Blue Diamond Growers will be participating in the 2023 Rose Parade, an annual event held Jan. 2 in Pasadena, California. For the fifth year in a row, the company will honor the people and pollinators that make Blue Diamond products possible, highlighting the farmer-owned cooperative’s commitment to sustainability, pollinators and biodiversity with a custom-built float featuring […]
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
Cold Hardy Citrus Association Reports Strong Mid-Season Outlook
Halfway through the selling season and Satsuma mandarins and other cold hardy varietals are still in abundant supply, according to the Cold Hardy Citrus Association. Growers had predicted this year’s harvest would be favorable at the season’s start. According to the association, the groves are producing beyond those early expectations. The Sweet Valley Citrus region […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Four Star Fruit Reflects On Concluding California Grape Season
Delano, California-based Four Star Fruit, a grower and marketer of year-round table grapes, is concluding the California grape season and is transitioning to the Peruvian and Chilean import season. The California growing season this year was difficult due to the hot weather, creating problematic growing conditions and higher input costs, resulting in a strain on retail […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Produce Sales Remain Similar To Last Year
IRI, 210 Analytics and IFPA have shared the latest analysis of fresh produce. Fresh produce prices were up from last year, but at a low 5.3 percent level on a per-unit basis and 5.6 percent on a per-pound basis. The deceleration is driven by fruit, for which prices increased a low 3.2 percent. Additionally, vegetable inflation […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest
Plant Agricultural Systems Acquires MightyVine
MightyVine, a glasshouse tomato producer in Rochelle, Illinois, is being acquired by Plant Agricultural Systems, an infrastructure service provider delivering infrastructure to support localized fresh produce demand in all regions. “Plant and MightyVine share a common goal of providing consumers with access to the highest quality produce available,” said Jim Murphy, founder of MightyVine. “Additionally, we believe […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
Blue Diamond Growers Appoints Bockmann As President, CEO
Sacramento, California-based Blue Diamond Growers and its board chairman, Dan Cummings, have announced that Kai Bockmann has been named as president and CEO, effective Jan. 17. The board selected Bockmann after working with executive search and leadership advisory firm, Egon Zehnder, to recruit and consider candidates from across the country. Bockmann will succeed Mark Jansen, who […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
Del Monte Foods Names Caltabiano As CFO
Walnut Creek, California-based Del Monte Foods has announced the appointment of Jim Caltabiano as CFO. Caltabiano will oversee the management of the company’s financial organization and report to Parag Sachdeva, COO. He is a finance professional with about 30 years of experience within large consumer packaged goods companies, including Ajinomoto Foods, Campbell Soup Co., Procter & Gamble and General […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast
Edible Garden Expands To Gristedes, D’Agostino Supermarkets
Edible Garden has announced an expansion of its distribution with Gristedes and D’Agostino supermarkets to sell its products in 29 of their combined locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Westchester. “We have a longstanding relationship with Edible Garden and look forward to enhancing our partnership by adding their products into our retail locations. They have been a […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Super Starr International Transitions To Winter Honeydew Melons
Super Starr International, a Mexico-based papaya and melon grower, shipper and processor, has begun the transition to Winter Honeydew Melon season with availability beginning early January. The company encourages retailers to place orders now to secure product for distribution as this is a limited time crop. “Our winter melon crop is right on schedule and looks great,” said […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Dole Releases Sustainability Report With 2030 Goals
Dole plc has announced the release of its first sustainability report since the 2021 merger of Total Produce plc and Dole Food Co. This report sets out the organization’s refreshed sustainability framework and offers a new set of environmental, social and governance goals through 2030. With global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and U.S. headquarters in […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Sun-Maid Appoints Loftus As President, COO
Fresno, California-based Sun-Maid Growers of California has appointed Steve Loftus as president and COO, reporting to Harry Overly, executive chairman of the board. Loftus will replace Braden Bender, who has been serving as Sun-Maid’s interim-president since September, and is returning to his role as CFO. In this new role, all functional areas within Sun-Maid will report […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
Study Shows Produce Remained Close To Last Year Sales
IRI, 210 Analytics and IFPA continue to share the latest trends and analysis in fresh produce. Fresh produce prices were also up from last year, but a relatively low 5.3 percent level on a per-unit basis and 5.6 percent on a per-pound basis. This is far below the total store average. The deceleration is driven by […]
Posted inProduce News, West
California Avocado Commission Announces DeLyser’s Retirement
Jan DeLyser has announced her plan to retire as VP of marketing from the California Avocado Commission after 24 years of service. The tentative timing for her retirement is mid-February. “Jan DeLyser is an icon in the produce industry and has been instrumental in the development of the avocado category and the premium California avocado […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
WP Rawl Sponsors Wreaths Across America Events
Pelion, South Carolina-based WP Rawl, a grower, processor and shipper of leafy greens, was the major sponsor of two annual wreath-laying ceremonies honoring fallen U.S. veterans on Dec. 17, which is National Wreaths Across America Day. WP Rawl donates the use of its trucks, trailers, fuel and drivers to pick up loads of hand-made wreaths in […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
Lone Star Citrus Begins Annual Sweeter In Texas Sweepstakes
Winter Sweetz, a Texas-based grapefruit brand owned by Lone Star Citrus, has announced the launch of its third annual “Sweeter in Texas” sweepstakes to celebrate red grapefruit season. Through Jan. 20, Winter Sweetz is offering shoppers a chance to win a $500 gift card and a case of Texas red grapefruits valued at $35. Consumers may enter […]
Posted inProduce News, Innovator of the Year, West
Fresh Food Stars During Tour Of ‘Forward Footprint’ Store
Cardenas Markets, The Shelby Report of the West’s Innovator of the Year, is in the process of a company-wide facelift. Within its three-state market area of California, Arizona and Nevada, the grocer has undertaken renovations at all of its stores. In preparation for honoring Cardenas ahead of this special section, The Shelby Report’s Bob Reeves […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
SEPC Names Southern Exposure’s Speaker Lineup
The Southeast Produce Council has announced its lineup of speakers for the upcoming Southern Exposure: Produce – The Final Frontier. Taking place March 3-5 at the Swan & Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida, this year’s conference will encompass SEPC Chairman Tim Graas’ platform, “Inspiring innovation today for a sustainable tomorrow.” “We are extremely proud and […]
Posted inProduce News, Amazon Fresh, Southwest, Whole Foods
MountainKing Begins Merchandising Sales Contest
Houston, Texas-based MountainKing is beginning the new year with a sales contest offering produce managers the chance to win cash prizes for the merchandising and sales of the company’s top-selling Baby Golds in 24 oz., No. 3 and bulk offerings. MountainKing’s “Go For The Gold, Baby!” sales contest will award a $500 Visa gift card […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
Jabaley Named As TIPA’s Viva Fresh Expo Keynote Speaker
The Texas International Produce Association has announced that the 2023 Viva Fresh Expo keynote speaker will be Charlie Jabaley. The expo will be held March 30-April 1 at Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. Jabaley has achieved viral success on social media, gaining more than 8 million followers as the “dabbing Santa sweater guy.” “We […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Kapi Kapi Growers Introduces Oro Pineapples
Miami, Florida-based Kapi Kapi Growers meets retail and foodservice demand with the addition of its new Oro Pineapple. This new product will be offered alongside Kapi Kapi’s traditional and crownless pineapple varieties, as well as their premium quality bananas. Derived from the Spanish word for gold, Kapi Kapi’s Oro Pineapples has a high-shell color to catch shoppers’ […]