Four Star Fruit and Delano Farms Company, two of the leading growers of table grapes, have partnered again with the NBA through a unique licensing agreement to debut co-branded packaging and merchandising on all in-season varieties. The co-branded packaging will create excitement to kick-off the basketball season and will encourage NBA fans to live a […]
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.
United Fresh Releases Summer 2020 Fresh Insights For Foodservice
The summer 2020 issue of United Fresh’s Fresh Insights for Foodservice is now available. This quarterly report highlights on-trend foodservice applications for fresh produce in restaurants, at retail, in meal kits and more. This issue also addresses new circumstances brought-on by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re encouraged by the passion and commitment of foodservice operators and […]
J&D Produce Now Operating As Little Bear Produce
Edinburg, Texas-based J&D Produce will now operate under the name Little Bear Produce. To ensure brand cohesion and consistent messaging across the board, J&D Produce made the decision this year to operate as Little Bear Produce since most of the industry is already familiar with the name. As the company continues to grow and evolve, […]
WEST: Food City, Bashas’ And AJ’s Fine Foods Issue #HatchAtHome Challenge
Hatch Green Chile season is here until mid-September in more than 100 Food City, Bashas’ and AJ’s Fine Foods stores throughout Arizona. Now until Sept. 8, Arizonans are invited to a #HatchAtHome Challenge in celebration of the season. Food City, Bashas’ and AJ’s Fine Foods are wanting to see what their customers can make with […]
Albertsons Cos. Partners With Plenty To Offer Indoor-Grown Greens
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. and vertical-farming company Plenty Unlimited have announced an agreement that plans to provide shoppers in more than 430 stores across California with Plenty’s fresh produce. “We pride ourselves on offering fresh, quality products that surprise and delight our customers,” said Geoff White, EVP of merchandising. “Plenty’s data-driven and sustainable methods are […]
Dole, Pixar Take Fear Out Of Exotic Fruits, Veggies
Charlotte, North Carolina-based Dole Food Co. has released a new set of recipes, recipe videos, social media interactives and digital downloads as part of its summer-long celebration of unfamiliar fruits and vegetables inspired by Pixar’s Monsters Inc. and Monsters University. Encouraged by the early response to its healthy-living initiative, which is part of Dole’s 2020 […]
Southeast Produce Council Postpones Southern Innovations
The Southeast Produce Council Executive Committee announced Aug. 9 that Southern Innovations, which was to be held Sept. 16-19 in Savannah, Georgia, will be postponed due to growing concerns and restrictions surrounding COVID-19. “It is with a heavy heart that we have had to make this decision. Our sincere desire was to provide a beacon […]
SEPC Now Offering Hybrid Experience During Southern Innovations
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) continues with preparations for Southern Innovations: Fresh on My Mind which will take place as scheduled, Sept. 17-19, in Savannah. As a solution to the challenge of connecting Southern Innovations Exhibitors in Savannah with their retailers and foodservice members who are currently under travel restrictions, the SEPC says its conference […]
Food Lion Associate Among Rising Stars In Grocery Industry
Food Lion is celebrating Category Manager Nicole Hulstein, who was awarded the “40-Under-40” award by Produce Business magazine. Winners are chosen from thousands of nominees by fellow industry leaders. “I didn’t find the produce industry, it found me. What attracted me to the industry is the speed and endurance required to thrive,” Hulstein said. “There […]
SOUTHEAST: Publix’s GreenWise Pilots Program To Grow Hydroponic Lettuce On-Site
Publix’s GreenWise Market, which focuses on natural, eco-friendly, local and organic products, has partnered with local hydroponics farmers Brick Street Farms to grow, harvest and pack fresh hydroponic lettuce inside a 40-foot container farm on-site at the Lakeland, Florida, GreenWise Market. The hydroponic container farm: Holds the equivalent of 2.5 to 3 acres of traditional farmland; […]
Fresh Del Monte Produce Adds 6 New Energy Efficient Container Vessels
Coral Gables, Florida-based Fresh Del Monte Produce continues to fulfill its commitment to create a positive impact on the environment with the addition of six new energy efficient reefer container vessels to its fleet. The addition of the new vessels – named Del Monte Gold, Del Monte Rose, Del Monte Harvester, Del Monte Spirit, Del […]
Avocados From Peru, Giant Food Team Up To Support Local Food Banks
Landover, Maryland-based Giant Food is teaming up with Avocados from Peru to donate a trailer of more than 40,000 pounds of summer avocados to Feeding America network members Capital Area Food Bank in Northeast Washington, D.C., and the Maryland Food Bank in Baltimore, Maryland. Both deliveries will take place on National Avocado Day on Friday, […]
Evergreen Kosher Market Offers Wall-To-Fork Fresh Produce
The Evergreen Kosher Market in Monsey, New York, is debuting a 20-foot high geoponic (soil-based) wall farm that lets customers not only choose clean, fresh-picked produce but also see exactly where it comes from. The pesticide-free lettuce, kale, arugula, basil and cilantro from Evergreen’s on-site farm are sold at competitive prices in individual pots, making the “buying […]
United Fresh Promotes McEntire To SVP Of Food Safety/Technology
United Fresh Produce Association has promoted Dr. Jennifer McEntire to the position of SVP of Food Safety & Technology. She joined the association four years ago, bringing her extensive background in food safety, regulatory issues and association management to the United Fresh Team. “Jennifer’s unique skills have proved a perfect match for the produce industry, […]
Kalera To Open Texas’ Largest Vertical Farming Facility In Houston
Technology-driven vertical farming company Kalera says it will open a new state-of-the-art growing facility in Houston, Texas, in the spring of 2021. The new Houston facility – which will be the largest vertical farming facility in Texas – is the next step in Kalera’s rapid domestic and international expansion plan to bring consumers fresh leafy […]
Publix Produce For Kids Campaign Raising Funds For Food Banks
The annual Publix Produce for Kids campaign is underway, with 12 produce partners supporting the 31 Feeding America member food banks in the Publix market area and a new focus on digital shopper communication. Newly designed Produce for Kids campaign signage appeared in produce departments at Publix Super Markets this July, launching the bi-annual campaign […]
Dole, Pixar Animation Studios Alliance Takes Fright Out Of Produce
Charlotte, North Carolina-based Dole Food Co. is seeking to take the scare out of specialty fruits and veggies with a unique summer initiative designed to widen the public’s produce horizons to create new family favorites. The company has collaborated with Pixar film and characters to launch original recipes, serving suggestions, digital and social activations, family-friendly activities, fun […]
Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship Seeking Applications
The application period for the 2020 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship is now open. The scholarship is administered by the United Fresh Produce Association. The Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship Program was founded in 2001 by sisters Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins in honor of their mother, Frieda Rapoport Caplan. The program […]
Living Greens Farm Hires George Pastrana As New CEO
Living Greens Farm has named George Pastrana as its new president, CEO and board member. Based in Fairbault, Minnesota, LGF is one of the largest vertical, indoor aeroponic farms in the United States, which provides year-round fresh salad greens, exclusive bagged salad kits, microgreens and herbs. Pastrana is a commercial leader with a successful record […]
Side Delights Shares Immune-Boosting Benefits Of Potatoes
Side Delights is reminding shoppers that maintaining a strong immune system and living a healthy lifestyle has been trending since before the shelter-in-place began. A March 10 Seattle Times article, Can you Boost your Immunity with Food?, suggests consumers choose immune-supporting nutrients such as Vitamin C and a plant-based diet. Potatoes are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 […]
