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. […]
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, 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 […]
Posted inProduce News, News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Market 32/Price Chopper Expands Fresh Produce Access Through DUFBNY Program
Market 32/Price Chopper is extending a partnership with Field & Fork Network to add its nutrition incentive program, Double Up Food Bucks NY (DUFBNY), to select locations in New York’s Schenectady and Onondaga counties. Field & Fork Network is a nonprofit that works to alleviate food insecurity across the state. “Our collaboration with Field & […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
FMI Report: Social Media, E-Commerce Boost Produce Consumption
FMI – The Food Industry Association released The Power of Produce 2025 report for the seventh consecutive year at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure conference, held March 6-8 in Orlando. With 94 percent of produce shoppers using social media platforms and 36 percent discovering new fruits and vegetables through them, digital engagement – especially with younger shoppers – […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Produce News, Southwest
United Family, Rainier Fruit Donate Socks To Texas Nonprofits
The United Family and Rainier Fruit donated 5,000 pairs of socks to Texas nonprofits in February through their Apples and Pears on a Mission initiative, the companies announced. The donations, intended to support the homeless community, were made possible by a portion of proceeds from Rainier Fruit pear and apple sales during the fall and […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Southwest
Viva Fresh Launches New Website To Celebrate 10th Anniversary
The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) has introduced its new Viva Fresh Produce Expo website as the expo celebrates its 10th anniversary. The 2025 Viva Fresh Expo will take place April 10-12 in Houston, Texas, bringing together produce industry leaders from across North America. Founded in 2015, Viva Fresh has grown into a premier event […]
Posted inFeature, Midwest, Produce News
Building A Bigger Basket: The Power Of Cross-merchandising In Produce
One of the most exciting opportunities in grocery retail is helping customers build a bigger basket – not just by increasing produce sales but by bringing the entire store into the equation. When departments work together, they create meal solutions that make shopping easier for customers while driving sales across multiple categories. Why cross-merchandising works […]
Posted inProduce News, Big Y Foods, Northeast
National Mango Board Names Big Y Foods As Retailer Of The Year
The National Mango Board (NMB) has named Big Y Foods as the recipient of its Mango Retailer of the Year award. This award honors the grocer for its contributions to the mango category, including significant year-over-year sales growth, in-store promotions and successful consumer engagement campaigns. The Mango Retailer of the Year award recognizes retailers that excel in supporting […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest
NoKota Packers Celebrates 45th Anniversary, Launches New Logo
Buxton, North Dakota-based NoKota Packers Inc. celebrated its 45th anniversary as it closed out a successful year and launched a new logo on Jan. 1. Founded in 1979, NoKota Packers shipped 220,000 hundredweight of potatoes and employed 18 employees in their first season. Forty-five years later, the company has more than doubled in size – […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Southeast
SEPC Names 2025 Vorhees Vision Scholarship Recipients
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) has named this year’s Vorhees Vision Scholarship recipients. 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 the late Terry L. Vorhees, founder and […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Sensei Farms Adds Baby Spinach To Leafy Green Product Line
Sensei Farms has introduced baby spinach to the indoor-grown produce brand’s retail line of leafy greens. Grown fresh, year-round in the company’s 30-acre Ontario, Canada-based greenhouse, baby spinach is available at participating Safeway and Acme stores across the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. “Our goal is to deliver the freshest, responsibly grown fruits and vegetables throughout the […]
Expert Article
Winning The Big Game In Produce Department With Crazy Fresh
The excitement of the Big Game brings a golden opportunity for the produce department to shine. Game-day gatherings are all about good food and great company and, as grocery professionals, we have the chance to help consumers create memorable moments. With thoughtful displays, smart merchandising and convenient solutions, you can turn game-day excitement into big […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Produce News, Stater Bros. Markets, West
Stater Bros. Adds Afresh Technology To All Produce Departments
After a successful pilot, Southern California-based Stater Bros. Markets is rolling out Afresh’s store ordering solution across produce departments at all 169 of its stores. Stater Bros., which is replacing its previous manual ordering processes with Afresh’s artificial intelligence-powered solution, measured significant improvements during the pilot. Notably, produce teams reduced overstock, prevented excess inventory from […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
IFPA Releases Annual Impact Report
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has released its 2024 Annual Impact Report, highlighting the organization’s work with and on behalf of the industry over the past year. CEO Cathy Burns praised the IFPA community and leadership for helping advance the priorities that matter most to the fresh produce and floral industry. “As we approached 2024, […]
Posted inProduce News, Food Service News, Southeast
Fresh Express Acquires McEntire Produce
Fresh Express Inc. has acquired McEntire Produce Inc., a fresh-cut processor, repacker and wholesaler based in Columbia, South Carolina. Fresh Express is a brand in value-added salads and fresh produce based in Salinas, California, This strategic acquisition, confirmed by Fresh Express President John P. Olivo and McEntire Produce President and CEO Carter McEntire, combines McEntire […]