Cecelia Packing Corp., one of the Central Valley’s leading grower, packer, shipper and marketers of premium California citrus, and JC Farm Management, its affiliated farming business, announced that Roger Cruz has been appointed as president of both Cecelia and JC Farms, succeeding David Roth, longtime president.

Cruz joined JC Farms as farm manager in 2021, successfully serving the farming operation for three years. Then, in 2024, he also took over the operations of Cecelia Packing. Cruz’s experience at Cecelia and JC Farms comes after 11 years of serving the citrus industry in post-harvest

Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. announced that Don Clark has been appointed as the company’s new chief merchandising officer and Amanda Rassi has been appointed as the company’s chief customer officer. In conjunction with Clark’s appointment, Scott Neal, the company’s current chief merchandising officer, will be retiring from the company.

“We are very excited to welcome Don Clark and Mandy Rassi to our executive leadership team as we continue to fulfill our purpose to help people live and eat better,” said Nick Konat, president and chief operating officer of Sprouts. “Don’s combination of

Want some excellent high-volume sales in the produce department? Then jump on the California navel orange wagon right now. Advertise them and move plenty of volume.

California navel oranges are at their peak sweetness and juiciness this season, supplying 79 percent of U.S. citrus. Current navel crops are peaking at 72 and 88 sizes, while smaller 113 and 138 sizes are limited. Navel oranges — seedless with yellow-orange flesh — and Cara Cara navels — also seedless with bright orange skin and reddish-pink flesh — are sweet, juicy and easy to peel, and both varieties are available now.

Demand for

HLB Specialties, a leader in the tropical fruit industry and an importer of produce from Mexico, is advising customers of potential transportation delays due to ongoing unrest in the country.

Multiple road blockages are currently disrupting the movement of shipments in Mexico after a prominent cartel leader was killed on Sunday, Feb. 22. Blockages include routes not directly affected by attacks on infrastructure or businesses. In addition, the USDA has suspended operations in Mexico for Monday, Feb. 23. As a result, pre-clearance procedures have been temporarily paused, including irradiation

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled six to three that President Donald Trump’s tariff policies under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are unconstitutional.

“IFPA welcomes the Supreme Court’s decision clarifying the limits of IEEPA and reaffirming that broad, country-specific tariffs fall outside its intended scope," The International Fresh Produce Association said in a statement. "The global trade of fresh produce is essential to the health and well-being of people in every nation, and today’s ruling helps restore predictability to a uniquely complex, seasonally

Food, clothing and shelter. Generally, these three things are considered the essential, fundamental needs for human survival — of course that was determined before TikTok and Instagram were around. 

Seriously though, it is becoming more and more difficult for far too many to adequately meet basic necessities — especially when it comes to food. Case in point: according to the February 2026 dunnhumby Consumer Trends Tracker report, for the first time mass-channel retailers have equaled traditional supermarkets at 79 percent penetration, marking a fundamental shift in American shopping behavior