The Kroger Co. opened a new spoke in Birmingham, AL. Serving as a last-mile cross-dock location, the new spoke will operate as a seamless extension of the regional fulfillment center in Atlanta, making Kroger Delivery available to more customers in the greater Birmingham area.

"Kroger Delivery starts by bringing the shopping experience to wherever our customers are, whether they are using the Kroger app or browsing our weekly ad at Kroger.com. Here, customers can access our seamless experience that promises an extensive assortment, thousands of digital coupons, and an entirely personalized

The U.S. Department of Agriculture imposed sanctions on five produce businesses 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 are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• GoGreen Farms Inc

Publix Super Markets Charities will donate $5.65 million to 328 Feeding America member food banks and other nonprofit organizations working to alleviate hunger throughout the Southeast.

To further support hunger alleviation efforts, nearly 6,300 Publix associates are volunteering with 205 nonprofits throughout the company’s operating area, each with a mission to help people experiencing food insecurity.

“For many of our neighbors, a daily meal isn’t a choice of what they will eat, but if they will eat. It may be a choice between eating a meal or paying an electric bill. We want to help

The U.S. Department of Agriculture filed an administrative complaint against Island Fresh De Puerto Rico Inc. for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The company, operating from Puerto Rico, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to six produce sellers in the amount of $1.55 million from August 2019 through July 2020.

IFPR will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA

Inflation continues to impact how consumers spend their hard-earned dollars, particularly in the supermarket. Nowhere has the impact been more significant than in the produce aisle. Fresh common fruit categories had the largest monthly price jump in August, rising 5.3 percent compared to the end of July, according to the August 2022 Price Check: Tracking Retail Food and Beverage Inflation, from the recently merged Information Resources Inc. and the NPD Group

August data show that prices of consumer goods remain elevated across categories. Prices for food at home rose 1.6 percent from the end

Last year, International Fruit Genetics selected Agricola Andrea S.A.C. in Peru as the winner of its inaugural D.W. Cain Award competition.  Due to the pandemic the award was offered virtually. Fast forward eight months and IFG CEO Andy Higgins presented the long-awaited trophy in person to the Agricola Andrea executive team — owner Jonathan Geller and Eduardo Mazzini, marketing and business strategy director.

“We are proud to recognize Agricola Andrea S.A.C. in person after making this announcement virtually last year,” said Higgins. “They have truly set the bar as the first D.W. Cain Award