Edible Garden AG Inc. has completed an additional production line at its Heartland facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that strengthens the company’s production capacity and enhances its ability to serve customers across the Midwest region. According to the company, the new production line increases the facility’s output while improving efficiency and scalability to meet growing […]
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, Association News, National, News
IFPA Launches First Global Intelligence Engine
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has launched Global Intelligence Engine, a members-only data and insights platform that aims to transform the way the fresh produce and floral industry accesses, understands and acts on information. Officially unveiled at the recent Global Produce & Floral Show, the Global Intelligence Engine was demo-ed at the IFPA booth, […]
Posted inProduce News, News, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Vallarta Supermarkets Named National Mango Board Retailer Of The Year
The National Mango Board (NMB) presented Vallarta Supermarkets with the Mango Retailer of the Year award for 2025, recognizing the company for its year-over-year sales growth, creative in-store merchandising and consumer engagement campaigns. Each year, the award celebrates retail partners that go above and beyond in their support of the mango industry. Honorees are selected […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA State Of The Industry Highlights Advocacy Progress, Innovations, Opportunities
Following up from a commitment made a year ago to Fight for Fresh on behalf of its members and the worldwide fruit, vegetable and floral community, International Fresh Produce Association CEO Cathy Burns shared how the organization delivered on that promise in the 12 months since the last Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show. During […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
Record Buyers, Big Ideas Define IFPA’s Global Produce, Floral Show
The International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show has come to an end after three days devoted to fresh produce and floral. “The Global Show brought out the best in worldwide fresh fruit, vegetable and flower innovations this year,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns. “United by our bold beliefs and relentless advocacy, […]
Posted inProduce News, News, Southeast
Red Arts Capital Acquires Produce Distributor Forestwood Farm
Red Arts Capital, an investment firm specializing in supply chain-related and logistics businesses, has acquired Forestwood Farm, a family-owned produce distributor based in Birmingham, Alabama. With the acquisition, Red Arts continues to expand its produce distribution footprint in the Southeastern U.S. and represents the firm’s second investment in the sector within the market. “This investment […]
Posted inProduce News, Food Lion, News, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds’ Apple Bag Campaign Provides 13.8M Meals
Food Lion Feeds’ annual Gala Apple Bag campaign provided the equivalent of more than 13.8 million meals to families experiencing food insecurity. This year’s total marks the campaign’s second-largest number of meals provided since it began in 2014. Customers supported the effort from Sept. 17-Oct. 7 by buying marked bags of Gala apples or making […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show Returns To CA
The International Fresh Produce Association’s CEO Cathy Burns and 2025 board chair Tammy DeBoer, president of Harris Teeter, held a press briefing in early September ahead of its major gathering for the year, the Global Produce & Floral Show, Oct. 16-18. This year, the event is back in Anaheim, California. A couple of changes are […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
NWA Leaders Visit Washington, D.C. For Ag Labor Discussions
Representatives from the National Watermelon Association (NWA) recently advocated in Washington, D.C., for improvements to the U.S. watermelon industry. NWA representatives Bob Gibson, Jordan Carter, Greg Leger, John Lapide and George Szczepanski lobbied for legislative initiatives and industry priorities, particularly focused on agriculture labor reform. “As both a grower and as president of the National […]
Posted inProduce News, National, News
Fresh Del Monte, Disney Team For ‘Zootopia 2’ Campaign
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has partnered with Disney on a global, 360-degree campaign to celebrate the Nov. 26 release of the film Zootopia 2, featuring the return of characters Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman). Fresh Del Monte is bringing the film’s vibrant world to produce aisles […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, National, News, Sustainability News
