Meijer  is searching for hyperlocal products to fill shelves in the retailer’s fourth small-format store upon opening later this year. Store Manager Marcus Reliford set a goal of 2,000 local products and is inviting local businesses to submit their offerings for consideration here.

“We want to help local businesses succeed,” said Reliford, a Detroit native who joined Meijer in September 2020 to lead its first Detroit small-format store, which will be located in the city’s East Jefferson Corridor. “We want to showcase all Detroit has to offer and believe Rivertown Market is place to do it.”

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Last spring the long-forecasted switch to online grocery happened overnight. The pandemic has reshaped the habits of even the most fiercely loyal-to-the-store shoppers as social distancing became a key line of defense against infection. Shoppers of all ages and backgrounds increased the number of groceries they were buying online. According to FMI, online grocery sales have tripled. Now a year into the pandemic and a year of record grocery sales, it is unclear how consumers will respond as their schools, offices and favorite restaurants open back up.

There is no denying 2020 was a windfall

The Produce Marketing Association has announced that the association will be bringing the industry back together — in person — in Monterey, CA, for the Foodservice Conference July 21-22. The yearly event is the time and place where foodservice and produce intersect, where important connections and partnerships are made.

This year, as the foodservice industry rebounds from one of the most disruptive times in our history, PMA will provide a venue for foodservice to find the partners supplying the freshest and healthiest products that are central to consumers’ wellness and essential to any menu

Winter Storm Uri, which blasted through the entire state of Texas in mid-February, caused at least $600 million in agricultural losses, according to preliminary data from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agricultural economists.

“A large number of Texas farmers, ranchers and others involved in commercial agriculture and agricultural production were seriously affected by Winter Storm Uri,” said Jeff Hyde, AgriLife Extension director. “Freezing temperatures and ice killed or harmed many of their crops and livestock as well as causing financial hardships and operational setbacks. The

Kaliroy Fresh LLC is launching a new Top Seal resealable snacking tomato line in March of 2021.  The line-up includes Red Grape Tomatoes, Mixed Medley Tomatoes, Orange Grape Tomatoes, Yellow Grape Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, and Organic Grape Tomatoes.  Kaliroy has made significant investments in the growth of their year-round snacking tomato program in 2021, and continues to innovate when it comes to testing and launching new and unique varieties. 

Kaliroy is fully vertically integrated from in-house variety selection, land ownership, and year-round distribution from Nogales, McAllen, and

The United Fresh Produce Association gathered its exhibiting community for the first time since announcing its return to live events this June 24-26 in Los Angeles to kick off a four-event education webinar series that will guide exhibitors through the benefits of this year’s online and in-person experience.

During a year of uncertainty and virtual-only engagement, United Fresh worked with their exhibitors through pre-event education to ensure a successful transition online for United Fresh LIVE! held in June 2020. This year, the association will once again usher exhibitors toward success of