Summing up industry veteran Tracy Wood’s take on this fall’s Peruvian asparagus deal, uncertainty appears to be the best characterization.

The Fresh Market was once again named the “Best Grocery Store in America,” according to USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

A panel of 10Best local experts and contributors nominated their favorite American grocery stores based on value, selection and service. The top 10 winners were determined by popular vote over a 28-day period through the 10Best website.

Vick Family Farms has been growing, packaging and shipping sweet potatoes in eastern North Carolina since the early 80s and supplies sweet potatoes to customers both domestic and international year-round.

“We offer private label and are known for Carolina Gold labels in a variety of packs,” said Charlotte Vick, partner/sales and marketing manager for the Wilson, NC-based company.

Ten Acre Marketing, a full-service marketing firm that positions brands to advance agriculture, has invested in the expansion of its capabilities with three new strategic hires: Terri Spencer, Sara Hewitt and Denise Huggins.

Earlier this month Eastern Propak unveiled its state-of-the-art produce cold storage, packing and repacking facility at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand reopening event. Glassboro Mayor John Wallace III, government officials from New Jersey joined Eastern Propak employees, vendors and stakeholders to celebrate this important milestone.

Growing fruit for maximum quality and freshness takes a village, but for Douglas Fruit and Goose Ridge, it takes family. As long-time committed fruit growers, Goose Ridge will bring new acreage of apples to Douglas Fruit to be packed and marketed under the Stemilt World Famous Fruit brand. Family-owner of Douglas Fruit, David Douglas, and family-owner president of Goose Ridge, Bill Monson, said the partnership will be an equal benefit to their family-owned businesses and Stemilt.