Sprouts Farmers Market, Careit Rescue 30M Pounds Of Food Waste
Since August 2022, Sprouts Farmers Market has used the Careit app to track more than 30 million pounds of food donated to 216 nonprofits across the U.S. In addition, more than 14 million pounds of surplus fresh produce has been given to local food-rescue agencies to distribute. Sprouts aims to be a leader in the […]
Posted inProduce News, News, Southeast
SEG, DLJ Produce Partner For Veterans Day Fundraiser
Southeastern Grocers (SEG), in partnership with DLJ Produce, will donate 5 cents to the USO for every pound of Razzle Dazzle Premium Grapes sold through Veterans Day, with a total contribution of up to $50,000. With more than 2.5 million veterans calling the Southeast home, the region represents one of the largest military populations in […]
Posted inProduce News, National, News
Fruit Posted Strong Sales In August While Vegetables Lagged
In the midst of fluctuating consumer sentiment and a shifting retail landscape, the fresh produce department saw a “tale of two categories” in August. After mild growth in July, the first in many months, vegetable dollar and volume sales once again fell behind year-ago levels, while fruit had a very strong month, representing eight of […]
Posted inProduce News, Food Lion, News, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Launches Annual Apple Bag Campaign
Food Lion Feeds has launched its annual Gala Apple Bag campaign throughout Food Lion’s 10-state operating footprint. Through Oct. 7, shoppers can buy specially marked bags of Gala apples or make a cash donation to support community hunger-relief organizations. Through the campaign, $0.50 (monetary equivalent of five meals) from each bag purchase will be provided […]
Posted inProduce News, News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops, Allen Family Farms Team Up to Score Big for Western NY
Tops Friendly Markets is teaming up with Allen Family Farms, operated by the parents of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, to bring JA17-branded cantaloupes and honeydew melons to participating stores, with a portion of sales benefiting the Patricia Allen Fund at Oishei Children’s Hospital. The melons can be found in limited-supply JA17 boxes in the […]
Posted inProduce News, National, News, Organic Natural, Sustainability News
Dole Food Co. To Participate In OTA’s Organic Week 2025
Charlotte, North Carolina-based Dole Food Co. will participate in Organic Week 2025, taking place Sept. 15-17 in Washington, D.C., and hosted by the Organic Trade Association (OTA). As an event sponsor and one of the few produce supply companies in attendance, Dole will highlight its leadership in the organic category and reaffirm its commitment to […]
Posted inProduce News, National, News
IFPA To Recognize Retail Merchant Innovation Award Recipients
The winners of IFPA’s Retail Merchant Innovation Award will be recognized during the Retail Awards Reception on Oct. 17 at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, California. “This year’s winners exemplify how innovation and passion can transform the retail experience and inspire consumers to choose more fresh produce,” said Joe Watson, IFPA’s VP […]
Posted inProduce News, Affiliated Foods, Independent Store News, Lowes Markets, News, Southwest
Lowe’s Markets, EmpowerFresh Expand Produce Partnership
Lowe’s Markets, a Texas-based grocery chain, has expanded its partnership with EmpowerFresh, an AI-powered ordering and analytics platform built for independents’ produce departments. Building on the success of an initial six-store pilot, the rollout will extend EmpowerFresh’s solutions to 68 locations across Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Kansas. The produce department – often considered […]
Posted inProduce News, News, Southeast
Ark Foods To Showcase Full Produce Lineup At Southern Innovations
Ark Foods will be exhibiting at booth No. 504 during the SEPC Southern Innovations Conference Sept. 10-13 in Charlotte, North Carolina. “We set out to change how people think about fresh food,” said Ark Foods CEO Noah Robbins. “What started with a single vegetable – the Shishito pepper – has grown into a diverse portfolio […]
Posted inProduce News, News, Southeast
One Banana Opens Produce Distribution Center In Wilmington, NC
One Banana, a family-owned, vertically integrated produce company, has opened a new ripening and distribution center in Wilmington, North Carolina. Located 12 miles from the Port of Wilmington, the 19,800-square-foot refrigerated facility is designed to serve customers across the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic. The company said the center represents a significant investment in modern produce […]