Fowler Packing names Rudy Placencia VP of sales
Rudy Placencia has joined Fowler Packing Co. as vice president of sales. With over two decades of leadership experience in the agriculture industry and a distinguished background in military service, Placencia brings a strategic, people-first approach to leading high-performance sales organizations.
Trendspotting: Traditional grocery stores holding ground against fierce competition
From farmers markets to bodegas, consumers will shop anywhere and everywhere to get the exact item they want. This has made life increasingly difficult — and uncertain — for traditional brick-and-mortar grocery stores. Rising prices and declining consumer confidence aren’t helping.
Walmart deploys AI-powered tools across U.S.
Walmart plans to equip store associates with a powerful new suite of AI tools designed to eliminate friction, simplify actions and make work more efficient.
“AI is a key enabler in improving how we work, and we believe its full potential is unlocked only when paired with the strengths of our people,” said Greg Cathey, senior vice president, transformation and innovation. “When you put intuitive, accessible technology into the hands of millions of associates, the impact isn’t incremental — it’s transformational.”
NJDA assists peach growers in keeping crop strong
New Jersey typically ranks fourth in the nation in peach production with about 28 million pounds of production on 2,500 acres, according to New Jersey Department of Agriculture, and the state has been as high as second or third.
Organic Produce Summit is your gateway to organic excellence
Organic Produce Summit 2025 is set to be the largest gathering in the event's history, featuring a carefully curated program of educational sessions, networking opportunities and industry showcases throughout the comprehensive two-day celebration of organic fresh produce.
Over 330 retailers and buyers have already confirmed to attend, and an expanded exhibit hall of just over 200 organic fresh produce growers and producers from across North America awaits all OPS 2025 attendees.
Legend Produce supports retail, wholesale and foodservice partners ahead of peak melon season
As peak melon season approaches, Legend Produce is ramping up shipments of its premium melon offering, including Kiss Melons varieties, Origami cantaloupe, full size watermelons, mini watermelons and honeydews. The company is offering promotable volumes to meet demand across retail, wholesale and foodservice channels this year.
Homegrown Organic adds to lineup with fresh California-grown figs
Homegrown Organic Farms is introducing a flavorful new addition to its specialty fruit lineup: fresh, California-grown figs. Cultivated on a 350-acre ranch in Madera, CA — an ideal microclimate for fig production — these figs are transitioning to organic certification, making them a natural fit for the Homegrown Farms label.
Altar Cross Farms' seeing best blueberry season yet
Fueled by growing demand from both national and local retailers, Altar Cross Farms, a family-run organic blueberry farm in eastern North Carolina, has expanded its production by 63 percent this year, now harvesting from 65 certified organic acres.
PRO*ACT Crop Update: Numerous crops to suffer from tropical systems
Tropical activity continues in the Eastern Pacific following hurricane Erick last week as another tropical system is expected to form off the coast of southern Mexico later this week.
“Environmental conditions are conducive for gradual development and a tropical depression is likely to form over the weekend,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Sunny Valley looking forward to New Jersey peach season
Things are peachy for Sunny Valley International.