Dole plc has announced that some of its subsidiaries have entered into an agreement to sell Dole’s Fresh Vegetables Division to an affiliate of Fresh Express Inc., a subsidiary of Chiquita Holdings Limited, for gross proceeds of about $293 million in cash. The Fresh Vegetables Division comprises operations related to the processing and sale of […]
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, Northeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI Expands Wild Harvest Line With 40 New Products
Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. has expanded its Wild Harvest private label organic produce line to include more than 40 new offerings. Since its launch, the Wild Harvest line has experienced significant growth. Its expanded organic offerings consist of items such as bagged apples, russet and sweet potatoes, oranges, mangoes, limes, avocados, tomatoes, broccoli, […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Sprouts Farmers Market Launches Organic Produce Program
Phoenix, Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market has launched its Rescued Organics program in all 130 stores in California. The program reduces food waste by bringing to market imperfect organic produce that would be discarded due to imperfections that do not affect quality. Rescued Organic produce may be misshapen, under or over-sized or slightly off color, but has the […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast
South Mill Holds Grand Opening For Mushroom Farm
South Mill Champs, a grower and supplier of fresh mushrooms and mushroom products, announced the grand opening of its new farm in Oxford, Pennsylvania. The new facility will be one of North America’s largest single-site mushroom farms and one of the largest phase three composting operations. The grand opening marks the completion of the first phase of the multi-year, […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
TIPA Opens Viva Fresh Expo Registration Jan. 25
General registration for the 2023 Texas International Produce Association’s Viva Fresh Expo will open on Jan. 25. TIPA’s event will return March 30-April 1 to the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. Attendee registration for the event will be open online at vivafreshexpo.com/attendees. Not only does Viva Fresh shine a light on the importance of […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Sun Capital Affiliate Completes Acquisition Of Fresh Origins
Boca Raton, Florida-based Sun Capital Partners has announced its affiliate has completed the acquisition of San Marcos, California-based Fresh Origins, a grower and shipper of microgreens and edible flowers for foodservice and retail customers across the U.S. Terms of the private transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1996, Fresh Origins offers more than 600 varieties of […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Legacy Farms Acquires Frieda’s Branded Produce
Orange County, California-based Frieda’s Branded Produce has been acquired by Legacy Farms. Frieda’s CEO Karen Caplan, a daughter of founder Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, announced the sale Jan. 20 in a letter to the industry. “Today is a very exciting one for our company. Our 61-year-old family business has been acquired by another fantastic, thriving produce […]
Posted inProduce News, West
GrubMarket Expands Leadership Team At Sierra Produce
San Francisco-based GrubMarket has named Jim Hohman, former East Coast sales manager, as the new general manager and interim West Coast sales manager for Sierra Produce. Based in Orange, California, Sierra Produce is a provider of fresh fruits sourced nationally and globally and has additional offices in Swedesboro, New Jersey, and Buin, Chile. It is known as one of the largest […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Pacific Trellis Fruit Donates $39K To Tunnel To Towers Foundation
Los Angeles, California-based Pacific Trellis Fruit presented a check for $39,000 to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Since 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star, fallen first responders and veterans’ families. It also builds custom smart homes for injured veterans and first responders. Pacific Trellis […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Duda Farm Fresh Foods Names Bassetti As President
Oviedo, Florida-based Duda Farm Fresh Foods has announced Mark Bassetti, former COO and SVP, as the subsidiary’s new president. “Mark brings 31 years of experience to the role and is incredibly qualified, with both industry knowledge and the leadership traits necessary to lead Duda Farm Fresh Foods successfully,” said Barton Weeks, COO. “Because of the unique demands of […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Sprouts Farmers Market To Participate In Citrus Promotion
Consumers can purchase Rubicon Bakers’ Vegan Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes at more than 380 Sprouts Farmers Market stores nationwide. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Sprouts Farmers Market is the latest retailer to feature this collaboration between Washington red raspberry farmers and Rubicon Bakers. The cupcakes will be available for a limited time as part of Sprouts’ seasonal citrus event […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Kapi Kapi Growers Hires Business Development Manager
Miami, Florida-based Kapi Kapi Growers, a producer of pineapples and bananas, has hired Wendy O’Brien to help further the company’s U.S. and North American business expansion. O’Brien has more than 20 years of experience in fresh produce sales and marketing. In addition to garnering new business with retail, foodservice, wholesale and processing contacts, she will also work […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Produce News, Southeast
Green Life Farms Expands Distribution To 280 Publix Locations
Lake Worth, Florida-based Green Life Farms has expanded distribution to more than 280 Publix stores in the Tampa and Fort Myers area. Green Life Farms serves 270 Publix locations in South Florida. With 13 farms planned in the Southeast U.S., the company will continue to expand its sales territory with a variety of retailers as it grows. […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
G&R Farms Invests In Packing Line With Upgraded Equipment
Glennville, Georgia-based G&R Farms has installed a new grading and packing line. The project has been in the works for eight years and is expected to be in full operation in March. The new grading equipment is more precise, maximizing packing efficiency and product quality almost 80 percent faster. It optimizes accuracy in sizing and provides processing, […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Calavo Growers Announces New ESG Strategy, Commitments
Santa Paula, California-based Calavo Growers has announced its new sustainability strategy and 2030 goals. The company’s strategy is designed to focus its efforts on the environmental, social and governance issues that matter most, such as climate action, social responsibility, sustainable agriculture and sound governance. “ESG is a top priority for our customers, employees and our investors,” said […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Local Bounti, Sam’s Club Partner To Deliver Produce In New Regions
Hamilton, Montana-based Local Bounti Corporation has announced an offtake agreement with Sam’s Club for its leafy greens production, beginning at its advanced greenhouse facility in Byron, Georgia. “This exciting commercial development represents a powerful endorsement of our dedicated team that works to deliver the highest quality locally grown produce to our customers,” said Brian Cook, president. “We will […]
Posted inProduce News, West
ProducePay Appoints McCullough As Chief Executive Officer
Los Angeles, California-based ProducePay has appointed Patrick McCullough as the company’s new CEO, succeeding Pablo Borquez Schwarzbeck, who served as CEO since founding the company in 2014. Schwarzbeck will assume the role of executive director of the board. In his new role, he will continue to help guide the company’s vision and spend more time listening […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
Local Bounti Breaks Ground On Agriculture Facility In Texas
Local Bounti Corporation began construction Jan. 4 on a new indoor facility in Mount Pleasant, Texas. To kickoff construction, the company was joined by state and local leaders for a groundbreaking ceremony at the facility. The six-acre facility will utilize the company’s Stack and Flow Technology to grow and sell its indoor grown line of […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest
Wholesale Produce Supply Acquires Bandwagon Brokerage
Minneapolis-based Wholesale Produce Supply, a fresh produce logistics and inventory management solutions provider, has acquired Bandwagon Brokerage, a specialty produce company. The acquisition will allow both companies to grow by broadening the portfolio of products and services they offer to customers, as well as by broadening their customer bases. Bandwagon’s founder, owner and president, Dennis Berman, […]
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, Southeast
Fresh Express Celebrates New Year With Intentions Challenge
Orlando, Florida-based Fresh Express is celebrating the new year with its annual Fresh Intentions Challenge, an online and social campaign. For the fourth consecutive year, Fresh Express invites consumers to commit to the 30-day challenge and share their progress for a chance to win prizes. The company offers more than 100 varieties of salads – from leafy […]