For its 2021 Peruvian avocado season, Calavo Growers Inc., based in Santa Paula, CA, is expecting to handle about the same volume as it did in 2020, but with a much better size distribution.

“We’ve had many fruitful discussions with our suppliers in Peru,” said Rob Wedin, Calavo’s executive vice president of sales. “It’s a situation of learning more about our market and where U.S. demand resides.”

He added that many of the groves in Peru are maturing and naturally producing a size portfolio that is more diverse and skews a bit smaller, which is what the U.S. market likes. “Peru is doing what

BDA/Dorot Farm reported high demand for fresh and sweet carrots in the Northeast region of the United States.

“I have been feeling a high demand for our products from our customers, foodservice companies and restaurants," said Ami Ben-Dror, CEO of BDA/Dorot Farm. "Our customers have been looking for our quality product. I am very happy with the high-quality crop that we have and am glad that consumers can appreciate the quality and value in our premium brands.”

As one of the top growers and exporters of fresh, sweet, jumbo carrots around the world, BDA/Dorot Farm exports to North America

Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is seeking individuals to join its team of 40,000 associates. Earlier this week Kroger announced plans to hire 10,000 new employees, and Food Lion said it will host open interviews at more than 1,100 stores next week. While the demand is certainly there for employees, the question is whether these retailers will be able to overcome the national labor shortage.

Southeastern Grocers is hiring for full- and part-time positions in all departments, including deli, bakery, produce

As June dawns, Del Rey Avocado Co. has added the Peru fruit to its avocado line-up and is also offering more bags and other value-added options for its customers.

Bob Lucy, president of the company with its offices in Fallbrook, CA, and its modern packing shed in nearby Vista, said the avocado-centric firm's first Peruvian fruit was expected the first week of June and will carry it into September. He expects July and August to be the sweet spot for Peruvian avocados this year as Mexico’s production starts to diminish in June and California has a crop about 30 percent less than 2020.

Speaking

Integrated Pest Management is a method that has been used with great success in reducing the need for chemicals in agriculture while working to optimize plant health.  Among Indoor farmers, especially hydroponic greenhouse growers, and more specifically high-tech Controlled Environment Agriculture, such as the type of farming Village Farms growers engage, an IPM program was developed and implemented with great success in the greenhouse industry thanks in large part to the contribution of Village Farms. 

Village Farms’ growers monitor every aspect of plants' growth to make certain crops are

This summer, Driscoll’s will help berry lovers kick off a deliciously sweet season with the long-anticipated return of Rosé Berries – beautiful blush-colored strawberries and raspberries – and its Sweetest Batch strawberries and raspberries, each selected for their extra-sweet flavor profiles. Both berry collections were developed to deliver a premium produce experience that surprises and delights consumers with each bite.

Driscoll’s Rosé Berries, bred for their unique color and aromatic flavor, feature peachy, bright flavor notes akin to consumers’ favorite summer wine. Driscoll’s Rosé