The winter artichoke season in Coachella, CA, is well under way for Ocean Mist Farms, peaking with harvests of its Gold Standard (green globe) artichokes, as well as first picks of highly sought-after purple artichokes. Peak season on artichokes means promotable volumes to retailers through February.

Nicole D’Amour Schneider has been named Big Y Foods Inc.'s senior vice president of retail operations and customer experience. She has assumed the responsibility for the chain’s entire retail division and will also lead the asset protection and front-end operations teams.

Rice Fruit Co., a leading producer of high-quality Eastern apples, announced the beginning of Lemonade apple packing. With recent plantings coming into increased production this past season, Rice Fruit is saying “Hello Yellow” to its newest offering — Lemonade apples, a vibrant, yellow apple sensation.

Faye Westfall has been in the tomato business. She has been in the trucking business. She has run a production line. She has been in sales. She has also been a model. She has been a nurse. She has been a clown — she really did graduate from clown college.

AI is bringing a big technological shift that businesses will have to keep up with to remain competitive.

Artificial Intelligence is catalyzing a significant technological transformation in the food processing and packaging industry, an evolution that businesses must adapt to in order to stay competitive.

AI-driven automation is expected to be integrated into various manual tasks within food processors and packhouses, a shift that promises benefits for employers, employees and consumers alike.

With the calendar having changed to 2024, Riggio Distribution Co., is looking to build on what was a strong last year.

“2023 was a good year, very comparable to pre-COVID years,” said Dominic Riggio, president of Riggio Distribution. “Product was consistently available, transportation was not an issue and demand was strong.”

As an anchor tenant on the Detroit Produce Terminal, the company has long been a trusted, full-service fresh produce distributor and wholesaler, servicing the entire Midwest from its home base.