Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers, moderated a grower keynote roundtable that discussed the state of organic growing with panelists Brie Reiter Smith, vice president of product leadership for Driscoll’s, Michael DuPuis, quality assurance and public relations coordinator for Divine Flavor, and Tom Nunes V, president of The Nunes Co.

The thought-provoking keynote roundtable explored the perspectives of these purveyors of organic production on topics such as supply chain issues, inflation, labor, new innovations and technologies.

Mother Nature has not exactly been cooperating with the new crops in the desert farming area. Colder-than-normal temperatures are slowing down the growth of many vegetables, especially lettuce. This has caused some traces of ice to settle on the lettuce. The markets continue to remain at elevated levels on a demand-exceeds-supply status.

The International Fresh Produce Association provided a map of its efforts to advocate for improved efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and collaboration at the FDA. The update comes before the Reagan-Udall Foundation is expected to issue a report commissioned by the FDA to provide holistic recommendations to strengthen the foods program. 

Square Roots and Gordon Food Service opened a new climate-controlled, indoor farm today in Shepherdsville, KY.

Since establishing their strategic partnership in 2019, Square Roots and Gordon Food Service have been building indoor farms together across the continent — with the ultimate aim of bringing locally grown food to customers at a global scale. In the past year alone, Square Roots has deployed new, co-located farms on Gordon Food Service distribution centers in Kenosha, WI; Springfield, OH; and now Shepherdsville.

Atlanta is a big city, but it’s also a proud local community. One way many Atlantans express their pride in their city is through their devotion to supporting the local food movement.

That is done, in part, through the city’s residents buying produce at the plethora of farmers markets that are located throughout the bustling and exciting city. These markets bring fresh produce and other local goods to the people of Atlanta, who want to eat delicious and healthy foods.

It might be too dramatic to say that the avocado has had a rags to riches career over the last few decades, but it’s not an exaggeration to note its meteoric and unprecedented volume growth in that time frame.

Virtually everyone agrees that the current cult status of the avocado and its ever-increasing popularity was impossible to predict and a very pleasant surprise. At least almost everyone.