Walmart is expanding its DroneUp delivery network to 34 sites by the end the year, providing the potential to reach 4 million U.S. households across six states: Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Utah and Virginia. This provides the company with the ability to deliver over 1 million packages by drone in a year.

"We continue to expand our delivery operations to help customers get the items they need when they need them, and it’s been an exciting journey," said David Guggina, senior vice president of innovation and automation. "From Express delivery, where customers can have items delivered to

California Giant Berry Farms is accepting entries for its annual California Giant Chef Invitational. Now in its fourth year, the California Giant Chef Invitational is a nationwide culinary competition that calls upon chefs to think outside the box and create innovative, original dishes featuring fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.

The Chef Invitational invites foodservice partners, corporate chefs, restaurant chefs and beyond to compete by submitting a main dish recipe that showcases the versatility of fresh berries. Chefs are encouraged to enter their creation

This past week produce aisles were bursting with new crop goodness, just in time for graduation celebrations across the country. Locally grown watermelons, tomatoes, peaches, corn, cucumbers, squash and cherries were all on sale for get-togethers with family and friends. Ribs, steaks, burgers and cheese were featured in flyers alongside lettuce, tomatoes and onions for grilled meals. Fruit and vegetable party trays offered another way to enjoy fresh produce at celebrations. Patriotic mums and celebratory floral arrangements were showcased for both Memorial Day and for graduation gifts.

Accord

Rick McCranie has recently joined Moultrie GA-based Producers Marketing and is getting the company poised for big things ahead.

“We’re an old company that has been around for a long time, but it’s recently taken on a new type of role,” he said. “Producers was started in the 80s and had a co-op of farmers, and one of the big farmers was Aldine Hart.”

That farm is now run by Scott Hart, son of Aldine.

In 2020, the original owner of Producers Marketing — Darrell Gibbs, who died in March — decided he wanted to retire, and sold the company to Scott and Shana Hart, knowing their agriculture

Labor shortages in the produce department must really be getting critical when a produce manager friend of mine says he has an apron for me in the back room whenever I’m ready to help.

This may sound a bit humorous, but it’s no joke when it comes to the real world of labor shortages these days. Produce department operators are in a difficult situation trying to fill positions with no relief in sight.

Where did all the produce workers go?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of job openings is at 11.5 million — the highest level in history. This fact means that the

On May 14, a gunman at a Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo killed 10 people and wounded three others. In partnership with Tops, the National Compassion Fund has established the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund to provide direct financial assistance to the survivors of the deceased and those directly affected by this tragedy. Tops seeded this Survivors Fund with $500,000 to get it started. Other retailers, including Southeastern Grocers and Big Y, have contributed to the fund as well.

"Tops is committed to supporting those families affected and to help the community grieve and heal from this tragic