The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association is encouraging retailers to promote Peruvian asparagus throughout December 2020 and into the New Year's holiday.  December’s steady harvesting, packing and shipping results in the freshest product at U.S. retailer shelves. Fortunately labor issues in Peru are currently being resolved and PAIA membership believe the asparagus supply chain and U.S. consumption will not see any notable challenges.

As this most unusual year draws to a close, members of the produce industry are taking stock in the importance of celebrating the holidays and time spent with loved ones. In this Holiday Sightings series, we highlight this very special time of year and wish all a very happy and healthy holiday season.

Help us spread the holiday cheer by submitting your own photo to [email protected].

The total U.S. online grocery market posted $8.1 billion in sales during November as 60.1 million U.S. households placed on average 2.8 orders during the month, according to the Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopping Survey fielded Nov. 11-14. The delivery and pickup segments captured 73 percent of the online sales during the month and active delivery and pickup shoppers reported a record-high repeat intent rate of 83 percent.

President-Elect Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that he would nominate Tom Vilsack to be his Secretary of Agriculture. Vilsack previously served as USDA Secretary under the Obama Administration.

While COVID-19 continues to change the landscape of consumer behavior, including holiday traditions and family gatherings, data suggests the herb category is surging in sales during this season.

North Shore Culinary Grade Potted's No. 1 item is Potted Basil, taking the nation’s lead with a growth rate at 39 percent.

Meridian Fine Foods, a grower-packer-shipper of conventional and organic berries marketed in a variety of packs and sizes under the FreshKampo label, is launching a new strawberry program out of Mexico that is expected to yield more than 1.5 million cases of fruit and help meet high consumer demand during an important promotional period.