Avocados originated in Mexico, Guatemala, and the West Indies around 10,000 years ago. They were first cultivated over 7,000 years ago in central Mexico. The flavorful guacamole dip and spread was created by the Aztecs and originated in Mexico. It was known as avocado sauce. The avocado was also called alligator pear.

Avocados are shipping out of California and Mexico. The demand on avocados is moderate with a steady market.  Mexican volume is up 19 percent. Production is mostly on the smaller size.

The best way to move large amounts of avocados is to advertise and merchandise them on an end

Retailers offered fewer sales this past week as they took a break before the upcoming Fourth of July promotion period. Peaches, nectarines, cherries and grapes had some of the sweetest deals for shoppers looking for freshness on a budget, and watermelons, cantaloupes, honeydews and specialty melons were plentiful.

The bounty of new crop offerings didn't stop with fruit, as sweet corn, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, asparagus and cucumbers were available from local and regional farms across the country. Many flyers featured Fourth of July party supplies and fireworks.

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The Partnership for a Healthier America hosted the Good Food for All Summit June 18 at the George Washington University Student Center. In partnership with the Global Food Institute at GW, the event drew 150 leaders from the business, public, non-profit and philanthropic sectors to challenge the current U.S. food system and take action to advance equitable access to good food that drives good health. 

Key companies and organizations represented include retailers like Amazon Access, Albertsons, Hy-Vee, Instacart, Kroger and Wegmans; food maker Chobani, trade associations like FMI, IFPA, AFFI

C&S Wholesale Grocers LLC and SpartanNash Co. have entered into a definitive merger agreement in which C&S will acquire SpartanNash for a purchase price of $26.90 per share of SpartanNash common stock in cash, representing total consideration of $1.77 billion, including assumed net debt. The transaction price represents a 52.5 percent premium over SpartanNash’s closing price on June 20, of $17.64, and a premium of 42 percent to its 30-day volume-weighted average stock price as of June 20.

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

SpartanNash

The International Fresh Produce Association is partnering with leading industry insights firm Technomic to spotlight key findings at the upcoming Foodservice Conference. This session and panel will offer an in-depth look at how emerging health-focused trends are shaping menus, consumer demand and the growing role of fresh produce in today’s foodservice landscape.

Technomic’s report reveals a shift in consumer expectations, particularly among members of Gen Z, who are increasingly driven by cravings and seeking foods that feel “real” and “wholesome” rather than traditionally “healthy.” This is

Do you realize how much of a difference it would make if produce department employees fully understood merchandising strategies for organic produce? Those employees could probably sell extreme volumes of organic products without batting an eye.

What’s trending in the fresh organic produce trade? Where has this category been and where is it headed? How do we progress further?

Organic produce sales grew in 2024 to $9.5 billion, which was a 5.7 percent increase over the prior year and is 12 percent of the total overall produce sales. Organic sales have been stable at 12 percent for the past