Produce departments that keep their spuds tucked away in the back are missing out on natural growth opportunities, advised Ross Johnson, vice president of retail for the Idaho Potato Commission. No matter what the demographics of a retailer’s market are, savvy potato merchandising can help propel higher sales through the entire produce department.

Picture the perfect conditions for producing Idaho potatoes, and that image would look exactly like the 2025 growing season, reported Travis Blacker, vice president of industry relations and research for the Idaho Potato Commission.

The improved asparagus volume is ready for some exciting advertising support. Peruvian volume is steady for now but will slowly decrease each week. Mexican volume has started to increase with steady shipments and lower markets. The quality is excellent with good color and compact tips. 

Unlike this past year, extra-large and jumbo sizes will also be available out of Mexico this season. The time to promote is now through February.

Seed Your Future announced the release of its 2025 cross-curricular career lessons, now available for free download on the organization’s website.

Designed for middle and high school educators, the classroom-ready resources help teachers connect core academic subjects — including art, math, business, social studies and English — to real-world careers across the horticulture industry.

Despite a tightening of the overall apple market, several key varieties are continuing to show strong sales gains, according to officials at CMI Orchards, and that could make it more complex for retailers to ensure they have the right mix of product to satisfy consumer demand.

Joel Hewitt, the vice president of sales for the fifth-generation, family-owned grower, packer and shipper based in Wenatchee, WA, noted that sales for the 2025 crop came in about 8.4 percent lower than original forecasts. Yet, he said that several key varieties showed strong gains.

Finding new products for its curious customers is one of the pillars that drive the various procurement teams at Sprouts Farmers Market. While this pursuit might seem more suited for the consumer packaged goods sections of the store, the retailer does have a group of produce buyers devoted to the task.