The Southeast Produce Council opened the application window for its newest scholarship program: SEPC Fresh Chefs. The second annual opportunity for this innovative program is now open to any full-time college or secondary education student pursuing a degree in culinary arts or restaurant management.

Each recipient of the SEPC Fresh Chefs Scholarship will receive one of three $1,500 scholarships towards their educational goals for the upcoming year. In addition to the scholarship funds, each recipient will also be invited to attend the SEPC’s Southern Innovations conference Sept. 14-16 in

Constant increasing operating costs, lower revenue, staffing shortages, high inflation prices, consumer resistance and negative economic news have created a pessimistic attitude — for everybody.

Many business operators are becoming plagued with fear as to what lies ahead. That same feeling looms over the consumers as well. Families are feeling the pressure of escalating costs — specifically around food.

Questions raised for businesses include: How do people see your company? What impression do you send to consumers? How do you impact shoppers? One thing is for sure, you must capture

Instacart announced an industry-first online advertising capability, enabling produce brands to advertise fresh, weighted items — such as carrots, grapes, onions, oranges, sweet potatoes and watermelons — from the produce department across the Instacart Marketplace. The announcement is in collaboration with today’s White House event that continues the work started at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health to help end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030.

During National Nutrition Month, Instacart is leveling the advertising playing field, making it possible for

SpartanNash has promoted Ileana McAlary to executive vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary. McAlary was hired in November 2021 and oversees the company's expanding legal, government affairs, compliance and aviation team. She also serves as corporate secretary of the SpartanNash board of directors and president of the SpartanNash Foundation.

"Ileana and her team have played a crucial role in modernizing our corporate legal function as we champion customer-focused innovation and prepare for growth," said SpartanNash CEO Tony Sarsam. "She is a people-first leader who

IFPA's Retail Conference, taking place June 7-8 in Oak Brook, IL, will tackle top industry issues, foster strong business relationships in an intimate setting and enhance networking through a golf tournament.

“We know that produce retailers and their suppliers face stiff headwinds, and this conference connects them to the people and insights they need to thrive in the current business climate,” said Joe Watson, vice president of retail, foodservice and wholesale membership. “What stands out to me is the close-knit setting of this event. Because we cap attendance, everyone has the opportunity

Preliminarily, Monterey County officials and agricultural experts have indicated that crop losses from the torrential rains that have hit the Salinas Valley this year could easily top $500 million.

Those numbers are just guesstimates with no expectation that a final figure will be available for several months. What seems to be certain, however, is that crop losses are significant and the vegetable market will soon be feeling the effects with much higher prices.

Dan Walker, a commodity manager with Salinas, CA-based Church Bros. Farms, said on Tuesday, March 21, “the vegetable market is