BOSTON—The New England Produce Council held its annual dinner dance gala Saturday, March 25 at the InterContinental Boston hotel. The event had a casino night theme, with games and decor setting the mood. A record number of attendees showed up early and packed the cocktail reception before the evening shifted to the ballroom for dinner and dancing — and a late-night snack station.

Freshcourt has more than a quarter century of experience packing and processing fresh avocados from Mexico and the company continues to grow annually. In March, the Coral Gables, FL-based company went to Anaheim, CA, to take part in Natural Products Expo West 2023.

“Freshcourt was thrilled to exhibit at this year’s show,” said Eduardo Garcia Chamorro, creative marketing director for the company. “Because our focus always has been on all-natural, preservative-free products, we are very proud to be associated with such an important show that always promote health and wellness.”

Now in its seventh year, Nogales, AZ-based iDeal HarBest experienced a record year in 2022 and is poised for further growth with plans to add to its product line.

“We had a record year last year, and we started with a bang this year, so that has been very exciting for us,” said Manny Fajardo, a partner in the business, who leads the company’s sales and marketing efforts. “In fact, our sales in January 2023 alone exceeded our entire first year in business in 2017.”

PepsiCo announced a $216 million multi-year investment in long-term, strategic partnership agreements with three farmer-facing organizations — Practical Farmers of Iowa, Soil and Water Outcomes Fund and the IL Corn Growers Association — to drive adoption of regenerative agriculture practices across the United States.

Salix Fruits, a global import-export produce company based in Atlanta, but with offices in Philadelphia, Chicago, South Africa and Argentina, has more than 15 years of experience in the fresh fruit business and recently added a processed foods unit.

The company, which works with more than 80 loyal growers in 18 countries, and has 400 customers in 57 countries, has a wide portfolio of more than 25 produce items, focusing on apples, lemons, oranges, tangerines, pears and grapes.  

Constant increasing operating costs, lower revenue, staffing shortages, high inflation prices, consumer resistance and negative economic news have created a pessimistic attitude — for everybody.

Many business operators are becoming plagued with fear as to what lies ahead. That same feeling looms over the consumers as well. Families are feeling the pressure of escalating costs — specifically around food.