Market Minute: Summer vegetable grilling season is back
Fire up those grates and burn off the old food grease as another grilling season gets under way. Whether it’s a family gathering or a backyard barbecue party, there’s nothing more enjoyable than some roasted fresh vegetables on the grill. Before cooking, rub a half of a raw potato on the hot grates to create a non-stick surface. You can char-grill all sorts of your favorite veggies. Here is some vegetable market information:
Fresh Express, Chiquita, Planet Harvest and World Vision unite to support 1,500 families
Fresh Express, Chiquita, Planet Harvest and World Vision are bringing the Fresh Communities Tour to Chicago, Streamwood and the surrounding areas, uniting leaders across the food system to help expand access to fresh food, nutrition resources and meal inspiration for approximately 1,500 families across the region.
Veg Fresh Farms debuts new organic Purple Crush tomato
When the organic Purple Crush tomato first hit produce departments, it quickly captured attention with its striking deep-purple color, exceptional flavor and premium eating experience. Consumers loved it, retailers embraced it and Veg Fresh Farms became obsessed with making it even better.Now the company introduced the next generation of organic Purple Crush — a new variety that delivers everything that made the original special, with improvements that elevate the experience from first glance to final bite.
Next Big Thing elevates awareness of SweeTango
With retailers looking for differentiation and dependability, and a desire for premium apple programs that create excitement, drive traffic and deliver strong turns at shelf, Next Big Thing is seeing big numbers in 2026.
Instacart introduces shoppable video feed for advertisers
Instacart introduced “Immersive Feed,” a new short-form, vertical video feed that showcases meals and recipes, currently in pilot as part of Instacart’s suite of inspiration ads. Customers can now browse the video feed directly within their favorite retail storefronts on Instacart and seamlessly add items to their cart. The new experience gives consumers a familiar way to scroll, discover and shop meal ideas on Instacart, like finding the best appetizers to pair with rosé or planning a meal for seasonal occasions, such as a family summer picnic.
Duda earns Good Housekeeping 2026 Snack Award
Duda Farm Fresh Foods' Dandy eight-ounce Celery Snack Packs have been named a winner in Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Snack Awards. Selected by the Good Housekeeping Institute’s registered dietitians and culinary experts with validation by extensive consumer testing, the awards spotlight snacks that deliver on flavor, nutrition, ingredient quality, packaging and overall innovation.
JOH welcomes new SVP of produce, Metro
Brendan Burns has joined JOH as senior vice president, produce, Metro. Burns brings more than 25 years of consumer packaged goods experience across the beverage and produce categories, building high-performing teams and helping grow nationally recognized brands. Throughout his career, he has led sales initiatives across a wide range of retail channels, including club, mass, grocery, foodservice and hospitality.
California table grape season arrives early
Pretty Lady Vineyards is welcoming the start of the California table grape season earlier than normal, giving retailers the opportunity to bring fresh California-grown grapes to shoppers ahead of schedule.The early start means retailers can capitalize on strong summer demand and build excitement around the season’s first premium varieties, including Sugar Drop, Ruby Rush and FlavorCrush grapes. Known for their exceptional sweetness, crunch and eye-catching appearance, these varieties help create impactful displays and drive impulse purchases throughout the produce department.
Zuhlke sees packaging performance driving produce decisions
For decades, Kurt Zuhlke & Associates has supplied packaging solutions to the fresh produce industry, helping growers, packers and shippers protect products while meeting the changing demands of retailers and consumers.In 2026, company founder Kurt Zuhlke believes the biggest factor influencing packaging decisions isn’t sustainability or innovation — it is the economic realities facing consumers and the produce industry.
Antirrhinum 'Shiryu Kiss' wins double at HTA National Plant Show
Antirrhinum 'Shiryu Kiss' won two top honors at the Horticultural Trades Association's National Plant Show, claiming both Best in Show and the New Plant Awards Visitor Vote.The purple-flowered perennial, bred in the U.K. by Peter Moore, impressed expert judges and show attendees alike at NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire.