Pelion, South Carolina-based WP Rawl, a grower, processor and shipper of leafy greens, was the major sponsor of two annual wreath-laying ceremonies honoring fallen U.S. veterans on Dec. 17, which is National Wreaths Across America Day. WP Rawl donates the use of its trucks, trailers, fuel and drivers to pick up loads of hand-made wreaths in […]
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
Lone Star Citrus Begins Annual Sweeter In Texas Sweepstakes
Winter Sweetz, a Texas-based grapefruit brand owned by Lone Star Citrus, has announced the launch of its third annual “Sweeter in Texas” sweepstakes to celebrate red grapefruit season. Through Jan. 20, Winter Sweetz is offering shoppers a chance to win a $500 gift card and a case of Texas red grapefruits valued at $35. Consumers may enter […]
Posted inProduce News, Innovator of the Year, West
Fresh Food Stars During Tour Of ‘Forward Footprint’ Store
Cardenas Markets, The Shelby Report of the West’s Innovator of the Year, is in the process of a company-wide facelift. Within its three-state market area of California, Arizona and Nevada, the grocer has undertaken renovations at all of its stores. In preparation for honoring Cardenas ahead of this special section, The Shelby Report’s Bob Reeves […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
SEPC Names Southern Exposure’s Speaker Lineup
The Southeast Produce Council has announced its lineup of speakers for the upcoming Southern Exposure: Produce – The Final Frontier. Taking place March 3-5 at the Swan & Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida, this year’s conference will encompass SEPC Chairman Tim Graas’ platform, “Inspiring innovation today for a sustainable tomorrow.” “We are extremely proud and […]
Posted inProduce News, Amazon Fresh, Southwest, Whole Foods
MountainKing Begins Merchandising Sales Contest
Houston, Texas-based MountainKing is beginning the new year with a sales contest offering produce managers the chance to win cash prizes for the merchandising and sales of the company’s top-selling Baby Golds in 24 oz., No. 3 and bulk offerings. MountainKing’s “Go For The Gold, Baby!” sales contest will award a $500 Visa gift card […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
Jabaley Named As TIPA’s Viva Fresh Expo Keynote Speaker
The Texas International Produce Association has announced that the 2023 Viva Fresh Expo keynote speaker will be Charlie Jabaley. The expo will be held March 30-April 1 at Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. Jabaley has achieved viral success on social media, gaining more than 8 million followers as the “dabbing Santa sweater guy.” “We […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Kapi Kapi Growers Introduces Oro Pineapples
Miami, Florida-based Kapi Kapi Growers meets retail and foodservice demand with the addition of its new Oro Pineapple. This new product will be offered alongside Kapi Kapi’s traditional and crownless pineapple varieties, as well as their premium quality bananas. Derived from the Spanish word for gold, Kapi Kapi’s Oro Pineapples has a high-shell color to catch shoppers’ […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Square Roots, Gordon Food Service Opens Facility In Kentucky
Square Roots and Gordon Food Service have announced the opening of a new climate-controlled, indoor farm in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. Since establishing their strategic partnership in 2019, Square Roots and Gordon Food Service have been building indoor farms together across the continent with the ultimate aim of bringing locally-grown food to customers at a global scale. In the past […]
Posted inProduce News, West
FirstFruit Farms Celebrates National Opal Apples Day
Prescott, Washington-based FruitFirst Farms is celebrating the inaugural National Opal Apples Day on Dec. 9, officially recognized on NationalToday.com. Opal apples are a cross between a Golden Delicious apple and a Topaz apple, but beyond its flavor and hue, the apple has natural non-browning properties, an attribute allowing this fruit to remain fresh after cutting. Opal […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Mancini Foods Acquired By Third-Generation Family Member
A full century after beginning operations in 1922, Zolfo Springs, Florida-based Mancini Foods has been acquired by family member Alan Mancini and his wife, Debbi Mancini. The new company will be called Mancini Foods LLC. Mancini, who immediately assumes the title of president and CEO, was past president of the company, having worked at Mancini Packing from 1996-08. The new […]
Posted inProduce News, National
EFI Elects Donlon As New Board Member
