Oxford, North Carolina-based Bailey Farms highlighted their product varieties and discussed its recent expansions on March 3-5 at Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure. The company put emphasis on its sweet BellaFina peppers and Hotties line at the produce expo. The company’s BellaFina pepper variety is one third the size of a full-size bell pepper. The […]
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, Home Page Slider, Northeast
Eat The Change Launches Cosmic Carrot Chews
Bethesda, Maryland-based Eat the Change has announced the launch of Cosmic Carrot Chews, a vegetable snack for kids. The company was started by Seth Goldman, co-founder of Honest Tea and chair of the board of Beyond Meat, and co-founder of PLNT Burger and celebrity chef, Spike Mendelsohn, “Our new Cosmic Carrot Chews are a tasty […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, Southeast
GDA Announces Vidalia Onion Season Begins April 12
The Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Vidalia Onion Committee have announced April 12 as the official pack date for the 2022 Vidalia onion season. “Each year, I, along with the Vidalia Onion Committee, look forward to sharing when Vidalia onions will be on their way to stores, so I’m pleased to announce April 12th […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, Northeast
Kraft Heinz And J.R. Simplot Co. Announce Supply Agreement For Ore-Ida
The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Kraft Heinz Co. and Simplot Food Group, a division of the J.R. Simplot Co., announced that the two companies have signed a long-term agreement naming Simplot as the exclusive manufacturer and supplier of Ore-Ida. Kraft Heinz will continue to own the Ore-Ida brand. Simplot is expected to help grow the Ore-Ida brand by introducing new innovation and technology […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, Southeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Green Life Farms Increases Sales Through Cheney Bros. Partnership
Lake Worth, Florida-based Green Life Farms, a controlled-environment agriculture grower, has announced its partnership with Cheney Brothers Inc., a family-owned and -operated regional food distributor. Green Life Farms will be the exclusive butterhead lettuce supplier to more than 5,000 Cheney Brothers customers. Green Life Farms operates two hydroponic greenhouses in Florida, with 11 more greenhouses in […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, West
Natural Delights To Push Medjool Date Sales For Ramadan With Displays
Yuma, Arizona-based Natural Delights is offering its two-, five- and 11-pound window boxes again this year to meet the need for Ramadan consumption. April kicks off the holiday, but shoppers are going to be looking for Medjool dates in bulk when peak sales season begins in the month leading up to the holiday. Medjool dates are considered […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, Southeast
SEPC Announces 2022 Vorhees Vision Scholarship Recipient
The Southeast Produce Council has announced this year’s SEPC Vorhees Vision Scholarship recipient as Alexis Olsen, daughter of Melissa Olsen of U.S. Foods. The Vorhees Vision Scholarship was created to reward the achievements of young individuals who demonstrate a true entrepreneurial spirit in their lives as they pursue their educational goals. This scholarship is named in honor of […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, Southeast
Green Life Farms Supplies Herbs, Leafy Greens To Farmer Joe’s Market
Green Life Farms has added Farmer Joe’s, a brand-new 55,000 square foot market in Cape Coral, Florida, to its long list of retail partners. Farmer Joe’s is the first Florida location to carry 11 of Green Life Farms’ herb varieties, along with its baby leafy greens and butterhead lettuce. Green Life Farms’ products are prominently featured […]
Posted inNatural Grocers, Home Page Slider, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Organic Natural, Produce News, Southwest, Sustainability News
Natural Grocers Announces Second Annual ‘Celebrate Colorado’ Event
Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers has announced its second annual “Celebrate Colorado” event on March 3. Customers at its 41 stores across the state will receive a free, Colorado-themed, limited-edition, reusable shopping bag and commemorative sticker, along with special discounts on local brands. Shoppers can also enter to win a $100 Natural Grocers Gift Card – one lucky winner will be announced […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Slider, Produce News, Southwest
TIPA Announces McGillivray As Viva Fresh Expo Keynote Speaker
The Texas International Produce Association has announced that Dave McGillivray will be its TIPA 2022 Viva Fresh Expo keynote speaker April 21-23 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. McGillivray has served since 1988 as the technical and race director of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon. He is an athlete, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, philanthropist, […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, West
