BOSTON — The New England Produce Council held its annual dinner dance March 14, here, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, with a St. Patrick’s Day theme that had attendees donning their best Emerald Isle attire.

After an elaborate cocktail hour that provided an opportunity to reconnect and network, attendees adjourned to the ballroom for the main event, where a five-course seated dinner was highlighted by a surf and turf entrée, and a lively band kept the party going for hours.

This April, several Walmart Neighborhood Markets across Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina and Louisiana will test a new kind of rapid remodel process designed for quicker results and less customer disruption.

Instead of stretching a remodel over several months, the company is condensing the work by temporarily closing the main sales floor for four weeks and keeping pharmacies and fuel stations open.

Walmart said this is an opportunity to test, learn and refine its remodel process to identify best practices for the future.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against BLJR Distribution LLC. The company, operating from New York, allegedly failed to make prompt payment to 16 produce sellers in the amount of $576,663 from October 2024 through March 2025, in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.  

Index Fresh is a grower owned company with deep roots in California avocado farming, and its board is comprised entirely of California growers. 

For decades, the produce industry has played an essential role in hunger relief, donating fruits and vegetables during times of surplus and helping food banks provide fresh, nutritious food to communities nationwide. People facing hunger tell Feeding America they need access to fresh, nutritious food to thrive, so these contributions remain deeply meaningful. 

It’s never too early to start preparing for the holidays. To stay ahead of your competitors, meet with suppliers now and set plans for the top vegetable items that shoppers expect to purchase for their Easter dinner. Early coordination ensures you can meet demand and put your best foot forward.

Shoppers consistently look for asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, celery and sweet potatoes as basic vegetables when planning their Easter meals. Meeting with suppliers early gives you the best chance to secure adequate quantities to create fully stocked produce displays.