Following the launch of the Sinclair T55 certified compostable label, feedback from the industry has been positive, generating interest globally and in the launch regions. The launch is in collaboration with Zespri, who, as first adopters, are transitioning its label program over the next 12 months.

"We are presenting Sinclair - T55 as an environmentally conscious alternative to plastic packaging and conventional plastic labels,” Duncan Jones, senior marketing manager said. “The demand for compostable fruit labels is growing and given the variety of shapes and sizes available from 100-plus

The U.S. watermelon category has experienced strong growth over the last year, with households across the country making an estimated $2.7 billion in fresh watermelon purchases. According to a recent shopper segmentation study conducted by the National Watermelon Promotion Board, an increase in annual watermelon purchases was driven by higher household penetration and spend within key shopper segments.

The shopper segmentation study, which examined shopper behaviors and purchase trends based on consumer panel data, showed that over 3 million new U.S. households purchased watermelon in 2024

A hurricane strikes a wide area of farmland leaving destruction in its path. Crops are damaged and lost. The growers dramatically felt the result of the storm resulting in a substantial loss of business.

A grocery chain decides to shave a portion of its advertising flyer as part of a cost-saving reduction. This leads to cutbacks of featured items for special displays, which lower customer purchases as well as sales.

A produce manager goes on vacation with only part-time employees filling in to operate the department. Poor display conditions and inferior product are evident with many out-of

Healthy Family Project’s annual Fall Produce for Kids cause marketing campaign with Publix took place Sept. 26 through Nov. 4 in the produce departments of all Publix stores. Seventeen produce companies provided 825,000 meals to the 37 Feeding America partner food banks in the Publix market area.

This is the campaign’s 22nd year and has raised more than $4.1 million for causes that support families and children in the communities in which Publix operates. The campaign has also helped to provide more than 15 million meals to Feeding America partner food banks.

During the six-week campaign

Zespri has released its November forecast for the 2024-25 season with forecast returns up across almost all categories from the last forecast in August.

At a per tray level, forecast Orchard Gate Returns have increased for all categories other than RubyRed, while forecast per hectare returns are now at record levels for Green and Organic Green on the back of improved yields while maintaining strong value in the market. Forecast per hectare returns for SunGold are also up from August and remain steady for Green14 and RubyRed.

JJB Family Farms, based in Stockton, CA, puts a high value on technology.

It has installed Eqraft bin handling systems in recent years and there are plans to add automatic bin tippers to ensure a smooth flow of onions throughout its packinghouse.

But there’s another critical area where ag technology is having a profound effect on quality, said Derrell Kelso, JJB Family Farms manager — the fields where onions are grown.

“There’s a lot of investment being done in automation,” Kelso said. “It’s great for this industry because it’s giving a better product for the retail shelf or foodservice