The FDA Final Rule on FSMA Section 204 published in November 2022 adds the requirement to capture and record Critical Tracking Events or CTE’s. The FDA defines a “Critical Tracking Event” to mean an event in the food supply chain involving the harvesting, pre-packing cooling, and initial packing of a Raw Agricultural Commodity, which applies to any food “not obtained from a fishing vessel, shipping, receiving, or transformation of the food.”

In prior articles we looked at the overall CTE requirements and explored harvesting and cooling CTEs. Today we will deep dive into Initial packing and

Tulare Lake, which has a complex history of development that has impacted the surrounding communities and agriculture in California's San Joaquin Valley, made a dramatic return last month after a series of powerful storms caused it to overflow and flood the surrounding farmland and other development. The sudden return of Tulare Lake has surprised many, with some comparing it to a "phantom" coming back to life.

Tulare Lake is believed to have once been the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River, but in the late 1800s growers began to divert water from the rivers that fed Tulare

Tomato volume from Florida and Mexico is on the rise with excellent quality of all varieties. There is a good supply available to begin ad promotions, and demand is fairly light with a slightly lower market.

Round, grape, cherry and Roma tomatoes are shipping from Mexico and the quality is excellent. The retail demand for tomatoes has lightened up lately bringing down some of the market costs.

Florida is reporting a high volume of tomatoes but an extraordinary lower demand for them. The yield from harvesting is very robust. The quality is outstanding from both Florida and Mexican shipping

Vertical farming company Kalera Inc., headquartered in Orlando, FL, is seeking relief under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection. Kalera's parent company intends to use the court-supervised process to evaluate strategic alternatives, including a potential sale of Kalera or its assets.

Additionally, Jim Leighton’s employment with the company as president and CEO ended March 29 so that he could pursue other opportunities.  He also resigned as member of the company’s board of directors.

The company will continue to operate its business as “debtor-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the

The fifth annual Food Lion Feeds Orange Bag campaign has helped to provide 1.6 million meals for neighbors facing hunger, surpassing the campaign’s 1 million meal goal. Food Lion Feeds was founded in 2014 by Food Lion to address food insecurity in the towns and cities it serves.

The Orange Bag campaign benefits Feeding America and local partner food banks throughout Food Lion’s 10-state operating area. According to Feeding America, the campaign is especially critical right now, as more than 53 million people turned to food banks, food pantries and meal programs in 2021.

“Everyone needs

Church Brothers Farms has completed the purchase of approximately 200,000 square feet of warehouse space on 18 acres of land. Built in 1978, the buildings — located at 1230 and 1250 Hansen Street as well as 780, 806 and 889 Airport Boulevard in Salinas — have previously been used for produce processing, cold storage and distribution.

The company plans to immediately begin upgrades and improvements to the properties, which will be used for storage and shipping of its products. Distribution activities are expected to begin in fall of 2023, with the long term goal of accommodating all of Church