iTradeNetwork, a global provider of supply chain management solutions for the food and beverage industry, has implemented a Walmart-compliant ASN on its platform. This solution allows perishables suppliers to seamlessly adhere to Walmart’s new SQEP protocols, which are updated by the nation’s largest retailer from time-to-time.

The company implemented changes to its platform quickly to meet Walmart’s previous round of SQEP updates in 2017 and 2018. As a result of those efforts, participating suppliers increased their Walmart trading volumes on average by 55 percent within 12 months — with

Ark Foods has launched a major refresh of its brand identity via arkfoods.com. The website features a new look, expanded content, and a purposeful communications strategy, all celebrating the magic of vegetables.

Founded in 2013, the Brooklyn-based company began farming Shishito peppers with the goal of making them more accessible at restaurants and grocery stores around the country. Expanded offerings of specialty peppers and squash soon followed. In 2018, Ark Foods stepped into the better-for-you CPG space with a line of clean label, plant-based Veggie Bowls and most recently introduced a

Little Leaf Farms has raised $90 million in debt and equity financing that has been earmarked to build new sites on the East Coast to satisfy growing demand for its beloved baby greens with customers, large retailers and foodservice providers.

“After opening our third greenhouse in Massachusetts last summer amid the pandemic, we have proven that we can bring the company to scale unlike any other,” said Paul Sellew, founder and CEO of the five-year-old company. “With our partners and committed financing, Little Leaf Farms is positioned to significantly disrupt the traditional lettuce industry

Similar to how ripening has impacted the world of avocados, bananas, pears, kiwis and other produce items, it has completely revolutionized the mango industry. The National Mango Board, working alongside produce professionals, has determined that ripening protocols, sometimes called pre-conditioning, have had a positive impact on consumer satisfaction and sales for ripened fruit. “We have seen retailers who have converted to the ripening program sustain increases in volume, said Tammy Wiard, retail marketing manager for the National Mango Board.

University of California-Davis conducted in

Dole Food Company Inc. and affiliates of Castle & Cooke Inc., which own a 55 percent interest in Dole’s parent company, have entered into a binding transaction agreement with Total Produce plc, one of Europe’s leading fresh produce companies, to combine under a newly created U.S.-listed company, Dole plc.

The Transaction will simplify the existing structure between the two companies by unifying Dole and Total Produce under common ownership, with the objective of enabling full operational integration, realization of synergies and value creation across the enlarged business.

“I am delighted

Target Corp. announced a number of changes across its executive leadership team, including Rick Gomez as executive vice president and chief food and beverage officer and Jill Sando, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer.

“At the core of Target’s success is the most talented team in retail,” said Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO. “The depth of expertise across Target’s leadership team in particular has been a critical driver in Target’s winning strategy and the excellence of our operations. The changes we’re announcing create new opportunities for key leaders to bring their