The National Watermelon Promotion Board has released the findings of a new study, conducted along with research partner Armada Corporate Intelligence Inc., that demonstrates the significant positive impact of the NWPB's activities on the demand for watermelon.

As inflation and rising costs have impacted organic sales over the past year, producers and retailers are seeking new ways and opportunities to grow sales. The Shifting Organic Assortment at Retail will be the subject of the fifth-announced educational session at Organic Produce Summit 2023, featuring an exclusive analysis of organic fresh produce sales through the first half of this year, an examination of how consumer purchasing behavior is changing, and an exploration of opportunities to drive sales in an inflationary environment.

Dollar General announced recent expansions in its global supply chain network, including the opening of its first ground-up, dual facility in Blair, NE, and two permanent regional distribution hubs in Newnan, GA, and Fort Worth, TX. The company also announced expansion plans in Jonesville, SC, and Amsterdam, NY, at existing facilities.

With backyard barbecue season upon us, selective Hass avocado shoppers look to grocers to provide choices in the expanding organics category. The trend line toward growth in organic avocado sales has been clear for years, particularly for shoppers looking for California avocados both as a healthy and sustainable option, according to Nic Vallejo, sales and business development at Index Fresh.

Red Sun Farms has been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the 11th year in a row and retains Platinum Club status.

“This recognition is a reflection of our commitment to spending time and energy to build and maintain good long-term business partnerships and the cultivation of a successful team,” said Carlos Visconti, Red Sun Farms CEO of U.S. and Canada operations.

This has been a big year for Baldor Foods in terms of people, process and potential.

“We started the year with some technology upgrades — a replatformization of our ERP that will allow us to continue to improve how we serve our customers,” said Bill Hodge, director of sales, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, for Baldor Specialty Foods.