The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on Poblano Fresh Produce Corp. in Los Angeles for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions include barring the business and the principal operator of the business from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

Ahead of the incoming Biden Administration’s first major trade dispute, American and international blueberry berry growers, importers, distributors, purchasers, and suppliers have aligned to form The Blueberry Coalition for Progress & Health. The coalition has been organized to oppose limitations on blueberry imports, including the upcoming International Trade Commission hearing on blueberry imports. All members of the coalition agree that imports are not a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic blueberry industry. In fact, the U.S.

South Mill Champs, one of the largest high-quality mushroom growers in North America, has acquired The Mushroom Company based in Cambridge, MD.

Summer avocado sales continued to grow as shoppers purchased a record number of fresh Hass avocados in celebration of dad, Fourth of July, and the start of a new school year. The Hass Avocado Board’s recently published Q3 holiday recap report indicates that Father’s Day, the 4th of July and Labor Day holidays all reached four-year highs. The report is insightful for retailers and industry leaders to use the information as they plan promotions for the upcoming year and look for new opportunities for avocado sales growth.

Key highlights from the report include:

Ahold Delhaize and Centerbridge Partners have closed the acquisition of New York City-based online grocer FreshDirect after receiving regulatory clearance from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Through the acquisition, Ahold Delhaize acquires the majority share, funded by cash on hand, and Centerbridge Partners is a minority equity investor with a 20 percent stake. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Leonardo’s Produce (Leonardo’s), a distributor of fresh produce and specialty products, joined FreshEdge, a family of produce and specialty food companies backed by Rotunda Capital Partners, further diversifying the group’s combined customer base and increasing its breadth and depth of service offerings in Michigan and Ohio. Leonardo’s joins a growing family that includes Piazza Produce & Specialty Foods, Indianapolis Fruit, Get Fresh, McCartney Produce, Garden Cut, Cibus Fresh and Papania’s.