Back in the day, Red and Golden Delicious apples were the apple of choice. Jonathan, Cortland, MacIntosh, Empire and Rome varieties have had their day in the sun. Then there were Braeburn, Gala, Fuji, Cameo, Opal. Newer varieties like Honeycrisp, Envy, Jazz, Pink Lady and Cosmic Crisp are hot — and the beat goes on.

Coming around the bend to the final quarter of this year and looking into the halfway point of the decade in 2025, produce growers and sellers are balancing tried-and-true assortments and merchandising tactics with innovative approaches to get more fruits and vegetables in the basket and end the year on a positive note. Looking back and ahead, that mix of proven tactics and new strategies keeps produce top of mind among increasingly-choosy shoppers who browse the in-store perimeter, fresh and frozen aisles and digital screens.

Major restaurant chains across the country are pulling onions “out of an abundance of caution” in light of the recent E.coli outbreak tied to McDonald's. Included in that list are Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Burger King. The outbreak, which has reportedly killed at least one person in Colorado, is tied to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. At present time, the CDC reports that about 50 people spanning 10 states have been infected.

Bolthouse Fresh Foods, an entity recently established with the split of Bolthouse Farms’ fresh and beverage lines, is unveiling a new look, new brand and new products.

Bolthouse Fresh Foods is rolling out the new Bolthouse Fresh brand, packaging and products this fall at produce industry events and directly to retailers and foodservice customers, expanding value-added options and flavors in the carrot category.

SunDate, a leading processor and packer of premium Medjool and Deglet Noor dates grown exclusively in the Coachella Valley, is the largest grower-packer-shipper of California dates in the United States.

“There’s no question we are seeing growth in the category,” said DJ Ryan, sales and operations manager for the company. “We’ve been seeing double-digit growth on Medjools in particular, but dates in general.”

SunDate has aggressively planted dates over the last 20 years.

Metro Inc. announced that after more than 12 years with the company, François Thibault, executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, has decided to retire next spring.