Albertsons Cos. Inc. has partnered with global financial services technology leader FIS, which represents supplemental health benefits administrators. Additionally, the retailer is entering into a partnership to accept benefit cards from Soda Health, which works to improve health equity by tailoring benefits based on individual needs. Customers with FIS and Soda Health-integrated benefit cards will now be able to make purchases on eligible food and health items at Albertsons Cos. banner stores.

Health benefit cards are pre-paid debit cards that are funded by Medicare Advantage plans

The Southeast Produce Council will hold its first-ever foodservice tour the second week in April, giving attendees from the foodservice sector of the produce industry the opportunity to visit with some premier grower-shippers.

The tour, which will take place April 10-13 in eastern and central Florida, will visit the following companies: Classic Fruit Co., Southern Specialties, A. Duda & Sons, DLF International, J&J Family of Farms, Premier Produce and Sunripe Certified Farm Fresh.

Stanley Trout of the Idaho Potato Commission and Jeff Tant of Performance Food Group — both of whom are on the

The Kroger Co.'s Customer Fulfillment Center in Aurora, CO, has opened. This facility expands access to fresh, affordable food and provides more than 200 new associates with opportunities to grow their careers. Customers across the region can order Kroger's fresh produce and trend-setting Our Brands products to be delivered directly to their doors by a friendly associate.

"Kroger Delivery, proudly serving King Soopers and City Market, will connect more Coloradans to a convenient shopping experience," said Rebekah Manis, senior director of Kroger delivery fulfillment centers. "Delivery

The fifth Eastern Produce Council Leadership Class toured the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market and Holt Logistics on March 21. “PWPM and Holt Logistics provide extremely relevant perspectives on crucial aspects of our supply chain,” said Susan McAleavey Sarlund, EPC executive director. “They are perfect spots to kick-off our program and we are really enthusiastic about mentoring our biggest class yet.”

The first stop on the tour was at PWPM with a presentation on the market’s history and function from John Vena, president of John Vena Inc., after which the group walked the concourse to

Albertsons Cos. Inc.'s O Organics brand is celebrating its growth and evolution with vibrant new packaging designed to stand out, taking a fresh and unexpected approach to marketing an organic brand. To kick off this bright and vibrant redesign, the private label brand is designating April as Organic Breakfast Month and encouraging customers to share their favorite breakfast routine on social media using #WakeUpOrganic as O Organics aims to become the go-to brand for Gen Z and young millennials.

“Many of our customers have embraced an organic lifestyle and consider it to be a meaningful part

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses — Fresh Life, Dukarani Food Processing, New Start Produce Group and Nationwide Foods — for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

The following businesses and individuals