Red River Valley sees wetter and better growing season
Red River Valley potato growers in North Dakota and Minnesota are seeing a contrast in growing seasons, with rain helping this season’s red and yellow potatoes, a departure from the dry summer last year in the valley.
Carissa Olsen, president and CEO of Buxton, ND-based NoKota Packers, said the hot and dry harvest last year didn’t seem to affect yields or size, but there were some quality issues.
Trendspotting: Online grocery sales set record, $11.2 billion in August
It was another record month for online grocery sales, which totaled $11.2 billion in August. This is a nearly 14 percent year-over-year increase according to the latest Brick Meets Click Grocery Shopper Survey, sponsored by Mercatus. The strong growth was driven by YOY gains in household penetration, order frequency and average order values.
Wegmans named top place to work in retail
Great Place To Work and Fortune magazine have ranked Wegmans Food Markets Inc. No. 1 on the 2025 Fortune Best Workplaces in Retail List. This is the 10th consecutive year that Wegmans has taken the top spot on the list. Publix was named to the list for the 12th consecutive year, ranking third for 2025.
The award is based on analysis of survey responses from over 87,000 employees at Great Place To Work Certified companies in the retail industry.
Wilcox Fresh has sights set on promising year
Wilcox Fresh is optimistic about the upcoming Idaho potato season, with favorable weather conditions during the growing season this past summer setting the stage for a promising year.
Eagle Eye enters IEO season with expanded capacity
Eagle Eye Produce is now shipping new crop Idaho-Eastern Oregon onions from its Ontario, OR, warehouse, formerly run by Baker & Murakami.
This marks the company’s first season operating out of the Ontario facility, one of the largest fresh pack operations in the Treasure Valley, and a milestone that further establishes Eagle Eye as a powerhouse in the region.
Fruitist names Rich Sullivan CFO
Fruitist announced the appointment of Rich Sullivan as chief financial officer and the addition of Thomas Seifert and June Yang to its board of directors. These appointments bring world-class expertise in finance, governance and technology to Fruitist’s executive team and board of directors, at a time when the company continues to grow at a significant pace and expand distribution across the U.S. and globally.
Justin Forsett speaks at Good Seeds MENtor Program
CHARLOTTE, NC — The Good Seeds MENtor Program was held Thursday, Sept. 11, part of the Southeast Produce Council's Southern Innovations 2025, here. Those gathered heard an inspiring presentation by Justin Forsett, an NFL Pro-Bowl athlete, visionary entrepreneur and servant leader.
GLC Cerritos aims to increase Fair Trade clients
During its first year participating in the Fair Trade certification program on its Mexico avocados, GLC Cerritos sold 2 million pounds to U.S. retailers, returning $38,000 to the farmworker committee for its use.
Blue Diamond Almonds rebrands with new look
Blue Diamond Almonds is launching into the future with a new logo and brand persona aiming evoke energy and excitement — and to capture the attention of more consumers seeking healthier options in their diet. This new visual identity features a refreshed logo, streamlined color palette and updated brand elements that highlight almonds as the champion superfood.
SEPC predicts changes for the produce industry
The Southeast Produce Council unveiled its fifth annual What’s New? consumer research during a packed educational session at Southern Innovations. The session featured an interactive format, with Anne-Marie Roerink of 210 Analytics presenting the findings in segments, followed by lively table discussions among attendees. Retailers, grower-shippers and other industry leaders explored the results together, sharing insights and perspectives for a full 360-degree view of what’s next for fresh produce.