The Kroger Co. and 80 Acres Farms, a global vertical farming company, are expanding their partnership to serve about 1,000 of the grocer’s stores across the Midwest and Southeast. 80 Acres Farms has been a supplier to Kroger since 2019, beginning with a store in downtown Cincinnati and growing to more than 300 stores across […]
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, Southwest
South Texas Onion Committee Shares Promotion Wrap-Up
The South Texas Onion Committee’s promotion campaign for Texas 1015 Sweet Onions resulted in another record-breaking marketing program this spring and early summer. The campaign focused on increasing brand awareness and sales of the Texas 1015 Sweet Onion. This year, the South Texas Onion Committee launched its most comprehensive campaign to date, including live, print, […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, Southwest
Revol Greens Names Bradley As New CFO
Austin, Texas-based Revol Greens has appointed James Bradley as its new CFO. Bradley’s addition to the team is important in driving the company’s growth and expansion within the Controlled Environment Agriculture lettuce and greens category. With its national footprint and continued growth plans underway, Bradley will lead the overall financial strategy and process development for Revol Greens. “As […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, Produce News
How To Get Ready For Organic Certification
The USDA has published a new regulation to “Strengthen Organic Enforcement” (SOE). The SOE states that “more types of businesses in the organic supply chain must be certified organic.” Among the new provisions is the requirement that facilities that “handle” or store organic products, such as distribution centers and warehouses, must be organic certified. USDA […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
SEPC, Society Of St. Andrew Distribute Produce In Macon, GA
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) partnered with the Society of St. Andrew to distribute free produce during its second annual community food distribution July 21 in Macon, Georgia. Reinforcing their SEPC Cares initiative, member volunteers joined the SoSA team, in collaboration with Atrium Hospital, to provide much-needed provisions for the community. “Thank you to the […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
Mission Produce Appoints SpartanNash’s Sarsam To Board
Oxnard, California-based Mission Produce Inc. has appointed Tony Bashir Sarsam to its board of directors, effective Aug. 14. Sarsam has been appointed as an independent Class I director, with a term expiring at the company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders. In connection with this appointment, Mission Produce’s board of directors has increased the size of […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Shoppers Focused On Produce Deals, Buying Less In June
After several months of flat and lower prices, fresh produce experienced a jump in year-on-year inflation in June, according to Circana, 210 Analytics and the International Fresh Produce Association. Fresh fruit prices increased 6.8 percent in comparison to June 2022. Vegetable inflation averaged 2.7 percent in June, which was down from the 52-week levels that […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Lunchables To Feature Fresh Fruit Offerings
Lunchables, in partnership with Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., has debuted its first fresh fruit offering, featuring pineapple, clementines, grapes and apples. Part of the brand’s effort to offer more better-for-you options, the company hopes the new product line will get kids accustomed to eating fruit by appearing in a product they already enjoy. After […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Fresh Express Launches New Salad Kit Flavors
Orlando, Florida-based Fresh Express has launched its newest salad kit, French Blue Cheese, and three new offerings in its line of chopped salad kits: French Bistro, Smokehouse and Twisted Caesar Enchilada. With international flavors continuing to trend, and growing consumer demand for convenience in the kitchen, the new Fresh Express products make it easier for […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
In Remembrance: Vidalia Sweet Onion Pioneer Pam Dasher
Glenville, Georgia-based G&R Farms has announced the death of farmer, businesswoman and Vidalia Sweet Onion pioneer Pam Durrence Dasher on July 24 at age 79. Mrs. Dasher was the co-owner of G&R Farms with her brother-in-law, Robert Dasher, a role she had held since 2003. She joined the business in 1962 when she married her […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, West
FPFC’s August Luncheon Benefits City of Hope
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council will hold its annual City of Hope luncheon Aug. 9 at the Sheraton Cerritos hotel in Cerritos, California. Rebecca Calvin, SVP of Stater Bros. Markets, will serve as master of ceremonies. Calvin leads Stater Bros. Markets marketing efforts, which includes sales and merchandising, integrated marketing, e-commerce and food strategy […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest
Testa Produce Launches Online Ordering Platform
Chicago-based Testa Produce has announced a partnership with Pepper, an e-commerce solution designed for independent food distributors. The collaboration hopes to revolutionize Testa Produce’s digital ordering capabilities and bolster operational efficiency. Understanding the necessity of adopting new technology in an evolving market, Testa Produce is taking steps to enhance its customers’ online ordering experience. By […]
Posted inProduce News, Organic Natural, West
Misionero Celebrates 50 Years In The Organic Industry
Gonzales, California-based Misionero is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023. Misionero, founded in 1973 by Floyd Griffin, is a leader in the organic specialty salad category. Misionero grows, harvests, produces and packages salads and leafy greens grown year-round. Additionally, the company produces items sold under the Earth Greens Organic and Garden Life labels. Harbinger Group acquired […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Side Delights Showcasing Redesigned Packaging For Organic Potatoes
Newport Beach, California-based Fresh Solutions Network will present its redesigned packaging for Side Delights organic potatoes and onions July 13 at the Organic Produce Summit trade show in Monterey, California. Fresh Solutions Network partners Basin Gold Cooperative of Pasco, Washington, and Sterman Masser Farms of Sacramento, Pennsylvania, will represent the network at the show. The […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest, Sustainability News
SpartanNash, Flashfood Reach Food Waste Reduction Milestone
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash’s collaboration with Flashfood has diverted one million pounds of food waste over the past three years, saving shoppers $1.9 million on groceries. Reducing food waste and providing affordable access to nutrition are key elements of SpartanNash’s environmental, social and governance strategy, which aims to promote healthy lives and well-being for all. […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Avocado Sales Rise In Holiday Retail Recap Report
St. Patrick’s Day drove higher avocado volume, according to a first quarter holiday report released July 6 by the Mission Viejo, California-based Hass Avocado Board. The holiday retail recap details dollar sales, volume and average price for Hass avocados during the weeks of the Big Game, Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. The reported sales […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Capitol City Produce Invests $22M To Expand Distribution Facility
Capitol City Produce, a Louisiana-based produce distributor, is investing $22 million to expand its distribution facility in East Baton Rouge Parish to support growing demand. The addition of a new refrigerated warehouse, dock and office space will allow the company to increase workflow efficiency and bolster regional restaurant, retail and commercial food supply chains. Capital […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Caesar Salad At Center of Fresh Express Celebration
Orlando, Florida-based Fresh Express is celebrating National Caesar Salad Day by bringing back its Caesar Celebration promotion. For a second consecutive year, consumers are invited to join an online and social contest for the chance to win a range of prizes from Fresh Express, which has three of the top 10 best-selling Caesar salad kits […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Green Giant Survey: Corn Is America’s Favorite Vegetable
In a somewhat surprising result, corn came out on top of this year’s Green Giant “Favorite Vegetable” survey, toppling five-time defending champion broccoli. It was the first time corn finished first, a spot broccoli had held since the annual consumer survey’s inception in 2018. The Green Giant brand surveyed 5,100 Americans for its annual “Favorite Vegetable” […]
Posted inProduce News, Food City, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Offerings At Best Store In Town Are ‘As Fresh As Fresh Gets’
Food City’s meat and seafood and produce and floral departments can be best described in two words: picky and convenient. The company prides itself on providing the freshest produce, highest quality meat and seafood and brightest floral arrangements in the market – all while cultivating partnerships with local farmers and growers to provide the best […]