The Hass Avocado Board announced that total avocado volume in the U.S. market was on track to exceed 3 billion pounds in 2025 — a historic milestone that underscores the fruit’s growing popularity and the strength of the industry’s supply chain.

“This is a landmark moment for the avocado industry,” said Emiliano Escobedo, executive director of the Hass Avocado Board. “Surpassing 3 billion pounds is not just a number — it’s a testament to the tireless efforts of producers, importers and marketers who have worked together to meet the growing demand for avocados in the U.S. market.”

The projected

There are as many as 600 varieties of oranges worldwide, but five dominate supermarket produce departments: clementines, navels, Cara Caras, blood oranges and Minneolas.

Oranges are plentiful with moderate demand and a steady market. Quality is excellent across all varieties, with good sugar, color and flavor. Favorable growing conditions have resulted in strong supplies for the Christmas holiday selling period.

California navel production is especially strong heading into Christmas, providing a prime opportunity for holiday ad promotions. Navels are showing excellent color and flavor.

Clementine

The Florida Strawberry Growers Association announced that Florida’s strawberry season is officially underway. Fields across the state are filled with peak-season, vibrant strawberries, arriving in stores just in time to brighten holiday tables.

As shoppers prepare for festive gatherings, Florida strawberries offer flavorful, fresh-from-the-farm varieties that deliver the ideal color and taste for holiday recipes. From desserts to simple snacks, the berries remain a seasonal favorite for families. To inspire home cooks, FSGA has released a collection of holiday recipes at FloridaStrawberries.org

FullTilt Marketing, a national produce and food marketing agency, has named broccolini the 2026 Vegetable of the Year following an analysis of social conversations, consumer behavior and emerging culinary trends using Tastewise food intelligence.

Vegetables continue to gain cultural relevance, accounting for 18 percent of all food and beverage social share with a 5.3 percent year-over-year increase in popularity. The growth is driven by consumer interest in health, comfort, flavor and emotional connection. Within this surge, one vegetable stands out.

Why Broccolini Leads 2026

Broccolini has

The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $985,000 in Nourishing our Neighbors grants to 318 feeding partners across Food Lion’s 10-state operating area. These grants help local nonprofits provide fresh, nutritious food and offer nutritional education that empowers families to thrive. 

“Every community we serve is unique, but they share a common need: access to nourishing food,” said Natasha Brinegar, president of Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation and vice president of category management, meat and seafood, Food Lion. “These Nourishing our Neighbors grants strengthen

Rows of tomato vines and bell peppers at Live Oak Farms have been catching the morning light in a scene that has been repeating itself every summer for nearly 100 years. But between all the rows of vegetables is a story that begins across the ocean, where a young farmer named Marino Giampaoli dreamed of building a new life.

In 1926, Marino Giampaoli emigrated to the U.S. from Lucca, Italy. It was only three years later that he, along with his wife’s cousins, Florindo and Decimo Marchini, launched the Giampaoli & Marchini tomato business in Le Grand, Calif. The business has now evolved into a