Equitable Food Initiative and Measure to Improve have announced the completion of the two-year Produce and Reduce pilot program, which was implemented on three farming operations and funded by the California Workforce Development Board. The group reported reductions of CO2 emissions during the pilot equivalent of 1 million miles driven by an average gasoline-powered vehicle and […]
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 inFood Lion, Produce News, Southeast
Food Lion Donates 1.6M Meals Through Orange Bag Campaign
Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion Feeds has provided 1.6 million meals through its Orange Bag campaign, surpassing its 1 million meals goal. During the Orange Bag campaign, which ran from March 1-21, customers purchased specially-marked orange bags or made a cash donation at the register during checkout at stores. Each bag sold helped provide five […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
SEPC Opens Application Period For Fresh Chefs Scholarship
The Southeast Produce Council has opened the application window for its scholarship program, SEPC Fresh Chefs. The second annual opportunity for this program is open to any full-time college or secondary education student pursuing a degree in culinary arts or restaurant management. Student applicants will submit a video introducing themselves and explaining the importance of […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, National
Flashfood Adds Two Industry Executives To Leadership Team
Flashfood has appointed Jordan Schenck as chief brand officer and Sepideh “Sepi” Burkett as head of partner development. Schenck and Burkett’s appointments are the first executive hires under Nicholas Bertram’s leadership, who joined Flashfood in February as president. “I am extremely excited to welcome two visionary and seasoned leaders to the Flashfood organization. The appointments of […]
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, West
IFG Celebrates 20th Anniversary Of The Cotton Candy Grape
Bakersfield, California-based International Fruit Genetics, a large table grape breeder with 48 patented table grape varieties, 10 patented sweet cherry varieties and its first patented raisin variety, is commemorating the 20th anniversary of the breeding of the Cotton Candy grape. The Cotton Candy grape was first naturally bred in 2003 by David Cain, geneticist, horticulturalist and […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Instacart Expands Advertising To Produce Brands, Farms
Instacart has announced a new online advertising capability, enabling produce brands to advertise fresh, weighted items – such as carrots, grapes, onions, oranges, sweet potatoes and watermelons – from the produce department across the Instacart Marketplace. The announcement is in collaboration with the White House event on March 24 that continues the work begun at the White […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest, Organic Natural
Maintaining Health Remains Top Of Mind For Many Consumers
Cost difference between organic, non-organic foods may be decreasing Organic, natural and health foods are on many shoppers’ grocery lists today. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, staying healthy has become a priority for many. “Throughout the pandemic, health has been top of mind and many consumers began to take a deeper interest in their health in a […]
Posted inProduce News, Feature, West
Official: Fresh Organic Produce Industry Has ‘Optimistic Future’
Top trends in 2023 include sustainability, CEA, regenerative Organic produce is a vibrant industry with an optimistic future, according Matthew Seeley, CEO of Organic Produce Network in Monterey, California. “People are going to want to continue to eat healthy, nutritious products, and organic fits that bill,” he said. “And that’s why I think we’ve got an […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
National Watermelon Promotion Board Shares New Research
Winter Springs, Florida-based National Watermelon Promotion Board has partnered with Nutrition Impact on a research project to “determine intake of watermelon and assess association with diet quality, energy and nutrient intake and physiological parameters in children and adults.” A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Analysis, the study found that total diet quality was higher […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
California Avocado Commission Hires Splane As VP, Marketing
The California Avocado Commission has hired food industry veteran Terry Splane as VP of marketing. Splane fills the role vacated by Jan DeLyser, following her retirement last month. He has more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience in the foodservice and retail channels, most recently as head of partner success and strategy for […]
Posted inProduce News, West
FirstFruits Marketing Installs Advanced Cherry Production Line
Yakima, Washington-based FirstFruits Farms is making strides in the fresh produce industry with the construction of an advanced cherry production line at its facility in Prescott, Washington. The production line will feature advanced technology offering total automation, putting FirstFruits Farms at the “forefront of retail integration.” “As a company, we are constantly looking to improve our […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast
Tops Offers Little Leaf Farms’ Sustainable Fresh Lettuces
Williamsville, New York-based Tops is offering customers a sustainable produce option through Little Leaf Farms’ fresh lettuces. Little Leaf Farms’ hydroponic greenhouses use sunlight and captured rainwater to grow lettuce, which is harvested and delivered to stores within 24 hours, improving shelf life. “We get lots of calls and emails from Little Leaf Farms fans, […]
Posted inProduce News, Feature, Southeast
Produce Is ‘Heart And Soul’ Of Turnip Truck In East Nashville
Three locations serve shoppers seeking fresh, organic items The Turnip Truck in Nashville, Tennessee, has been dedicated to providing fresh and organic products since 2001. What began as a 2,800-square-foot organic shop now has three locations that also offer prepared foods and a full deli, among other features. Founder and CEO John Dyke was working […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Wholesum Introduces ‘Dolci Belles’ Italian Sweet Peppers
Amado, Arizona-based Wholesum has introduced new Italian sweet peppers, Dolci Belles. Italian sweet peppers are characterized by its distinctive long, conical shape, texture and flavor. These peppers have firm, thin walls with few seeds that concentrate at the top rather than down the center of the pepper. With the launch of Dolci Belles, Wholesum hopes to reinvigorate […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
Viva Fresh Open To Honor TIPA Employee Gracie Gonzalez
The 8th Annual Viva Fresh Open, presented by BEBO Distributing Inc. and H-E-B, has opened registration for its tournament, to be held March 30. The event will also posthumously honor Gracie Gonzalez, a longtime employee of the Texas International Produce Association team, who passed away in 2020. Since the 1990s, Gonzalez worked with the South Texas Onion and […]
Posted inProduce News, Amazon Fresh, West, Whole Foods
Driscoll’s Launches ‘A Sophia Special’ Children’s Book
Watsonville, California-based Driscoll’s has introduced its first children’s book, “A Sophia Special.” Distributed by Chronicle Books and authored by children’s book writer Julie Falatko, the book builds on its brand journey to promote emotional connections through shared experiences. “We are delighted to share this heartwarming story with children and their caregivers. It reminds everyone to celebrate […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Healthy Family Project Reception Celebrates 2022 Donations
Healthy Family Project’s annual thank you reception at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure saw more than 200 produce industry professionals celebrating the impact of its cause marketing programs. Cause marketing retail and digital campaigns in 2022 raised $235,000 for Feeding America food banks, Our Military Kids, Foundation for Fresh Produce and Ripe for Revival. […]
Posted inProduce News, West
California Avocado Commission Honors International Women’s Day
In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, the California Avocado Commission is sharing profiles of female avocado farmers. Many California avocado growers come from multigenerational farming families. With generational transitions happening, women are taking on avocado grove management and agriculture industry leadership roles. “The commission is happy to celebrate International Women’s Day and […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Unfold, GoodLeaf Partner To Develop Leafy Greens
California-based Unfold, a seed and digital solutions company, and GoodLeaf Farms, a Canada-based commercial vertical farm, has announced their partnership to commercialize premium lines of vertically-farmed spinach and other leafy greens through Unfold’s Innovation Partner Program. “We’re very excited to collaborate with GoodLeaf to unlock the potential for improved quality and yield for their indoor growing operations,” […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, Organic Natural
Association Names Whittel As President, Board Of Directors
Organic & Natural Health Association has promoted Naomi Whittel as president of the board of directors, while transitioning founding president and Venable partner, Todd Harrison, to a new position as board counsel. “This is a very exciting development for Organic & Natural Health Association as it shows how far we have grown and matured under Karen Howard’s leadership,” Harrison […]