Crunch Time Apple Growers are in a New York state of mind. Now, the Lockport, NY-based cooperative wants to get its customers into the same frame of mind.

Instacart created a program in partnership with Molina Healthcare of Michigan, providing 600 pregnant plan members with Instacart+ memberships and Instacart Health Fresh Funds grocery stipends to increase healthy food access to reduce birth outcome disparities.

The International Fresh Produce Association applauded the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi for halting enforcement of a rule amending H-2A visa program regulations. IFPA and its co-plaintiffs argued that the regulation is both unconstitutional and beyond the Department of Labor’s statutory authority. They maintain that the rule imposes unlawful demands on agricultural employers and creates significant disruption across the farming industry.

The Thanksgiving season signals the annual shift in leafy greens farming from the northern Salinas Valley to the warmer growing regions of Imperial Valley in California and Yuma in Arizona. During this time, Salinas farms and processing facilities either complete or begin their move south, where winter conditions allow for year-round production.

The Kroger Co. announced that Stuart Aitken is stepping down as senior vice president, chief merchandising and marketing officer, to pursue other professional opportunities; Mary Ellen Adcock, Kroger's senior vice president of operations, will succeed him. Aitken will remain in his role at Kroger through Dec. 31.

Sun Pacific has launched an extensive new Peel the Love marketing campaign for Cuties mandarins.