During the Perennial Plant Association’s 2023 National Symposium in Niagara Falls, eight extraordinary perennial professionals were honored for their exceptional contributions to the industry with Special Recognition Awards.

The Michigan Apple Committee launched a re-designed website for the 2023 crop year. The consumer-facing website provides a wealth of information for apple lovers, including recipes, health information, varietal information and grower biographies.

Tanimura & Antle has added Cody Ramsey as its new director of sales. Ramsey brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role, positioning Tanimura & Antle for continued growth and success in the highly competitive produce industry.

Though 2023 has been a challenging year, La Bonanza is still looking ahead to bigger fresh volume as well as an expanding role in the processing sphere. In early 2023 it completed the 100 percent stock purchase of its processing plant, Avo-King, and rebranded it LA Bonanza Fresh Guacamole. 

It appears that Colombia increased its Hass avocado exports to the U.S. market in fiscal 2023 to near 30 million pounds after doubling the volume the previous year to 24 million pounds.

The produce section is not only the most important section in the store, but a potential Achilles' heel to the overall business.

In other words, screw up the produce department and there's a great chance of turning enough consumers off to the overall operation and sales could plummet. Even worse, heads could roll.

Yes, that is why produce is so important to a supermarket chain’s bottom line.