This past winter has complicated trying to put together the normal timing of crop items for promotions. It’s been storm after storm and low temperatures on a regular basis that have challenged produce directors all winter. But the weather has turned around and sunnier warmer days finally arrived helping the crop growth into production.

Start planning those high tonnage performing items in grapes and berries in the weeks just ahead. Yields are starting to increase in new crop supplies.

• Red and Green Grapes: Demand is moderate and the market is rising. Chile and Peru grape supply is

The foodservice sector has not quite reached pre-pandemic levels in terms of units sold, but it has surpassed dollar sales in 2019 and is in full recovery mode, according to Joe Pawlak, managing principal at Technomic Inc., a leading B2B and B2C consulting and research firm focused exclusively on the food industry. 

Pawlak was the featured speaker at the International Fresh Produce Association Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, April 12, which was devoted to “The State of Foodservice.”  IFPA partners with Technomic to showcase opportunities for produce within the foodservice industry through

Loblaw Cos. Ltd. will invest more than $2 billion dollars into the Canadian economy in 2023. The company’s capital investments this year are expected to create thousands of jobs and see it grow and improve its store network, opening 38 new and/or relocated stores and converting or renovating nearly 600 others.

Over the past five years, Loblaw’s capital investments have evolved with the grocery landscape, driven by digital innovation and technology. This year, it will increase its investment level focusing on its core retail experience, expanding its presence in communities, modernizing its

Albertsons Cos. Inc. launched a unique collaboration with Apple to bring activity data from Apple Watch and iPhone to the Sincerely Health digital health and wellness platform, allowing consumers to improve their overall health score and earn points toward grocery coupons and discounts.

Customers who wear Apple Watch Series 3 or later can now choose to share their activity data with their Sincerely Health account and earn up to 75 points daily for closing all three Activity rings: Move, Exercise and Stand. Customers who do not have an Apple Watch can connect their iPhone with iOS 16 through

The International Fresh Produce Association is hosting its annual Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference April 16-18 in Orlando, FL, this year. The conference is sold out but there are many additional opportunities for the industry to support and participate in Women’s Fresh Perspective Portfolio experiences this year.

“The draw of the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference is not just the personal and professional development, but the opportunity to connect with women across the entire produce and floral industry,” said Brenda Necic, key account manager at Pure Flavor and co-chair of the Women

Temperatures reaching the upper 90s have basically brought an end to the winter vegetable deals in the California and Arizona deserts, resulting in supply gaps and stronger markets with some commodities headed into the FOB stratosphere.

“Two weeks ago, you couldn’t give cauliflower away, now it’s hard to find it,” said Denny Donovan, sales manager for Fresh Kist Produce in Santa Maria, CA, noting that his sales sheet listed 12-size flower at just shy of $70 per carton on Monday, April 10. “It’s going to be a very interesting season. There are going to be major gaps almost across the board for