Mission Produce, Inc., a leader in sourcing, producing, and distributing fresh avocados, announced that James (Jim) Donovan, senior vice president of global info. & industry affairs, is retiring after over 36 years with the organization. During his expansive stretch at Mission, Donovan garnered a strong reputation in sales, operations, and industry relations, but spent the better part of his career in a senior level global sourcing position. He joined the company as an export sales manager in 1984 after graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business

StickyLickits has unveiled its first collection of edible Sesame Street stickers developed for kids. The stickers feature Elmo, Ernie, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Abby, Bert and Oscar the Grouch, and encourage kids to eat their fruits and vegetables.

How does it work? The instructions are as simple as “lick it, stick it, and eat it.” The stickers can be placed on fruits and veggies, making snack and meal times fun, and teaching kids healthy eating habits from an early age.

A study done by the University of Bari Aldo Moro in Italy found that children chose to eat fruits and vegetables branded

There are tens of thousands of trade associations in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic forced each one to reexamine the ways they serve and represent their industry.

For United Fresh Produce Association, the more things change, the more they stay the same. United Fresh has used its voice throughout these turbulent times, to do what it has done for more than 100 years — unite businesses across the produce supply chain to build strategic partnerships and create long-term initiatives to solve unique business challenges.

The hallmark of any trade association, its annual convention is the

Will the holidays become another victim of 2020 and COVID-19? Absolutely not. They may look a little different, but families will still need to stock up on their holiday favorites. The produce department shines this time of year and it is important that we continue to do so by having everything ready to go for our customers. They key to winning the holidays this year will be concentrating on merchandising fundamentals and focusing on our customers.

Maintain fresh, inviting displays
Although the holidays will look different for many of our customers, it is important that their shopping

According to a new economic contribution analysis from Texas A&M University, the imports of Mexican Hass avocados have made substantial contributions to the U.S. economy during the 2019-20 growing season. In this timeframe, more than 2.1 billion pounds of avocados were imported into the U.S. from the Mexican state of Michoacán – fueling consumers' love of the healthy fruit while also positively benefiting and growing U.S. national and state economies.

The economic analysis concludes significant contributions from U.S. imports of Mexican Hass avocados to the U.S. economy as avocado imports

Since it operates in a 112,000-square-foot warehouse inside the Hunts Point Produce Market as well as its 30,000-square-foot facility across the street in the Bronx, NY, the New York Produce Show is right “in the backyard” for D’Arrigo New York.

That’s why Gabriela D’Arrigo, vice president of marketing for the company, noted seizing the opportunity to participate in an event where everyone comes to you is a “no-brainer.”

“We have participated in the show since its inception either as attendees or exhibitors,” she said. “We have always had a positive experience at the New York Produce Show