Natural Delights prepares retailers with high-impact displays for Ramadan
As Muslim shoppers begin preparing for Ramadan, Natural Delights is encouraging retailers to begin merchandising dates the first week of February to meet rising demand ahead of the holiday, which begins Feb. 17 this year. With dates playing a central role in Ramadan traditions, early, prominent displays ensure shoppers can stock up before the start of daily fasting, while also capturing incremental sales tied to Super Bowl entertaining, when shoppers are building baskets for gatherings and game-day spreads.
Trendspotting: Sprout-ing to the top
A few months ago, we at The Produce News named Sprouts Farmers Market as our 2026 Retailer of Year. At long last, the wait to read about the Phoenix-based retailer is over. Our Retailer of the Year issue drops online today and will be in print Monday.This is the seventh year The Produce News has taken a deep dive into a retailer that is doing an exemplary job selling and promoting produce. Previous winners range from regional chains (Harps, Gelsons, Roche Bros. and Food Lion) to national giants (Walmart and Costco).
California Date Commission champions dates
The California Date Commission is a non-profit organization funded by growers and packers, which supports the industry through marketing, research and government affairs.
PRO*ACT Crop Update: Citrus squeeze a part of challenges out west
We’re still feeling the squeeze on small citrus, but carrots have become the next challenge out west. In a market where jumbos matter, harvest conditions have made it difficult to get the size and volume the market expects.
Bard Valley Natural Delights is outpacing date category growth
Bard Valley Natural Delights, which offers whole dates for the traditionalists, pitted dates for convenience seekers and Mini Medjool Date Rolls and Medjool Date Strips for those looking for innovative, flavor-packed snacks, continues to make dates accessible to a broad audience.
Salix Fruits offers citrus 52 weeks a year
Salix Fruits has become a year-round citrus supplier, connecting growers from both hemispheres with retail, foodservice and wholesale customers. “Our role is to ensure continuity and reliability, sourcing from diverse regions so that citrus is available 52 weeks a year,” said Alejandro Moralejo, CEO of Salix Fruits. “This diversification has been key to navigating market volatility and climate challenges.”
Zuhlke introduces new paper-based liner
For nearly 70 years, Kurt Zuhlke & Associates has been a trusted name in produce packaging, known for its innovation in PET clamshells, liners and thermoformed solutions that keep fruits and vegetables protected, visible and retail-ready. Even as economic pressures, shifting customer needs and supply-chain complexities continue to reshape the industry, company President Kurt Zuhlke sees steady demand, a healthy year ahead and new opportunities to bring sustainable packaging options to growers, packers and retailers.
Bland Farms raised right, rooted deep
For more than 75 years, Bland Farms has done one thing exceptionally well: grow sweet onions that taste like home. Long before “farm‑to‑table” became a buzzword, the Bland family was already living it—three generations deep in the sandy soils of southeast Georgia, raising Vidalia sweet onions with the same values they raised their kids on. Real food. Real work. Real family.
Fresh From Florida getting the word out about strawberries
Fresh From Florida plays a vital role in promoting Florida strawberries by providing a statewide multi-media marketing campaign. This includes TV commercials and radio spots airing now, as well as magazines, digital advertising, retail signage and sampling events.
Dates expected to have tight market in summer
While dates are mostly harvested in September and October, thanks to their naturally stable shelf life, they are readily available year-round. Still, some challenges impacted the new crop which will have an effect on the current season.