Nine of the country’s most innovative chefs and foodservice professionals representing an array of culinary styles and backgrounds will be honored the week of June 15 during United Fresh Live!, as part of the United Fresh Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award Program. The program honors chefs and their companies for their creativity in highlighting fresh […]
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, National
Report: Organic Produce Sales Jump 22 Percent In March
Total organic fresh produce sales were up 22 percent for March, with overall first quarter sales up eight percent in retail conditions unlike any ever experienced in the modern era of grocery retailing, according to the 2020 Q1 Organic Produce Performance Report released exclusively by the Organic Produce Network and Category Partners. Unprecedented consumer purchasing behavior across the United States because of COVID-19 […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, National
United Fresh Produce Association Switches To New Virtual Event
With the continuing COVID-19 crisis, the United Fresh Board of Directors has decided to move from an in-person event in San Diego this June to United Fresh Live!, a new, free virtual event that will connect customers, suppliers and colleagues across the industry. “During these past few weeks, we’ve all learned something about connections,” said […]
Posted inDairy News, Home Page Slider, Northeast, Produce News, Recommended Reading
Recommended: Maynard, Mass., May Get Its First Co-Op Grocery Store
MAYNARD, MA — There’s a grocery store revolution coming to the MetroWest area. This spring, Assabet Village Co-op Market is closing in on a plan to open the first cooperative grocery store in the area. It’s the culmination of a long process that began in 2013 when the co-op was founded. Although coronavirus is complicating […]
Posted inProduce News, COVID News, Health & Wellness, Northeast
Costa Fruit & Produce Offering Online Ordering At Its Boston Facility
Costa Fruit & Produce is launching online ordering for next day pickup at its Boston facility for fresh fruit, vegetables and specialty foods. The company says it is committed to the well-being of communities across Boston. In response to the recent challenges related to Covid -19 the company is looking for ways to continue to bring […]
Posted inProduce News, COVID News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, National
EFI Offers Resources For Farmworker Protection, Continuity Of Supply
In these times of uncertainty as the world responds to the coronavirus, Equitable Food Initiative has curated a library of best-in-class resources and practices that provides for employee communication during the current pandemic. EFI is a workforce development and skill-building organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumer advocacy groups to promote responsible labor […]
Posted inProduce News, COVID News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Southeast
Produce For Kids Launches Stock The Food Pantries Initiative
Orlando, Florida-based Produce for Kids has provided more than 12 million meals to families in need through Feeding America over the years, and now the organization is looking to rally the produce industry and beyond to support Feeding America’s Covid-19 Response Fund through its new Stock the Food Pantries fundraising initiative. On April 1, Feeding America announced an estimated $1.4 […]
Posted inProduce News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Midwest
Free! Leafy Greens Now Using Hands-Free Cultivation
Fresh Local Produce Of Ohio says it has installed a fully automated (robotic) greenhouse in Hudson, Ohio. Fresh Local Produce of Ohio started its production of fresh baby lettuce in February and already can be found on the shelves of several grocery stores in Ohio and Pennsylvania area. Fresh Local Produce is selling under the […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Latest News, Southeast
SEPC Continues To Reduce Food Waste One Community At A Time
Millen, Georgia-based Southeast Produce Council (SPC) distributed fresh donated produce on Friday, April 3, to those within the Tattnall County area in Georgia. SEPC members packed, shipped, unloaded, re-packed and distributed almost 70,000 pounds of fresh produce via a drive-thru format in order to maintain social distancing and serve as many as possible—500 families locally […]
Posted inProduce News, Beverage News, COVID News, Food Service News, Grocery Store Equipment, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Southeast, Supply Chain News
SE Business Step Up; Tennessee Governor Says Stay At Home
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to sweep across the United States, it is leaving a trail of victims—not only those who contract the virus but those who have lost their jobs due to the economic impact of the crisis. Several businesses are stepping up in an effort to help those who are unemployed, and other […]
Posted inProduce News, Center Store, COVID News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, National, Supply Chain News
Businesses Continue To Face Challenges Brought By Covid-19 Pandemic
