John Torres has nearly two decades of experience in agriculture, food, environment and life sciences policy.
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 inDeli News, Independent Store News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest, News, Online Grocery Technology, Produce News
Heinen’s Expands Its Afresh AI Usage In Fresh Departments
Heinen’s is extending its use of the Afresh AI platform to period ending inventory across its fresh departments, replacing manual after-hours counts with AI-generated inventory estimates in produce, meat, deli, cheese and bakery. The Warrensville Heights, Ohio-based grocer already used Afresh for store ordering, so adding the inventory review required no new integrations or devices, […]
Posted inProduce News, National, News, Organic Natural, West
Organic Produce Summit Marks 10th Year With Record Turnout
The Organic Produce Summit (OPS) closed its 10th anniversary event July 16 at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, California, drawing nearly 200 exhibitors and more than 750 attendees and buyers. Buyers made up 40 percent of attendees and traveled from more than 40 U.S. states and 12 countries to attend the event, said to […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA Calls For Stronger Traceability As Cyclospora Outbreak Grows
IFPA is calling for end-to-end traceability and stronger FDA food safety programs as the 2026 Cyclospora outbreak grows and a lettuce recall reaches retail shelves.
Posted inProduce News, Featured News, Independent Store News, News, Northeast, Wakefern
Wakefern Produce Summit Aims To Boost Local, Regional Growers
Wakefern Food Corp. hosted its annual Local Produce Supplier Summit on July 15 at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison, New Jersey, bringing together local and regional growers, agricultural leaders and the cooperative’s produce procurement teams. At the event, Ross Farnsworth, VP of produce and floral for Wakefern, reaffirmed the cooperative’s recently […]
Posted inNews, Association News, National, Produce News
IFPA’s 20 Retail Produce Manager Award Winners Span U.S.
Honorees represent a range of retailers nationwide, all credited with connecting consumers to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Posted inProduce News, News, Southwest, Suppliers
Short But Spicy: Hatch Chile Season Nears Its Start
Roasting brings out a sweet and smoky richness in the peppers, and fans often buy in bulk to roast, peel and freeze.
Posted inProduce News, Marketing News, News, Northeast
Avocados From Peru Serves Breakfast Aboard Navy Ship As Part Of Sail250
At the invitation of the U.S. Navy, Avocados From Peru participated in America’s 250th Anniversary Maritime Celebration, hosting a “Superfood Breakfast” aboard the USS Arlington on July 2. The breakfast, which took place prior to the International Naval Review 250 in New York Harbor, recognized the service and dedication of the men and women of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Midwest, News, Produce News
Busch’s Fresh Food Market Celebrates ‘Cherryfest’ Season
Busch’s Fresh Food Market is celebrating Michigan’s cherry season with Cherryfest, running July 13-Aug. 9. Premium sweet cherries from Third Coast Fruit Co. in Traverse City will be available at all 16 stores operated by the family-owned supermarket chain, alongside more than 20 cherry-inspired products including pies, sauces, brats, bread, coffee, wine and candles. “Michigan’s […]
Posted inProduce News, Independent Store News, News, Northeast, Wakefern
Wakefern Commits $500M To Local Produce Sourcing Over Next 5 Years
Wakefern Food Corp. has made a $500 million commitment to sourcing fresh produce from farmers and growers across the Northeast over the next five years. The announcement was made in advance of its annual Local Produce Supplier Summit, set for July 15 at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center. The summit brings together growers, […]
Posted inProduce News, Fresh Thyme, Midwest, News
Fresh Thyme Market Brings Back Lori Anne Peaches For Summer
Fresh Thyme Market is celebrating the return of Lori Anne Peaches, available for a limited time and offered exclusively in the Midwest at Fresh Thyme Market, excluding Minnesota. Known for their sweet-tart balance and bite, Lori Anne Peaches are tree-ripened longer for unmatched juiciness and flavor. Each peach is hand-picked, gently packed and never machine-harvested, […]
Posted inProduce News, Featured News, News, Northeast
Double Up Food Bucks Gets Boost From NY Budget
For the fifth consecutive year, Field & Fork Network has received funding in the New York state budget to run Double Up Food Bucks NY (DUFBNY), a program that provides a dollar‑for‑dollar match on SNAP purchases of eligible fresh fruits and vegetables. The program helps households stretch food budgets while supporting small retailers, local farmers […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, National, News
Eighth‑Generation Farmer Elected Chairman Of Potatoes USA
Dave Masser was appointed for his decades of agricultural expertise, strategic vision and commitment to enhancing category performance.
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
Produce Coalition For USMCA Launches To Protect Tariff-Free Trade
A new industry group formed to protect tariff-free agricultural trade and consumer access to affordable fresh produce has announced its official launch. The Produce Coalition for USMCA represents growers, packers, shippers, distributors and sellers of fresh produce in the United States. The group said it will advocate for maintaining the market access provisions established under […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Bakery News, Dairy News, Deli News, Featured News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, News, Produce News
Circana, FMI Webinar: Digital Demand Reshapes Fresh Food Shopping
Fresh food sales are navigating a complex consumer landscape shaped by gas price pressures, affordability concerns and accelerating e-commerce adoption, according to insights shared during a recent webinar hosted by Circana and FMI. The online session, “Fresh Perspectives: Demystifying Demand in the Digital Age,” brought together Jonna Parker, VP of fresh foods at Circana; Kelly […]
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, News, Southwest
Texas AG Settles With Chain Over Pesticides On Organic Produce
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured a settlement with Albertsons Safeway LLC over the unauthorized use of synthetic pesticides on organic produce in its Texas stores. The agreement, formalized as an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance, centers on ProduceMaxx, an EPA-registered antimicrobial pesticide containing hypochlorous acid, a chlorine‑based compound. According to the investigation, which launched […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, News, Southeast
Registration Opens For IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show In Orlando
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has opened registration for the 2026 Global Produce & Floral Show, which is set for Oct. 14-16 and returns to Orlando, Florida, for the first time in several years. The gathering brings together the global fresh produce and floral supply chain for three days of connection, insight, and business […]
Posted inProduce News, News, Southwest
C.H. Robinson Opens South TX Produce Logistics Center
C.H. Robinson’s fresh supply chain division, Robinson Fresh, has opened a 142,600-square-foot logistics center in Pharr, Texas, near the U.S.-Mexico border, to help produce shippers reduce dwell time and optimize freshness. The facility, one of the largest in the Rio Grande Valley, is positioned near the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge – the most important U.S.-Mexico border […]
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, News, West
Albertsons Deploys AI Vision Tool To Boost Produce Consistency Across DCs
Albertsons Companies has launched an artificial intelligence-powered supply chain tool designed to help distribution center inspectors maintain tighter quality control over fresh fruits and vegetables. The Intelligent Quality Control tool, built in-house by Albertsons’ technology and supply chain teams, uses Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise (including Vision AI and Gemini models) to support quality inspectors. The […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southwest
The United Family Donates 50K Pounds Of Apples For Hunger Program
As part of the 16th Take a Bite Out of Hunger program, The United Family donated more than 50,000 pounds of apples throughout April to food banks and food pantries in Texas and New Mexico. Thanks to the partnership between The United Family and FirstFruits Farms, more than 650,000 pounds of apples have been donated […]