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 […]
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, 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 […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Side Delights Showcases Potato Products At SEPC Show
The Fresh Solutions Network will exhibit its branded Side Delights’ fresh potatoes, as well as a new line of spuds March 4 at the SEPC’s Southern Exposure trade show in Orlando, Florida. SEPC’s Southern Exposure show highlights the latest innovations within the fresh produce industry. “We’ve exhibited at SEPC’s Southern Exposure for over a decade. We are […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Produce Consumptions Unchanged Despite Price Increases
FMI – The Food Industry Association released the “Power of Produce 2023” report March 3 at the Southeast Produce Council’s annual Southern Exposure event, revealing produce department sales grew 4.8 percent to $74.5 billion in 2022, even as inflation increased the price of fruits and vegetables. More consumers are turning to valued-added produce – pre-cut and washed – and packaged […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
WP Produce Showcases Desbry Line Of Tropical Fruits, Roots
WP Produce, a Miami-based and family-owned grower, packer and shipper of Desbry brand tropical fruits and roots, returns March 2-4 to the annual SEPC Southern Exposure tradeshow and conference in Orlando. During the expo, WP Produce will showcase its line of tropical fruits and roots sourced from throughout Florida, the Caribbean and Latin America. “SEPC’s flagship Southern Exposure is a very […]
Posted inProduce News, National, Organic Natural
OPN Shares ‘State of Organic Produce’ Report
The performance of organic produce categories ranged widely last year, according to the “State of Organic Produce 2022,” a report released Feb. 22 by the Organic Produce Network. The 72-page report provides an overall view of organic produce retail performance in 2022, as well as insights into the top 20 organic produce categories. While total organic […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Pacific Trellis Fruit Introduces Specialty Imported Plums
Los Angeles, California-based Pacific Trellis Fruit has unveiled four new imported specialty plum varieties. The company is gearing up for the arrivals from Chile and South Africa beginning next month. The plums will be unveiled in two-pound clamshells under the Dulcinea brand. “Our imported specialty plums are shaking up the category,” said Dan Carapella Jr., director […]
Posted inProduce News, West
California Avocado Commission Shares Marketing Plans, Forecast
The California Avocado Commission has announced its marketing plans for 2023, along with the early season California crop forecast for its fiscal year. The harvest estimate is 257 million pounds of avocados, which is a slight decrease compared to the 2021-22 season crop volume of 276 million pounds. “The recent California rainfall has been welcomed […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Titan Farms Maximizes Shelf Life To Enhance Peach Freshness
Ridge Spring, South Carolina-based Titan Farms announced a new partnership with Verdant Technologies to bring the post-harvest solution, HarvestHold Fresh, to the peach industry. Through extensive testing, the company plans to utilize HarvestHold Fresh to extend the quality, freshness and flavor of its peaches from harvest to consumption. “We are committed to innovation and providing the […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Ripening For Retailers: An Interview With Gary Campisi
Sponsored content For retailers, nothing is more important than having ripe bananas on display each and every day. But as we all know, ripening rooms are a major investment. They require warehouse floor space, a well-trained staff and the establishment of policies and procedures to ensure success on a daily basis. How can something as […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Zespri Launches New Campaign, Merchandising Displays
Orange County, California-based Zespri will showcase its new merchandising displays highlighting this year’s “Taste the Obsession” marketing campaign during the SEPC Southern Exposure trade show March 2-4 in Orlando, Florida. “Our campaign tells our bold, brand story of the passion and care that goes into growing our kiwifruit in an unexpected, playful way,” said Jeanne […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Southwest
TIPA Expands Career Networking Program
The Texas International Produce Association is expanding its career networking program, Encouraging Discovery & Growth in Education –”EDGE.” EDGE is the next step of the original “Aggies for Fresh” program launched in 2017. The program is designed to offer students information, exposure and connections to help them identify career paths and hire-ready roles in the fresh […]
Posted inProduce News, Snacks Brands, West
Blue Diamond Growers Prepares For National Almond Day
Sacramento, California-based Blue Diamond Growers is preparing for National Almond Day on Feb. 16 with celebrations and discounts.There will be a state proclamation declaring Feb. 16 as California Almond Day. Blue Diamond Growers is also offering a one-day-only special of 20 percent off all products at the Blue Diamond Nut and Gift Shops in Sacramento, Modesto, and Chico, as well as […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Southeast
SEPC Shares Next Generation Leadership Academy Participants
The Southeast Produce Council has announced the inaugural class of the Next Generation Leadership Academy, a leadership development program designed for up-and-coming leaders. This year-long program will provide participants an approach to leadership ideals and methodologies. Participants will develop leadership skills and prepare to navigate industry challenges with a growth mindset. The SEPC’s academy will […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Midwest, Produce News
Kroger Plans To Expand Gotham Greens Line To 1K Locations
Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. and Gotham Greens are bringing greenhouse-grown produce and plant-based foods to more customers across the country. Kroger customers can find Gotham Greens’ produce in more than 300 stores, with plans to expand to nearly 1,000 stores by the end of 2023. In addition, the expansion of Gotham Greens’ plant-based dips, cooking […]