USDA restricts PACA violators in Alabama, Florida and Texas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and for failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the businesses’ principal operators from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval.
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
Giorgio Fresh to ‘bring products to life’ at IFPA show, highlighting flavors
During expo hours at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show, Giorgio Fresh Co. plans to go beyond displaying its whole, sliced and value-added mushroom products.
The company will bring those products to life on the show floor, according to Bryan Shelton, vice president of sales and marketing.
Sunkist gears up for California citrus season
Sunkist Growers is introducing a refreshed suite of merchandising tools to help retailers drive citrus sales and inspire shoppers as the cooperative prepares for peak season.
Ayco Farms expects big increase in its asparagus volume
Though 2025 has brought new challenges to the Peruvian asparagus deal, primarily because of the new 10 percent import tariff imposed by the United States, U.S. importer Ayco Farms expects to grow its volume substantially this year.
Planning begins on your next season: The Ball Seed 2026 new varieties catalog is here
The latest catalog of new varieties for the 2026 selling season is now available from Ball Seed, North America’s leading horticultural distributor.
Experience, customer diversity help Auerbach thrive
With more than 80 years of experience under its belt, a strong connection with its suppliers, and a diverse list of customers, Maurice A. Auerbach, a wholesaler/importer in Secaucus, NJ, has the ability to withstand the mounting challenges of the produce industry. The U.S. tariffs on many perishable imports is just the latest hurdle that is being jumped.
C&S bullish after SpartanNash acquisition
C&S Wholesale Grocers LLC completed its acquisition of SpartanNash. The combined company employs more than 30,000 team members and operates almost 60 complementary distribution centers covering the U.S. and serves close to 10,000 independent retail locations, as well as military commissaries and exchanges, with more than 200 corporate-run grocery stores.
Coalition says unfair trade practices impacting U.S. mushroom growers
The Fresh Mushrooms Fair Trade Coalition, representing leading U.S. growers and packers of fresh Agaricus mushrooms and represented by the law firm of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, announced the filing of an antidumping and countervailing duty petition with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission. The petition seeks relief from unfairly traded imports of fresh mushrooms from Canada that are causing material injury to the domestic industry.
Sun World, Pairwise seek to develop pitless cherry
Sun World International and Pairwise formed a joint venture to collaborate in specialty fruit, beginning with the development of a pitless cherry. Sun World will have exclusive commercial rights to these genetics as they seek a first-to-market position in high-quality pitless cherries. The partnership leverages Sun World’s fruit breeding and licensing expertise with Pairwise’s Fulcrum platform. As part of the agreement, Sun World will make strategic investments to fund development.