The board of directors of Equitable Foods Initiative, a multi-stakeholder workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farm workers, retailers and consumer groups, has named Pete Donlon as a new board member. Donlon, VP of Misionero, will fill the seat recently vacated by Vic Smith of JV Smith Cos. The EFI board includes […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
AppHarvest Begins Third Season Of Tomato Shipments
AppHarvest has kicked off its third season of harvesting ahead of schedule with commercial shipments of tomatoes from its 60-acre high-tech indoor farm in Morehead, Kentucky. Martha Stewart, an AppHarvest board member, hosted a press conference for the company’s first harvest of tomatoes in January 2021. Since that time, the company has opened two additional […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Full Harvest Acquires FarmersWeb For Surplus Produce Software
San Francisco-based Full Harvest has announced the acquisition of FarmersWeb, a farm sales and inventory management SaaS provider. Adding FarmersWeb’s software capabilities to its technology pipeline, Full Harvest will be able to speed the delivery of advanced features for its produce suppliers and buyers. “Climate change considerations have become a pressing priority across the agriculture and food industry, […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Calavo Growers Enters Licensing Partnership With Old El Paso
Santa Paula, California-based Calavo Growers has announced a brand licensing partnership with General Mills as the exclusive manufacturer of the Old El Paso brand of refrigerated guacamole and salsas in the U.S. market. Launched this fall, this line of products features proprietary recipes, available to grocery, mass and convenience channels nationwide. Old El Paso refrigerated guacamole blends come in mild and […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Produce Takes Center Stage At Southern Innovations
David Sherrod, president and CEO of Southeast Produce Council, spoke with The Shelby Report of The Southwest during the recent Southern Innovations conference in Nashville, Tennessee. A member-driven, nonprofit association of more than 3,000 leaders from the produce industry, the SEPC formed more than 20 years ago to promote the value of fresh fruits and […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Ocean Mist Farms Introduces Brussels Sprouts In Retailers
Castroville, California-based Ocean Mist Farms’ brussels sprouts are headed into the peak fall crop to meet shopper demand during the holiday season. Known for its Gold Standard Artichokes, Ocean Mist Farms also provides brussels sprouts, which are being harvested out of Castroville through January, and will be coming out of Coachella and Mexico beginning in late-December. “The […]
Posted inProduce News, C-Store News, Southeast
Royal Farms Expands Into North Carolina With New Facility
Royal Farms has announced plans to open its first location in North Carolina in early 2023. The store will be built in Grandy and additional stores in the state will follow in New Bern, Greenville, Lumberton, Kinston and Jacksonville. Royal Farms has plans to open more locations in other areas of the state to bring […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Sun World Expands Footprint With New Licensed Distributors
Bakersfield, California-based Sun World International has added several new companies to its global licensed distributor lineup. These include three marketers in Brazil, four in Chile and three in Peru. “We are proud to welcome these grape producer-marketers to the Sun World community and pleased to expand our distribution channels to fulfill increasing market demand for Sun World’s […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
Produce Association Hosts Skeet Shoot PAC Fundraiser
The Texas International Produce Association held its annual Pull-for-PAC Skeet Shoot fundraiser on Nov. 16. Critical to supporting the endeavors of the association’s activities in Washington D.C. and Austin, Texas, this event has continued to grow every year. This year, TIPA was able to host a sold-out shoot. Twenty teams registered and more than 100 people […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast
Green Giant Begins Partnership With Tariq ‘The Corn Kid’
Parsippany, New Jersey-based Green Giant has announced a partnership with 7-year-old corn enthusiast and internet sensation, Tariq the “Corn Kid.” Together with Tariq, the brand will elevate corn from a side dish. “What is Thanksgiving without corn?” Tariq said. “Thanksgiving is practically a holiday about corn. I mean, every day could be a holiday if you […]