Apeel Sciences launched an initiative to enhance the fresh produce supply chain. By leveraging its innovative, plant-based technology, Apeel can transform operational efficiencies, expand market reach, and maximize both product quality and retail performance. The initiative — The Apeel Leverage — kicks off with its first of four pillars: Expand offerings with confidence.

Schnuck Markets Inc. will discontinue its Eatwell Market by Schnucks banner, which operated stores in Columbia and Chesterfield, MO. In addition to offering natural food items, the Eatwell banner focused heavily on organic, local and specialty items.

The 41,700-square-foot Columbia location will soon begin converting to a traditional Schnucks store with completion scheduled for this summer. Schnucks acquired the store from Lucky’s in bankruptcy and opened it in 2020. All of the store’s employees will remain employed at the location during and after the conversion.

C.H. Robinson has automated transactions that many shippers still conduct by email. It breaks a long-standing barrier to automation and gives shippers who use email the same speed-to market and cost savings as shippers who are more digitally connected.

Hass avocados from Peru will be prime for selling to U.S. consumers in time for the 2024 backyard barbecue season. Customers of Index Fresh, a global avocado marketing and distribution company, can count on availability of the premium Peruvian harvest throughout summer with attractive fixed pricing available on fruit secured now as part of prebooked, season-long programs for retail and foodservice.

For J&K Fresh, fresh produce is the essence of its business. The company specializes in offering customs brokerage services for importers of fresh produce, guiding them through the complex clearance process in partnership with various government agencies.

This process demands up-to-date knowledge of CBP border security, customs entry, agricultural quarantine, food and drug safety, including bioterrorism and food safety regulations, as well as coordination with inspection facilities and logistics providers.

International Fresh Produce Association announced the 12 new companies that will join the Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator for the 2024 cohort. The Accelerator program is designed to bring technology companies with ready to market solutions to the produce and floral industry to help make the supply chain more resilient and climate smart.