North Coast, a trusted name in premium apple products for over a century, is proud to unveil a bold new look for its lineup of organic apple juices, applesauce, and apple cider vinegar. While the packaging is new, what’s inside remains the same: the fresh, clean, and pure taste of whole organic apples. With this […]
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, Association News, National, News
IFPA To Unveil Public Policy Agenda At Washington Conference
As policymakers and industry leaders prepare to gather June 9-11 for The Washington Conference in Washington D.C., the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is setting the stage for critical policy discussions impacting the fresh produce and floral industries. With a focus on labor, food safety, nutrition, trade and the Farm Bill, IFPA leads advocacy efforts to […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, News, Southeast
SEPC Seeks Nominations For The Unseen Hero Award
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) is accepting nominations for The Unseen Hero Award, a special recognition honoring those who work behind the scenes to keep the produce industry moving forward. Whether in growing, shipping, packing, retail or foodservice, these unsung heroes make a lasting impact without seeking the spotlight. Award criteria Nominees should exemplify: Dedication […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA Encourages Science-Based Standards To National Organic Standards Board
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has submitted comments to the National Organic Standards Board highlighting priority issues for the organic fresh produce sector. The comments were in response to a feedback request from NOSB’s Spring 2025 Work Agenda. Developed in consultation with the association’s organics committee, the comments emphasize the need for practical, science-based […]
Posted inProduce News, News, Stater Bros. Markets, West
Stater Bros. Markets Expands Partnership With IFCO
Stater Bros. Markets, the largest privately-owned supermarket chain in Southern California, has expanded its long-term partnership with IFCO, a global leader in reusable packaging solutions for fresh food. As part of the multi-year agreement, Stater Bros. will broaden its use of IFCO reusable packaging containers (RPCs) across a wider range of fresh fruits and vegetables. […]
Posted inProduce News, Market Profile, News, Southeast
Florida’s Watermelon Heartland Prepping For Start Of Sweet Season
Florida, particularly Central Florida, is a major watermelon-producing region, providing the sweet summer fruit to grocers across the Southeast and beyond. The Shelby Report of the Southeast recently visited with Lee Wroten, VP of Lakeland, Florida-based Global Produce Sales, to learn more about what makes this growing region special and how this year’s crop is […]
Posted inProduce News, Packaging News, Southeast
Fresh Express Introduces Refreshed Brand Identity, Redesigned Packaging
Orlando, Florida-based Fresh Express is introducing a refreshed brand identity with a modernized logo, redesigned packaging and a focus on fresh quality, taste and health. The updated visual identity will begin appearing on shelves nationwide starting May 9, with additional activations to follow as part of the broader “Express Yourself” campaign, which launched in April. […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Superfresh Growers Highlights Orchard Buddies During Earth Month
In late 2024, Superfresh Growers launched a new organic packaging line to attract families, find homes for smaller apples and share its passion for sustainable farming. As Earth Day approaches, the company is taking the time to highlight its new product. “We had a mission to make organic apples more appealing to children. We realized […]
Expert Article
Spring Into Summer As Preparations Begin For Biggest Veggie Season
As we move into the second quarter of the year, the longer days and warmer weather signal the arrival of peak production season. With daylight savings and tax season behind us, it’s time to refresh, reorganize and prepare for the busiest quarter of the year. At Crazy Fresh, we know that success in Q2 sets […]
Posted inProduce News, Market Profile, News, Southeast
Grocers Can Position Florida’s Peak-Season Produce As Part Of Assortment Strategy
Positioning Central Florida’s peak-season produce as a fundamental part of their assortment strategy offers grocers an opportunity to enhance revenue and attract customers seeking locally sourced, high-quality options. Susie McKinley, director of the division of marketing and development at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, underscored the importance of aligning procurement with periods […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, News, Southwest
Viva Fresh Concludes Sold-Out Anniversary Expo With Record Attendance
The 2025 Viva Fresh Expo marked its 10th anniversary April 11-13 with a sold-out show floor and 2,760 attendees, including 438 buyers, at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Houston. The show opened with a keynote speech from José Hernández, a former migrant farm worker who became a NASA astronaut. More than 100 people waited in […]
Posted inProduce News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, News, Southeast
Healthy Family Project Celebrates 9-Year Partnership With AWG
Healthy Family Project has begun its 2025 Produce for Kids campaign in Associated Wholesale Grocers’ (AWG) Springfield and Gulf Coast divisions, marking a nine-year partnership dedicated to promoting healthier families and supporting communities in need. Through this year’s campaign, participating produce partners are collectively donating 170,000 meals to local Feeding America food banks. Shoppers will […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, News, West
Save Mart Is Official Partner Of San Joaquin Asparagus Festival
Save Mart will serve as an official partner of the 39th annual San Joaquin Asparagus Festival, taking place April 11-13 at the fairgrounds in San Joaquin County, California. The community event draws large crowds each year in celebration of spring, with local fresh produce, vendors, live music, carnival rides, a petting zoo and family fun. […]
Posted inProduce News, West
GrubMarket Acquires Delta Fresh Produce
GrubMarket has completed the acquisition of Nogales, Arizona-based Delta Fresh Produce, a distributor of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, grapes, watermelons and various other fresh produce commodities from Mexico. Delta Fresh manages an extensive farming and distribution network across Mexico, including more than 900 acres of open-field production, 1,400 acres of indoor production and packing facilities across Baja, Sonora, Sinaloa and Central Mexico. […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, Food Lion, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Donates 14.8M Meals During Annual Orange Bag Campaign
Food Lion Feeds’ seventh annual Orange Bag campaign, in collaboration with customers, provided the equivalent of more than 14.8 million meals to address food insecurity. The campaign, which ran from Feb. 26-March 18, benefits Feeding America and local partner food banks throughout Food Lion’s 10-state operating area. Through this initiative, customers help address food insecurity […]
Expert Article
Flat Produce Sales Driving You Bananas?
Sponsored content If flat sales in the produce department are dragging down your bottom line, don’t worry, says Gary Campisi, former senior director of quality control for produce, floral, meat and seafood at Walmart and Sam’s Club. Small changes are often all you need to get sales growing again. As one of the industry’s foremost […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Fresh Del Monte Acquires Majority Stake In Avolio
In line with its initiative to expand into high-value specialty ingredients, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has acquired a majority stake in Avolio, an Ugandan supplier of bulk crude and edible avocado oil. Avocados are one of the few fruits from which oil can be extracted from the pulp. Avolio leverages this to create value […]
Posted inProduce News, National, News
Colombian Avocados On Track For Record 2025 Season
Colombia is set to deliver 130 million pounds of avocados during the 2025 spring-summer traviesa season. Maturing orchards, strategic investments in region-specific rootstock and a growing shift toward East Coast ports are driving Colombia’s role as a year-round supply partner for the expanding U.S. market. Year-round harvest Main season (September-February): Recently concluded with a 50 […]
Expert Article
Celebrate Earth Day With Sustainable Organic Produce
Earth Day (April 22) is the perfect time to highlight the benefits of organic produce and how it plays a crucial role in sustainability. With growing consumer interest in environmentally friendly choices, organic produce presents a great opportunity to meet demand while also supporting sustainable agriculture. Why organic matters Organic farming works hand in hand […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Deli News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, News, Produce News
FDA Extends Date For FSMA 204 Compliance
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shared its intention to extend the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204) by 30 months. The FDA will extend the compliance date using appropriate procedures at a later time, including publishing a proposed rule in the Federal Register. The FDA stated that it is […]