Amado, Arizona-based Wholesum, Fair Trade certified growers and shippers of organic fresh produce, cut the ribbon Dec. 9 to its newest organic tomato greenhouses in Sonora, Mexico. The ceremony took place in Imuris, Sonora, Mexico, and was attended by company associates, vendors and industry partners. The theme of the event was “A Plentiful Harvest,” highlighting […]
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.
Winter Sweetz Seeks Entries For ‘Sweeter In Texas’ Sweepstakes
Winter Sweetz, a Texas-based grapefruit brand owned by Lone Star Citrus, has launched its second annual “Sweeter in Texas” sweepstakes to celebrate the Texas red grapefruit season. Through Jan. 28, Winter Sweetz is offering shoppers a chance to enter to win one $500 gift card grand prize and a shipment of about 20 Texas red grapefruits valued at […]
Calavo Growers Inc. Appoints Kocher President And CEO
Santa Paula, California-based Calavo Growers Inc. has appointed Brian W. Kocher as president and CEO, effective Feb. 1. “After conducting a thorough search, including interviews with several well qualified candidates, Brian Kocher was the clear choice of our board of directors to become the next president and chief executive officer of Calavo Growers,” said Calavo […]
In-Store Salad Bar Concept Picadeli Partners With Albertsons Cos.
Picadeli, a Swedish salad pioneer, is launching in the U.S. market through its debut partnership with Albertsons Cos. Picadeli offers a modular store-in-store salad bar concept with the mission to make fresh, healthy food accessible and affordable to the masses. Accessibility is a core pillar for Picadeli, believing that healthy food should be available to […]
Pineberries Available In Texas Exclusively At Central Market
Pineberries are scheduled to arrive this week at all Central Market stores, just in time for the holidays. The only place to find these in Texas are at Central Market, where they are a store exclusive through 2022. What is a pineberry? It looks like a pale strawberry but has a combination of strawberry and […]
Are High-Tech Containers The Future Of Farming?
With increasingly unpredictable weather patterns impacting crops and a continuing global supply chain crisis affecting millions, FarmBox Foods is using tech-based indoor farming to provide nutrient-rich food. Based in Sedalia, Colorado, the company has spent the last four years developing automated farms in shipping containers to grow gourmet mushrooms, organic leafy greens, culinary herbs, peppers […]
Envy Boosts Sales As ‘Ultimate Holiday Apple’
Envy apples remain the best-selling premium apple brand (Nielsen, Total U.S., Apple Category, L 52 weeks ending Nov. 6) in part due to the brand’s significant investment in driving sales with marketing campaigns that increase awareness and preference, motivate consumer trial and stimulate repeat purchase. In the fourth quarter this year, the apples got a […]
Gotham Greens Opens CA Greenhouse, Unveils Sustainability Goals
Indoor farming pioneer Gotham Greens has opened the first phase of its 10-acre hydroponic greenhouse near the University of California-Davis campus. With this national greenhouse expansion, it will operate the nation’s largest network of high-tech hydroponic greenhouses spanning nine facilities in six U.S. states. The company’s sustainable farming practices allows Gotham Greens to grow salad greens and […]
Zespri’s Sungold Kiwifruit Claims 47% Of Total Kiwi Category Growth
Zespri will be celebrating the success of its SunGold Kiwifruit at the New York Produce Show on Dec. 13-16. In addition to sharing the news that Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit accounts for 47 percent of the total kiwi category growth, local and international staff will be available to share information on successful selling tools, customized programs […]
Monteverde’s Joins FreshEdge, Expands Company Footprint
Indianapolis, Indiana-based FreshEdge, a family of produce and specialty food companies backed by Rotunda Capital Partners, has acquired Monteverde’s, a fresh produce distributor located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Monteverde’s operates out of a 61,500 square-foot facility. The addition expands FreshEdge’s footprint further into the eastern United States and provides space and logistical support to better serve […]
United Fresh Asks For Comments On FDA’s Proposed Ag Water Rule
The FDA has published the draft agricultural water provisions of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, according to a statement from United Fresh Produce Association. There is a 120-day public comment period for the draft rule and more information can be found on FDA’s website. United Fresh will be reviewing the proposed rule and will be working with […]
TIPA Hosts Skeet Shoot PAC Fundraiser
Texas International Produce Association hosted its annual Pull-for-PAC Skeet Shoot fundraiser on Nov. 18. Critical to supporting the endeavors of the association’s activities in Washington, D.C., and Austin, Texas, this event has continued to grow every year. This year, TIPA was able to host a sold-out shoot with every team spot filled. Twenty-three teams registered […]
Fresh Produce Opportunities In The Independent Grocery Industry
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA director, Communications and External Affairs Where are the fresh opportunities for independent grocers? The COVID-19 pandemic brought a surge of business to grocery retailers, driven by an increase in home cooking and at-home food consumption. But did this boom impact all categories equally? What will be the lingering impact of supply […]
SEG’s Williams Wins Produce Innovation Award
Steve Williams, VP of produce and floral for Southeastern Grocers, has been named as a winner of the Produce Marketing Association’s Retail Merchant Innovation Award. He was credited with developing new elements for SEG’s produce departments, including: Creative and educational in-store signage displayed throughout the produce departments to help customers navigate new signature categories and enhanced organic […]
Seneca Foods Names Kayser New Director
The board of directors for Marion, New York-based Seneca Foods Corp. appointed Kraig H. Kayser as a member, effective Nov. 10. Kayser will fill a current vacancy resulting from the death of Arthur S. Wolcott, the company’s founder and chairman. As a result of Kayser’s appointment, the size of the board will remain unchanged at […]
POM Wonderful Pomegranate Fresh Arils Are Back With New Branding
POM Wonderful is kicking off the 2021 California pomegranate season with its largest digital marketing campaign to raise brand awareness and continue to drive category growth. Unveiled in the campaign is new branding for POM Wonderful Pomegranate Fresh Arils, the No. 1 aril brand in total sales, brand awareness and velocity in the U.S. Previously known […]
SEPC Announces Southern Exposure’s Lineup For 2022
The Southeast Produce Council has announced its speakers for the upcoming Southern Exposure: The Marvel of Produce, set to take place March 3-5. Premiering at the Swan & Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida, this year’s conference will be themed to celebrate the next generation of superheroes within the produce industry. The following guest speakers have […]
Mann Packing Co. Introduces Nourish Bowls Sauté Style Veggie Meals
Mann Packing Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc. and one of the largest suppliers of packaged vegetables in North America, has launched its Nourish Bowls Sauté Style Veggie Meals, a blend of fresh vegetables, grains and plant-based protein. Packaged in individual bowls, Nourish Bowls Sauté Style Veggie Meals are quick and warm […]
Wholesum Expands, Brings New Efficiencies To Nogales, AZ Warehouse
Wholesum, Fair Trade Certified growers and shippers of organic fresh produce, has completed a major expansion of its distribution center in Nogales, Arizona. “As the demand for responsibly grown organic produce continues to grow, it is important for us to increase storage capacity and bring new efficiencies to the company’s distribution capabilities,” stated Ricardo Crisantes, […]
Fresh Del Monte Raising Prices In Response To Inflationary Market
Miami, Florida-based Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has announced to customers it is raising prices on bananas (including organics and plantains), pineapples and fresh-cut fruit, effective Nov. 1. The move comes in response to unprecedented market conditions and inflationary pressures being felt across all industries, affecting Fresh Del Monte particularly as it relates to production […]
