Melon shippers are currently facing increased demand while supplies are limited, especially for Cantaloupe and Honeydews, which are at a "demand exceeds supply" status. Offshore melon yields have decreased by 30-50 percent due to the impact of Tropical Storm Sara, which hit the Central American melon-growing regions in mid-November. Guatemala fields are struggling with a virus, further limiting yields. 
 
Costa Rica and Honduras, which are expected to begin production in early January, will also face challenges like Guatemala due to the storm's severe impact on those regions.
 
Honeydew

Healthy Family Project’s new initiative, Carry the Cause, is designed to provide support to families facing hunger during January and February. The initiative focuses on the sale of eco-friendly tote bags that tout the simple message "This Bag Fights Hunger.” The program helps stock the Feeding America network of food banks and food pantries at a time when donations typically slow but demand remains high.

“While the holiday season is often marked by generosity, January and February bring new challenges for food banks and hunger-related organizations,” said Andrea Wiggins, creative content

Food Lion Feeds and its generous customers have helped provide the equivalent of more than 29 million meals to increase families’ access to nutritious food this holiday season. This amount sets a record, quadrupling the highest Holidays Without Hunger meal count in 2021 which was equal to more than 6.6 million meals.

The initiative benefits Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization. It also benefits 33 local Feeding America partner food banks and hundreds of partner agencies throughout Food Lion’s 10-state operating area. Since it began in 2014, the Food Lion

Naturipe Farms launched its third season of the greenhouse strawberry program. With new investments in expanded acreage, cutting-edge growing techniques and more flavorful proprietary varieties, Naturipe is expected to quadruple its supply of premium greenhouse strawberries during the 2024-25 season.

Grown in the controlled environment of Naturipe’s advanced greenhouse in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, these strawberries are cultivated using sustainable practices designed to minimize environmental impact. The greenhouse is powered by 100 percent solar energy, ensuring that the entire operation meets

The U.S. Department of Agriculture imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• Rossman Fruit & Veg

CMI Orchards invites retailers to elevate the produce aisle with three exceptional apple varieties that deliver unmatched flavor, satisfying crunch and premium shelf appeal: JUICI, Ambrosia Gold and EverCrisp. Joel Hewitt, vice president of sales, said these branded apples are the perfect solution to meet seasonal demand for fresh, vibrant produce while powering the apple category and exciting shoppers.

“Each of these varieties brings something special to the table,” said Hewitt. “JUICI offers a perfectly balanced tangy-sweet flavor with a crisp, refreshing bite and its striking pinkish-red