Hy-Vee Inc. has opened its new, totally reimagined grocery store in Nebraska. The 135,000-square-foot store in Gretna, Hy-Vee’s largest store, is accompanied by a 6,300-square-foot Aisles Online grocery delivery and pickup service and a 4,250-square-foot Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh convenience store adjacent to the grocery store.

Hy-Vee invested more than $37 million in the community to build, furnish and stock the grocery store. The new Gretna Hy-Vee created more than 628 local jobs, including 128 full-time positions.

Diamond Blueberry Inc. is gearing up for another blueberry season in New Jersey, something the farm has prepared for over the last eight decades.

“We have a decent crop out there,” said Dave Berger, who heads sales at the Hammonton, NJ-based company. “If Mother Nature gives us a good window, things should be pretty good this summer.”

That’s good news considering 2022 wasn’t the best start of a season. Berger explained that the beginning of the blueberry season was off because of the early spring weather.

Monterey Mushrooms is featuring seasonal label art for summer grilling on packages of core products, including whole Baby Bellas, whites and Portabellas, now through September.

“Fresh mushroom use peaks in the summer as the number of ways to cook with mushrooms increases,” said Lindsey Occhipinti, marketing manager. “People use their grills more in the summer, they make more salads. Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be easily added to many favorite recipes.”

Recently issued reports from the Food & Drug Administration failed to identify sources of pathogen-related foodborne illness outbreaks, yet the investigative methodology and report conclusions yield important information for growers and packers. In a report titled “Factors Potentially Contributing to the Contamination of Cantaloupe” and without evidence of a source of contamination or a problem, the FDA nonetheless published 10 recommendation and requirements for growers of melons and similar produce commodities.

The first seven interns to participate in the Project SEARCH program at Stemilt are searching for new employment opportunities after graduating June 6. Project SEARCH, a transition to work program that helps secure competitive employment for people with disabilities, has prepared the interns to find employment at Stemilt, in the community and in continuing education. 

Since the warmer summer weather is here, it’s time once again to fire up that grill for some of your favorite charred and smoky flavored vegetables. You can grill almost any vegetable. You can also add garlic, olive oil or even some herbs like rosemary, oregano or basil leaves.