Latest News From The Packer Staff

Bob Lanter, who officially assumes the role May 5, has more than 30 years of experience with a background in the public sector and nonprofit management.

With the Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show underway, Chiquita says it is spotlighting the "Chiquita Difference" through its vibrant presence within the Canadian market.

The company, which hauls fresh and frozen food, has adopted Carrier Transicold’s Lynx Fleet telematics solution across its 39-trailer fleet.

A proposed rule from the USDA would implement a recommendation from the South Texas Onion Committee to increase the assessment rate by 3 cents.

Retailers can capture significant California cherry sales by promoting “pedal to the metal” to the end of the season, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt Growers.

The Salinas, Calif.-based berry grower recently touted its initiatives with using renewable energy, supporting recycling, using regenerative growing techniques and more.

The year-round supplier of russet, red and yellow commodity and baby potatoes will showcase its offerings at the April 23-25 event in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Cincinnati-based packaging machine supplier ProMach says it has acquired Etiflex, a producer of pressure-sensitive and RFID labels.

The USDA plans to buy the fruit for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs.

The grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce is poised to welcome the industry on its home turf of Vancouver, British Columbia, at the CPMA Convention and Trade Show, April 23-25.

The Kingsville, Ontario-based greenhouse grower says Bahama Bombs are a bright orange grape tomato on-the-vine that boasts a sweet flavor and vibrant tropical hue.

Kenneth Fox died April 17 at age 91, the McAllen,Texas-based flexible packaging company announced.

The organization that represents Florida tomato growers says the tomato suspension agreements are ineffective and that dumping still continues.

The company said it took legal action to prevent counterfeit mini mangoes from being sold in stores.

Ecuador banana supplier Reybanpac was recognized at the Banana Awards, organized by the Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador.

A letter from more than 25 environmental organizations said many Mexican growers have created legal, longstanding avocado farms that could continue to supply the U.S. if avocados from deforested lands are banned.

The mood is subdued down on the farm, according to a survey of rural bankers.

Salinas, Calif.-based Taylor Farms is celebrating its fifth facility to receive TRUE certification, which is used by facilities to define, pursue and achieve their zero-waste goals.

Mission Produce will showcase The Mission Advantage and its diversified sourcing strategy at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show, set for April 23-24 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Sun World International LLC says unauthorized individuals falsely claimed association with the company and promoted fraudulent services under the guise of providing technical support for Autumncrisp grapes.

The Israel-based company has added John Wilson, whose career spans more than 20 years in consumer packaging and includes experience in sustainability, supply chain management, procurement and marketing.

B Corp certification requires companies to meet standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency set by the nonprofit organization B Lab.

Montreal-based Sollum Technologies has unveiled new enhancements to its SUN as a Service, or SUNaaS, cloud platform.

Yakima, Wash.-based Superfresh Growers expects its Northwest cherry crop to be available in late May and extend into August.

The Carlisle, Pa.-based grocer has released its third annual impact report, highlighting its 2023 corporate social responsibility initiatives centered around its purpose of connecting families for a better future.

The Idaho Falls, Idaho-based company has appointed Julie DeWolf as director of business development.

As the spring season gains momentum in California’s Central Valley, the Fowler, Calif.-based company is highlighting star ruby grapefruit as a key variety in its seasonal citrus lineup.

Bananas top the list of “must-buy” fruits and vegetables on shoppers’ grocery trips, followed by grapes and apples, finds a new national banana survey commissioned by Dole Food Co.

Ian Sellers will handle sales of projects developed and executed by Serfruit S.A., a provider of automation solutions with experience in the fruit and vegetable and perishable food sectors.

Interest rates likely will not return to their pre-pandemic lows in the foreseeable future, according to the quarterly report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange.

Distributors of Mexican tomatoes say the Florida Tomato Exchange’s claim that Mexican tomato imports suppressed U.S. grower prices over the winter is off base.

Congress is allocating an additional $500,000 in federal funding on top of $1 million granted last year to expand the program into California.

FMI exec Andy Harig highlights the March Consumer Price Index, showing no increase in food-at-home prices. Yet, challenges like volatile energy costs persist, affecting grocery prices, he says.

The first of T&G Global’s premium new season Envy branded apples have departed Aotearoa New Zealand, bound for China.

The story of Vidalia onions comes to national television in a two-part special airing April 12 and April 19.

The USDA is seeking nominees for 10 grower members and 10 alternate members for the Citrus Administrative Committee.

The USDA is seeking public input on modifying the membership structure of the South Texas Onion Committee.

With over 100 attendees focused on trade issues, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas concluded its Spring Policy Summit in late March.

Prior to joining the foodservice distributor, Kevin Vogt served as the managing director at the Swanson Family of Cos.

Rawls Neville has worked with G&R Farms since 2015 in a storage and packing relationship through his previous businesses.

This summer, Mission Produce says it will be sourcing avocados from California, Mexico and vertically integrated farms in Peru — and mangoes primarily from Mexico, with supplemental volume from Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Apeel says it has significantly reduced food waste and its associated environmental impacts with its plant-based technology that creates a natural protective shield around produce.

Available in a 40-pound carton or 2-pound bag, the Los Angeles-based grower-packer-shipper says the California flat sweet onions cater to both retail and foodservice customers.

The Carlisle, Pa.-based grocer's Feeding School Kids raised over $1.5 million, with customer support, to help local public school districts combat hunger.

The University of Southern California Marshall School of Business has recognized Greg McNiff as the 2024 Food Industry Executive of the Year.

The Chilean Citrus Committee estimates that global citrus exports from Chile will reach 383,000 tons this season, a 4% decline from 2023.

The award will be presented to BC Fresh Vegetables Inc. President and CEO Murray Driediger at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association's Convention and Trade Show’s awards brunch on April 25.

Nomination applications are due by May 1, 2024, for three seats with terms expiring in 2027 and one seat with a term expiring in 2025.

The national task force aims to develop a series of evidence-based policy recommendations to improve labor recruitment and employment conditions for farmworkers.

The agency says the herbicide used for broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage and onions presents significant health risks to applicators.