Ocean Mist Farms, a leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in the U.S., continues to emphasize education for  students, media and influencers as a pillar of the company’s marketing efforts. Recently influencers and culinary students have taken to the Ocean Mist Farms’ fields in Castroville, CA, to learn about the Gold Standard of Artichokes designation and experience both an artichoke and iceberg lettuce harvest.

Experiencing a vegetable harvest firsthand in the field serves to not simply educate, but builds a brand connection with these different audiences who will spread the word

Maui Fresh International, a wholesaler and distributor of fruits and vegetables for local and national customers since 2004, announced summer plans to ensure it has access to the quantity and quality of produce needed to fulfill customer demands.

The company’s connections with growers across the globe position it well to maintain a steady supply despite higher costs and tight labor markets impacting growers. It also plans to add another staffing shift and continued enhancements to equipment and processes to improve efficiency.

“Every season, there are a number of factors that can impact

April online grocery sales pulled back 3.8 percent versus last year, finishing at $8.1 billion, as total order volume dropped 5.8 percent driven by lower order frequency and a slightly smaller monthly active user base, according to the Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopping Survey fielded April 28-29.

Delivery-related sales, which accounted for almost one-third of total online grocery sales during April, dropped nearly 6 percent versus a year ago and contributed nearly half of the decline in total sales year-over-year. The segment’s average order value jumped 6 percent to $84 versus

Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, has launched its ninth location in Bakersfield, CA. The nonprofit will partner with Grimmway Farms and CAPK to help improve the health of students and families in the Bakersfield area through nutrition education, access to free and fresh produce weekly, and tips on how to store and cook the fruits and vegetables properly.

With the support of CalFresh Healthy Living (SNAP-Ed), this is the third location of Brighter Bites programming in California, following Salinas (2021) and Los

The weather is getting warmer (sort of), and as we all know, warmer weather brings cherries. 

According to Mark Campbell, founder and CEO of ProduceIQ, cherries from California are beginning their season at $70 per 16-pound case for 11-row size. He said the larger cherries, 10-row, are trading for around $78, and the smaller size, 12-row, can be had for $32.

“Overall, supply is expected to decrease from last year’s bumper crop due to a late freeze impacting the more northern growing regions,” he said. “Prices typically fall from the start of the season until the end as the early-mover

With summer just down the road and trucking conditions being what they are, it is wise to work on locking up your transportation programs fast. Summer trucks will be in big demand. Diesel fuel prices are still climbing and will raise freight costs in the process. Don't wait until the last minute. Jump on it now, and plan your promotions from these choices:

Blueberries: Demand is fairly light, the market is steady with a good supply out of Florida and the Georgia product increasing. Supply out of Mexico is steady with good quality. There is a lighter supply on organic.

Raspberries: The