Weather has been a nasty drawback for crops in some California farming areas. The snowpack alone in the central and southern Nevada mountains is double the normal amount for the year. There is so much accumulated snow that it has caused power failures throughout California mountain neighborhoods, collapsed building roofs, stranded vehicles and closed roads.

We talked to some Salinas, CA, growers and shippers about the status of product and were given some vital information in looking ahead.

Snacking is an essential part of our daily routines and diets. Whether you’re on the go, at work, or simply taking a break, snacking can provide a boost of energy and help keep you fuelled throughout the day. With all the unhealthy snack options out there, how can families make sure they are snacking on something that is both tasty and nutritious? The key is to keep fresh, healthy, greenhouse grown fruits and snacking veggies ready for when hunger strikes!

Duda Farm Fresh Foods, a leading grower of fresh vegetables and citrus, launched its annual National Celery Month consumer sweepstakes with a new theme — Stalk Up for Spring. Throughout the month of March, Duda Farm Fresh Foods will share ways consumers can incorporate celery into their spring routines, along with the chance to win the ultimate prize pack valued at $1,200.

In honor of International Women’s Day, the California Avocado Commission, which represents growers farming on about 50,000 acres in the state, is sharing profiles of some female avocado farmers to showcase the role of women in the industry. As with all farming, women have long been active in growing California avocados. Many California avocado growers come from multi-generational farming families, and with generational transitions happening, increasingly women are taking on avocado grove management and ag industry leadership roles.

As consumers begin to embrace warmer weather and plan for seasonal gatherings, Bee Sweet Citrus reports a strong supply of lemons — available in both bag and bulk options — to help meet consumer demand.

“Spring is only a few weeks away, which means there’s no better time to market lemons at the store level than now,” said Monique Mueller, Bee Sweet Citrus director of communications. “Because they can be used in a wide array of recipes, they can be marketed by themselves or used as an effective cross-marketing tool for other items.”

ORLANDO, FL — The theme of the Southeast Produce Council's 2023 Southern Exposure conference and trade show was "Produce, the final frontier," inspired by the popular "Star Trek" television shows and movies. The event, held here March 2-4, may be summed up in two words: mission accomplished. The numbers were impressive too, with more than 3,000 attendees, 283 exhibitors and over 650 retail-foodservice buyers.

Be sure to check out our videos below to catch up on anything you may have missed.