ALDI plans to add 800 stores nationwide by the end of 2028 through a combination of new openings and store conversions. As a key part of its five-year expansion plans, ALDI also announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Southeastern Grocers and its Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket banners, which will drive significant growth in the Southeast region over the next few years.

When you have more than 4,700 stores in the United States and thousands of produce SKUs needed on a daily basis, a well-functioning supply chain is clearly the life blood of the world’s No. 1 retailer.

Walmart’s sourcing team made a fundamental change in its supply chain model a handful of years ago that recognized the size of the company, its growth aspirations and the outsized role that Mother Nature can play in the produce sector.

“We had to develop a culture of surety of supply,” said Martin Mundo, senior vice president, fresh merchandising Walmart U.S. “We had to make sure that supply

Harris Teeter and Consalo Family Farms teamed up to provide fresh produce to those in need through their Mandarins Making a Difference campaign. For every pound of Little Smoochies mandarins purchased at North Carolina Harris Teeter locations March 6-12, Consalo Family Farms will donate a pound of mandarin oranges to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.

“Hunger relief is Harris Teeter’s top priority in giving back to the community,” said Danna Robinson, director of corporate affairs for Harris Teeter. “Our trusted vendor Consalo Family Farms shares this dedication, and we’re honored to work

The Alliance for Sustainable Packaging for Foods said it applauds the science- and data-driven approach that the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has undertaken to conduct a life cycle analysis of reusable and single-use packaging for certain consumer uses including food applications. This data-driven method can serve as an example for approaching regulatory decision making when environmental trade-offs are considered.

ASPF noted, however, that the JRC Life Cycle Analysis omitted considerations of food loss and waste. Publication after publication highlights the fact that studies

Easter is fast approaching and this year, inflation continues to affect how customers plan to celebrate the holiday – with nearly two-thirds of Walmart customers (65 percent) reporting they expect inflation to have an impact on their Easter celebrations.

Walmart is committed to helping customers save money and live better, and that commitment is never more important than during key holidays. That’s why the retailer is once again removing inflation on a Walmart-curated Easter meal, available to purchase at a price even lower than last year, so customers can celebrate their Easter traditions

Family Tree Farms will be exhibiting at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure show this week, sampling its current Mexican blueberry and blackberry production at Booth No. 338.

“We are also looking forward to meeting with a broad cross-section of our customer base,” said Doug LaCroix, director of sales and marketing for the Reedley, CA-based company. “The SEPC is well attended, and for this reason, is our favorite U.S. regional show.”

Mexico represents one of three countries where the company is currently growing its proprietary blueberry varieties. 

“These varieties have set