Registration is open now for the fifth annual Viva Fresh Open in San Antonio, Texas. Presented by BEBO Distributing Inc. and Wonderful Citrus, this year’s charity golf tournament will kick off the 2019 Viva Fresh Produce Expo on Thursday, April 25, and will be held at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort’s TPC golf club. […]
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.
J&J Family Of Farms Makes Four Management Team Promotions
J&J Family of Farms is making several changes to its key leadership team. Dick Bowman will become VP of farming and grower development and will lead the management and development of all of J&J’s grower partner relationships. “Dick, who has been director of farming since 2015, will continue to lead the growth of our farming […]
Dollars Up While Volume Varies On Potato Sales During Holiday Season
The value of total store potato sales increased by 1.5 percent during the second quarter of the marketing year compared to previous marketing year. Quarter two ran October-December 2018 and included all holiday sales prior to the new year. Volume declined by 1.8 percent across all categories. Data was compiled by IRI and reported by […]
Rainier Fruit Spreads Holiday Cheer With Donations
The holiday season was a little brighter for some folks in the Yakima, Washington, area thanks to the efforts of Rainier Fruit. As part of its Pears for Pairs national marketing campaign benefiting homeless charities, the staff at Selah, Washington-based Rainier Fruit pitched in to make a difference not just nationally, but also at home. […]
Orri Jaffa Mandarins Heading To North America
The Plant Production and Marketing Board of Israel predicts that 2019 will see significant increase in exports of the Orri Jaffa mandarin to the U.S. and Canada. The Tel Aviv-based organization set goals for expanding export of its leading, easy-to-peel mandarin in response to the increased demand for high-quality, easy-peelers. The Jaffa Orri is a mandarin developed by […]
IPC Gets A Lot of Yardage Out Of Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Freshman BYU quarterback Zach Wilson threw a perfect game Dec. 21 against the Western Michigan Broncos on the blue turf at Albertsons Stadium during the 22nd annual Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (FIPB). Wilson completed all 18 passes totaling 317 yards and threw four touchdowns, setting a new single-game BYU record for completions. The BYU Cougars […]
Health Plus Desired Experience Key To Helping People Eat More Fruits And Veggies
Along with a wave of resolutions starting the new year will come a flood of health messages, “eat healthy with more fruits and vegetables” no doubt among them. Turns out those interested in helping consumers boost their fruit and vegetable intake might find greater success going beyond health. New research from Produce Marketing Association (PMA) conducted […]
Green Giant Introduces Frozen Harvest Protein Bowls
Green Giant, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, has launched Harvest Protein Bowls. The bowls are plant-forward meals made with vegetables and whole grains. Each variety offers 12-14g of protein and includes whole grains such as quinoa, lentils or ancient grains. The bowls are vegetarian and go from the freezer to table in under 6 minutes. The bowls are […]
Idaho Potato Display Contest Winner To Receive Hawaiian Getaway
One lucky entrant in the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) 2019 retail display competition will be saying “aloha” to a six-night/seven-day stay at Hawaii’s Royal Lahaina Resort, the grand prize for the annual contest’s sweepstakes drawing. Overlooking Kaanapali Beach on the valley isle of Maui, the resort features nightly live entertainment, an oceanfront luau, three swimming […]
Expanded NGA Show Floor Will Feature Seven Specialty Pavilions
The 2019 NGA Show, which will be held Feb. 24-27 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California, will feature seven specialty pavilions. According to the National Grocers Association (NGA), this feature of the expanded show floor will provide attendees opportunities to make connections with exhibitors and learn about the latest developments in […]
Bring The Farmers Market To Life In The Produce Department
by Claire Lentsch/a contributor to The Shelby Report Produce thrives when it is fresh, affordable, exciting and expresses vintage appeal. It is healthy, fast and filling, making it the ideal snack. Nobody has to question, “Is this good for me?” Consumers assume most items in the produce category will improve their health, and these natural […]
Import Berry Season Has Begun For Crystal Valley Foods
Crystal Valley Foods has started the first shipments of imported blueberries for the 2018 season. The company planned to ship Peruvian grown berries through mid-November, and Argentinian blueberries through mid-December. Its first of the Chilean grown fruit is anticipated to arrive by air in early December, with containers arriving mid-December through March. They also will […]
Central Co-op Celebrates Four Decades Of Community Impact
Central Co-op has begun a week-long celebration of its 40th birthday, marking four decades of serving its members and community. Originally founded on Capitol Hill in Seattle as a consumer-co-op, Central first opened its doors on Oct. 16, 1978. Today, the community-owned natural foods co-op is 14,200 members strong, supporting more than 120 employees, 400 […]
Martin Appointed President Of IFCO North America
IFCO, the world’s leading supplier of reusable plastic containers (RPCs) for fresh food packaging, has appointed Dan Martin as president, IFCO North America. “We are pleased to welcome Dan Martin back to the IFCO family,” said IFCO CEO Wolfgang Orgeldinger. “He understands the unique role IFCO plays in the fresh food value chain, as well […]
NatureSweet Tomatoes Debuts New Products At PMA
San Antonio, Texas-based NatureSweet Tomatoes will debut its new product line of branded cucumbers, peppers and large tomatoes, along with new additions to the Brighthouse Organics line, at the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Summit Convention and Expo to be held Oct. 18-20 in Orlando, Florida. In November, NatureSweet is launching several new additions to the […]
Avocados From Mexico Launching New Shopper Marketing Programming
Avocados From Mexico (AFM) will be showcasing its new year-round shopper communication platform, initiatives and partnerships at the upcoming PMA Fresh Summit Convention & Expo in Orlando, Florida, at the Orange County Convention Center from Oct. 18-20. This year, AFM hopes to make a stronger connection with shoppers through the launch of its “Savor Every Moment” shopper communications […]
The Wonderful Co. Surpasses $1B Spent Marketing Its Brands
The Wonderful Co., known for its Wonderful Pistachios, Wonderful Halos and POM Wonderful, has invested more than $1 billion over the past decade marketing its products to consumers across the globe. This milestone, which Wonderful will celebrate at PMA Fresh Summit, “has made Wonderful Pistachios America’s No. 1 fastest-growing snack brand, Wonderful Halos America’s No. […]
Cuties Now The Official Citrus Fruit Of Disney World And Disneyland
Clementine brand Cuties is adding another title to its name: the official citrus fruit of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. The strategic promotional agreement will bring Cuties to food and beverage areas throughout these Disney Parks, starting this fall. “Cuties and Disney Parks is a natural fit because so many kids and parents love both […]
Fresh Cravings Organic Salsas Debut At Florida Publix Stores
FoodStory Brands, the company behind Fresh Cravings refrigerated salsa, is launching Fresh Cravings Organic Salsa in all Florida-based Publix Super Markets. Fresh Cravings introduced its core refrigerated salsa line three years ago. This new line of Fresh Cravings Organic Salsa is available in Restaurant Style Mild, Medium and Hot varieties and Chunky Salsa Mild and Medium varieties—all in 16-oz. […]
Karen Caplan: The New Holiday Table
by Karen Caplan/President and CEO, Frieda’s Specialty Produce If you’re a retailer, you’ve probably already set your ads for the upcoming holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. And chances are you’ve chosen pretty much the same selection of produce items to feature as you did last year: orange sweet potatoes, green beans, Russet potatoes and cranberries. I’m […]
