In April 2024, CMI Orchards partnered with Category Partners to conduct a comprehensive study aimed at understanding consumer preferences and perceptions of apple varieties. The results are clear: high-flavor branded apples — Ambrosia Gold, EverCrisp, JUICI and Kanzi — outperform their mainstream counterparts in blind taste tests.

Titan Farms and Harris Teeter kicked off the 11th annual Peaches with a Purpose campaign across all North Carolina Harris Teeter stores. This initiative aims to support local communities by donating a percentage of peach sales to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte, NC. This year, Titan Farms will contribute directly by donating a truckload of fresh peaches totaling 37,800 pounds.

Jon Feldman has been appointed to succeed Dinesh Popat as president of BloomNet. Popat has transitioned to the role of Special Advisor to BloomNet.

Lipman Family Farms announced the addition of Jones & Church Farms of Unicoi, TN, to the Lipman farming network. This acquisition underscores Lipman's unwavering commitment to family farming, sustainable practices and the expansion of fresh produce availability throughout the United States.

Though the U.S. market remains the primary focus for the marketing and distribution of its avocados, Oxnard, CA-based Mission Produce sees plenty of opportunities for growth in other parts of the world.

Flashfood, the marketplace for affordable groceries, launched Flashfood for Independents, a new offering designed specifically for independently owned grocers. This initiative will support local retailers by providing them with a flexible, efficient and easy-to-onboard solution to attract new customers, boost profits and provide access to affordable fresh food in their communities while reducing food waste.