Five Produce Innovation Award winners were recognized June 22 at United Fresh 2016, which was co-located with the Food Marketing Institute’s FMI Connect in Chicago. This year’s honorees were selected by show attendees from a total of 49 contestants in five categories: Best New Food Safety Solution; Best New Fruit Product; Best New Packaging; Best […]
Category: Produce News
United Fresh Names McEntire VP, Food Safety And Technology
United Fresh Produce Association has named Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D., as its new VP, food safety and technology. She succeeds Dr. David Gombas, who retired from the association June 1 after 11 years leading its food safety program. “I’m absolutely thrilled that Dr. McEntire is joining our team to begin a new era in food safety […]
FMI Report: Fresh Produce Growth Driven By Mega Trends
Fresh produce is in demand. At $61 billion in annual sales, fresh produce is big, growing (+4 percent) and lucrative, with a grocery basket with fresh produce averaging nearly $30 more than one without. The consumer trends in Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) second annual Power of Produce report substantiate the growth opportunities for fresh produce […]
Five Ways To Maximize Banana Sales
With bananas at the top of most supermarkets’ register rings, it pays for distributors and produce managers to keep their banana inventories and displays in top-notch form. “The banana category is historically the largest retail produce category. Since bananas are available year-round, an effective prominent display draws customers into your produce department,” said Kevin Frye, […]
CMI Releases Behind-The-Scenes Video Of Rainier Cherry Harvest
The Rainier cherry harvest reached its seasonal harvest peak in mid-June, and Columbia Marketing International (CMI) expects its cherries to be 85 percent harvested by June 26. Because few retailers or consumers will ever have an opportunity to see the harvest in person, CMI has released a video highlighting one of its growers, offering a […]
SEPC-Led Initiative Gathers Produce For Appalachian County
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC), along with several produce companies, collected more than 95,000 pounds of produce for Rockin’ Appalachian Mom Project (RAMP) to benefit Martin County, Kentucky. Rural Appalachia is home to some of the most impoverished people in the United States, and access to healthy food and economic opportunity in Martin County is scarce. […]
Southeastern Grocers Commits To Southeast Produce Growers
Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Bi-Lo, Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores, on June 14 announced a new local sourcing policy, committing to only source produce from local farms and orchards in the Southeast whenever possible. Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers says this policy should help grow Southeastern agriculture as well as provide customers with the freshest local […]
More Than Half Of U.S. Households Purchase Fresh Mushrooms
The Mushroom Council recently released a study analyzing the latest mushroom shopper purchase trends. The Fresh Mushroom Fast Facts study provides key insights into the shopping behaviors that are driving fresh mushroom category growth. According to the study, more than half of U.S. households purchased mushrooms in 2015. Nearly four out of five purchasing households […]
