The Texas International Produce Association says that the 2021 Viva Fresh Produce Expo will proceed as a hybrid event to include both in-person and virtual components that offer solutions for all attendees. The Viva Fresh steering committee spent extensive time and effort this summer and early fall conducting exhibitor, retail and foodservice attendee research to […]
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.
United Fresh Releases Q2 2020 FreshFacts on Retail Report
United Fresh Produce Association’s Q2 2020 issue of FreshFacts on Retail reports is now available. The report covers the increasing popularity of e-commerce and the unprecedented rise of in-home consumption triggered by COVID-19, including the continued growth of fresh fruit and vegetable sales. The e-commerce boom in April was likely due to an increase in […]
Snapdragon Apples Are Back; Co-op Adds Growers In 5 New States
SnapDragon apples are ripe for picking as harvest season is officially underway. Grown exclusively by Crunch Time Apple Growers, a New York-based cooperative of 151 growers, this year’s SnapDragon crop is expected to yield its largest haul yet. The cooperative also announced the addition of direct market growers in five additional states – Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Illinois – starting […]
United Fresh Offers New Learn & Engage Opportunities
United Fresh has announced its slate of new programming taking place this fall on the LIVE! 365 platform. United Fresh LIVE! 365 is the industry’s year-round community platform, providing new business opportunities, personal connections and access to education every day. “We are committed to continue to provide the industry with ways to stay engaged and […]
Indianapolis Fruit Co. Promotes, Hires Team Members
Indianapolis Fruit Co. continues to build a team of industry professionals, recently promoting staff and adding new hires. Indianapolis Fruit remains focused on being a super-regional produce and specialty foods distributor providing premium quality products and unprecedented customer experiences. Indianapolis Fruit Co. is a business unit of IF&P Foods and the FreshEdge group of companies, […]
Milne Fruit Products Acquires Valley Processing Assets
Milne Fruit Products has acquired the assets of Valley Processing, a fruit ingredient processor based in Sunnyside, Washington. The acquisition includes juice and puree production facilities along with freezer and cold storage facilities, all located in Sunnyside. According to Michael Sorenson, Milne’s president, “This acquisition brings a lot of synergy to Milne’s existing product line […]
United Fresh Takes Partner X-Change Sessions Virtual
United Fresh again is providing new ways to keep buyers and sellers connected, starting with the return of the United Fresh Partner X-Change program taking place Sept. 21-23 on United Fresh Live! 365. As part of its Annual Washington Conference, 26 buyers and vendors will connect directly through private 15-minute matchmaking sessions. “The inaugural Partner X-Change […]
Seneca Foods’ CEO Kayser To Retire; Palmby To Succeed Him
Marion, New York-based Seneca Foods Corp., a provider of packaged fruits and vegetables with facilities located throughout the United States, has announced the planned retirement of Kraig H. Kayser, its president, CEO and director, on Sept. 30. Paul L. Palmby has been named to succeed Kayser upon his retirement. Kayser will continue to be an […]
Vertical Farming Firms Expanding Distribution Across Country
Lettuce touted as hyperlocal, healthier This is the second article in a three-part series by The Shelby Report on the produce industry. by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Over the past decade or so, vertical farming has grown tremendously through research and development. And during COVID, it proved to be a safe and reliable solution for some […]
STK, Ascenza Reach Distribution Agreement For Regev Fungicide
STK bio–ag technologies, an Israeli bio-ag technology company for sustainable agriculture, and Ascenza have announced an exclusive agreement for the distribution of the “hybrid” fungicide Regev throughout Mexico. Under this exclusive agreement, Ascenza will sell the product throughout Mexico with the trade name of Regev. Regev is being registered in Mexico for the control of […]
Bard Valley Date Growers Mourn Loss Of Founding Member Steve Shadle
Bard Valley Date Growers have announced the passing of Steve Shadle, 84, on Aug. 11, 2020. He was involved in the Medjool Date business in the development of the Bard Valley Date Growers Association along with a number of business and philanthropic efforts. “Steve was a valued member of our community who touched and improved […]
Kiwifruit Marketer Appoints WPP Global Integrated Team
Zespri International has selected an interdisciplinary team of WPP agencies as its global Agency of Record to deliver its brand proposition, “Make Your Healthy Irresistible,” through communications, experience, commerce and technology. Zespri works on behalf of more than 4,300 kiwifruit growers in New Zealand and around the world with operating revenues of $2.2 billion. “At […]
Bard Valley Natural Delights Celebrates More Dates, More Jobs
One hundred days of 100-degree temperatures produce the highest quality Medjool Dates and that time has arrived as Bard Valley Natural Delights launches its date season. In addition to enjoying the flavor of the dates, shoppers support the organization’s concern over its environmental impact and ability to employ thousands with local jobs both during the […]
Four Star Fruit, Delano Farms Team Up To Debut NBA Packaging
Four Star Fruit and Delano Farms Company, two of the leading growers of table grapes, have partnered again with the NBA through a unique licensing agreement to debut co-branded packaging and merchandising on all in-season varieties. The co-branded packaging will create excitement to kick-off the basketball season and will encourage NBA fans to live a […]
United Fresh Releases Summer 2020 Fresh Insights For Foodservice
The summer 2020 issue of United Fresh’s Fresh Insights for Foodservice is now available. This quarterly report highlights on-trend foodservice applications for fresh produce in restaurants, at retail, in meal kits and more. This issue also addresses new circumstances brought-on by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re encouraged by the passion and commitment of foodservice operators and […]
J&D Produce Now Operating As Little Bear Produce
Edinburg, Texas-based J&D Produce will now operate under the name Little Bear Produce. To ensure brand cohesion and consistent messaging across the board, J&D Produce made the decision this year to operate as Little Bear Produce since most of the industry is already familiar with the name. As the company continues to grow and evolve, […]
WEST: Food City, Bashas’ And AJ’s Fine Foods Issue #HatchAtHome Challenge
Hatch Green Chile season is here until mid-September in more than 100 Food City, Bashas’ and AJ’s Fine Foods stores throughout Arizona. Now until Sept. 8, Arizonans are invited to a #HatchAtHome Challenge in celebration of the season. Food City, Bashas’ and AJ’s Fine Foods are wanting to see what their customers can make with […]
Albertsons Cos. Partners With Plenty To Offer Indoor-Grown Greens
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. and vertical-farming company Plenty Unlimited have announced an agreement that plans to provide shoppers in more than 430 stores across California with Plenty’s fresh produce. “We pride ourselves on offering fresh, quality products that surprise and delight our customers,” said Geoff White, EVP of merchandising. “Plenty’s data-driven and sustainable methods are […]
Dole, Pixar Take Fear Out Of Exotic Fruits, Veggies
Charlotte, North Carolina-based Dole Food Co. has released a new set of recipes, recipe videos, social media interactives and digital downloads as part of its summer-long celebration of unfamiliar fruits and vegetables inspired by Pixar’s Monsters Inc. and Monsters University. Encouraged by the early response to its healthy-living initiative, which is part of Dole’s 2020 […]
Southeast Produce Council Postpones Southern Innovations
The Southeast Produce Council Executive Committee announced Aug. 9 that Southern Innovations, which was to be held Sept. 16-19 in Savannah, Georgia, will be postponed due to growing concerns and restrictions surrounding COVID-19. “It is with a heavy heart that we have had to make this decision. Our sincere desire was to provide a beacon […]