Calavo Announces Promotion And Retirement Of Sales Team Members
Santa Paula, California-based Calavo Growers Inc., a global leader in the avocado and value-added fresh food industries, has announced the promotion of Gordon Breschini to director of national sales for the Calavo Fresh team, and the retirement of industry veteran, Bob Collier. Breschini, who has been with the company since 2008, most recently as senior account manager, […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, West
Wonderful Pistachios Partners With Kenney For World Pistachio Day
In anticipation of “World Pistachio Day” on Feb. 26, Los Angeles-based Wonderful Pistachios has announced a new culinary partnership with plant-based chef, cookbook author and restauranteur Matthew Kenney. Through Feb. 28, Kenney’s restaurants, Sutra in New York City, Plant Food + Wine in Los Angeles, Althea in Chicago and Liora in Baltimore, will offer an exclusive menu item […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, Southwest
Sysco Completes Acquisition Of The Coastal Companies
Houston, Texas-based Sysco Corporation, a global foodservice distribution company, has completed the acquisition of The Coastal Companies, a fresh produce distributor and value-added processor. The acquisition will operate as part of FreshPoint, Sysco’s specialty produce business, and enables FreshPoint to enhance its service to the Mid-Atlantic region and diversify its portfolio by adding retail and ready-to-eat […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, West
Bako Sweet Celebrates Heart-Healthy Sweet Potatoes
Bakersfield, California-based Country Sweet Produce’s Bako Sweet line of sweet potatoes are now certified by the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check Food Certification Program just in time to celebrate American Heart Month and National Sweet Potato Month this February. As shoppers look for healthier but still tasty ways to incorporate fresh foods into their diets this year, […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, Southeast
AppHarvest Appoints Willis To Board Of Directors
Morehead, Kentucky-based AppHarvest Inc. has announced the appointment of J. Kevin Willis as a director of the company, as chair of the board’s audit committee and as a member of the nominating and corporate governance committee, effective Feb. 19. Willis currently serves as the SVP and CFO of Ashland, a global specialty materials company, and […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, West
Ocean Mist Farms Promotes Three New Directors
Castroville, California-based Ocean Mist Farms, a fourth-generation grower shipper, has promoted directors to new positions: Bobby Bellew to director of farming, Serafin Ruiz to director of harvesting and Glen Alameda to director of supply chain and compliance. In Bellew’s new role, he will oversee and guide Ocean Mist Farm’s Northern California farming operations and work to increase cost efficiencies, quality and […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, West
Giumarra Adds California-Grown Asparagus
The Los Angeles, California-based Giumarra Companies has added California asparagus to its 52-week asparagus program. The new volume is offered in partnership with Stockton, California-based grower and shipper Greg Paul Produce Sales, sole commercial marketer of California-grown asparagus. “We are pleased to round out our robust asparagus program with exceptional California product during a time […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, Southwest
Avocados From Mexico Partners With Richter For Big Game
Irving, Texas-based Avocados From Mexico has released its official 30-second Big Game teaser featuring comedian and avocado-lover Andy Richter. The teaser features Richter dressed in an ensemble inspired by ancient Roman times, psyching himself up to play the role of a lifetime: Caesar. The full ad will be revealed during the first quarter. “When I found out Avocados […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Home Page Slider, National, Produce News
Grocers Confident In Future Growth Of Produce Aisle, Despite Inflation
by Greg Ferrara / president and CEO, NGA Consumers were making more healthful food choices in greater numbers before the COVID-19 pandemic, which further boosted interest in better nutrition. As the nation continues to grapple with new variants in a pandemic that’s lingering longer than most expectations, the idea of eating better to buttress one’s […]
Posted inExecutive News, Home Page Slider, Produce News, West
Sun World Appoints Petersen As EVP And Chief Science Officer
Bakersfield, California-based Sun World International has appointed Jennifer Petersen as EVP and chief science officer. In this new leadership position, she will oversee all activities, staff and partnerships pertaining to breeding, variety development, genetics and related technologies. The company develops premium varieties of table grapes and stone fruits. Petersen will be instrumental in expanding Sun World’s […]