Businesses across the nation continue to face the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. United Fresh’s foundation has started a donation program to help kids and families; the national trucking industry is asking for help and Kraft Heinz, in a business update, has announced the postponement of its Investor Day event. United Fresh Start […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, Marketing News, West
Sun World Expands Supply Capability Of Licensed Grapes
Sun World International LLC has granted new licenses to several California and Mexico produce companies, further expanding the supply and distribution of its proprietary grape varieties, Licensing VP Garth Swinburn recently announced. The new licensees include Anthony Vineyards Inc. for grapes produced in California’s Coachella Valley and Illume Ag Sales LLC (formerly known as Fabbri […]
Posted inProduce News, COVID News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Midwest
Regional Businesses Helping Fight War Against Covid-19
Covid-19 continues to take a toll on the United States and countries across the globe. Many businesses are taking action to help their communities, whether through donations or services. In the Midwest, the Produce Alliance has started a produce giveaway for local hospitals; Drake’s Organic Spirits is producing hand sanitizer for first responders and Polar […]
Posted inProduce News, COVID News, Home Page Slider, Marketing News, Online Grocery Technology, Southwest
DMA Solutions Offers Free Communications To Brands, Marketers
Dallas, Texas-based DMA Solutions now is offering companies within the fresh food space a free communications consultation to position consumer messaging and communications during this unparalleled time. The spread of Covid-19 and frequent shutdowns have people talking about fresh produce and food more than ever. Each and every day, DMA Solutions is at the forefront […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, Home Page Slider, Marketing News, Southeast
Fresh Del Monte Produce Appoints Elana Gold As CMO
Coral Gables, Florida-based Fresh Del Monte Produce has named Elana Gold as VP and chief marketing officer (CMO). In this role, Gold will lead Fresh Del Monte’s global marketing functions, executing global, regional and local marketing strategies aimed at delivering long-term and sustainable business growth for the iconic brand. She will report to Fresh Del […]
Posted inProduce News, COVID News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Southeast
Wish Farms Supplies Local Food Banks Amid Covid-19 Pandemic
International grower and year-round marketer of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, Wish Farms is aiding local food banks during the Covid-19 pandemic. “The need is urgent. We have seen double the amount of people we normally see since the crisis began. With stores having a hard time keeping shelves stocked, our organization’s usual supply chain […]
Posted inProduce News, COVID News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, National
Fresh Produce Sales Up 33.9% Amid Increase In Covid-19 Cases
by Anne-Marie Roerink/210 Analytics LLC As coranavirus social distancing measures are tightening and the number of confirmed cases are growing, retail sales are surging. Shoppers are stocking up on staples and fresh foods. 210 Analytics analyzed the sales results, provided by IRI. Total store sales increased 62.5 percent over the week ending March 15, with […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, Marketing News, Perishables, Suppliers, West
California Avocado Commission Unveils New Ad Campaign
The California Avocado Commission (CAC) has unveiled a new advertising campaign and marketing program to support this season’s California avocado crop. CAC’s new advertising campaign began in March with a combination of traditional and digital media in the West and a focus on California. “The commission’s new advertising campaign theme is ‘The best avocados have […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Beverage News, COVID News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Produce News, Southeast, Suppliers
SE Businesses Help Out, Perdue Farms Associate Positive For Covid-19
As President Donald Trump has extended stay at home guidelines until April 30 in an effort to mitigate the spread of Covid-19, many American small businesses will remain closed. Those businesses that are essential, including grocery stores and suppliers, are reaching out to help in any way they can. In the Southeast, Publix is giving […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Association News, Beverage News, COVID News, Home Page Slider, National, Produce News, Suppliers, Supply Chain News
Businesses Find Ways To Help During Covid-19 Pandemic
As Covid-19 continues to spread across the globe, businesses and associations are working to find ways to contribute to the fight against the pandemic. As NGA and United Fresh Produce Association come together to help keep grocers stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables, Bacardi is using its facilities around the world to help make desperately […]