The Tokyo Olympics will be held from July 23 to Aug. 8 with NBC and Telemundo broadcasting the events throughout the United States. All eyes will be on the highly anticipated gathering this year as it is the first time it has ever been postponed due to a global pandemic. The Washington, DC-based Peruvian Avocado Commission, under its Avocados from Peru banner, will feature TV, OTT (via the internet) and digital content that will run in more than 20 major U.S. markets throughout the duration of the Olympics and throughout the rest of the summer.

“People love the Olympics because of the way the

Columbine Vineyards, producer of the popular Holiday table grapes in California’s San Joaquin Valley, has now become the first Sustainably Grown Certified table grapes producer in the U.S. The new certification represents the significant impacts Columbine Vineyards has made over the past few years, including water conservation (843 million gallons saved), styrofoam reduction (54 percent reduction) and carbon sequestration (5,200 metric tons), the equivalent to 1140 cars off the roads annually.

The official certification comes through SCS Global, a pioneer and leader in the field of

Natural Grocers is bringing local hydroponic, organic produce grown just steps away from its customers with the launch of its new hydroponic GardenBox. The pilot program, which takes place at its Green Mountain store in Lakewood, CO, grows an array of organic leafy greens that travel just 82 steps from hydroponic garden to customer. GardenBox delivers living produce with roots intact for a longer shelf life and better flavor, certified organic by Where Food Comes From Organic, and the Clean Hydroponic Produce seal.

A variety of GardenBox lettuces such as Hampton, Brentwood, Alkindus

Homegrown Organic Farms announced the company’s transition from a corporation to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The transition took place in April 2021 and was finalized May 1 of this year.

John and Cindy France founded the company in 1998 and have always had a heart for their employees. From offering far above industry-standard benefits to creating a healthy work environment, the ESOP transition is simply another wonderful testament to the France's dedication to seeing that their employees are well taken care of, even beyond their direct involvement and ownership in the company.  

“This

Summer is watermelon’s time to shine, and the 2021 Washington-grown watermelon season is shaping up nicely for Keystone Fruit Marketing, a division of Progressive Produce.

“The Northwest has had a mild to warm spring, which provided ideal conditions for our transplants to get a jump on vine growth and first fruit sets in early June,” said Shawn Riker, sales and commodity manager. “As a result, we’re starting our season again during the first full week of July, which is consistent with historical norms.”

The Northwest and western Canada see surges of demand in the summer months for first-of

Seven Seas, a division of the Tom Lange Family of Cos., hired third-generation grower Bill Hammerstrom as manager of sales for its California citrus office. “We are so fortunate to have Bill on our team. His extensive knowledge of the produce industry is going to be a great asset to our citrus program and will help push us to the next level,” said Brent Scattini, vice president of West Coast.

Hammerstrom, a California native and graduate of Cal Polytechnic State University, joins Seven Seas with over 25 years of experience in the produce industry, many of those in citrus. His career has