We’ve been talking about transition for weeks now, but it’s becoming very real this week as the first desert fields start coming online just as the West Coast gets hit with its first true winter storm. Salinas, Santa Maria and the San Joaquin Valley are all expected to receive measurable rain from Wednesday through Friday, with up to two inches in some areas. Crews have been doing their best to pack ahead, but the reality is that wet fields slow everything down.

Florida Classic Growers is seeing an outstanding start to the 2025–26 Florida citrus season, marked by exceptional fruit quality, stronger yields and growing enthusiasm from customers across the produce industry.

“We are extremely pleased with the fruit quality this season,” said Derek Rodgers, director of sales and marketing for Florida Classic Growers. “We’re seeing improved size, higher Brix levels and some of the best external appearance we’ve had in recent years. Our enhanced production practices are paying off in a big way.”

Ark Foods is highlighting its domestically grown Honeynut squash program as retailers gear up for Thanksgiving. Grown across U.S. regions, Ark Foods’ Honeynut squash delivers the quality, consistency and flavor buyers expect during one of the busiest produce seasons of the year. The squash’s vibrant color, natural sweetness and easy preparation reflect Ark Foods’ belief that simple, flavorful vegetables can evoke excitement in the produce aisle.

Ocean Mist Farms unveiled its newly rebranded Roastables line at the International Fresh Produce Association Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, CA, last month.

National Retail Solutions announced today that independent retailers in its nationwide point-of-sale network can now offer their customers remote ordering for delivery or in-store pick-up via the Grubhub app.

"We are tremendously excited to announce our integration with Grubhub,” said Elie Y. Katz, president and CEO of NRS.  “This partnership empowers our NRS retailers, which are predominantly neighborhood convenience stores and bodegas, to compete effectively and efficiently in the rapidly expanding digital channel.”

Among negative economic headlines, there is good news for grocery retailers. Data from January through March of this year shows a 2.3 percent volume increase in the U.S. potato retail sector, with 81 percent of Americans reporting they eat at least one serving of potatoes a week.