Latest From Opinion

Most produce departments’ busiest period will begin around Memorial Day, and every business is looking for help amid a labor shortage. And if you have the people, there's more still to do, says columnist Armand Lobato.

When a store's produce operations turn into disaster, "savior" managers are needed to right the ship — but their methods and personalities aren't what some expect from a department leader, says columnist Armand Lobato.

With all the work to do in a produce department, it can be tempting to skip breaks — but ensuring workers and managers keep to their scheduled stoppages is vital to any operation, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Not only are product requirements and sustainability factoring into flexible packaging decisions, but potential regulations could play a significant role in the future, says guest columnist Aaron Fox of Fox Packaging.

Any retail grocery chain is susceptible to regress and failure. The produce department figures prominently in customer satisfaction, store profits — and the future of a store or chain, explains columnist Armand Lobato.

While attending industry events requires taking time away from regular business, there is a return on investment from being involved — and a cost of missing out, says columnist Joe Watson.

Mishandling an inbound produce load can make the work done before its arrival all for naught — and it's a recipe for rapidly declining quality, unsatisfied customers and increased shrink, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Investment in vertical farming was down in 2023, but there should be optimism about the future of the CEA leafy greens industry — and tech has a role in it — strategy consultant Craig Carlson says in this guest column.

When pursuit of a sought-after position doesn't go as expected, Plan B isn't necessarily a lesser option. Columnist Armand Lobato shares the lessons one produce pro learned in taking a step down in order to move up.

With merchandising and labor demands for March Madness, spring break, Easter and more on the horizon, produce managers should analyze the challenges like a chess grandmaster, says columnist Armand Lobato.

It's Potato Lover’s Month, and what's not to love about the budget-friendly, nutritious potato? Tell customers how to handle this produce rock star's sensitive side to ensure the spuds they're buying don't go to waste.

It helps to grade well on quality assurance, because when things get out of control, it’s often a downward spiral that follows, says columnist Armand Lobato.

If you wait for solutions to all your problems will flow downhill from a distant home office, you may be in for a long wait. Some of the best ideas sprout from those already around you, says columnist Armand Lobato.

The people serving in this vital role often come with a multitude of unique characteristics, as well as expertise and ideas, but some stores fail to tap into that resource, says columnist Joe Watson.

Want to increase business? Start by taking exceptional care of the customers you already have. Otherwise, it'll be costly to mend that relationship — if it can be done at all. Columnist Armand Lobato explains more.

Competition checks are an integral part of understanding your business and seeing how other stores are doing. Columnist Armand Lobato offers some observations to include in your checklist.

An impressive produce lineup at the front entrance can elevate customer expectations for what they'll find further into the store, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Are you eating five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables a day? Produce department staff can easily surpass that while on the job and be better prepared to educate customers about items, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Adding these relatively simple showcases can compel customers to spend more time in the produce department — and raise the potential for purchases, says columnist Armand Lobato.

The inclusion of food systems in global climate plans opens a realm of opportunities and challenges, underscoring a need for a thoughtful and nuanced approach, says guest columnist Tamara Muruetagoiena of the IFPA.

How much is a good produce professional worth? Columnist Armand Lobato takes a look at how labor market conditions and employee intangibles factor into pay.

Dumping produce onto a fixture may make for a quick and easy display, but that "shortcut" ultimately costs a department in terms of sales, increased shrink and lower customer satisfaction, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Using duties to replace the suspension agreement that regulates U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes would make things far worse for the U.S. tomato market, says Javier Badillo of the FPAA in this guest column.

After a produce show ends, the work begins with developing your new contacts into strong business relationships — and there's a surefire way to make a great early impression, columnist Armand Lobato explains.

Don't miss out on sales because a customer wandered the store looking for an item they couldn't find. Columnist Armand Lobato explains how your produce merchandising can help shoppers.

While there's a need to reduce plastic waste, a Canadian proposal that would ban the produce industry from using plastic materials at this time would create catastrophic consequences, say Ron Lemaire and Dave Puglia.

Like chess or any good board game, making sure that all the merchandising pieces fit together requires planning and anticipation, says columnist Armand Lobato.

During a recent string of Thanksgiving holidays, romaine lettuce has not been in any news related to foodborne outbreaks. And that hasn't happened by chance, says guest columnist and former FDA official Frank Yiannas.

Don't let a tight labor pool quash your great idea to boost seasonal sales. Retailers can find win-win opportunities with volunteers looking to earn money for their organizations, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Think no one buys fruit baskets anymore? It's more about a lack of inventory rather than a lack of shopper interest, says columnist Armand Lobato. A little foresight and preparation can nab additional holiday sales.

Columnist Armand Lobato shares a message of thanks, reflecting on the demanding work to prepare for pre-Thanksgiving shopping — sharing a burden and bond with co-workers.

In this guest column, Minor Crop Farmer Alliance Chair Jim Cranney says new specifics on an EPA policy indicate the agency is taking a “act now, address questions later” approach to its pesticide program.

So often in produce, a merchandising challenge or an issue can be identified by tearing things down to the mat, metaphorically speaking, and starting over, says columnist Armand Lobato.

A pre-proposal that aims to regulate packaging in Canadian grocery stores should have the attention of the entire U.S. produce industry, says Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia in this guest column.

The Center for Produce Safety shares insight from its Research Symposium this year, where food safety stakeholders gathered with researchers to discuss how to apply their findings.

The price-friendly potato is nutritious and versatile in meals — but be sure to maximize your opportunities when advertising a sale, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Having a seasoned produce supervisor handle operations for major store events is good — having additional experienced personnel on hand to deal with the swarm of demands is even better, says columnist Armand Lobato.

It's nice to have a great idea, but it's even better to execute the plan at some point. Columnist Armand Lobato has advice for getting over the hump.

As the fourth industrial revolution blurs the lines between physical, digital and biological spheres, some of its most exciting changes are occurring in agriculture, Clarifruit CEO Elad Mardix says in this guest column.

Strong leadership is a two-way street that includes creating trust with employees who in turn are motivated to do the job right. Columnist Armand Lobato explains how to get there.

This column is from the September-October issue of PMG magazine.

Worrying too much about operations and goals can hinder produce managers and their departments. Columnist Armand Lobato says focusing on these key steps can help alleviate the burden.

A produce manager should encourage staff to do not only what’s expected, but exceed expectations, to benefit themselves, other shifts — and customers, says columnist Armand Lobato.

When a challenge arises in produce, hesitation and inaction can lead to an undesirable outcome. Sometimes the best option is to "just lower your head and push," says columnist Armand Lobato.

If a grocer is built properly for convenience, with good customer service, a tired shopper is more likely to head to that store at the end of the day, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Columnist Armand Lobato explains how adhering to the meaning of this French phrase can help optimize labor scheduling, product ordering and merchandising.

Despite the environmental benefits of compostable packaging, there are some prevailing myths distorting the truth and creating misunderstanding about them, says Daphna Nissembaum, CEO of the packaging company TIPA.

Just like home, something always needs to be maintained in the produce department. If not done in a timely manner, things only get worse — and shoppers will notice, says columnist Armand Lobato.

Despite the portrayal in a recent Netflix documentary, leafy greens producers have made great strides in food safety — and are committed to further progress, says California Leafy Green Marketing Agreement CEO Tim York.

A busy travel and work schedule is one reason columnist Armand Lobato says he doesn’t have a backyard garden. And the other reason …