Fresh market tomatoes had a fairly strong 2020 as they were one of the many produce items that benefited from the surge in sales at retail fueled by the pandemic, though they were hurt by a decline in foodservice purchases. The end-of-the-year holidays buying was especially brisk for tomatoes with great demand and higher prices from mid-November though the end of the year.

But supplies are catching up with demand and there has been a drop in f.o.b. prices that is expected to continue on both conventional and organic f.o.b. prices now that the west Mexico district of Culiacan is heating up

Those on the Hunts Point Produce Market knew this year would present a unique challenge after all that 2020 threw at them, but 1,400 striking workers have gotten 2021 off to a complicated start for the largest produce market in the world.

The unionized workers of Teamsters Local 202 at the Hunts Point Produce Market went on strike on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 12:01 a.m. after negotiations broke down over a wage increase: the union requested a $1-per-hour raise and the market reportedly countered with a 32-cent-per-hour offer. According to the union, the majority of the workers have an average base

On the last day of 2020, Price Mabry was enjoying a few days off before starting his new job on the first Monday of the new year as produce director of HAC, Inc., an 80-store grocery chain that consists of eight banners with stores located in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Georgia.

At 33 years old, Mabry will be one of the younger, if not the youngest, produce director of a chain that size in the United States. He is extremely excited about the job and the opportunity to prove himself at the highest produce level, but he admits to higher aspirations.

“I have big dreams,” he said. “I have higher

Do you remember how business was done pre-COVID-19? Product was ordered from the warehouse, it was received, processed, placed on the sales floor and stocked into displays.

Do you know what they do now? They order product from the warehouse, receive it, process it, take it out on the sales floor, and stock it on displays.

So what is meant by this new normal?

The produce operation hasn’t really changed that much. Farmers still plant, grow and harvest produce. Shippers still send product to market. Retail buyers still purchase truckloads of produce. Distribution centers still select orders

Coming off a 2020 characterized by national demand and record sales, Edible Garden has signed a letter of intent to purchase a facility in Piqua, OH.  

"This agreement is a great opportunity to build on our mission of Zero-Waste Inspired farming, food safety, traceability, and the reduction of food miles," said Jim Kras, CEO of Edible Garden. "This acquisition aligns our facility with recent distribution wins at retailers including Meijer and Walmart, allowing us to supply fresh produce throughout the Midwest."

The new facility will increase Edible Garden's growing capacity with the

GrubMarket, which is focused on food ecommerce, has completed the acquisition of Bengard Marketing Inc., a longstanding provider of high quality domestic and imported specialty fruits directly from sustainable growers in Chile, Argentina, Peru, New Zealand and the United States. Bengard Marketing has been one of the biggest providers of South American cherries and stone fruits on the West Coast.

This is GrubMarket's sixth acquisition in the Los Angeles area. The company plans to continue bolstering its strategic presence in the region. Bengard Marketing will remain based in Los Angeles, and