The Southeast Produce Council delivered once again as its Southern Exposure show received rave reviews. Record numbers poured onto the expo floor at the Tampa Convention Center, which ran a little longer than previous years. At the keynote address, prior to the opening of the expo, Hall of Fame National Football League quarterback Kurt Warner discussed his journey from stocking grocery store shelves to winning the Super Bowl.

On March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, many celebrate all things Irish, which is natural as St. Partick is the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved to a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green. When it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, the dress code is always green, and although there aren’t many green flowers that fit the bill, Carnations are perfect in every way.

Instacart announced new retailers using Instacart Storefront to power their e-commerce websites, including Canseco’s Market, Harps Foods and Price Chopper. Instacart Storefront is an easy and affordable way for grocers of all sizes to get online and add e-commerce to their websites.

Instacart currently powers owned-and-operated e-commerce storefronts for more than 600 retail banners, enabling them to establish and manage their online presence seamlessly.

Monterey Mushrooms is cultivating more than a meal — it's nurturing a sustainable future. This spring the company is making a significant change to enhance the recyclability of its mushroom packaging by incorporating near-infrared sortable material in its recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate thermoformed tills.

The International Fresh Produce Association commended lawmakers for approving full funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, including a $1 billion increase for fiscal year 2024.

"This bill is a huge victory for all the moms and families who depend on WIC and for all the hardworking members of our industry who support the fresh produce supply chain. We have spent years fighting for WIC’s fruit and vegetable benefit, and we are heartened to see it maintained at its current level,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns.  

John Gee, vice president of sales at Eagle Eye Produce, was recognized for his dedication to the watermelon industry at the National Watermelon Association’s 109th annual convention in Scottsdale, AZ, where he received the highly esteemed Outstanding Service Award.

The Outstanding Service Award is a rare and distinguished honor reserved for individuals who exemplify the highest levels of dedication and commitment to the National Watermelon Association.