With a 2021 Washington apple crop expected to be very similar in size to the previous year, it appears there will be promotable volume throughout the year for retailers as well as the opportunity for good prices for growers.

The total crop has been forecast at about 125 million boxes by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, which would be just a slight increase from the 2020 harvest crop of about 122 million boxes, but almost 10 million boxes fewer than 2019.

“There are so many factors involved in the f.o.b. price,” advised Chuck Zeutenhorst, president of FirstFruits Marketing, based

Peruvian Asparagus Importer’s Association members expect a high-volume, successful asparagus season. The association’s importer and related industry members have worked diligently through the past year to ensure seamless and consistent supply for the 2021 season.

Jay Rodriguez of Crystal Valley Foods and PAIA co-chair said all parts of the supply chain have been affected by the pandemic. “One advantage that we always have with Peru no matter the circumstance or year is that we can bring in product year round, not just during peak seasons,” he said. “It is a reliable source 52 weeks a year

Giant Eagle Inc. has partnered with Grabango, a leading checkout-free technology provider for existing stores. The retailer's first location to make Grabango available is its GetGo Café+Market store in Fox Chapel, which serves the greater Pittsburgh community. Giant Eagle plans to roll out the convenience service at more locations soon.

“We’re excited to bring checkout-free technology to our Pittsburgh area shoppers. With Grabango, our GetGo guests are able to get in, get out and get going even faster with a more convenient, contactless, shopping experience,” said Laura Karet, president and

Titan Farms and Harris Teeter come together in their seventh year to donate peaches to Second Harvest Food Banks in Raleigh and Charlotte (NC). Over the past seven years, Titan Farms and Harris Teeter have continued to donate to the Peaches with a Purpose program. The sum of this year’s donation, equated to 37,800 pounds of peaches and was especially impactful to these communities.

“Seven years ago, we never would have imagined the impact Peaches with a Purpose could have on these communities,” says Lori Anne Carr, Vice President/Administrative Manager of Titan Farms. “Giving back and

Family-owned-and-operated Rainier has been honing its craft for generations, and that’s why the company has been so successful for more than 120 years.

“At our core, we are apple growers, that’s the foundation of Rainier,” said Blake Belknap, vice president of sales for the Selah, WA-based company. “Of course, we have expanded our acreage and commodities over the years, but it all started with a simple idea: grow the highest quality apples on the market and treat the land and our people with respect. And we maintain that philosophy in all our commodities to this day.”

Rainier Fruit has made

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. recently announced that Lawrence (Chip) Molloy, currently a member of its board of directors, has been appointed as chief financial officer of the company, effective Sept. 25, 2021. Molloy will succeed Denise Paulonis, who is departing the company to join a publicly traded retailer as its chief executive officer.

“There is no better successor to oversee our financial function than Chip,” said Jack Sinclair, chief executive officer of Sprouts Farmers Market. “Chip’s extensive knowledge of all aspects of our business and strategy and long-tenured executive