In talking with California orange growers, the transition from Valencias to Navels has already begun — as well as plenty of good-quality imported clementines. There is still a light supply of imported Navel oranges arriving in Philadelphia ports.

The two Henry Avocado distribution centers in Texas are a clear indication of the company’s high regard for avocados from Mexico and an affirmation that the location of Henry’s centers is motivated by its freshness mantra “Always on time, always just ripe!”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture imposed sanctions on two produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

Avocado production is vital to the economy of Mexico with the country being the world’s largest producer of the crop, supplying as much as 45 percent of the international avocado market. 

The avocado industry has been growing steadily through the years with the U.S. industry set to sell more than 2.6 billion pounds of avocados imported from Mexico in 2022. 

Church Bros. is expanding its team with the hire of Kyle Narciso as its product manager to support its growing value-added product lines for foodservice and retail.

Narciso has seven years of experience in the fresh produce industry having worked for companies such as Mann Packing and Ippolito in product management and sales roles.

Wakefern Food Corp. is now accepting the Electronic Benefits Transfer Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payment method for orders placed via Instacart from its ShopRite, Fairway Market, Gourmet Garage and The Fresh Grocer locations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland. The cooperative’s online shopping service, available directly on the banner brands’ websites, also accepts EBT SNAP payments.