Mastronardi Produce's berry division has joined the coveted Sekoya blueberry platform in a strategic move to elevate its blueberry offering. A retailer favorite, Sekoya varieties are renowned for their exceptional firmness, sweet flavor, jumbo size and extended shelf life.

“Mastronardi Produce is ecstatic to bring this superior product to our partners who will instantly recognize the value of our Sekoya membership,” said Paul Mastronardi, president and CEO of Mastronardi Produce Ltd. "This partnership will significantly bolster the domestic blueberry category for growers and retailers alike."

Mother Nature continues to impact supplies and quality out west as the last in a series of storm systems look to pass to the north of Central California and exit to the east today. As this system passes to the north, Southern California and the desert regions are bracing for another strong wind event. Sustained 20-35 mile-per-hour winds with gusts up to 45 miles per hour are expected across the southwestern desert region into Friday. High pressure returns early next week with rapidly warming temperatures in the desert regions.

These desert region crops have already been battered by previous

When a kid from Eastern Kansas settles in relatively nearby Northwest Arkansas, it would not appear to be a bridge too far. But when that path winds through California, Arizona, Belgium, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Portugal and Florida, it speaks of a journey of much greater depth.

Laura Himes did grow up in the shadows of the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. “I am a Jayhawk,” she boasted, no doubt channeling the schools perennially top tier basketball program. But she added the affiliation is by proximity, not education.

Himes began her post high school educational pursuit at Pomona

Tops Friendly Markets re-opened its 57,000-square-foot Grand Island, NY, store with $2 million of renovations and enhancements. During the ribbon-cutting celebration, Tops presented local community non-profits with a donation, positively impacting first responders, schools, food pantries and veteran organizations.

This store will offer new, enhanced services, an expanded assortment of products and an enlarged fresh perimeter with new updated décor.

The Consumer Connection Conference is more than an event, a place to learn and connect. It’s one of the actions that drives the promise of the Foundation for Fresh Produce: Grow a healthier world. 

“Words are inspirational; actions make a difference,” said Foundation Board Member Bil Goldfield, director of global communications and marketing for Dole. “Everyone benefits from greater produce consumption – the health of consumers and the health of our industry. That’s why I attend this conference – to learn and to act on our mission.” 

The conference is a key part of the FFP’s portfolio

The largest vessel in its 300-year history called on PhilaPort’s Packer Avenue Marine Terminal when the 1,300-foot M/V CMA CGM Marco Polo arrived March 8, greeted with a water cannon shower by the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Marine Unit.

The owners of the vessel are the French shipping company, CMA CGM, the third-largest shipping company in the world. CMA CGM’S “NAMEX” service originates in Yantian, China, continuing through Vietnam, Malaysia, Siri Lanka and Morocco before heading to the U.S. East Coast.