As a part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on CKF Produce Corp. of Brooklyn, NY, for failing to meet its contractual obligations to the sellers of produce it purchased.

As fourth-generation mushroom farmers, Basciani Foods has cemented itself as an expert in the category and have established great relationships with its retailer and foodservice clients through the years.

The Avondale, PA-based company is also known for its giving nature, so it was no surprise when Basciani Foods announced it would be supplying immunity-boosting mushrooms for the USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program.

Mission Produce Inc. has broken ground on a mega distribution center in Laredo, TX, which will initially create approximately 75 jobs. The 262,000-square-foot capital project will serve as a major distribution hub for Mexican avocados to the United States and is one of many key global investments Mission has made in recent years.

Demand exceeded supply for several vegetable commodities during the first week of June, but the protests and national unrest around the country could impact that by creating supply chain issues. At least that is the view of veteran Denny Donovan, sales manager of Fresh Kist Produce LLC, based in Santa Maria, CA.

Volm Cos. Inc. is enabling fresh produce growers and packers to meet retail demand for displaying products in sustainable packaging.

Marsha Verwiebe, director of marketing and communications for Volm, said a couple of new technologies are being used in trials, or are on their way to the marketplace. These sustainable packaging materials are derived from sugarcane and can be disposed by the consumer in recycle bins with recyclable plastics.

Currently in trials is a new sustainable mesh product created by JX Nippon ANCI Inc.

Instacart and C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. have partnered to offer e-commerce and same-day delivery solutions to more than 3,000 C&S independent grocery retailers across the U.S. The new partnership shows both companies’ continued commitment to supporting independent grocers across the country and the diverse communities these retailers serve.