The International Fresh Produce Association announced the incoming class for its 2023 Leadership Program during the graduation of the previous year’s fellows. The program, now in its 28th year, is a year-long journey where participants develop essential leadership and business skills through a series of customized trips. These trips are packed with face-to-face meetings, hands-on […]
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, National
Watermelon Board Reveals 2023 Retail Merchandising Contest Winners
The National Watermelon Promotion Board has named winners in its annual Retail Merchandising Contest, which garnered more than 115 entries from various retail chains, independent retailers and commissaries throughout the U.S. and Canada. This year’s contest – the 15th since its inception – continued to utilize mixed media marketing efforts in addition to in-store displays. […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Sales Of Fresh Produce Increased During September
Fresh produce prices continued to increase in September versus their year-ago levels, but much less so than total food and beverages, according to Circana, 210 Analytics and the International Fresh Produce Association. On a per-pound basis, fruit prices increased by 1.3 percent year-on-year whereas vegetable prices were nearly flat, with just a small increase of […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
NGAF Leads Charge On Produce Prescription Technology Solutions
The National Grocers Association Foundation (NGAF) has wrapped up the Point of Sale Produce Prescription (PPR) Workgroup, successfully creating a core functionality document for efficient and accurate produce prescription POS solutions. This will be added to the association’s collection of resources that guide grocers seeking to offer nutrition incentives and produce prescription programs in their communities. Produce […]
Posted inProduce News, National
IFPA Wraps Global Produce & Floral Show In Anaheim
The International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show ended Oct. 21 in Anaheim, California, with the general opinion that it was “the best show ever.” “Coming back to Anaheim for the first time as IFPA, I could not be more impressed and inspired by the support the global produce and industry gave us […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest
Schnucks Uses Procurant For Perishables Order Management
Schnucks has partnered with Procurant, a cloud-based software company, to implement its Procurant One technology platform. The technology will help the grocer manage its perishables purchasing, produce inspections and source-to-pay order management. “Perishable goods are critical to our success, and the complexity of our business requires systems that are aligned with our goal to nourish […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Feature, National
Panel At IFPA Global Produce And Floral Show Addresses AI
“Technology does not scale linearly. It scales exponentially.” That comment from Patrick Vizzone, executive director of DiMuto, perhaps best sums up the CEO Panel on Oct. 19 at the IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show in Anaheim, California. The panel – Johnny C. Taylor Jr., president and CEO of SHRM; Elliott Grant, CEO of Mineral, […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Zespri To Showcase SunGold Kiwis At IFPA Show
Industry professionals and retailers can stop by Zespri’s booth No. 3293 during the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, California, to meet with regional and international staff and to taste Zespri SunGold Kiwi samples and Kiwitinis. “Our booth is always buzzing, bringing to life the boldness and fun of our remarkable kiwifruit,” said Jeanne Wilson, […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
Driscoll’s Names Bjorn As CEO
Driscoll’s board of directors has elected Soren Bjorn, currently president of Driscoll’s of the Americas, as the company’s new CEO. Miles Reiter, the current chairman and CEO, has announced his plan to retire at the end of the year and become executive chairman of the family-owned company. Reiter has been involved in the berry business […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Produce News, Southwest
Harps Food Stores To Carry Wild About Sprouts Products
Rä Foods’ Wild About Sprouts brand is continuing its national expansion through a distribution agreement with Harps Food Stores. Wild About Sprouts products come in six varieties – alfalfa, broccoli, clover, clover and alfalfa, clover and broccoli and alfalfa, broccoli and kale. The company’s patented COLD-GROWN process and “out-of-the-box” packaging provide flavor, freshness and safety. […]
Posted inPackaging News, Produce News, West
Superfresh Growers Introduces Recycled Apple, Pear Bags
Superfresh Growers has introduced the apple and pear industry’s first fruit bag made from post-consumer recycled plastic. Post-consumer recycled plastic is made from things people recycle daily – plastic bottles, milk jugs and other bags – all sourced from USA recycling centers and can be continuously recycled. Superfresh Growers PCR bag is SGS Global Services […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
Fox Packaging Names Doxey As Director Of Sales
Fox Packaging has named Jen Doxey as director of sales, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the produce industry. Doxey will have an emphasis on developing and executing strategic sales plans, building long-term customer relationships and leading high-performing teams. She will be responsible for overseeing the sales operations of Fox Packaging and Fox Solutions and […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
NAPAR Rebrands As Produce Distributors Association
Originally founded in 1989, NAPAR (National Association of Perishable Agricultural Receivers) has been rebranded into the Produce Distributors Association. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it is the first organization of its kind that solely advocates for fresh produce distributors. Initially an east coast-based organization made up of terminal market members, a key goal of the organization is […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Produce Sales Rise In August As Prices Dip
Retailers invested in fruit prices in August as the average price per pound for fruit decreased by 2.1 percent over year-ago levels, according to the monthly report produced by Circana, 210 Analytics and the International Fresh Produce Association. August produce sales The five August weeks generated $74.3 billion total food and beverage sales, up 1.7 […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, Merchandising News, Midwest
SpartanNash Elevates Smith In Floral Merchandising
SpartanNash has promoted Andy Smith to senior director of merchandising in produce/floral. In his new role, Smith will oversee all aspects of SpartanNash’s produce and floral merchandising to include retail, category management, distribution and procurement. “I’m pleased to promote Andy from within to fill this critical role on the merchandising team,” said Bennett Morgan, EVP […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Does Your Produce Department Meet The Gold Standard?
Sponsored content Few things are more important to a successful produce department than having beautiful, high quality fruit on display. That’s especially true when it comes to bananas. Studies have shown that having low quality bananas on display is one of the main reasons consumers change retailers. And since bananas are one of the most […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Feature, Meijer, National
Health, Tech Highlight 2023 Global Produce And Floral Show
The greatest challenge for the fresh produce and floral industry continues to be getting people to consume more of its products, according to Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association. “If you look at the data, consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables remains well below both the U.S. Dietary Guidelines and the World […]
Posted inProduce News, West
California Avocado Commission’s President Oberman Steps Down
The California Avocado Commission has announced that Jeff Oberman, who has served as president and CEO since October 2022, has left the organization to pursue other interests. Oberman was brought in as the first external hire to be president and CEO for the Irvine, California-based commission in more than three decades, bringing many years of […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
DiMare California Names Dolan As DMB Packing President
DiMare California has named Jeff Dolan as president of Newman, California-based DMB Packing. Dolan will have an expanded leadership role in the family business. Previously, he held the position of field operations manager. In the new role, he will oversee all operations regarding the growing, packing and shipping of fresh market tomatoes in California. “This announcement […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Report: Retailers Sell More Avocados In Second Quarter
Spring and summer holidays generated higher avocado unit sales compared to 2022, according to the holiday retail recap report from the Misson Viejo, California-based Hass Avocado Board. Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day and Father’s Day contributed a combined 27.5 million incremental avocado units versus the prior year. Avocado volume during Cinco De Mayo grew […]