Giant Eagle is implementing a 20 percent average price reduction on more than 200 produce items across its Giant Eagle and Market District locations, offering customers an estimated $25 million in annual savings. The New Low Price initiative will include many of the most popular items in the produce department as Giant Eagle aims 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.
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Crystal Valley Foods Celebrates 30th Anniversary In Produce Industry
Crystal Valley Foods is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of service to the produce industry. Since its inception in 1994, Crystal Valley Foods provides premium-quality fruits and vegetables to customers across North America. Established in Miami, Florida, Crystal Valley Foods has grown into a recognized specialty supplier, serving retail, foodservice and wholesale markets. […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Franklin To Receive IFPA’s Retail Produce Manager Of The Year Award
Brad Franklin, produce manager for Tops Friendly Markets in Towanda, Pennsylvania, will receive the 2024 Retail Produce Manager of the Year Award. For their commitment to fresh produce, innovative merchandising, community service and customer satisfaction, Franklin is one of 20 produce managers nationwide being recognized from the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) with this distinction. “Brad […]
Posted inProduce News, National
SEPC Releases ‘What’s New’ Annual Consumer Research Results
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) released its annual “What’s New? 2024″ consumer research in a sold-out educational session at Southern Innovations. The interactive format combines the presentation of the research results by Anne-Marie Roerink of 210 Analytics with attendees discussing findings with fellow retailers and grower/shippers throughout the session. In addition to consumers’ views of the […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Feature, National, The Kroger Co.
IFPA Officials Preview Fresh Produce & Floral Show
“Make the most of these three days in October.” That’s the advice of Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), referring to the 2024 Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show, coming up Oct. 17-19 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. “We’re really excited to be in Georgia this year after […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
Driving Fresh Produce Sales With SNAP
At a time when access to nutritious food is critical, independent grocers play a pivotal role in serving diverse communities and promoting healthy eating habits. The National Grocers Association Foundation Technical Assistance Center hosted a recent webinar that delved into innovative strategies and best practices for increasing fresh produce sales among SNAP recipients, while simultaneously […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Promotes Blair To Fruit Desk, Rowe Moves To Vegetable Desk
Tops Friendly Markets has promoted Matthew Blair to category business manager for produce–fruit desk, with Justin Rowe shifting from that role to category business manager for produce-vegetable desk. In his new role, Blair will be responsible for developing and managing the procurement and merchandising program for produce–fruit to achieve budgeted sales, gross profit, inventory turns […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Bolthouse Farms Splits Into 2 Entities, Updates Brand, Packaging
Butterfly, a California-based private equity firm, recently separated its portfolio company, Bolthouse Farms, into two entities – Bolthouse Fresh Foods and Generous Brands. Bolthouse Fresh Foods will carry on the legacy of Bolthouse Farms as a supplier of fresh carrots to retailers across North America, with nearly 700 million pounds sold annually. Generous Brands will […]
Posted inNatural Grocers, Organic Natural, Produce News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Begins Organic Ag Partnership With Rodale Institute
Natural Grocers has begun a new partnership with Rodale Institute, a nonprofit that supports the regenerative organic agricultural movement through research, farmer training and education. During Organic Month, customers will have an opportunity to support the retailer’s goal of raising $100,000 for Rodale Institute with donations at the register and a portion of proceeds from the sales […]
Posted inBig Y Foods, Bakery News, Executive News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Northeast, Produce News
Big Y Appoints New VPs Of Fresh Foods, Center Store
Big Y Foods has named John P. Fraro as VP of fresh foods, while Steve Nordstrom has been appointed as VP of center store. Both report to Michael R. Cormier, SVP of sales and marketing. “Our people are and always will be the heart of our company. They foster and grow our culture of caring, continuous […]
Posted inProduce News, Ask The Experts, Northeast
Doing It ‘Ripe’ At EXP Group LLC
Sponsored content Fresh Perspectives on QC, Technology and Innovation with EXP Group LLC President Anthony Serafino EXP Group LLC is a multinational group of companies specializing in the production, importation and wholesale distribution of tropical fruits and vegetables from Central and South America to the U.S. and global market. From its 293,000 square foot, 35 […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, Southeast
Alcocer Retiring From Duda Farm Fresh Foods
Duda Farm Fresh Foods SVP of Sales and Marketing Rick Alcocer is retiring after a 40-plus year career in the produce industry. Alcocer began his career in the fresh produce industry following graduation from the University of Southern California in 1980, when he joined Dole Fresh Vegetables (known then as Bud Antle Inc.) as a […]
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, Gelson's, Harris Teeter, National, The Kroger Co.
This Month In Produce: Hatch Chiles, Sweet Potatoes and More
As the back-to-school season begins to take off, so too does the abundance of fresh produce. For consumers, this means a cornucopia of choices at the grocery store. But behind the colorful displays and enticing promotions lies a strategic battle for shelf space and consumer dollars. This August, produce companies are rolling out innovative campaigns […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Touts Benefits Of Local Produce Partnerships
Tops Friendly Markets relies on partnerships with local growers to stock its produce shelves with fresh items throughout the season, helping support family-owned farms. Tops has partnerships with more than 500 locally-owned and -operated dairy and produce family farms. They have generations of growing experience, and their proximity to Tops locations allow for fruits and […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Instacart, PHA Share Results From ‘Good Food At Home’ Program
Instacart and Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), a nonprofit working to improve the food landscape in pursuit of health equity, have connected families with more than five million servings of fruits and vegetables, marking a major milestone in their national effort to connect under-resourced communities with 10 million servings of produce by 2025. Instacart’s and PHA’s […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Adds Fresh Produce To DUFB Program For SNAP Customers
Field & Fork Network, a nonprofit connecting communities to solutions that foster a sustainable food system, has expanded its Double Up Food Bucks NY (DUFB) program. The nonprofit is launching the program at three additional Tops Friendly Markets locations in and around Rochester, New York. Tops SNAP customers at 285 Upper Falls Blvd. and 450 West […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Market Profile, Southwest
USMCA Gives Grocers Wider Diversity Of Produce, Availability Year-Round
The United States-Mexico border stretches for more than 1,254 miles, the longest international border in the continental U.S. But it’s not just a physical line – it’s a vital economic artery, pumping billions of dollars in trade between Texas and Mexico. While binational trade relations between the two countries have historically been strong, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement […]
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, West
Sensei Debuts New-Look Packaging For Leafy Greens, Salad Mixes
Sensei Farms is introducing new packaging across its line of leafy greens and salad mixes, marking the indoor-grown produce brand’s next step toward a more sustainable future for the food supply. The new design offers the same functional and food safety features retailers and consumers expect from conventional plastic clamshells, but in an eco-friendly form. […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Feature, Meijer, National
Driving Produce Sales As Parents Prepare For 2024-25 School Year
A new study by The Foundation for Fresh Produce reveals most children are not eating enough fruits and vegetables every day. To boost consumption, the foundation has launched a month-long campaign, “Hacks for Healthy Back-to-School Habits.” Designed to promote simple and engaging food, cooking and meal prep “hacks,” the effort aims to instill healthy eating […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Potatoes USA To Boost IGA Members Through Marketing Resources
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) and Potatoes USA have partnered to help independent grocers capitalize on the popularity of potatoes, which account for more than 10 percent of all vegetable sales. Potatoes are a key grocery basket-builder, with a $90.50 average basket with potatoes versus $47.47 without the vegetable, according to an IRI product affinity study. […]