Wakefern Food Corp. held its Local Produce Supplier Summit July 9 in an effort to find local farmers to join its network of suppliers.

A grocery store visit turned into a celebration last week when Superior Grocers Store Director Erick Velasquez was surprised in front of cheering shoppers and coworkers with a full-size jukebox and Idaho Potato swag. 

Velasquez was named the West Region Grand Prize Winner in the 2025 Idaho Potato Lovers Month Retail Display Contest, a national competition that recognizes stores for going above and beyond in showcasing Idaho potatoes during one of the busiest times of the year.

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has named Mark Gagnon vice president of sales – South region to accelerate growth across the Southern United States.

Barnwood Valley Farms, a potato grower based in the heart of the Pioneer Valley in scenic Hadley, MA, has tripled its planting acreage this year due to a heavy increase in customer demand for its premium Massachusetts-grown potatoes. 

Traditional supermarkets may soon be approaching something of a crossroads. Consumer satisfaction remains high — for those who shop there — but it appears as if younger shoppers are looking elsewhere to fulfill their food needs. This is according to the latest study by the Feedback Group, U.S. Food Shopper Research 2025: The Supermarket Experience.

The International Fresh Produce Association will convene the foodservice industry’s most influential leaders at The Foodservice Conference, taking place July 31 to Aug. 1 in Monterey, CA. As the leading event for fresh produce in foodservice, the conference will gather key decision-makers, innovators and top buyers for a dynamic three day lineup that includes buyer sourcing meetings, the Fresh Ideas Showcase, the Foodservice Expo floor, networking receptions, a general session by Technomic on major health food trends and more.