Southeastern Grocers Inc. has sold off its Fresco y Más banner to Fresco Retail Group LLC. SEG continues to own and operate Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores.

“The successful sale of Fresco y Más marks an important milestone on our path forward," said Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers. "As we continue to lead our Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores, we remain focused on being the most preferred grocer in the neighborhood and delivering an exceptional grocery shopping experience complete with the quality, service and value our customers and

The winter artichoke season in Coachella, CA, is well under way for Ocean Mist Farms, peaking with harvests of its Gold Standard (green globe) artichokes, as well as first picks of highly sought-after purple artichokes. Peak season on artichokes means promotable volumes to retailers through February. It also means the opportunity for retailers to construct big, beautiful displays in their produce departments to generate excitement as consumers are already feeling spring fever just a week shy of February.

“This is also a perfect opportunity for retailers to create some thoughtful and creative

Faye Westfall has been in the tomato business. She has been in the trucking business. She has run a production line. She has been in sales. She has also been a model. She has been a nurse. She has been a clown — she really did graduate from clown college.

Westfall has been involved with the Southeast Produce Council since its earliest days. She helped to establish one of the council's premier educational programs. She has been an officer on the board of directors. To this day, she continues to serve on a long list of SEPC committees.

Currently vice president of "Where the Food Comes From"

Big Y Foods Inc. has acquired the leasehold interests for 3 supermarket locations within its marketing area. These locations are in Westport and Brookfield, CT, and Westborough, MA.

"All of us at Big Y are excited about the opportunity to enter into these communities with our unique fresh and local foods along with our exceptional and knowledgeable employees," said Michael D’Amour, Big Y president and CEO. "These locations fit nicely within our current store footprint.”

Each location has been carefully scrutinized by Big Y teams in order to assess how soon they can take over these spaces to

The supply for one of the most popular products in the produce aisle, berries, is improving — slowly, according to Mark Campbell, founder and CEO of ProduceIQ.

“Grape supply is constricting at a time usually marked by declining prices. Peruvian production is on the decline, while Chile is just beginning,” he said. He reported that at an average of $35, grape prices are at a 10-year high and may climb higher over the next three weeks.

Also at a 10-year high are cucumber prices. This is being driven by cold weather in Mexico and light yields from growers in Honduras. ProduceIQ reported that

Indoor farming pioneer and fresh food brand Gotham Greens opened its first high-tech hydroponic greenhouse in Texas — its 13th greenhouse nationwide — bringing its total footprint to more than 40 acres (1.8 million square feet) across nine U.S. states. 

The 210,000-square-foot facility is located in Seagoville, TX, just 20 miles southeast of downtown Dallas. It will provide a year-round supply of fresh produce that is always in season to grocery and foodservice customers throughout the state. 

Gotham Greens is excited to introduce a full line of GO TEXAN locally grown, pesticide-free, non