Fresh Express, Chiquita and Planet Harvest expand access to fresh food
Fresh Express, Chiquita and Planet Harvest are bringing the Fresh Communities Tour: From the Fields to America’s Cities to Salinas this May, delivering thousands of fresh food boxes to families across Monterey County, CA.Following a successful launch in south Florida earlier this year, the Salinas activation marks the second stop in a growing national initiative aimed at expanding access to fresh, nutritious food and supporting communities with practical, everyday meal options.
Honeybear Brands cherries celebrate United States' 250th birthday
Shoppers eagerly await cherry season every summer and retailers depend on the delicate fruit to drive summer produce sales. Honeybear Brands, a leading grower, marketer and developer of premium conventional and organic apples, pears and cherries, will deliver dark sweet red cherries in celebration themed pouches featuring Red, White and Blue USA Birthday graphics — a standout for shoppers looking for that sweet taste of summer.
Arizona's winter gold: A century of lettuce and specialty crop success
When people think of Arizona, they often picture a vast desert landscape—but over the past century, the state has quietly become one of America’s top producers of specialty crops, especially winter vegetables. Central to this story is lettuce, a crop that turned Arizona into a major agricultural power and transformed rural economies across the state.
Papaya industry eyes unified push with proposed research and promotion board
A coalition of papaya industry stakeholders is taking steps to strengthen category performance in the United States, inviting growers, shippers and marketers to participate in a virtual briefing focused on the creation of a national research and promotion board.The Papaya Board Working Group will host a Zoom session May 27 aimed at outlining a framework for a performance-based board designed to expand consumer awareness and drive demand for papayas across the U.S. market.
FreshEdge mourns industry titan Larry Brown
Larry Brown, an industry icon who dedicated most of his professional career to the fresh produce business, died surrounded by his family in Orlando, FL, on April 30.
IFPA urges practical, science-based standards to National Organic Standards Board
The International Fresh Produce Association submitted comments to the National Organic Standards Board outlining priority issues for the organic fresh produce sector in response to the board’s spring 2026 agenda. The comments, developed in consultation with IFPA's Organic Committee, emphasize the need for clear, consistent and science-based standards that protect organic integrity while supporting a stable and reliable supply of fresh fruits and vegetables.
WFFSA opens registration for DevX 2026 in Atlanta
The Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association has officially opened registration for its 2026 Development Experience (DevX), taking place July 28-31 in Atlanta.
Stop & Shop expands grocery delivery
Stop & Shop announced a new partnership with Uber Eats to bring enhanced on-demand grocery delivery to customers across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Stop & Shop’s 350-plus stores are now live on the Uber Eats marketplace, providing another channel for customers to access thousands of items such as fresh foods, pantry staples, household essentials and alcohol at select locations, with same-day and on-demand delivery options.
CPMA hosts largest Convention and Trade Show to date in Toronto
Last week, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association hosted its 2026 Convention and Trade Show, (CPMA 2026 Fresh Week) which brought together produce industry members, innovators and attendees from around the world. The event was highly successful, attracting over 4,600 attendees.
USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Minnesota business
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that La Mera Buena Produce Inc., operating out of Saint Paul, MN, has satisfied a $44,629 reparation order resulting from unpaid produce transactions under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The company has met its obligations and is now free to operate in the produce industry. Ramiro Hernandez Marquez was listed as the officer, director and major stockholder of the business, and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.