The Kroger Co. announced the winners of its second annual Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator. The accelerator cohort consists of five new and emerging brands, each selected to join Kroger's Fresh suppliers and enhance the selection of local items available across the Kroger Family of Companies.

"We are thrilled to welcome this year's Go Fresh & Local cohort to our extraordinary portfolio of fresh local and regional suppliers," said Dan De La Rosa, group vice president of fresh merchandising. "Go Fresh & Local was created to bring the best, most innovative, and freshest local and regional

The U.S. Department of Agriculture imposed sanctions on Farm Fresh Packers LLC in Pompano Beach, FL, for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

Farm Fresh Packers LLC failed to pay $309,860 to four sellers for produce that was purchased, received and accepted in interstate commerce from July 2017 to November 2018. This is in violation of the PACA. Farm Fresh Packers LLC cannot operate in the produce

The Pacific NW organic pear crop looks promising, as estimates point to an increase in volume over last year. The organic crop is looking to be up from last year, with most varieties seeing volume increases. This is welcome in a year where much of northwest tree fruit volume has been down.

“We have a strong market position this crop year, with our organic pear crop accounting for 40 percent of all NW organic pears,” said Cat Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing for Superfresh Growers. “The organic pear crop is up with annual cycling, and an increased transition to certified organic orchards. W

Kowalski’s Markets, the family-owned grocery retailer with 11 stores based in Woodbury, MN, announced that recently they started to offer Fyffes Fair Trade Certified Bananas.

Offering Fyffes Fair Trade Certified Bananas emphasizes Kowalski’s efforts to support responsible companies, protect the environment and empower farmers.

When shoppers choose to buy Fyffes Fair Trade Certified™ Bananas, they can trust that the people behind the fruit work in safe, healthy conditions and earn additional money to uplift their communities. It’s an easy way to have a direct, positive impact on global

On Tuesday, Aug. 9, Weis Markets store managers and specialists from the Company’s New Jersey and Northeast Pennsylvania stores volunteered with America’s Grow-A-Row in Pittstown, NJ. America’s Grow-A-Row partners with organizations local to its farms to harvest and distribute fresh produce to food insecure families.

During their volunteer day, Weis associates helped harvest over 16,000 pounds of produce, including zucchini and cucumbers. The produce associates picked will support approximately 60,000 families in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. In addition, Weis Markets

Chicago-based FOODWORKS, a restaurant incubator that specializes in unique dining solutions throughout the country, has launched GREEN Powered by FOODWORKS in partnership with Produce For Better Health Foundation, the nonprofit organization powering the Have A Plant Movement to advance fruit and vegetable consumption in America. GREEN’s launch this September 2022 coincides with National Fruits & Veggies Month – an annual, month-long celebration to inspire greater consumption of fruits and vegetables and elevate consumption as a national priority.
 
GREEN will highlight chefs across the country