California Giant Berry Farms announced nine semi-finalists of its fifth annual 2023 Chef Invitational. The chef semi-finalists and their recipes are:  

• David McGurn, Performance Foodservice – Congee with Brûlée Berries, Granola and Quick Berry Pickles 
• Dontre’al Haigler, Denny’s — Crispy Fruity Chorizo Fried Octopus with Blueberry Sticky Rice 
• Erin Copeland, Gordon Food Service — Duck Confit Tacos with Blackberry Brown Butter Mole 
• Jason Mortus, Gordon Food Service — Thai Blueberry Coconut Milk Chicken 
• Jereme Nemeth, Sysco — Blackberry Fennel Scallops with Blueberry Risotto 
• Juan

Green bean prices are nearing a 10-year high as availability on both coasts is tight, according to ProduceIQ.

“In the West, supply is forecasted to tighten for the next two weeks,” said Mark Campbell, founder and CEO of ProduceIQ. “In the East, Florida’s acreage has been low, and the season is winding down production earlier than anticipated due to intense wet weather throughout the Southeast. Georgia is a couple of weeks out from filling the remaining Eastern supply gap.”

Wild weather in the Southeast isn’t just affecting green bean markets. Bell peppers are up 15 percent — to $18 — over

When consumers do their current grocery shopping, they may be taken aback when seeing the lettuce prices. After all they do not know anything about the markets and how prices are established based on crops.

Consumers are mainly interested in two things: shopping for items they want and getting through the checkout fast. And during these inflationary days, prices are on top of their minds. So when they were used to purchasing lettuce at the near average price routinely, a much higher price could rattle them.

But product lines are always within the supply-and-demand rule. And currently

Ocean Mist Farms is expecting an outstanding 2023 spring crop of artichokes from its northern California growing region in Castroville.

“The storms that devastated parts of California during the winter months put the season behind about four weeks,” said Ben Wilson, Ocean Mist Farms artichoke commodity manager. “That being said, we have recovered nicely, and are seeing outstanding quality artichokes focused primarily on large sizes — jumbos/12-count.

“We are excited to see the way our spring crop has lined up this year across our entire family of artichoke offerings,” said Wilson. “We are

With a capital investment exceeding $50 million, Food Lion is unveiling remodeled stores in Wilmington, NC, that feature a new, easier shopping experience for customers. On May 10, Food Lion will hold ribbon-cutting events in the Wilmington area at 24 stores, with five more to follow soon.

The investment includes remodeling the stores, providing eCommerce at every store through pickup and/or home delivery options, training and developing associates to provide the best customer experience and giving back to local communities. While renovating and refreshing its look, the redesign reflects Food

Natural Grocers plans to close two stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on June 27. The two north Texas stores will begin store-wide closing sales on May 15, with discounts of 25 percent off everything.

The company said it is working closely with each of its employees impacted by these closures to identify transfer opportunities to other stores. All other impacted staff will be offered a transition package, including severance and benefits.

The shuttering locations are two of 25 Natural Grocers stores in Texas. The retailer said the decision to close the stores was made after careful