The heat is here, and the temperature has been turned up high. After all, this is July, and it does get hot during summer days. However, the heat is expected to be very intense and possibly reach record-setting temperatures, especially out in the West. This can threaten certain crops and cause heat stress on lettuce, broccoli, spinach and leafy vegetables.

We don’t know the impact this heat may cause and the results it may have on the product. Any forced damage to crops will certainly have an influence on the supply availability and the markets. All we can do now is wait and watch.

Here are

What makes a customer buy something that they didn’t plan on buying? Oft times shoppers are actually persuaded into making that purchase before entering the store.

When is the last time you were drawn to a product display because of its uniqueness? Was it powerful enough to suddenly urge you to make a purchase? If so, you fall within the 70 percent of consumers who are influenced by impulse buying.

I don’t know about you, but I’m a patsy when it comes to buying on impulse from special displays. Every time I walk around a home improvement store, an electronics department and especially the

SpartanNash will be donating $260,000 to organizations whose missions closely align with its giving pillar of Heroes — including Convoy of Hope, Operation Homefront and Honor and Remember — following its annual in-store fundraiser. 

With sustainability one of the International Fresh Produce Association’s strategic priorities for 2024, the organization continues to develop new resources, education, advocacy and opportunities for its members and industry to engage on this important issue. 

Following the recent Hort Connections Conference (a collaboration between AUSVEG and IFPA Australia-New Zealand) in Melbourne, Australia, IFPA A-NZ Managing Director Ben Hoodless said, “Sustainability is a subject where association members and industry have had significant conversations on issues like sustainability values across the

Growing broccoli on the East Coast is a challenge to be sure. Volatile weather and fluctuating markets can strike at any time, leaving growers leaning hard on backup in the West to cover commitments to their customers.

Recent heat and weather-related quality issues in Eastern crops at the end of June have been humbling for the Smith team. Risk mitigation with backup supply in other areas only goes so far when you are losing weeks of total acreage and the market is high.

Smith’s Farm is all too familiar with weathering the challenges associated with producing a year-round crop in the East

Last month, I had the privilege of attending the International Fresh Produce Association & Partnership for a Healthier America’s Produce for All Summit. More than 150 people filled the room with passion and determination as we plotted toward the goal of doubling consumption of produce in 15 cities by 2030.

In the world of grocery, and certainly produce, engaging with consumers in a meaningful way continues to evolve as each generation enters the conversation. However, the mission remains constant: increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. In order to achieve this goal, we have