As avocado demand continues to rise and retailers look forward to Cinco de Mayo and summer sales boosts, growing Mexican players in the marketplace offer additional options to meet supply. “Over the past two decades, U.S. demand for avocados has increased significantly,” said Arturo Larios, managing director of La Casa del Aguacate in Westlake Village, CA. “Just since 2001 per capita consumption has tripled according to USDA statistics. With this increased consumption comes the need for more sourcing options.”

Amazon announced that Key by Amazon In-Garage Grocery Delivery is expanding to everywhere grocery delivery from Amazon is available, providing service to more than 5,000 U.S. cities and towns. Originally launched in five cities last November, Key In-Garage Grocery Delivery can now be used by millions of eligible Prime members to have their Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market groceries delivered securely and conveniently inside their garage.

In an effort to tell the story of the Texas 1015 Sweet Onion (TX1015), the Texas International Produce Association has taken advantage of a USDA Specialty Crop Grant administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. This effort will be largely focused on directly reaching American consumers through a variety of platforms, engagements, and awareness campaigns.

Envy apples is joining the popular food and lifestyle media outlet Kitchn in celebrating the best of brunch this spring as part of Kitchn’s first-ever Brunch Fest virtual event. Kitchn established Brunch Fest as “one big (virtual) brunch party” culminating in an all-day takeover on May 2 of its Instagram channel,@thekitchn, which boasts 1.4 million followers. The online hub for Kitchn at thekitchn.com draws 16.4 million unique monthly visitors/viewers and earns 45 million monthly pageviews.

USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards has recognized The Fresh Market as the Best Supermarket in America for 2021. A panel of 10Best local experts and contributors nominated their favorite American supermarkets based on value, selection and service. The other top 10 winners are Hy-Vee, Lidl, Market Basket, ALDI, Stew Leonard's, Publix, Sprouts Farmers Market, Wegmans Food Markets and Trader Joe's.

Jose Oscar Alvarez Jr., a leader in the customs house brokerage business through J.O. Alvarez Inc., died April 21 at home surrounded by loved ones. He was 66.