While Controlled Environment Agriculture continues to be controversial within the realm of organic certification, suppliers and the retail community are predicting that it will continue to expand to include more fresh produce items and more volume.

At least that was the view of panelists and the moderator and seemingly the audience at a session devoted to CEA at the recent Organic Produce Summit held in Monterey, CA, in mid-July.   “CEA of Tomorrow: From the Greenhouse to the Consumer,”  featured a panel discussion among two suppliers, a retailer, and Moderator Todd Linsky, a produce industry

After several days of disruption by truck driver protests, the port of Oakland’s marine terminals are open and operating normally. The port of Oakland is one of the biggest gateways for California’s agricultural exporters, and last week's shutdown exacerbated the congestion of containers at the seaport.

“The port of Oakland has resumed full operations,” said Port Executive Director Director Danny Wan. "We appreciate the independent truck drivers' use of the designated Free Speech Zones and we thank local law enforcement for their continued assistance. The truckers have been heard and we now

The Publix Produce for Kids cause marketing campaign wrapped with 13 produce partners providing 825,000 meals to the 35 Feeding America member food banks in the Publix market area. Signage was positioned near produce partners in more than 1,200 Publix stores, featured QR codes leading shoppers to a free bilingual downloadable eCookbook with recipe inspiration, and tips featuring campaign produce partners.

Campaign in-store signage had a lifestyle approach with an action to learn more on the campaign’s website. In addition, produce partners were prominently featured in weekly ads beginning May

Yellow Banana, the owner and operator of eight Save A Lot locations in the Chicagoland area, received a $13.5 million community development grant from Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the city of Chicago that will enable it to invest in significant upgrades to its existing Chicago stores, as well as to re-open a location in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood that closed in 2020. The grant, combined with other financing and funding from Yellow Banana, will bring approximately $26 million in investment into six locations in underserved communities throughout the city’s south and west sides.

Yellow Banana

The House Committee on Education and Labor recently committed to the health of U.S. children via the introduction of the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act, which includes several of the International Fresh Produce Association’s recommendations, including expanding access to school meals, providing funding for school kitchen equipment, extending WIC benefits to age 6, and researching the impact of meal times on fruit and vegetable consumption.  

“We applaud Committee Chair Bobby Scott and Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee Chair Suzanne Bonamici for continuing to build on Congressional

United Natural Foods Inc. completed its annual UNFI Conventional Expo show. The company hosted nearly 2,700 customers, connecting them with its vast network of suppliers and providing them with access to food choices, fresh thinking, new innovations, services, show deals and promotions only available at the show.

UNFI’s Conventional Expo is held annually in July to help independent grocers plan, prepare and buy for the upcoming holiday and spring selling seasons.

“Consistent with our objective to help our customers drive profitable and sustainable growth, our in-person shows demonstrate the