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 […]
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, 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 […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Dole To Sell Fresh Vegetables Division To Fresh Express
Dole plc has announced that some of its subsidiaries have entered into an agreement to sell Dole’s Fresh Vegetables Division to an affiliate of Fresh Express Inc., a subsidiary of Chiquita Holdings Limited, for gross proceeds of about $293 million in cash. The Fresh Vegetables Division comprises operations related to the processing and sale of […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI Expands Wild Harvest Line With 40 New Products
Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. has expanded its Wild Harvest private label organic produce line to include more than 40 new offerings. Since its launch, the Wild Harvest line has experienced significant growth. Its expanded organic offerings consist of items such as bagged apples, russet and sweet potatoes, oranges, mangoes, limes, avocados, tomatoes, broccoli, […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Sprouts Farmers Market Launches Organic Produce Program
Phoenix, Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market has launched its Rescued Organics program in all 130 stores in California. The program reduces food waste by bringing to market imperfect organic produce that would be discarded due to imperfections that do not affect quality. Rescued Organic produce may be misshapen, under or over-sized or slightly off color, but has the […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast
South Mill Holds Grand Opening For Mushroom Farm
South Mill Champs, a grower and supplier of fresh mushrooms and mushroom products, announced the grand opening of its new farm in Oxford, Pennsylvania. The new facility will be one of North America’s largest single-site mushroom farms and one of the largest phase three composting operations. The grand opening marks the completion of the first phase of the multi-year, […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
TIPA Opens Viva Fresh Expo Registration Jan. 25
General registration for the 2023 Texas International Produce Association’s Viva Fresh Expo will open on Jan. 25. TIPA’s event will return March 30-April 1 to the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. Attendee registration for the event will be open online at vivafreshexpo.com/attendees. Not only does Viva Fresh shine a light on the importance of […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Sun Capital Affiliate Completes Acquisition Of Fresh Origins
Boca Raton, Florida-based Sun Capital Partners has announced its affiliate has completed the acquisition of San Marcos, California-based Fresh Origins, a grower and shipper of microgreens and edible flowers for foodservice and retail customers across the U.S. Terms of the private transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1996, Fresh Origins offers more than 600 varieties of […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Legacy Farms Acquires Frieda’s Branded Produce
Orange County, California-based Frieda’s Branded Produce has been acquired by Legacy Farms. Frieda’s CEO Karen Caplan, a daughter of founder Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, announced the sale Jan. 20 in a letter to the industry. “Today is a very exciting one for our company. Our 61-year-old family business has been acquired by another fantastic, thriving produce […]