USDA restricts PACA violators in California, Texas and Minnesota
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has 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 principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
Duda strengthens sales leadership with strategic hires
Duda Farm Fresh Foods has hired Roger Moncada as director of sales – West and Steve Bindas as director of outside sales. These appointments come at a pivotal moment for Duda as it approaches its centennial in 2026 and builds toward its next 100 years.
Generous Brands acquisition creates nearly $1B retail sales portfolio
Generous Brands, a Butterfly portfolio company and a leader in premium refrigerated beverages offering the Bolthouse Farms, Evolution Fresh and SAMBAZON brands, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Health-Ade, a fast-growing leader and innovator in kombucha tea beverages, from private equity firms First Bev and Manna Tree Partners, who will also continue on as minority shareholders in Generous Brands.
Family and mushrooms drive Basciani’s passion to its centennial
Sixteen members of the Basc
Little Leaf Farms introduces Romaine Leaf lettuce
Little Leaf Farms, the leading brand of packaged lettuce sustainably grown through controlled environment agriculture, is expanding its line of leafy greens with the launch of its newest variety: Romaine Leaf.
Tradition meets innovation at Bottomley Farms
Bottomley Farms grows more than just crops — it grows legacies, nurtures communities and sows seeds for a better tomorrow. As a proud family-owned and operated farm, its roots trace back to the late 1960s when it began with a single, humble crop: cabbage. From those early days, its passion for agriculture and commitment to quality has helped the company evolve into one of the most dynamic farming operations in the Southeast.
UNFI recognizes grocery retailers at Holiday and Winter Selling Show
This year UNFI’s Holiday and Winter Selling Show brought together more than 5,300 attendees, including nearly 2,200 retail customer representatives and more than 900 supplier brands across the natural, organic, fresh, specialty and conventional grocery product categories.
Ben B focuses on expanding delivery radius
Foodservice represents a large pool of business for Ben B. Schwartz & Sons, so the International Fresh Produce Association Foodservice Conference is an important event for the company to connect directly with existing and prospective customers in one place.
Van der Knaap Group and Premier Tech join forces
Van der Knaap Group announced that it is entering into a strategic partnership with Premier Tech. This partnership will enable both companies to offer their customers even more value by sharing their expertise and product portfolios, stimulating innovation and strengthening their global presence.
Honeybear Brands makes strides on sustainability goals
Honeybear Brands has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, marking four years of steady and measurable progress toward its ambitious environmental goals.