Crunch Time Apple Growers announced that SnapDragon is now the official apple of the NFL's Buffalo Bills, a match made in the Empire State. Born at Cornell University and grown across the state by over 150 family farmers, SnapDragon is as New York as the Buffalo Bills, so it’s only natural for the two to join forces.

Meijer announced that it's seeking submissions from local and diverse-owned businesses for its latest Supplier Diversity event focusing on general merchandise and apparel. Interested vendors must provide video submissions, describing their brand and products, by Sunday, Sept. 18 to be considered for the opportunity to pitch to Meijer merchants at a live virtual event this fall.  

A recent study by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science found the shelf-life of grape tomatoes can be dramatically improved using an innovative postharvest solution by Verdant Technologies. The research team, led by Dr. Steven A. Sargent, conducted a variety of tests on grape tomatoes, examining the firmness, color, weight retention and decay of tomatoes treated with Verdant’s HarvestHold Fresh.

This summer, Bako Sweet hosted a retail merchandising contest that ran from May 20 to July 4. Produce managers from Sprouts Colton Distribution Center were challenged to create the most creative displays using the brand’s organic sweet potato bags and Traeger grill-themed bin to promote sweet potato consumption during historically low sales months. As a result, stores that participated saw significant sales lift.

Green Giant introduced three new category innovations — Green Giant Restaurant Style sides, Green Giant Zucchini Tots and Green Giant Veggie Spiral Skillets — to its growing portfolio of sides and meals. All three lines of new releases will begin to appear in stores this month.