Today’s consumers continue to express strong interest in cooking with fresh vegetables, but increasingly busy schedules often make that goal difficult to achieve. Between work demands, school activities, commutes and packed family calendars, many consumers are seeking meal solutions that deliver freshness, flavor and nutrition — without requiring time-consuming prep.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on seven produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and for failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval. 
 
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry: 

Brewster Heights Packing & Orchards, one of Washington state's largest vertically integrated apple and cherry growing, packing and distribution enterprises, has commenced a voluntary Chapter 11 restructuring process by filing petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for Eastern District of Washington.

Wegmans Food Markets kicked off its company-wide Fill the Bus/Fill the Backpack scan campaign to raise money for the company’s 53 Feeding America food bank partners. 

Exp. Group announced its official sponsorship partnership with Bromley Football Club, marking an exciting collaboration between two organizations united by a shared commitment to culture, community, service and quality.

New Jersey had a very interesting winter and spring. We had 90 degree days early and then again in April followed by two nights of below freezing temperatures. A few fruit crops were lost entirely to this freeze while others were impacted to a lesser degree. The great news is, New Jersey blueberry producers expect a robust crop of top-quality berries for this year. And we are happy to report that Jersey Fresh blueberries will be ready for your shelves starting mid-June into August.