AFP fights hunger with nutrition on National Avocado Day
San Diego’s less fortunate were buoyed by a generous — and nutritious — donation by Avocados from Peru as part of the third annual Guac-Off Challenge, held on July 31, National Avocado Day.
Walmart's grape awakening changed store shelves forever
Procuring fresh fruit when it’s not in season is hard — grapes especially.
“There’s something fundamental about grapes, which really makes them a challenge,” said Javier Hernandez, a director in global produce sourcing with Walmart Sourcing. “They are very complex, because they’re very perishable. And getting them in stores, flavorful and full, 52 weeks a year, that was a massive challenge.”
Betteravia Farms hires new EVP of farming operations
Bonipak Produce and Betteravia Farms announced that Kristen Camarena has been appointed executive vice president of farming operations.
A Central Valley native with agricultural roots, Camarena brings two decades of experience and a strong track record of leadership across multiple facets of industry. Her career began in grower relations, where she developed a strong foundation in building long-term partnerships and advocating for the success of growers.
Chopt Salad partners with U.S. soccer star
Chopt Creative Salad Co. announced a new athlete collaboration: a limited-time menu item created in partnership with professional soccer player Emily Sonnett. Sonnett’s Signature Salad will be available at all Chopt locations starting Aug. 6 through Aug. 27, offering guests a delicious way to fuel like a pro.
Superfresh Growers adds pear line, welcomes new crop promotion opportunities
The Pacific Northwest pear crop is showing a strong rebound from last season’s production, which hit a 40-year low as heat, frost and irregular rainfall hit Washington and Oregon orchards.
PRO*ACT Crop Update: Substantial apple volume increases
The Washington apple harvest is fast approaching with early varieties like Gala expected to begin in early August. Pear harvests will follow later in the month. Last year’s extreme heat significantly reduced crop yields, but growers are reporting ideal conditions so far this season. As a result, expectations are high for a well-sized crop with excellent quality.
North Bay Produce gears up for Michigan apple season
North Bay Produce apple growers were picking fruit in late July with the heavy harvesting set to kick off in the second week of August.
Sinclair's small label with a big shift
As the global demand for sustainable packaging intensifies, compostable fruit labels are re-emerging as a small yet powerful innovation in fresh produce. As industry experts point out, while originally designed for branding and product identification, fruit labels have evolved into essential tools for consumer engagement, transparency and operational efficiency. Today, certified compostable labels offer a practical solution that aligns with both corporate environmental goals and consumer expectations for sustainable packaging.
IFPA announces reorganization to amplify food safety
The International Fresh Produce Association announced a reorganization at IFPA to enhance and amplify the association’s goals in the areas of produce safety and food-safety regulations.
New DoorDash partnerships expand grocery access
DoorDash has expanded grocery delivery offerings across the country with the addition of six local grocers. These new partners join DoorDash at a time when more consumers are ordering groceries through the platform than ever before.
The new partners bring shoppers across the West Coast and Ohio more grocery choices, joining several other grocers of all sizes in these regions on DoorDash.
Now available on DoorDash: