Getting people to eat more fruits and vegetables has been an ongoing effort for nearly everybody associated with the produce industry.

Perhaps a glance at the results from the second annual Consumer Curiosity Report, developed by Curious Plot, a marketing communications agency specializing in the produce industry, can provide some inspiration for those hawking their produce.

Though the foodservice sector is known to buy many different specialty packs for low volume items, McAllen, TX-based GR Fresh concentrates its sales in the category to its more voluminous items touting its bulk options.

The International Fresh Produce Association hired Jessica Keller as its vice president of global industry relations.  

Keller is the first to serve in this role, which was created to align with IFPA’s core commitment to grow member value globally. She will direct and support the association’s global representatives and country councils and committees and lead the implementation of the association’s global portfolio.  

William H. Kopke Jr. Inc. has acquired R B Sandrini Cold Storage in Delano, CA, and Safco of America operations in Visalia, CA. These strategic moves mark a significant milestone in Kopke's ongoing efforts to enhance its position in the business, with a focus on expanding its operational capabilities on the West Coast.

GrubMarket has completed the acquisition of Houston, TX-based Brothers Produce, one of the largest and most well-known foodservice distributors in Texas and the broader Southwestern U.S. Brothers Produce currently operates three distribution centers across Texas. The impressive scale and efficiency of Brothers Produce's distribution operation enable it to ship over 10 million cases of food every year.

Wakefern Food Corp., with member companies that own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market banners, announced that its supermarket banners will host hiring fairs on Saturday, July 27.