a Louisiana-based produce distributor, is investing $22 million to expand its distribution facility in East Baton Rouge Parish to support growing demand. The addition of a new refrigerated warehouse, dock and office space will allow the company to increase workflow efficiency and bolster regional restaurant, retail and commercial food supply chains. Capital […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Caesar Salad At Center of Fresh Express Celebration
Orlando, Florida-based Fresh Express is celebrating National Caesar Salad Day by bringing back its Caesar Celebration promotion. For a second consecutive year, consumers are invited to join an online and social contest for the chance to win a range of prizes from Fresh Express, which has three of the top 10 best-selling Caesar salad kits […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Green Giant Survey: Corn Is America’s Favorite Vegetable
In a somewhat surprising result, corn came out on top of this year’s Green Giant “Favorite Vegetable” survey, toppling five-time defending champion broccoli. It was the first time corn finished first, a spot broccoli had held since the annual consumer survey’s inception in 2018. The Green Giant brand surveyed 5,100 Americans for its annual “Favorite Vegetable” […]
Posted inProduce News, Food City, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Offerings At Best Store In Town Are ‘As Fresh As Fresh Gets’
Food City’s meat and seafood and produce and floral departments can be best described in two words: picky and convenient. The company prides itself on providing the freshest produce, highest quality meat and seafood and brightest floral arrangements in the market – all while cultivating partnerships with local farmers and growers to provide the best […]
Posted inProduce News, National, Sustainability News
Data Highlights Increase Of Wasted Food During Summer Months
West Concord, Massachusetts-based Divert Inc., an impact technology company, has shared new data highlighting that wasted food from grocery stores increases by an average of about 20 percent during the summer months compared to the winter months. “Summer marks peak growing season across the U.S. While this is a time to celebrate an abundance of […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Memorial Day Produce Sales Illustrate Opportunities To Boost Sales
The four weeks in May generated $60 billion total food and beverage sales, increased 4.3 percent over May 2022, according to Circana, 210 Analytics and the International Fresh Produce Association. Perishables, including produce, seafood, meat, bakery and deli had a below-average dollar growth performance, but this was entirely prompted by different levels of inflation. May […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Local Bounti Becomes First Indoor Grower To Offer Salads With Chicken
Hamilton, Montana-based Local Bounti Corp. has expanded its Grab & Go salad kit line to include antibiotic-free white meat chicken in two new recipes. Consumers in the Pacific Northwest can find Local Bounti’s Artisanal Chicken Caesar and Memphis Style Barbecue Chicken Salad Kits in the produce department of select local grocery stores. Local Bounti is leveraging its indoor growing facilities […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast
Little Leaf Farms Plans To Open New Greenhouse In Fall 2023
Devens, Massachusetts-based Little Leaf Farms has plans to open a new greenhouse in McAdoo, Pennsylvania this fall. This will be the fifth greenhouse for Little Leaf Farms, and the brand’s second greenhouse in Pennsylvania. With the expanded capacity of 10 additional acres of indoor production of fresh, sustainably grown lettuce, Little Leaf Farms will increase its retail presence to […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Consumers Increase Produce Purchases Due To Favorable Prices
The April Circana sales results and survey of primary grocery shoppers underscore that economic pressure on income continues to result in consumers moving around dollars between channels, products and brands. Circana, 210 Analytics and the International Fresh Produce Association have teamed up to document the impact on sales patterns in fresh produce. April fresh produce sales […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Frutura To Begin Marketing Haas Avocados Under Brand Name
Reedley, California-based Frutura will begin marketing its Hass avocados in North America under the Frutura brand, beginning in the third quarter of 2023. Foundational to Frutura’s new branding strategy is the fact that several of its companies already have strong avocado portfolios. This shift is designed to create a more vertically integrated way for customers to […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Procurant Introduces Voice-Enabled Rating Feature To Application
Watsonville, California-based Procurant has unveiled a new voice-enabled rating feature in its Procurant Inspect application, streamlining retail produce inspections while providing real-time data to buyers and sellers of fresh produce. “The voice-enabled rating feature for Procurant Inspect is a good example of how it brings innovative solutions that save time and simplify complex processes for our […]