The International Fresh Produce Association hosted its annual Foodservice Conference, taking over Monterey, CA, with all of the important players in the fresh foodservice supply chain.  This year’s conference featured one of the most diverse collections of buyers, record breaking attendance, a sold-out expo and a growing number of field tour programs for chefs and K-12 operators.  

Honeybear's First Kiss apples will be an early variety primer to the fall season. Shipping from Honeybear Brands’ Midwest facilities in mid-August, this Minnesota-grown variety provides a jump start to new fresh crop sales. First Kiss, which debuted in limited supply, has grown its fan base of happy shoppers over the past few years — and now it is headed back to retailer shelves in even greater numbers this season. 

After a couple of years in which the size curve skewed smaller inhibiting total growth by pounds, avocado producers in Mexico are expecting to increase their volume to the U.S. market during the 2025-26 crop year.

The New York Apple Association is gearing up for the 2025 fall harvest.

Cynthia Haskins, president and CEO of NYAA, announced that the 2025 crop is “well on its way” with production projected to tip more than 32 million bushels. While the final estimate is still pending, this year’s crop will be an increase over the last couple of years. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on four 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 USDA approval.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

In the heart of Pennsylvania’s apple country, Rice Fruit Co. is welcoming a new harvest season with the same quiet commitment that has guided its work for generations. Early apples are beginning to come off the trees, and all signs point to a strong, sweet and steady crop.