Changing consumer demands are driving strong growth for specialty products in both retail and foodservice — but for slightly different reasons.

Matt Hiltner, marketing manager for Santa Maria, CA-based Babé Farms, said shoppers are increasingly seeking variety, visual appeal and premium experiences at home. That benefits specialty produce like colorful root vegetables, kohlrabi, Romanesco and more.

Washington’s abundance of leading apple varieties allows retailers to maintain strong promotions throughout the year, with back-to-school, fall and holiday-themed programs kicking off opportunities to generate sales.

Some people love to network. Others find it awkward or even exhausting. No matter which type of produce industry pro you are, the Southwest International Produce Expo is designed to be a refreshing place to connect and conduct business. The event, better known as SWIPE, is redefining how trade show business gets done — by making it easy, laid-back and, most of all, fun. 

Ahold Delhaize has expanded its partnership with Instacart to leverage its FoodStorm order management system. The technology will enable participating Ahold Delhaize USA brands to elevate customers’ shopping experience when requesting made-to-order items such as floral arrangements, fresh bakery platters, customizable deli meat and cheese trays, dessert flights and balloons. The FoodStorm solution is now live at Food Lion, Giant and Martin’s, operated by The Giant Co.

Nearly half of U.S. grocery shoppers (44 percent) embrace a weekly mealtime tradition, and more Americans are building new eating routines this fall, according to a new report from FMI – The Food Industry Association. FMI’s U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends: New Routines also finds 36 percent of shoppers eat dinner at home with others every day of the week, with 6 p.m. remaining peak dinnertime.

The Texas International Produce Association and the Houston Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association announced the second annual TIPA-HFFVA Golf Tournament, taking place Friday, Sept. 26 at the Golf Club of Houston.