Market Minute: It's time for mid-winter berry promotions
Nothing is better during the month of February than shoppers escaping cold, gloomy and dark wintry days. While temperatures are very chilly and snow is falling in many parts of the country, it’s an ideal time for shoppers to see a nice attractive berry display in the stores. It instills a feeling of spring in the air.
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council seeks nominees
Members of the highbush blueberry industry are now seeking nominees to fill U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) state member and alternate positions for the 2026-28 term. The nomination period will begin on March 21, 2025.
Eight USHBC state member and alternate seats need to be filled for the term of office beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Eligible producer nominees are those who produced 2,000 pounds or more of highbush blueberries in the United States during the period of Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2025.
CBP agriculture specialists prepared for Valentine’s Day floral imports
The days on the calendar approaching Valentine’s Day are being crossed off, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists will be ready to conduct inspections of flowers coming in through the ports of entry. Cut flower arrangements are a popular gift brought in from Mexico.
Blue Diamond unveils The Nutty Cruiser ahead of National Almond Day
Blue Diamond Growers announced the creation of its latest innovation, The Nutty Cruiser set to officially launch on National Almond Day, Feb. 16. Blue Diamond’s almond vehicle will embark on the Bring Your Flavor National Tour, with the goal of distributing 1 million almond samples to consumers. This nationwide initiative was designed to showcase Blue Diamond’s bold and craveable flavors to provide the ultimate snacking experience for flavor fanatics all over the United States.
ALDI plans to open 225 new stores this year
ALDI plans to open more than 225 new store locations in 2025 as part of the next phase of its five-year national growth strategy. This is the most stores ALDI will open in one year in its nearly 50-year U.S. history.
The new stores will open through a combination of organic growth and converting select Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores to the ALDI format. In total, ALDI will convert approximately 220 Southeastern Grocers locations to the ALDI format through 2027.
Todd Greiner Farms expands sales and marketing programming
Todd Greiner Farms, a trusted name in Michigan agriculture, is expanding its sales and marketing programming to add much needed strength to the year-round asparagus category, while boosting Michigan asparagus and other locally grown products.
Hall’s continues strong family legacy
Hall’s, located in Hoople, ND, is a fourth-generation family farm with a rich tradition of potato cultivation in the Red River Valley. Specializing in fresh potatoes for both retail and foodservice, the company packages its products in various sizes, including poly bags, cartons, 50-pound bags and totes for repackagers.
Westfalia Fruit adds more value to avocados
Westfalia Fruit is committed to utilizing all parts of the avocado across the supply chain. Avocados imported for retail, foodservice and wholesale customers are carefully inspected. Any unsuitable avocados are processed at Westfalia’s facility into products like avocado pulp, smashed avocado, guacamole and more. The avocado skins and seeds from the process, which were previously typically used in low-value applications such as anaerobic digesters, are now finding new, innovative, higher value alternative uses.
TPIE 2025 brings the international marketplace for tropical plant, foliage and floral professionals to Ft. Lauderdale
The 2025 Tropical Plant International Expo drew nearly 7,400 nursery and landscape industry professionals from across the globe to the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale.
Idaho Potato Commission's Valentine’s promotion like a savory kiss
French fries aren’t just a side dish, they’re an obsession. This Valentine’s Day, the Idaho Potato Commission is turning that obsession into the ultimate gift with Kiss of French, a limited-edition lip luxury that captures the essence of French fries.
A recent national Pollfish survey found that 92 percent of Americans find the taste of fresh Idaho potato French fries irresistible. Now, that same tempting allure is coming to life in an unexpected way — one that makes your lips just as irresistible.