It's California chili pepper season, and Progressive Produce is back with its Jalapeños, Anaheim and Pasilla peppers.

Today’s consumer is not yesteryear’s — at least, that’s the message Jonna Parker, principal, fresh center of excellence at IRI, told attendees of the June 23 virtual session Who is Our Future Consumer, and What Do They Want? — part of United Fresh Association’s Reimagine Conversations series.

Dollar General announced plans to offer produce in up to 10,000 communities over the next several years, with a meaningful number of those stores in current United States Department of Agriculture defined food deserts. The company also unveiled an operational partnership with Feeding America, as well as a $1 million donation to the organization, to provide access to food resources in rural and otherwise underserved communities and to proactively address food insecurity across the country.

As we head into the heart of summer in a re-opening world, new occasions are all around us. Last month, Moxxy Marketing President and CEO Karen Nardozza participated in the Produce Marketing Association’s webinar, Retail with the Experts: Occasion Marketing and Season Merchandising – Identifying New Opportunities.

Following successful pilots, the Ahold Delhaize Supply Chain network will be scaling up the use of an innovative wearable technology that enhances the safety and effectiveness of distribution center associates. Over the past year, the wearable robotic systems, developed by Verve Motion and known as exosuits, were used for millions of lifts of product. Based on positive feedback from wearers, the pilot will be scaled up to include more than 250 suits in affiliated distribution centers.  

Wonderful Pistachios No Shells has earned two awards for one of its newest flavors, Sea Salt & Vinegar. A tart and tangy snack, Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Sea Salt & Vinegar has been selected as a winner in Good Housekeeping’s 2021 Healthy Snack Awards in the Nutritious Nuts & Legumes category, and has won Gold for Best Savory Snack in Delicious Living magazine’s 2021 Best Bite Awards for Consumer Choice. The new flavor was also named the “Most Innovate New Product” in the Salty Snacks category at the 2021 Sweets & Snacks Expo.